IBS, teenagers, and stomach/bowel 'noises' in the classroom

[SirChenjin]

Poor old DD is having a really awful time of it right now...she's 15, and just been diagnosed with IBS. She's always had a v noisy tummy, and has suffered from stomach pains whenever she's nervous.

Things have got much worse recently - probably with exams looming - and she now has a mix of diarrhoea and constipation (sorry, tmi), along with stomach gurgles and bloating. This in turn is causes horrendous anxiety - she's so worried that she's going to make noises or break wind when it's quiet in class that her anxiety levels soar and she has to leave the class. It's been so bad that she's not been able to go to school on some days, she's been crying a lot of the time, and I'm getting regular phone calls from the school asking if she can go home.

She is on Mebeverin, but that's just been making the diarrhoea worse so she refuses to take them as she has to leave classes multiple times. I bought some Buscapan and they seem to be helping a bit. I've got another appointment with the GP tomorrow and I think we need to address the anxiety.

Does anyone have experience of this, either with their own DC or themselves? It's the silence she is particularly worried about. Any advice very gratefully received

Don't know if it helps, but at the same age I remember a friend being really nervous and anxious about this and I wondered why she was worried, as firstly I never ever heard her stomach make any noises (even when she said "See, didn't you hear that?") if I heard somebody's stomach rumbling in a class I never thought it was anything to be embarrassed about, if anything I assumed they had skipped lunch/breakfast. Farting probably would be embarrassing but gurgling is probably much quieter than she thinks and rumbling not anything to be ashamed about. (And also quieter than you think - you can hear it if you're sitting right next to somebody but that's it)

I know it's not always as simple as that but it might help her to be reassured that it's not as huge as she's imagining.

How did the GP come up with a diagnosis of IBS?

My DH was told 5+ years ago he had IBS but none of the drugs perscribed touched the symptons (bloating/wind/cramps). His coeliac test came back negative but after years of discomfort, eliminating all gluten from his diet worked immediately.

It might be worth giving it a try whilst you're wiating for a coeliac test?

Beanbags - no! Going gluten-free before a coeliac test will invalidate the test. The test looks for antibodies in the blood that are produced in response to gluten. Cutting gluten out of the diet may produce a false negative.

Well, just back from the GP. She's now on beta blockers to help with her anxiety (I'm on them and they are brilliant things) and her Mebeverin is now decreased by a third, so we'll see how that goes. She's also been directed to a really good self help MH website.

We saw a different GP and I did ask her about coeliac disease. I have to make an appointment for DD to see the nurse for a blood test, but she emphasised that we must not cut out gluten before the test as it invalidates it (as nom says). She did say that she would be surprised if it was coeliac as DD is presenting more with IBS, but happy to be proved wrong and happy to test.

I also stopped by the school (we're on holiday here atm) and spoke to pupil support, so she's now been referred to Children and Young People's services for support with her panic attacks and anxiety. They've also given her a 'get out of class' pass so she can just use it whenever she needs, and they are going to look at the best seating arrangement for her in her classes so she feels as relaxed as possible.

We also stocked up on Windeze, probiotics, polos etc, thanks to this thread . Honestly, you've all been fab, thanks so much.

That's good news, OP. I would do the blood test as soon as possible (IIRC it takes a few weeks to get the results), then at least you will have ruled that out if it's negative. If it is negative, I would try giving up / cutting down on gluten and see if that has an effect.

Hope your daughter feels better - you're doing all you can to help her, which is great.

I would like to do the test asap, but I have a bit of a battle on my hands as DD is not keen on having bloods taken. I will revisit this in a weeks time though when the beta blockers have kicked in (she took one a couple of hours ago and is currently "very relaxed" which is good) and when we've got past returning to school. Even if it's negative I'm going to cut out/down the gluten as so many people seem to report improvements after this.

Doh, completely forgot about not cutting out gluten before the test!

Just adding my voice to those suggesting you find out and ask about fodmap diet. My sister has been on this for about six months after years of suffering with awful IBS. You do really need to do it through a dietician who will plan exactly how to cut out and intro the foods in the various groups, and it takes a while of fairly careful control and monitoring. But you get used to that. With my sister gluten is part of the problem, but only part so just cutting out gluten has little benefit.

My sister was too embarrassed to go out because of toilet issues etc. - now she is applying for full time work as she feels so much better, and we go out for long days hill walking etc - which would have been impossible this time last year.

I really hope your DD can find something which helps her. IBS and related illnesses really are a very hard thing to live with and it can get very demoralising - I think people who haven't experienced it or who don't have a loved one with it, often don't understand the impact it can have.

My mum and sister and me all have gurgly stomachs, weird isn't it

If your GP is up to date they ought to be referring her to a dietician to try the FODMAP diet which has a 75% success rate.

This is relatively new- came in around 2010- and more and more GPs and NHS dieticians are being trained in it but it's still patchy around the UK.

You can find more info here and also lots of the web if you google FODMAPs and Kings College/ Guys Hospital London where it was trialled.

www.wisediet.co.uk

This is the FODMAP page from the website I linked to.

www.wisediet.co.uk/IBS_%26_FODMAP_Diet.html