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

Do I need more tests to confirm IBS?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Xenon
Xenon

Hi

I have been struggling with the following symptoms since 2010 and haven't found a cause or a solution.

Main Symptoms:

-Constipation and slow transit time

-Excessive belching

-Bad bloating

-Growling and/or burning under tip of breastbone

-Floating hard lumpy stools that sometimes contain white mucus

Tests had:

-Colonoscopy

-FBC's

-Ceolliac screen

-Thyroid function

-H.pylori

-Serum amylase

-Serum ferritin

-T.transglutaminase AB

-Fecal calprotectin

I have also kept a food diary for 6 weeks, followed a low fodmap diet for 6 weeks, a low fibre diet, a high fibre diet, various probiotics and off the shelf medications.

What other tests should I ask for before I accept the working diagnosis that I have been given of IBS ?

Thanks

Paul

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Xenon

    Posted

    You have had many negative tests.  Accept your diagnosis of IBS and you will start to feel much better.  Your symptoms sound like IBS.
  • libralady13
    libralady13 Xenon

    Posted

    Yes I agree with the reply pippa58442 accept you have IBS and you might feel better.  I know it is had because it is a diagnosis of exclusion and there is not test which says this is IBS.  Your symptoms sound lke IBS.  Good luck hop you are feeling better soon.
  • Anguspug
    Anguspug Xenon

    Posted

    I get the gnawing pain you describe and further pain in back and side on right. I have ibs too but docs are goi g down route of cholecystitis and gallstones. I also burp like crazy.
  • Xenon
    Xenon

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies to my post. I have read about how doc's are very keen to diagnose IBS because it can be an easy way out for them rather than ordering lots of tests that can often be inconclusive (and no doubt because these cost money). What I want is to KNOW FOR SURE that it is IBS and not any other issue. Ideally I need to find an expert gastroenterologist that will take a well considered look at my symptoms and know from experience what may be the problem (and what tests to order) rather than going for lots of random tests. I am keen to be sure that what I am dealing with is IBS before accepting this (and then going down the route of finding the best ways to cope with it with no success) because my symptoms are a result of something else.

  • robbie35496
    robbie35496 Xenon

    Posted

    You can NEVER know for sure it's IBS. You need to accept that unfortunately. I did. I have been for all the same tests as you...

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.