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Does this sound like IBS? I'm at my wits end with it all now.

Posted , 7 users are following.

lauren3311
lauren3311

Hi, I'm 17 years old and suffer from a condition called Hypermobility Syndrome which causes chronic muscle and joint pain as one of the main symptoms - I wanted to mention this because I've heard that having this can cause GI issues. I also suffer from Acid Reflux, nausea and Indigestion (unsure as to whether this is relevant in anyway.) I had an endoscopy for this but it came back normal.

?Around 3 years ago, I begun to notice I would get episodes of diarrhoea which meant  I needed to have time off school. In my last year of high school when I couldn't hold it and ended up having an accident outside the school gates. No one to this day knows about it but that's when I noticed things getting worse. During my first year of College Ive noticed more symptoms and they are at the point now where my life is really affected. I wont leave the house without diarrhoea relief, I don't see my friends, I'm always in bed feeling under the weather, I'm always having time off etc. 

?I will suffer from constipation for a week or so and feel okay other than cramps, until the end of the week when my back hurts and I'm nauseous. I will then suffer with diarrhoea for a week or so with cramps and nausea. I've also noticed my energy levels getting worse (although this is another symptom of hypermobility syndrome.) I do also have odd few days or weeks where other than cramps I don't feel to bad and I will also have days where I have the urge to go, but cant and literally the same day episodes of diarrhoea. I also upon doing research saw that 'problems peeing' can be another symptom of IBS. I have to go a lot, can't hold it for long and sometimes really need to pee but cant.

?I've been trying to figure out if anything triggers it but I have a very limited diet, I eat the same food day in, day out. 

I take diarrhoea relief quite often and Ive started 'Colpermin IBS relief' to see if that helps. I want to see my GP about this but I am too embarrassed to go; does anyone have any advice as to what I can do / what to say to my GP. 

?I take 30/300mg Cocodamol, 20mg Esomeprazole, 300mg Ranitidine, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen (I do try to avoid this), Allergy tablets, Contraceptive pill (Microgynon 30) and Prochlorperazine some days too. 

?I don't think these medications are contributing to my symptoms but I thought I would include them incase anybody knows anything about them. 

Thankyou.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Imnotadoctor
    Imnotadoctor lauren3311

    Posted

    You poor thing to have all this so young. Don’t be embarrassed about seeing your GP. Print off what you have written here and show it to him/her. Write down any medication you have tried & keep a food diary. Write a list of questions so you don’t forget, they won’t mind. It’s their job to help you so don’t worry. Good luck.

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      Thankyou, I am trying to pluck up the courage to see my GP but I'm feeling anxious about going. I asked mum to come with me a little while ago but she said I should wait a while longer and she said she didn't want to keep dealing with medical stuff, which is understandable but I'm fed up too. Ill definitely do what you suggested if I go, but I'm really worried about going. 

    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor lauren3311

      Posted

      I know someone who also has hypermobility and she has severe bowel problems, they are related. Do you see someone regarding your hypermobility? Please go to the doctor, if your Mum isn’t able to go with you perhaps you could take another relative?  It’s a good idea to go with someone as they can help you remember anything the doctor may tell you. You don’t want to miss out on going to college etc because of this. 

      Do you take anything to help with your anxiety? It might be worth mentioning this to your GP as well.  You can book a double appointment with your GP so you get more time to discuss things (10 mins goes very quickly) I did this once & my GP thanked me! X 

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      No, I no longer see anyone. I saw specialist physio for a while and rheumatology but they both discharged me and said I had to live with it; I just take Cocodamol to try and manage the pain atm (although theyve taken that off my prescription for some reason so Im probably going to have to make an appt for that.)

      I dont have a lot of relatives and the ones I do have work and things so Id either have to go on my own, or with a friend.

      Ive always been in denial about feeling anxious and told myself its not bad enough to be on medication but it is pretty bad. I have been considering seeing a doctor for that for a few months.

      The double appt I could give a go but the receptionists at my doctors are always really s****y so would probably question the heck out of it and then refuse x

  • jan48389
    jan48389 lauren3311

    Posted

    Hi Lauren, you are having a rough time of it. I agree you need to go back to your doctor, but if you do have food triggers the clue might be in the fact you say you eat the same things day in day out. It might just be that one ( or more) of those foods you are eating regularly is indeed a trigger for you. 

    I’m not a medic, but your symptoms do sound remarkably similar to mine and I was diagnosed with IBS almost 4 years ago. It was only by following the Low Fodmap diet, on the recommendation of my GP, that I discovered cerain foods, which I had eaten for all my life without problems, were acting as IBStriggers for me. Good luck. 

    Jan

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 jan48389

      Posted

      I know I need to go to a doctor but the anxiety and embarrassment surrounding it is stopping me. I agree with the food thing, it probably does have something to do with what I eat; but I'm very picky with foods and have issues with texture etc too so don't eat much of a variety. 

      Thankyou. 

      Lauren. 

  • Squidge44
    Squidge44 lauren3311

    Posted

    It's sounds the same as my problems which I have had since I was 11. I'm now 73 and still get depressed about the diarrhoea and have to be confined to house. I have stopped taking all the gp's medication as none seemed to help. I find the Actimel everyday and Activia yogurt helps me the most. The diarrhoea seems to be less frequent when I take these. I hope you find some comfort but I know it's far from easy. Good luck

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 Squidge44

      Posted

      Thankyou. I'm hoping Ill get the courage to see my GP at some point because I'm at the point where I don't really leave the house and I'm considering not doing my second year at college. I just don't want to be dealing with it at all... 

