Uncomfortable feeling in lower abdomen

Hi pippa! I started a new discussion regarding food diary and how it hasn't helped me much. Do you have any suggestions on how else I can know what could possibly trigger symptoms? The rumbling and gurgling are always in the same spot. Left side under the ribs and down as though it goes through the colon. I am beyond frustrated.

You will be able to tell what triggers your symptoms if for example you ate pizza and shortly afterwards you had a flare up or if you were very anxious about something and it caused your symptoms within a short space of time.  I was able to identify that last year’s three day diarrhoea attack was caused by weeks of being bossed about by family members and a neiighbour of mine  I was able to see the pattern of  my stress and my bowel’s reaction to it.  Maybe try a symptom diary as well to track when and what triggers your IBS.  

In the end, there is nothing special you can do to identify it.  It is all down to experience.  At first I I had no idea what was causing my symptoms and neither did my doctors.  So I just panicked myself sicker until my final doctor asked me if I had any recent stress before my symptoms started.  I had been telling him about my health anxiety, panic and despair in rhe hope it would lead to answers. It was then that I remembered I had had six months of non stop stress before the onset of symptoms. My doctor then identified it as IBS. I hadn’t even considered it before because I was convinced I had something incurable.

It may also be useful to try not to concentrate on what is causing your IBS to flare up.  Thinking about it and not finding answers will lead to more stress and anxiety which will in turn cause it to flare up. Try distracting yourself with hobbies and light exercise instead.  A calm mind will help to reduce flare ups.  When I am calm, I have no stomach or bowel problems.  I found when my IBS was at its height and I was with friends and enjoying myself, I had no pain.  Once I went home and started thinking about my stomach again the pain came back.

The two major triggers that can fkare up IBS are stress and food   You will either have one of these or both,  For me, food is fine but stress flares it up.  

Try to relax!  Managing your IBS takes time and the timescale is different for everyone because everyone’s IBS is different.

I will definetely see a dietician as you have suggested and will take it from there.

I worry too much about my symptoms and that could maybe be the cause.

I might need to see my gp for a prescription. It's really ruining my life.