1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

No clear answers

Posted , 3 users are following.

michellelvj
michellelvj

My story started over a year a go when I had my first 'funny turn' which has now turned into intermittent episodes of the same symptoms. I start to feel nauseous, dry heave, have to run to the bathroom urgently and usually have diarrhea. I will then start shaking violently. I will have several more bouts of diarrhea until the nausea passes and I feel exhausted. I will generally then be off my food for days. My stools also look a bit narrow in these times. Having a very quick metabolism, this is not great as I do drop some weight. Since the first of these episodes I have had a fair few more with them lasting anywhere from an hour to me feeling this way for up to a week. Since the first episode my bowel habits have never been quite normal, though they do return pretty close to normal, though I now have a tendency towards some constipation. Stools return to a normal diameter also.

I generally have no pain, though do sometimes get gas pain. I sometimes get pelvic pain unlinked to these episodes that feel like mild period pain. I also did have some discomfort in my lower right side but this has pretty much resolved, though I feel it occassionally. I also get a lump in throat sensation which has been diagnosed as globus. No visible blood in stool and stool looks a healthy colour.

I have had a ton of tests (some whilst symptomatic) but all of them have been totally utterly normal:

General blood work

Celiac blood test

Throid function blood test

H Pylori blood test

Calprotectin stool test

Abdominal ultra sound carried out by a specialist doctor

2x pelvic ultrasounds

Flexible sigmoidoscopy carried out by CR surgeon - this showed visible inflamation throughout the procedure but all biopsies were normal so the inflamation was put down to the enema before the procedure

Endoscopy - no biopsies taken which I was annoyed about but the procedure was carried out by an experienced Dr who said there were simply no abnormalities to be seen.

I am awaiting a colonoscopy because I insisted. I was put on omeprazole 6 months ago and I feel this helped my symptoms and my episodes were less and if they did crop up more short lived but I had to discontinue this for the endoscopy last week. I have had a flare this week and am feeling rubbish. No appetite at all.

My partner was rushed into hospital a month ago and I had my first episode in a while the day after, so part of my thinks it could be stress. An episode is also more likely to come on with my period, so that makes me think hormonal. I have tracked food for months and seen a dietician and done low fodmap strictly and identified no triggers for these episodes, but realised I am a bit sensitive to some vegetables which I now avoid.

My GI consultant insists this is IBS, but the episodes I have just sound so odd when I read other stories here. Also the lack of pain. I am desparate for answers and am having a hard time accepting the IBS diagnosis. I am meant to ve moving (alone) to the US for work later this year for several months and I need answers and a management plan before I go. I feel like I am going mad. My partner says I should just accept the diagnosis...

Does anyone's syptoms match these? I know there is no one size fits all, but these seem unusual for IBS. I am 30. No history of bowel cancer or IBD in the family.

Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • susand1408
    susand1408 michellelvj

    Posted

    There is no one size fits all. The whole point of an ibs diagnosis is there is no reason but the stomach reacts to different things in different ways.

    As you have had all the tests you have a glad on the one had and the negative on the other hand as there isn't an easy fix.

    There are some good bacteria drinks that cam help. I prefer the wheat based ones as dairy can make ibs worse. Plus the wheat based ones usually have a bigger range of bacteria. They are a lot more expensive but are worth it.

    Take it they have ruled out gallstones as well.

    Stress will make your symptoms worse.

    Also the more healthier the food the worse the effects can be. More complex fibres aggravate the gut more.

    Due you suffer fatigue etc? They can also be symptoms of fibromyalgia and /or chronic fatigue syndrome.

    Hope it helps!

  • jan48389
    jan48389 michellelvj

    Posted

    Your symptoms sound very similar to mine when my IBS started. I too had a mild pain, almost like a stitch, in my right side but it wasn't severe, more uncomfortable than anything else. Over the course of 9 months or so the "episodes" increased in frequency and following various tests, including a colonoscopy, IBS was diagnosed. I'm maybe one of the luck ones - Low FODMAP works well for me most of the time but I do have to follow it strictly. I find gluten aggravates my condition considerably, as do onions and mushrooms but I'm fine with lactose. 

    For me, accepting that I have IBS, and that I can pretty much manage and control it meant that a lot of the anxiety I had about my health ( I guess most people fear the worst) disappeared. I do still get flare ups, but they're usually short lived and I've learned to accept that they're just one of those that have to be got through. 

    Good luck and let us know how you get on. 

    Jan

     

  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 michellelvj

    Posted

    You symptoms sound like IBS. When all tests are negative IBS can be diagnosed. If your doctor has diagnosed irritable bowel, I would accept what you have been told.  Hormones affect IBS, that is why it is worse during periods.  I have had this symptom.  My IBS started just before my period so I assumed it was hormonal and the stomach pain felt like a period.  I had nausea, constipation and loose stools as well.  Once I accepted my diagnosis, my panic disappeared and my pain improved.  I always have mild, dull pain and only occasional flare ups which Buscopan and painkillers help.  As you say, IBS is different for everyone and no one treatment suits all patients.

     

    I had all the tests you had except for the colonoscopy.  Although, I did have an endoscopy years ago because of acid, and nothing was found.  I had a bad reaction to the sedation, so I would have to avoid this one in the future.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.