    • graham9772
      graham9772 lauren3311

      Posted

      You need help as soon as possible.   Its its highly probable that your doctor can bring it all under control by a simple FODMAP diet.   The sooner you start the sooner you get your life back.

      There's no point in being embarrassed about telling your doctor.    He or she sees all this everyday and thinks nothing of it.   You are "just another one on the assembly line"     Just keep telling yourself that you'll be out of there in 30 minutes and you'll be on the path to a more normal life.   Look to the future and nothing else is important enough to be embarrassing!     

      If your mum just can't face it and you can't ask a girlfriend then you have to pluck up your courage and do it yourself.   You must do it because it might be very important to find out what's wrong and start treatment as soon as possible.   You know that you have to do it eventually so the sooner the better.

      Tell us all when your appointment is and we will all be thinking of you and barracking for you.

      I think the idea of writing out a list of symptoms is excellent.    Don't try to write a story but just make a list with just a few words for each symptom.   Don't waste time making it perfect just make an appointment right now and then start on the list.   Don't spare the doctors feelings - give him enough details so he understands how serious it is.

      Good Luck

      Graham

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 graham9772

      Posted

      I keep telling myself to them its normal and they probably hear similar things multiple times a day, but it doesnt stop me convincing myself things will sort themselves out etc. I think I would be able to be more honest and open about it, if I did go alone..however I probably would ask a friend to wait outside for me because I get very anxious at the doctors and am often sick or panicky.

      Thankyou, Im trying to work out the best way to go about it and how Id feel the least awkward or embarrassed going. x

  • FA54321
    FA54321 lauren3311

    Posted

    Hi Lauren, I agree with everyone here saying you need to go back to the doctor’s office. In the meantime, whilst I understand how hard it is giving other foods up (believe me I know, I have IBS,  Coeliac disease, diabetes, and am dairy/soya/sugar intolerant - and a host of other intolerances - I also have hyper-mobility, fibromyalgia and other health problems). I found going on the low FODMAP diet helpful as it brings other food intolerances to the surface and you can gradually re-introduce foods one at a time, to see which foods cause the problem. The stomach cramps you describe do sound like a food intolerance, so you’ve nothing to lose but your symptoms,  and it’s really worth trying out. (After the elimination stage of quite a lot of foods, you can start to reintroduce one at a time after about 3 months). 

    I notice you take co-codomol for pain, these can cause constipation, maybe your body is rebelling against this and after the constipation, you end up with the opposite problem? Also, with all the other medication you are taking, it might be the reason why your bowel habits have gone from one extreme to the other.  I think you need referring to a specialist who can help with digestive issues, a lot of it is trial and error and you may not get sorted out straight away, but if you keep a food diary as well and write everything down - including your medication - and the symptoms you get, it can help you identify issues; it’s a bit like playing detective, until you find answers.  I wish you luck in this, but please see a doctor, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, they’ve seen/heard it all before, so don’t worry, and if the receptionist asks why you need a double appointment, you are at liberty to withhold this information and could tell them it’s something you prefer to discuss only with your doctor - be polite but firm.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 lauren3311

    Posted

    Do not be aftaid to see your doctor.  Your doctor is the only one who can diagnose you!  Tell your doctor all the symptoms you have mentioned here.  Leave nothing out.  Your medications may be playing a part.  Check the medication leaflet for side effects.  Try coming off them one at a time to see if you notice any improvements in your symptoms.
  • lauren3311
    lauren3311

    Posted

    Thankyou all for the replies. Ive started keeping track of my food and I have noticed that Milk seems to be a bit of an issue - Im trying to cut out, or at least reduce the amount of milk to see if that helps and see if I notice anything else. I wanted to cut it out of my diet completely and give that a go but I think thats a big step for someone who eats so little as it is, milk is often a meal substitute for me and I wont drink dairy free milks. Im trying to pluck up the courage to go to the doctor and my friends are helping me get everything together before hand. Im looking online daily at available appointments but the one doctor I dont feel anxious seeing has none available atm and hasnt for the past few weeks. The only issue I have is you have to give a reason as to why you're booking the appointment before you can select book appt and I havent decided what to put in that box yet. Again thankyou, and Im trying my best to get over the whole feeling anxious and embarrassed thing and go!!

  • graham9772
    graham9772 lauren3311

    Posted

    Cutting out milk completely for two weeks is not going to hurt you.   If you stop milk today then by the time you see your doctor you will have a useful bit of information.   Drink water.   You should be drinking 2 litres of water NOT counting tea coffee or soft drinks.     That alone might help your problems.      If cutting down milk seems to help a bit then go the full hog and eliminate it.   Have you also cut out tea and coffee?    They have caffeine in them which might not be helping.    For the next two weeks or until you can get to the doctor just drink 2 litres of water every day.

    Its easy

    Cheers (and make an appointment TODAY)

    Graham

    • lauren3311
      lauren3311 graham9772

      Posted

      I dont like tea or coffee anyway so its just a matter of seeing what alternatives I have in for breakfast etc instead of using milk and I think then its pretty much out of my diet. Ill give the drinking water a go, I tend to drink a lot but only fruit juice.

      Thanks.

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