Any IBS sufferers out there?

[Twoweekcruise]

How where you diagnosed?
I've had a sensitive digestive system for years (18!) and have good and bad times but most days I have lots of activity within my guts:- gurgling, rumblings, sometimes a little pain after eating and most evenings I have lots of wind, bloating and discomfort. At Christmas I had a real flare up and felt bad virtually every day. It really gets me down, worries me and in all honesty has become a bit of an obsession!
GP hasn't been particularly interested on many occasions but I asked to be referred to a gastroenterologist, he agreed as I am aneamic (have very heavy periods) but he wanted to make sure.
I saw the gastroenterologist in Feb and he asked the normal red flag questions ie:- weight loss = no, passing blood= no etc. I was expecting him to then offer a colonoscopy (which I was dreading) but no, he said he was more than happy to diagnose me with anxiety and food intolerance induced IBS, he suggested antidepressants and I experimented with my diet.
I went away happy with that but keep worrying that was enough.

If you have IBS, who diagnosed you and how were you diagnosed?

Hi,I have always suffered with my stomach, I had a bad time in my 20s with lots of stomach ache to the point I could barely stand,being confined to the toilet for ages in agony.
I went to the Docs and was told IBS-no tests or any info given.
I am now 40 and had more or less managed over the years with the odd bout.
Last Year however I seemed to have almost constant pain and all the Docs kept saying was "IBS".
After almost a month of constant pain I became quite anxious and this made all my symptoms worse(I did become almost convinced I had something really serious)
After many visits to the Docs I did get lots of tests done.
The final one was a Colonoscopy which I actually asked for(Docs didn't see the need to send me but I was in a state and needed it for my peace of mind)
Since all my tests came back clear I have suffered much less and now do not get so worried when I do have stomach pain.
My symptoms were pain,gas,gurgling,occasionally back ache.
Nothing seems to work for me-I just ride it out,however stress is a major trigger..
As soon as I start to worry about something I can feel my belly aching and churning.

Charlie that's exactly where I want to get to. Even if I still get symptoms, as long as I know it's not serious, I can live with that. But I also agree that stress and worry plays a big role, it's a vicious cycle for me!

I think having the tests in the long run will ease your mind
In the short time it will cause more stress and anxiety waiting/having tests done!
This is how it was for me but I am glad I pushed for more and more tests because I am a natural born worrier and it really was impacting on my life.

Me too charlie I worry about everything but your right, as much as it scares me, I feel I need the tests, if not the stress will hang over me like a black cloud!

I've been suffering for about four years but never overly spoken to my Gp about it. My rheumatologist asked for me to be tested for coeliacs but the bloods were negative.
When the Easter hols are over I'm going to see my Gp. The bloated stomach, gurgling intestines, repeated trips to the loo where you never know what's going to come out, period type griping in my intestines when I have no uterus, the wind the incessant disgusting smelling wind

Currently sat here after eating weetabix for breakfast and some wraps for lunch and I'm sure the neighbours can hear my stomach gurgles

I know, the gurglings are the worst, it’s like my guts protest no matter what I feed it!! Have you tried the Low Fodmap diet? I’m on a Facebook group for it, many people on there are having great results. I’m 6 weeks into the diet but for some reason it’s not working for me unfortunately but it may for you?!

Update for you Slutty (don't know how to tag). After a horrendous 4 weeks with my IBS whilst getting my gut used to the probiotic, almost 4 weeks to the day, my pains disappeared. I don't have to run to the toilet every time I eat and I don't feel any pain any more. I can't say that this is it but it feels like it.

I had to take Imodium during the 4 weeks because I couldn't cope without it. They don't react with the probiotic, nothing does. The last lot I took were Sunday night and Tuesday night (2 Imodium plus each time) and I've been slightly bunged up since but I can take that for the relief I feel.

I've ordered more Alflorex for the next 4 weeks in the hope that my gut will become normal over that time. I'm happy with the results so far though. I've not changed my diet or alcohol consumption (which is more than normal) and everything seems to be fine. Miracle cure? I bloody hope so!

Sorry....update was for Twoweekcruise. Got my reply colours on the app mixed up!

@shortandsweet1 did it take a full four weeks for your body to adjust to aflorex? I was recommended them and tried them for about 8 days when had to stop as they were making me quite uncomfortable - even more wind, very loose stool (sorry, tmi) and one a sort of bubbly/burny feeling in my intestines. Did you experience any of that?
I read differing things about those symptoms being a sign of bad bacteria die off and other things about it meaning those probiotics weren't suited to my system. Any advice? It's so confusing.

The first 2 weeks were 'normal' for me but the next 2 were pretty bad. Yes, lots of loose stools and much worse pain than I've ever had but it seems to have adjusted now. I was warned that it would get worse before it got better.

I was out for a meal tonight and had pains and loose stools after but nothing like before. It was a much quicker recovery than before. I still wait for the pain after eating anything but it hasn't been there until tonight. I had cheese and bread though, they are triggers.

I'm happy with things so far. One blip will not put me off using them. I'm pretty sure they've made a difference. Only time will tell though. I'll keep updating as the weeks go on.

I’ve had Ibs since a episode of bad food poisoning years ago. Things that have worked for me are the Fodmap diet. Especially cutting out Gluten and Cows milk. I love beans, asparagus and beetroot but have to be really careful, as they are high in Fodmaps. I think synthetic sweetners cause major issues as well. Anything labelled ‘diet’, plus lots of foods have sweetners added in. Kefir really helps me. I’ve started brewing my own with goats milk. My stomach is pretty normal with Kefir every day. I’ve also found bone broth really soothing. I follow Michael Mosleys recipe for chicken soup. It includes Tumeric, live cider vinegar and coconut oil. These are all really good for the gut.
I’m also trying intermittent fasting at the moment. I do need to lose weight but periods of fasting are meant to increase the diversity of bacteria in your stomach. Healthy stomachs have a wide diversity whereas obesity is linked to a arrid environment ( and a highly processed diet). Ibs can wipe out the good bacteria as can the Fodmap diet. I’ve certainly put in a lot of weight since starting the Fodmap diet, rather ironically.

Does anyone else notice their skin is drier since being diagnosed or when having a flare up? I've got two patches of skin - one on my cheek, other on the back of my hand that always get really dry during a flare up. Totally fine the rest of the time