Do these sound like IBS symptoms?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Sorry in advance, this might get a little long.

I went to my GP about 4 weeks ago because I had had abdominal pains for about a week.  I had a short bout of diarrhea at the beginning, and then the rest of the week was just stomachache and some nausea.  She said it seemed like a stomach bug, but if the pains continued I should see my gynecologist to check for possible ovarian cysts.  

When I saw my gyno he said there didn't seem to be any gynecological problems and that I should see a GI specialist.  At this point, I was having a lot of pain and tenderness throughout my entire abdominal area, as well as lower back pain.  The GI doctor told me first of all to stop taking the omeprazole I had been prescribed by the ENT for reflux, because that can cause stomach pain.  He also suggested that stress could be playing a big part in my GI problems.  I stopped the omeprazole and the pain eased considerably, thought not completely.

I've always had issues with my stomach--gas, bloating, indigestion from a range of different foods, and heartburn.  It had been suggested before that I might have IBS, but I was never given a diagnosis.

My pains stretch across my abdomen, low so they actually feel like menstrual cramps much of the time, and I have sharp twinges periodically in different areas--I'll have them in the lower left side, than a little higher in the right side, and then around my back.  I have gassiness and burping, and still have occasional heartburn.  Anything greasy or acidic sets all of my symptoms off.  

My gyno said my symptoms sound like gallbladder disease, but I had my gallbladder removed 7 years ago.  My appendix ruptured and had to be removed in an emergency open appendectomy 8 years ago.  I have a great deal of scar tissue from that, between the main incision and the multiple incisions that they made for the drainage tubes (I had peritonitis from the ruptured appendix).  I've also had 3 c-sections.  The GI doctor did say that adhesions from surgery can cause abdominal discomfort.  As I said before, he also said stress could play a role, which makes sense, because I don't seem to have these types of problems when I'm on vacation and feeling relaxed.  They also subside when I exercise.  

I'm scheduled for an endoscopy, but I'm not entirely sure what that will either diagnose or rule out.  If IBS is suspected, is an endoscopy or colonoscopy more likely to determine it?  I'm also taking lactaid pills prior to eating dairy, because the doctor said that dairy tends to be a problem for many people with IBS.  

I have been stressed out lately and not sleeping well, and not because of my physical health symptoms.  I just have a lot going on and many things that I'm responsible for right now.  My sleep gets interrupted fairly often by me waking up thinking about things I need to get done.  I'm hoping that once school lets out and my kids' regular activities are on a break, I'll be able to relax more and maybe I'll see some improvement in my symptoms.

Do these symptoms sound fairly typical of IBS?  I'm not sure how much I should push for a diagnosis.  If the endoscopy comes back normal, should I go for a colonoscopy as well?  

 

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello viv

    Oh my! You have been through a lot!

    How much water do you drink a day?

    My doctor said and they say this to me at my gym drink 2 litres of bootleg water a day

    It will cure most things in our body.

    It will rid of gas bloating and your number twos will. Come more easier because if the water content in your body.

    So if you don't drink a lot try that otherwise maybe diary or very low fat products may help you..

    I hope I've helped you in some way

    All the best liz😊

  • Posted

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    • Posted

      I neglected to add that the reason your gyno suggested a diseased gall bladder is that you probably described a lot of bloating--which gall bladder problems cause with a vengeance.  But so does IBS.  There have been times when my upper abdomen was as distended as in those bygone days when my gall bladder was acting up [I had it removed]. This bloating usually started up near bedtime, making it impossible to sleep until it subsided and that could take hours.  But those periods, thankfully, never lasted too long.  I found taking statins for my high cholesterol, which you are supposed to take before bedtime, tended to aggravate that situation, so I stopped taking them.  They are controversial, anyway.  Probably, I really do need them, but at my present age not being able to sleep at night is not going to help me live longer, either.  Of course, the bloating can occur during the day, too, but one is more active then and activity seems to help things get moving so that gas cannot build up as much.  I wish I could tell you what causes this terrible bloating but I doubt it can be pinned down to any one cause. You mentioned adhesions--and I, too, have wondered if those play any part in my own troubles.  We women do get abdominal procedures, like getting our tubes tied and having c-sections. 
  • Posted

    Gallbladder and appendix surgery can cause IBS. Exercise and relaxation help it.  IBS can feel like period pain and periods can make IBS worse. You do not necessarily need an endoscopy and colonoscopy to diagnose IBS.  These tests are sometimes done to rule out other conditions. A colonoscopy is suggested only if you have alarm symptoms or want it done for reassurance. I was diagnosed with IBS without these procedures.

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