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does this sound like IBS?

Posted , 4 users are following.

emily9711
emily9711

My boyfriend has been getting bad stomach aches and nausea for about a year now. He's had bloodwork, an ultrasound, and a colonoscopy done where nothing was found. It started with blood in his poop, diarrhea, constipation and he lost a ton of weight because of not wanting to eat from the pain. Does this sound like IBS? if it is, what medication can be used to help it and how long will it take for the medication to work.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • joanne58498
    joanne58498 emily9711

    Posted

    Hi. Dies he fell stressed or anxious. As nothing has come back from these tests .....which is good......It could well be IBS. Has he tried a food diary to see if something triggers it off. It's horrible as it's painful and can be embarrassing. It makes you want to stay home in case it flares up. I understand about the not eating as it hurts and you don't want to increase the chance of going to the toilet. Has the Dr suggested where to go from here??

    • emily9711
      emily9711 joanne58498

      Posted

      He does get stressed sometimes, can that make IBS worse? He was thinking of doing a food diary but it seems like nothing makes it flare up it just does it on its own. And not really. His doctor did suggest going to a specialist but it's going to take a while for him to get in. Is there anything that helps IBS?

       

    • joanne58498
      joanne58498 emily9711

      Posted

      I suffer with Anxiety panic and IBS and they all seen to go together. I have anti depressants which help with the anxiety so I don't panic and my stomach is more settled. I take mebeverin......not sure if I have spelt that correct. Are you in the UK??

    • emily9711
      emily9711 joanne58498

      Posted

      No, I'm in Canada but I believe that that health care system is pretty much the same.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 emily9711

    Posted

    Does he have haemorrhoids or fissures and is the blood bright red?  If he does, this may explain the bleeding. Has the doctor suggested IBS?  Has he been examined for fissures or haemorrhoids?
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 emily9711

      Posted

      He should keep going back to the doctor to get a firm diagnosis.  If all tests are negative, IBS can be diagnosed.  Haemorrhoids and fissures can be caused by diarrhoea or constipation and can result in bleeding.

      If it is IBS, antispasmodics can be tried for the pain. He may have to try several to find one that suits him.  These medications all work differently and the time it takes for them to work also varies.  I take Buscopan and it takes 15 minutes to take effect.  

      He could also try a food diary or the Low Fodmap diet to see if he has food triggers.  The Fodmap diet is specifically designed for IBS.

  • joanne58498
    joanne58498 emily9711

    Posted

    The stomach is full of nerves which is why it reacts the way it does if we are nervous or stressed out. I find I can be obsessive about my stomach. I also panic if I need the loo and that creates a wholeanxiety attack. My anti depressants definitely help but like I said everyone is different. If he is finding it hard to do day to day stiff and getting more down or anxious I would keep going back to your Dr. I feel for you. I know how awful it is
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