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IBS hell - any advice??

Posted , 10 users are following.

em-1986
em-1986

Hi,

this is my first ever forum post so forgive me if I ramble on.

I am a 29 year old female and was diagnosed with ibs aged 20 - well I say diagnosed - the doctors thought it was either endometriosis or ibs, after an ultrasound, I was sent to the gastro and he prodded my tummy told me it was ibs, gave me a leaflet and   Practically threw me out the door. For years I have been backwards and forwards to the doctors but nothing seems to work. I have seen a dietician 3 times now, been tested for allergies and intolerances every couple of years and everything comes back fine. I have done every diet you could think of and nothing works, I have tried buscopan, mebevrin, peppermint capsules and nothing works. I recently tried magnesium after reading on here that it works for some people but unfortunately had me doubled over in pain and up all night immediately after taking it. I tend to suffer with ibs c but also suffer with D. I get really bad pains mainly on my left side, extreme bloating and lots of mucus. My tummy is also very noisy. The pain is so bad sometimes I am in tears and can't breath.  I eat healthy and do lots of exercise and try not to let it get to me but the older I get the worse it seems to get. I think mine is mostly stress related which is probably why the diets haven't helped. I have never had a colonoscopy despite requesting one from the doctor on a number of occasions, I know the procedure isn't pleasant but they have never checked for anything more serious and stomach issues such as colitis run in my family. I am not sure what else to do...does anyone have any advice?. I recently tried a smoothy diet which did help initially but after a while didn't work so am back to square one! I have recently read about symprove so maybe I should give that a try but and advice is welcome 😀.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • david59662
    david59662 em-1986

    Posted

    It might be worth trying SYMPROVE probiotic drink product for 3 months, they have a 12 week challenge on, you get one month free, it is quite expensive but as you can see from the amazon reviews effective for many. Nutri-centre have the offer. You may also benefit from Kefir drinks.
  • DaveHotspur
    DaveHotspur em-1986

    Posted

    Hi..

    Over the las 12 months I have been treated for IBS by two doctors as sometimes mine is too busy to fit me in.

    One has been over keen for me to have a Colonoscopy..the other giving me tablets for IBS.

    Well after all this time with sometimes excruciating pain it appears I have a Hernia..which I'm waiting to have repaired.

    My intestine has been coming thru my rupture and upsetting my digestion.

    One time the pain was so bad I had to request a 999..the Paremedic wrote a report out to give to my Doctor ASAP hinting it might be a Hernia and my doctor ignored it with no examination and still said it was IBS.

    For 3 weeks now I have kept my Hernia in and I've been fine.

    I can't understand why you haven't been offered a Colonoscopy.

     

  • zaovlao
    zaovlao em-1986

    Posted

    You have to be persistent, even aggressive toward that your doctor, and if he continues  refused to do a colonoscopy (or gastroscopy), REQUIRE (SEARCH, ASK, GET) HIM TO GIVE YOU WRITTEN FINDING THAT YOU DO NOT NEED COLONOSCOPY, tell him that what he tells you how you do not need a colonoscopy, let it to write and sign! And in the meantime you make a colonoscopy (and gastroscopy) at a private clinic....

    good luck

  • susand1408
    susand1408 em-1986

    Posted

    Try symprove it's well worth a go. Plus if you aren't wanting any kids at the moment try the depo injection. Ibs can be made worse with hormones. I used symprove and have had the depo injection every month for years and I am so much better. It's well worth seeing if it works for you.
  • leesa56475
    leesa56475 em-1986

    Posted

    It's very frustrating isn't it... I woke up one morning a yr n half ago with sickness, lost of appitate, bloatedness and a awful pressure feeling done below, had tests for ovarian cancer which came back negative, thank god, and lots of bloods, internals etc all fine....I lost a stone and half in 8 wks I ended up going private because I wasn't getting any answers ....I was told by the consultant to try a FODMAP diet, drink actimel twice a day...I have given up coffee, pastries, cakes, bread and pasta and feel so much better..I was tested for celiac but was negative,,,, although, I am on a gluten free diet and again, this has made me feel a lot better......I had a CT scan, privately and all ok... I have had several episodes as I call them and had a lot of pain in my stomach and back passage .... They still say it is IBS.... I am going private again to see about having a colonoscopy as I just want answers like you..
  • susand1408
    susand1408 em-1986

    Posted

    I really would try symprove. Before I tried it I had such bad attacks I ended up in a&e quite often. Since taking symprove I've even been able to add dairy back into my diet as it was a big trigger. Hormones and stress can also be triggers so diet wouldn't help with them but symprove eases and relaxes your stomach as it doesn't have to work as hard to digest the food so they don't factor in as much.
  • em-1986
    em-1986

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    thanks so much for your comments, i think I may try symprove and see if if helps. Am also going to go back to the doctor and insist on further tests. I do know I need to relax more, I am not a great sleeper and wake up most nights to go for a wee, when I am nervous or anxious it plays up as well. I did do a stress wellness course through my doctor but it didn't really help much. I think I am just hoping one day it will just go away and I won't feel like I am walking around looking like I am 6 months pregnant which is what it feels like ☺️

  • laurenjessica
    laurenjessica em-1986

    Posted

    Hey, I know this was quite a while ago now but did anything help you for your condition as I am in exactly the same boat right now 😦

  • sam18386
    sam18386 em-1986

    Posted

    hi em, i don't understand why doctors do this or dietitians for that matter! diet, diet, diet, they strip things out they don't put anything in and leave you to it. to cope alone. you mentioned 1 thing - stress! that's the trigger i have, what stresses you out? discover this and you may control your ibs. what happened just before your bowels were out of control or different? that's the key i think. as for diet do your best! (which is what it sounds like your doing).

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