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Doc says IBS but no pain and have acid reflux symptoms??

Posted , 8 users are following.

weehaze
weehaze

Hi - hope someone can help me. I recently got diagnosed with IBS but I'm not convinced. Last October I suddenly started getting acid reflux symptoms - pain in my chest, heartburn like having a stone trapped right in the middle of my chest - and the most notable, a few hours after I went to bed I'd be up feeling really sick.  The first time this happened I was really really sick, but also had bad diahorrea - like a tap.  But in all this, no stomach pain - and as soon as everything was out, I felt better.  Got omeprazole for acid reflux and that worked reasonably well - but then despite cutting out wine/fried food/crips/spicy food - just about everything non bland - I still had this constant burping and feeling I was going to be sick.  Only milk or gaviscon helped.  So.. fast forward a few months and got an endoscopy - all clear.  Saw consultant and he said IBS? But my pal has this and has horrendous pain - bloating etc.  I get a bit gassy but no stomach pain?  I thought things were better but the other night I was up again-really sick then upset stomach - then fine again.  Doc told me to take Mebeverine - but I read that this is for stomach pain/cramps so why?! My doc also says if it was just acid reflux I wouldn't have an upset stomach - but my friends say if it was IBS I would have so much pain/difficulty controlling bowels etc - which I don't.  But I can't seem to get to the bottom of it - pardon the pun. And if I eat or drink anything remotely interesting I panic I will be up sick a few hours after going to bed (which must be acid related due to the fact it is after I lie down?)  Not sure there is any point taking Mebeverine.  Does this sound familiar to anyone please? I was fine before last Oct. No stomach or reflux issues? Thanks smile

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

  • pat11500
    pat11500 weehaze

    Posted

    Hi Weehaze, I have IBS (had it for years on and off.. I don't have the cramping pains either (not everyone has those) I burp and am very bloated sometimes and alternate between hard and soft stools. It's definiately worse whenI am stressed. I take Colpermin what are peppermint oil tablets, you can get them over the counter or on prescritption. They help with the nausea and calm the tummy down. I watch what I eat. When I have an attack, I just eat bland food and slowly introuduce other food to see which are the culprits. I also find Andrews Liver salts a real help. I think for the reflux you could try some Gaviscon. Iam sure things will calm down soon for you. The more you stress about it the worse it gets, its a viscious circle.. so try a few more things and see if it helps you .. keep us posted. 

    • weehaze
      weehaze pat11500

      Posted

      Thanks Pat. Good to know others have similar issues too. I try Yakult as well. Will persevere!
  • ann55375
    ann55375 weehaze

    Posted

    My friend had your symptoms, then endoscopy ok and colonoscopy showed coeliac problem.  Changed diet to gluten free and symptoms gone.  May be worth asking.
    • weehaze
      weehaze ann55375

      Posted

      Thanks. Should have said I got tested for coeliac and it was negative. Got test for h pylori too and negative. All tests have been fine - I start to feel like they think I am making it up....far from the truth when my head is down the loo! I hate being sick too..I usually feel like I will faint and sometimes do..so get a real panic. It just all started out of the blue.
    • belgravia
      belgravia weehaze

      Posted

      You certainly ain't making it up as l can understand exactly how you feels as l get some pretty bad bouts of IBS sometimes and its certainly not nice. 

    • ann55375
      ann55375 weehaze

      Posted

      my gp suggested i have gallbladder checked and there were stones, hence the pain, and sickness.  I had it removed but still get nausea and diarrhoea but no pain or sickness.  Seems to have cleared one problem but not the other.
  • jan48389
    jan48389 weehaze

    Posted

    Your friends are wrong!!! Some people do indeed get awful pain with IBS but others don't. In my case it was just a dull, constant niggle in my right side - certainly not enough to need any painkillers. Some people also experience nausea with IBS. It might be worth trying the Low Fodmap diet - although it is designed to alleviate IBS symptoms it could well calm down acid reflux. 

    Jan

     

    • ann55375
      ann55375 jan48389

      Posted

      I am going down the route looking for clue where nausea coming from too.

      I have also had intermittent diarrhoea.dr says it is anxiety. No anti dep has worked.

      i have tried gaviscon too.

      now trying low Fodmap diet and will try anything.  Will see how it goes.

  • rhonda19552
    rhonda19552 weehaze

    Posted

    Hi

    Seems IBS normally presents with pain diarrea and constipation - mine is different to that too - but was told after semonella poisioning it was likely IBS cos my bowel motions weren't as they were. 5 months on still not back to normal although really on have 1.bout of diarrea probably caused by starting antidepressants - obviously it can present differently for everyone.

    I like you have been trying to cut out foods etc but now are keeping a food diary to see if there's any correlation

    If you've had any added pressure lately it might of affected you? Plus when we are anxious we take in a lot more air and can start belching etc.

    I hope someone can help with your questions.

    It does get you down when you can't figure out why it's happening. Goodluck

    • weehaze
      weehaze rhonda19552

      Posted

      I am very busy and get stressed by life but that's not new!:I'm also on HRT and will be til I am 50 following a hysterectomy when I was 40 - almost 6 years ago. Otherwise usually very healthy. Thanks for replying x

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 weehaze

      Posted

      HRT Is oestrogen and wonder if this could be upsetting your system?

      Life is constant and overwhelming at times - hope your symptoms ease soon

  • alan15711
    alan15711 weehaze

    Posted

    hi  i have had the same as you, i started having a 'activia yogurt' every morning before breadfast and i don't suffer as bad anymore, wonderfull stuff 'cherry is best' also try peppermint oil  capsules, you can buy them on ebay or holland and barrart, it work's for some people and get's rid of bloating! regards alan.

