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Is it IBS or something else?

Posted , 5 users are following.

emma31863
emma31863

Hi,

I'm a 26 year old female and my doctor has recently diagnosed me with IBS, but I'm not sure if it is?

3 weeks ago I suffered a case of diarrhoea, had to go to the bathroom 3 times but generally didn't feel ill or anything. Since then I've not felt right. I haven't had diarrhoea since but my bowel habits haven't returned to normal, sometimes I feel I need to go quite a few times a day (I don't always end up going) and other days I'm absolutely fine and feel normal, it seems to come and go (this is just in 3 weeks). When it's a bad day I feel really sick as well (not actually been sick) and get a bellyache, nothing extremely painful, but uncomfortable.

The first time I went to the doctor she said it was likely gastroenteritis but the second doctor thought IBS? I could understand if I'd had a severe case of gastro and was still feeling the effects but it wasn't even that bad?

So is this likely to still be the effects of gastro or the start of IBS?

Also, I suffer a lot with stress and anxiety, have done for about 3 years but am currently going to CBT.

Please help! sad

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 emma31863

    Posted

    Sometimes stomach bugs can trigger IBS;  stress and anxiety also can bring it on.  Change of bowel habit, stomach pain and food intolerance are all symptoms.  However. If you are not happy with the diagnosis you could ask for a colonoscopy, CT. endoscopy and ultrasound to rule out other causes. Try keeping a food diary to see if any foods are affecting you.
  • mark6651
    mark6651 emma31863

    Posted

    My IBS kicked of in May 15 and that was caused by a stomach bug. If your not happy definitely ask your doctor to do more tests, try Parcetmol for the pain.

    My bowel habits are all over the place to.

    • emma31863
      emma31863 mark6651

      Posted

      Thank you both for answering.

      If a stomach bug triggers it, does it mean it's still life long? And if it's stress/anxiety induced, will it go away if both those are eased?

      How bad are you suffering Mark?

      I'm going abroad in a week and really worried about travelling now! sad

    • emily_92420
      emily_92420 emma31863

      Posted

      IBS normally is a life long illness however in many people it comes and goes and can be months apart so i wouldnt worry about suffering long term. Things will settle when they are ready. If your symptoms are linked to stress and aniexty and you notice they spark when your worried then managing your aniexty will stop your IBS. Dont let it rule your life. There are perscription drugs avalible if the pain never seems to cease which are anti spasmotics and will calm your stomach down and ease the pain. You can also take other painkillers on top if needed but be sure to ask a pharmastist before doing this.

      Try and be positive about your holiday. Think good thoughts and be excited for it. You may find your symptoms ease off if you take your mind off it.

  • emily_92420
    emily_92420 emma31863

    Posted

    IBS can be triggered by a variety of things. Some people can link it back to operations or procedures, others can link it to food poisioning or a stomach virus and some can relate it back to a stressful time in their lives. Everybody is different which makes it difficult for doctors to give a firm answer as to what triggers IBS. Many people think it cant be IBS because it just 'started happening' But thats normal. I would say your symptoms typically match IBS symptoms. My IBS is flared up by aniexty alone. Because i have had the disorder for many years and am just coming into adult hood it is thought to of triggered by IBS which i can control with aniexty medication and management. (and the odd colpermin if all else fails) Because your symptoms come and go, and when your having a bad day mentally they get worse (nausea is also a symptom of aniexty) try focusing on your aniexty management and see how it affects your symptoms. Also keep a food diary to note down any foods you may notice upset you (dont go reading about diets until your absolutely sure your IBS is triggered by food) My doctor told me not to worry about what i eat unless i notice a visible change. I came off the diet i was on which didn't seem to be touching my IBS anyway, starting focusing on my aniexty and my symptoms have eased.

    What i will say is make sure you go to the doctors and get a variety of tests done to rule out anything else. Just to be 100% sure for your own state of mind that this is IBS as worrying about your health doesn't do you any good.

    Good Luck!

    • emma31863
      emma31863 emily_92420

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Emily.

      Although at this stage I'm not certain, I don't *think* it's caused by a food intolerance..I really think it's the stress and anxiety..

      So do you find medication for anxiety has helped a lot or just a little?

    • emily_92420
      emily_92420 emma31863

      Posted

      Your welcome Emma,

      Food intolerance isn't always the cause. My advice would be to continue to eat normally, keep a note of what your eating and if you get really bad symptoms (you will know) then you can rule out certain foods and maybe look into a diet but i dont think this is your main cause for IBS as your symptoms are very similar to mine.

      I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder when i was at primary school. I have since suffered terribly from it. The medication im on definately helps yes. I dont know what i would do without it. However it doesn't get rid of it. I stay very active, i do things i enjoy and set myself little goals everyday to overcome hurdles that really are not that hard. I make sure i feel good about everything i have done and never set myself anything to difficult so i dont set myself up to fail. Excersice is one of anxiety biggest defeats. The endorfines you get from working is what kills off aniexty. During the day whilst im busy im happy. In the evenings when im settled things start to spike and i often have to find something to do in order to get rid of it i,e read, play a game or watch something on tv. You are in control of your mentality and what i would add is that talking to people who suffer in the same way really does help as it gives you  a sense of security and makes you feel less alone

    • emma31863
      emma31863 emily_92420

      Posted

      I have recently just started to do excercises at home (unfortunately I think I'm naturally lazy! Lol) so hoping that will help if I continue them.

      As mentioned in the original post, I've suffered from anxiety for about 3 years but since the beginning of this year it's got a lot worse, ironically I'm terrified of becoming sick (had norovirus Dec 2014 and since this year I panic I'll be ill again and it's caused the anxiety to be 10x worse! Not sure why it only started this year though?)

      I'm not on any medication because I'm a little scared of going on them! But if they will ease the symptoms then it might be worth it, do you mind me asking what medication you take? I also find it very difficult in the evening when my mind starts to race..

      I really want to enjoy my holiday but now I'm constantly frightened of needing the loo in public etc. It's a vicious cycle sad

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