Suffered 4 years Severely, Is it Really IBS?

Hello Coryn

You have had a rough time, and just to let you know you are not alone. There are many people like you, that simply have to find what does and does not work for them.

I assume you have been referred to a Gastroenterologist by a GP. I also assume you have had a Colonscopy to check you out, and tested you for more serious conditions. If not, insist on it.

If they have all turned up negative, then it is down to IBS, which essentially means that everything else has been ruled out!

A couple of things to do after that, do a food diary, literally write down what you eat, as much detail as you can, and then write down all the symptoms you have. This will enable you to try and identify what food is the trigger for you. You will have a few, classics being spices, onion, chili and garlic. Over a month, if you see a trend, then you can see what the trigger is.

Finally, and do this asap, change your diet to follow the FODMAP diet. This is a really recent scientifically proven diet that helps hugely with IBS control. You need to follow it, and the advice to follow this is being rolled out across the NHS.

Plenty of people are in your situaton, you are not alone at all, and to be honest, be comforted in the knowledge that there are people worse than you, who cannot for example excercise. But in the end, there is no magic pill, no one pill drug. You need to work on this yourself, and when you find what works for you, you will, I promise, be able to get on with life.

Good luck.

I've experienced a lot of the symptoms your going through when I was the same age as you. I am now in my 30's and still suffer from ibs with severe constipation. I actually had a great handle on it from about 19 to 31 and now the problems seem to be coming back. One thing that used to help me a lot through the years with my constipation was flipping upside down. I know it sounds insane but it helps you to expell any trapped gas that is in the colon. For me it would also trigger a bowel movement most times also and relieve my anxiety. I had a doc tell me once that when the body isn't functioning normally, you will feel some sort of anxiety at times. I feel for what your going through as I'm going through the same,  but hang in there. Pray about it, there is definitely power in Jesus' name. I hope you find some relief. 

Hi Coryn1996. This might help with your I.B.S issues. I make a cup of black tea, 6 cloves (Cloves have anti-fungal effect,antibacterial, antispeptic,analgesic)and a teasp of Cinnamon and honey 1tbls.  It helps with bloating, gas,loose B.Ms,and pain, will help add good bactiria to your intestines. Clove/ Cinnamon/honey have been used in ancient times.  You can Google them.  Best of Luck

Have your ever traveled in Asia perhaps?  I am wondering if you have also ruled out any parasites and infections.  Yeast is also an issue with some people who have IBS and other colon issues.  Take a look at BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE by Elaine Gottschall.  Google this and you will find a great site that explains the connections between certain carbs, yeast and irritation of the lining of the colon.  While it might not completly cure the problem, it might help some.  Ever hear of the Atkins diet?  That is one where carbs are restricted to loose weight and folks found it helped colon issues so that is where they got the idea! 

Hi coryn

I see many similarities between us.

I to just woke up one morning with agonising pain, I was rushed to AnE with suspected appendicitis, but I didn't have appendicitis. I was treated with antibiotics and sent home. The symptoms died down a little but 3 months later I ended up back in AnE I was told I had peritonitis. So I have laporoscopy, they cleaned my insides up and treated me with antibiotics.

Since then I still had stomach issues so I was diagnosed with post infective ibs another 8 months later. At this point I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy. 

I have an endless list of stuff I can't eat, and I can't follow the FODMAP. I can't eat any raw veg, veg or fruit with seeds not even bananas kiwis or strawberries because of the seeds. No hard skins or things with beans in Or pulses. No nuts, not even almond milk. Large amounts of milk and protein make me sick. No processed or fried food. No white bread, rice or pasta. The 3 main things that kill me are tomatoes, sweetcorn and mushrooms.

I take alsorts of meds. I'm on amitriptaline all the time. In between I take colfac or buscopan sometimes to help with stomach spasms, omaprazole to stabilise my stomach and dompeidon  

im so glad i found this post because i feel the exact same. Since i was about 14/15. im now 19 constant nausea, extreme tiredness cant eat/sleep. reflux, blood and mucus in stool. had stool tests, scans, colonoscopy any test ive had always comes back clear im just losing hope i cant cope anymore. now taking medication for anxiety and depression. So much more i could be here all day but im glad someone else can relate i dont know what we could do at this point i just feel bed bound at 19 which is awful. luckily my job is based at home but thats not the point as previous jobs ive had have been physical on my feet all day where i was in constant agony

Hi i suffer terrible with my bowel for years i have had chronic constipation and every test they had! just lately been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and lazy bowel syndrome which come under the same umbrella. The worst symptom i have is constipation episodes of not eating at all because i feel so sick. so in my opinion yes i think irritable bowel is very underated although its not serious the symptoms are horrendous.

how are you now? did something helped you?