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Original poster

Can IBS make you feel this unwell for this long??

33 replies

ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 16:47

I've had mild IBS symptoms on and off for a couple of years. Never officially diagnosed but Dr said that was likely the cause of symptoms.

Anyway for the last month I've really been sufferring, lots of indigestion, constant uncomfortable stomach that ranges from mild discomfort to quite severe aching aswell as sometimes cramping. The pain isn't particularly in one place and on top of that I've got back ache and feel absolutely knackered all the time.

I've got a Dr's appointment on wednesday but am getting a bit worried now that it could be something more serious as it's gone on for so long.

If anyone else has IBS do you ever get long periods of feeling like shite??

OP posts:
NightLark · 04/10/2010 16:52

Don't know if it's what you want to hear, but yes it can.

My mum has IBS, has had for years, and it is very bad. Nothing more 'serious' wrong (as if it wasn't serious enough in itself), but it is a very painful and disabling condition for her.

I hope yours is nothing like as severe, I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

You're doing the right thing getting checked out but severity of symptoms doesn't, IMO, cancel out it being 'just' IBS.

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 16:55

Thanks nightlark. Like I said I've had mild symptoms on and off for a few years but nothing like this and it it very disabling at the moment. If it is IBS I've no idea why it would get so bad all of a sudden?

How is your mum's IBS managed if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 17:52

Am now wondering what the hell to eat tonight for fear of making things even worse

OP posts:
Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 19:47

.

OP posts:
MaryBS · 04/10/2010 19:49

This is how I'm feeling at the moment, like you its been going on for a while, like you, its been going on for the past 3 weeks, with same symptoms, even the back ache! Saw the Dr last week, am having blood tests tomorrow, to rule out other things. Apparently IBS is the name they give it when they've ruled out other stuff, according to the Dr...

Booner · 04/10/2010 19:55

Hi Connor,

Have you been tested for coeliac disease or food intolerances? There is a NICE guideline that says IBS should only be diagnosed once all other conditions have been eliminated.

Have a look at www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/what-is-coeliac-disease

Hope you find some relief soon.

MaryBS · 04/10/2010 19:57

I think Coeliac is one of the things I am being tested for...

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 21:07

Hi, thanks for the replies. I haven't been tested for anything although last year I ended up in hospital with severe stomach pain which they originally thought was gall stones but the scan came back clear. I also had an endoscopy which didn't show up anything other than a small hiatus hernia.

I've not had a severe episode since and the last time was more sudden, accute pain with vomiting etc. This time it's been a constant vague discomfort puntuated with very uncomfortable periods if that makes sense.

I must admit I'm feeling a little worried about it at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 21:09

MaryBS do you find the pain/discomfort isn't always in the same place?

I worry that I'll be dismissed because I can't be very specific about where the pain is always coming from

OP posts:
Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 04/10/2010 21:14

Thanks for the link Booner. I thought Coeliac's was something you were born with so hadn't considered it before. I can tick quite a few things on the list particularly mouth ulcers (although not as bad in recent years)

OP posts:
Booner · 04/10/2010 22:24

Hi ConnorTraceptive, yes Coeliac Disease can develop at any time.

Both my sons and my niece have developed it, and I am getting tested for it in a couple of weeks as it can be hereditary.

It's not very widely known about but wanted to bring it up with you as something for you to get ruled out.

I would really recommend you get tested for it. They can do a blood test initially which is very accurate in adults.

On a positive note I can tell you that since my boys went gluten free they are extremely well. My youngest was very poorly at the time he was diagnosed.

Also it can be completely treated with a gluten free diet.

Other things to get checked for with blood test - anaemia and lactose intolerance, both of these can develop if you have Coeliac Disease but are not on a gluten free diet.

Good luck.

