IBS. Nothing seems to work, any ideas from fellow suffers

Hi Richard and all who are on this thread.

I have been told I have IBS, I have severe stomach swelling, I pee all the time, I have no diarreha or constipation, I am constantly bloated and sore. I was on ant acids for 2 years which caused this problem. Can't get any help, think its a bacteria problem, I just don't get this IBS diagnosis, its nothing like what you guys get. Is it ibs , from what you all describe as your symptoms mine are nothing like yours.

Its such a journey, but I have to go for another scan next week as they found something wrong, I am terrified. They found two swollen nodes in my stomach and shadows over my bowel. Oh god. I don't have the classic IBS symptoms apart from the bloating, I was well until I took ant acid. Am praying that its just a side effect of the drugs and things will have settled. They put you on these drugs and don't listen when you tell them that they are making you I'll, they upped the dose so high that my hair fell out and my liver elevated , I had iron deficiency that lasted 4 months, I know have zinc and magnesium deficiency and horrendous tinnatus, all from ant acid. what troubles me is that they hand these drugs out like smarties and give them to kids. All in the name of IBS. I'm glad your off them and getting advice of people who have been on them. If I'd have gone to see a neutricionist first none of this would have happened.

hi, richard1962,

ive tryed taking amoxcillan for 7-days after th course i started

taking probitics every day make sure you get them from the

heath shop like holland+ barrett, the strongest on there is

its a tablet form , try that it worked for me for 6-8 months

nothing to lose m8 .

Hi, I too suffered with IBS symptoms for many years and tried all sorts of medication and nothing really helped and no proper investigations were done until I begged to see a gastroenterologist. I was then after proper examinations found to have Crohns not IBS. Hopefully this is not the case for you but I feel if I had a proper diagnosis earlier my disease would not have progressed to the stage it was which needed surgery. Don't want to worry you but the symptoms can be similar, ask to see a specialist.

I had a similar bowel syndrome in 2008. In addition i was loosing weight. I lost nearly 10kg in 1yr. My doctor carried out the following test ada, TBIG-G-A-M, montoux, Barium meal follow through. Basically he tested for Tuberculosis (TB) in my stomach. It was positive. I was given medication for 2 years to cure it. I am cured now. I regained my weight and eat everything now. The bloating symtoms have vanished. I still feel the need to go to toilet few times a day but my condition is a lot better.

Richard,

haven't received any updates from you recently? what's your current status, Claudio

Hello Richard, I was diagnosed with Rosacea which was causing a lot of problems for me (large yellow spots on a red nose) red face etc. I was given a course of antibiotics to control it (which it did) but which had a big impact on my digestive system (and my bowels). Every time I stopped the antibiotics the rosacea came back, I tried many things and I eventually became vegan (which was much less difficult than I thought). Anyway, the IBS was still there and I had dreadful pain cramps / diaherra etc. and nothing seemed to shift it. In desperation I tried a 3 day water fast (so only water fro 3 days / nights). It worked. That was 5 months ago and I'm still IBS free (and Rosacea free). Its obvious, but what we eat has a huge impact on how we feel. I would recommend becoming vegan (you will lose weight, look younger and have more energy and, very unexceptedly, enjoy food more) then try a 3 day fast under medical supervision if you have any other health problems. Anyway, it worked brilliantly for me. Good luck to you!     

I have had IBS for 28 years. I have tried Buscopan and it did NOT work.

Things that have worked for me include peppermint tablets when sympoms are severe and peppermint tea taken regularly. Avoid fatty meats, coffee, chocolate, cheese, ice cream and STRESS. There are herbs that can help. Drink lots of water, exercise regularly and make sure your diet includes lots or fruit & veg. Many good books written on this topic.

Hi Richard

As a fellow sufferer who for over 10 years ( I  was diagnosed in 2003) has gone through such a hell that in the end , I found myself not wanting to eat unless I was at home .

Recently and completely by accident I was in India on business and came across an Ayeuvedic Clinic recommended to be my hotel.

After 6 days of massages and a treatment , and to my complete amazement , I can now eat anything within sensible limits.

I'm not here to sell anything but do check this out if you are at your wits end . I'm sure everyone is different but my life has been changed , it seems like a miracle. No more gluten free bread !! Wehey.

Hi all,

I know this is an old post, but I have info that might help anyone still looking for a solution, or anyone that is coming across this for the first time.

I was 'diagnosed' with IBS by the doctors when I was around 10. I've had blood tests, tests for Chrons, tests for Coeliac, ultrasounds, you name it.

I was told to take Buscopan, which didn't work, then to see a dietician, to keep a food diary, to follow the FODMAP diet... none of it worked.

Eventually, I was having stomach pains and diarrhoea almost every day. I was nervous to go on long journeys, or on public transport, in case I had an attack. The doctors told me it might be stress-induced, and suggested I was bringing it on myself. Not what you want to hear, really, especially when I'm actually mostly a calm person. It was even suggested that maybe using Ibuprofen was making me ill, despite the fact I rarely used it.

I reached a point of total frustration after one holiday where I was ill every single day and worried so much that it spoilt the trip. I went back to the doctors and asked for more tests. They suggested a colonoscopy, which turned up nothing. I asked for a test for BILE ACID MALABSORPTION.

I'd never heard of it, until I saw a quiet post on Facebook, believe it or not. By thus point, I was desperate for anything.

When the test came back to say it was likely that I did indeed have BAM, I was so relieved. I was prescribed Colostogel, which I've been taking for almost a month, with no issues. In fact, the only attack I've had since starting four weeks ago, s on one day, when I had buscopan at the hospital, which doesn't show it in a good light.

IF YOU AREN'T SATISFIED, ASK FOR MORE TESTS! Doctors aren't infallible, and IBS is often misdiagnosed because its easier.

hi Richard, see your surgery manager and insist on seeing a dietitian! rude buggers - it may be IBS but it doesn't mean you just have to live with it!