    • weehaze
      weehaze alan15711

      Posted

      Thanks Alan. I'd rather manage this through diet than more pills. I'll def consider the peppermint. A few places suggest those . Thanks

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 weehaze

    Posted

    Your symptoms sound like IBS especially if all your tests were negative and you are getting intermittent diarrhoea. Everyone experiences IBS differently.  I have read of some people not experiencing pain with IBS.  Ask to be referred to an IBS clinic where more time will be spent with you to tailor an appropriate treatment to your needs.

    Your doctor prescribed you Mebeverine because you have been diagnosed with IBS.  It is worth it to try the Mebeverine to see if it helps the nausea and bouts of diarrhoea.  However, Mebeverine doesn't suit everyone and can cause nasty side effects.  I was prescribed it and I came off it within days because it made me feel awful.

    I get stomach pain with my IBS and Buscopan and Nurofen help me.  I have had constipation, loose stools, nausea and back pain too.  Stress brings on flare ups.  I panicked a lot until I was diagnosed.  However, once my symptoms were identified, my anxiety went away.  Try distraction techniques like walking, swimming and a hobby.

     

    • weehaze
      weehaze pippa58442

      Posted

      What were the side effects of mebeverine ? It's only been a few days but I feel more nauseous than usual and almost like I am hungover ...which is laughable since wine is off the cards! Thanks

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi

      Can I ask and I know its crass but what is normal with movements - I'm starting to loose sight? Can it just be different each day?

      I sure are now not like I used to be - always solid and large size - now smaller pieces and sometimes mushy - I'm starting to think when it's mushy it could be what I've eaten. I read that from

      When you eat something to having a bowel movement it is approx 48 hours - that now gives me a benchmark to see how the food I eat on a certain day is affecting me.

      Sorry for being graphic hope I haven't grossed anyone out.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 weehaze

      Posted

      tried mebeverine but no good for me.  Ended up with imodium which works for the diaahorrea.   Havent found anything for the nausea yet.
    • pat11500
      pat11500 rhonda19552

      Posted

      If you want to test how quickly food pases through your system eat some sweetcorn, is doesn't digest and will pass out whole.. so you can see how fast/slow your system is. I get different shapes and sizes on different days.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 rhonda19552

      Posted

      I started with persistent constipation where I couldn't go at all or would produce tiny pellets that on one occasion put my back out trying to pass one.  Then I switched to loose, urgent stools that changed colour and were pencil shaped.  I also had incomplete evacuation.  I have always been prone to constipation which cleared up but when I got IBS it got chronic.

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi Pippa oh thank god someone has described what I've had - so the doctor has put it Just down to ibs - did you have any tests to confirm it was ibs - do you still have those symptoms and how long did you or have you had them? Do you get pain? I really don't. Have you changed your diet? Many thanks

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 weehaze

      Posted

      Mebeverine made me more nauseous, constipated and I got severe indigestion which was much worse than I usually get.  These side effects were not mentioned on the patient leaflet so I googled it and all the side effects I got were listed there.
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 rhonda19552

      Posted

      I had an ultrasound, celiac test, urine sample checked, a stool test for h pylori and a fecal calprotectin test.  Everything came back clear.  I still get constipation and incomplete evacuation and then I pass a day's worth of stools in one go. However, the constipation isn't as chronic and severe as it was and the loose stools have stopped.  My stools got loose because of the stress of no diagnosis for three and a half months.  

      Eating more fibre such as oranges and grapes keeps my bowel habits more regular.  However, orher than that I haven't changed my diet because my symptoms are not triggered by food or drink.  In the beginning, I did switch to cereal in the morning instead of croissants, avoided potatooes and avoided coffee because I heard that it could cause stomach pain.  I also came off oranges as suggested by my doctor because my pain started when I was eating them.   However, the lack of oranges made me more nauseous, constipated and caused more stomach pain.  I went back on them and these symptoms got better.  Excluding croissants, coffee and potato made no difference to my pain, so I put them back into my diet.

      After my eighth doctor asked me about stress levels, I realised the link with my symptoms for the first time.  In the months before my IBS, I had had one stressful event after the other.  I had not made the connection because anxiety is normal for me.

      The first symptom I had was constipation which kept coming back followed by stomach and back pain with nausea.

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks for your update.  I really do think anxiety is not helping me.  The semonella did me in for a couple of months - but because my stools weren't hardening up (like i always had prior) I started getting anxious so it's a vicious cycle.  I read on a site the other night - that a guy said when you relax your stomach and use a kettlebell for strengthening up your bowel muscles it helped him have more normal habits. I'll try anything, so i've brought a kettlebell.  You never know.  Relaxing on the other hand is hard cos I have alot of stress and anxiety.  I haven't dealt really well with my sisters diagnosis - but she is going along well thank god, but it was a shock. Plus my mum being sick - visiting her in hospital all the time for 3 months - plus the normal crap that goes on in everyday life with kids and partner.  I hope I'll soon be back to normal.  Thanks again for your time.  Just out of interest which country do you live in? I'm in Australia. Not sure if this is a worldwide site.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 rhonda19552

      Posted

      I'm in Great Britain. I have seen posts from a variety of countries on this site. It's amazing how many people across the world are struggling with the same problems.

    • pat11500
      pat11500 pippa58442

      Posted

      Yes, it does seem to be prolific. I was diagnosed at 29 and I'm 66 now. Mine has been bad for the last few months.. (UK)

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 pat11500

      Posted

      My aunt was staying with us recently and we were eating a little differently according to her tastes and sometimes she did the cooking.  My stomach is sensitive to changes in diet and cooking methods and I was also feeling stressed because she can be very unpleasant when you least expect it.  So my bowel is not quite settled down yet.
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