MaryBS · 04/10/2010 22:38

The pain is mainly in the stomach area, or back pain, at least for me. But the discomfort/bloating can also be lower down. Something I also experienced, which I raised with the Dr, and he said he didn't know what it was, and I see is listed on the symptoms for Coeliac is pins and needles. I've been getting pins and needles in the hands and feet for the past year.

muffint · 04/10/2010 22:51

I've had IBS for a lot of years (26 years!) Symptoms I have are mild to severe stomach pain (usually due to trapped wind) so bloating as well. Also back pain - particularly overnight. Erratic bowel movements - either won't come out or very loose. It is really about managing it. I've tried different diets (gluten free, dairy free) over the years - some help but not much. But main factor for me is reducing stress. Am pretty well if i live a quiet life - which is fine now I have DC. Think it was worst when I had a stressful job and was going out a lot in my twenties. Do you think you're more stressed than usual?

blinks · 05/10/2010 00:53

i have these symptoms exactly and have endometriosis which my doctors think may have spread to my intestines.

i'm about to have a laparoscopy to find out what's going on.

do your symptoms come and go or become worse at certain times of the month?

strandedatsea · 05/10/2010 01:06

Ovarian cysts can also cause symptoms similar to IBS - not saying this is what you have but worth considering. They should be able to tell from a scan.

thumbwitch · 05/10/2010 01:12

just to add that gut pain can cause back pain and vice versa, depending on which came first. The spinal nerves can be irritated by the gut cramping; and wonky backs can irritate the nerves that supply the gut.

If you get your gut symptoms fixed (i.e. it is IBS, coeliacs or whatever) then your back pain should improve too - if it doesn't, go see and osteopath or someone to get your back sorted out and it should help the gut pains.

MaryBS · 05/10/2010 10:45

My back pains coincided with my stomach pains, although no back pain atm. Had my blood tests... were for Coeliac, thyroid, liver, kidney and bone density. See Dr again on 19th.

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 05/10/2010 13:18

Well have seen the Dr today and feel a bit Hmm he has said he thinks it's just bad indigestion and has given me some indigestion tablets and recomended peppermint tea.

I'm to go back in a few weeeks if this continues. Thre prospect of feeling like this for another 3 weeks isn't thrilling me at all!

He did ask lots of questions and said he would run some tests and investigate further if things don't improve. I was just hoping for something a bit more concrete I guess.

I think I'm probably making the symptoms worse by stressing about it so much! He did ask me about stress and I wouldn't say I was but I deffo feel a bit low now.

Thank you again for all the replies they've been very helpful

OP posts:
blinks · 05/10/2010 14:06

ask them to check for h pylori also.

i presume they gave you omeprasole?

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 05/10/2010 14:10

He gave me lansoprazole.

I think I may have been swabbed for h pylori when I had my endoscopy last year as the consultant did mention something about a bacteria that can cause problems. Maybe it's not what he was talking about though?

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SanctiMoanyArse · 05/10/2010 14:14

If you're really unwell I would say keep shouting.

BIL had all the tests and was told he ahd IBS; he got really unwell, losing weight dangerously over five years. After five years they gave in and rechecked the results to find the tests hadn't been done properly and he had ulcerative colitis: now so severe thathe needed steroids whilst they built him up for an op, yet there was a risk of death due to ulcerative collapse... then he needed a bag with only a 20% chance of reversal at age 30 (was reversed fine luckily)

Now, I dont mean to scare- he is clearly the absolute extreme- but the moral is if it doesn;t seem tight, yell.

Booner · 05/10/2010 14:22

Hi Connor,

I'm sorry you haven't had much joy with your doctor. Please read the NICE guideline on IBS below

1.1.2.1 In people who meet the IBS diagnostic criteria, the following tests should be undertaken to
exclude other diagnoses:
? Full blood count (FBC)
? Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or plasma viscosity
? C-reactive protein (CRP)
? Antibody testing for coeliac disease (endomysial antibodies [EMA] or tissue
transglutaminase [TTG]).

and a link to the full guideline. www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11927/39746/39746.pdf

If you've had it for a couple of years is that not sufficient for him to run tests?

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 05/10/2010 14:28

I would have thought after a month of constant symptoms he would have run tests. If I knew he was going to say come back in a few weeks I would have gone to see him sooner. I thought that by giving the symptoms plenty of time to go of their own accord I was doing the right thing rather than rushing straight to the doctor.

OP posts:
Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 05/10/2010 14:30

Thanks for the link there Booner. IU have already booked my next appointment on line for in three weeks time so I will go armed with info if things are no better.

He did say that he would run tests if things don't improve but I think making me wait another month is a bit off really.

OP posts:
madonnawhore · 05/10/2010 15:54

I think it can, yes. I've been really suffering with this recently and it's making me feel shocking. Have had terrible backache with it and so tired all the time, I cannot get enough sleep. I've been taking peppermint oil but it's not helping really. Off to see my doc tomorrow too. Hope you feel better soon, OP.

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