IBS symptoms

[SuperMoonIsKeepingMeUpToo]

I've started to suspect I have IBS and would like to hear how my symptoms correlate to IBS sufferers.

I remember getting symptoms right back when I was 8 years old (I'm now 50). That memory is vivid - I had such severe cramping that my mum took me to children's A&E where they advised I had colic. The next day I was fine and my appetite was returned to normal.

Since then I've periodically had severe lower abdominal cramping and bloating, sometimes with associated back ache, that is only lessened by lying down and/ or a bowel movement. It is nearly always after a meal although I've yet to identify a common food. Last week I had such a pain and my abdomen was still tender 3 days after - I was also faintly nauseous during that time. I didn't lose my appetite, but couldn't countenance the idea of a take away that my husband suggested one evening.

I don't get diarrhoea with the symptoms, which I understand is common with IBS.

If you have IBS, do my symptoms sounds consistent with such a diagnosis? I suppose I should go to the doctor's, but it's not an emergency, I know, so I'm unlikely to see anyone whilst I have symptoms. If only I knew the trigger, I could summon the symptoms (if I could bear to!)

It sounds v similar to what I have had for years.Drs say there us no cure but symptoms can be managed by diet.
I find that pastry,bread and and unhealthy carbs trigger bloating and pain in me.Its bloody awful as I can't enjoy the foods I like

Thank you, Queen. Did the doctor suspect or diagnose IBS?

There are massive variations in IBS symptoms, which is why it's so ubiquitous in diagnosis.

patient.info/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-leaflet

Mine is the diarrhoea version. My best mate gets the constipation version.

I did FODMAP, and my triggers are peas (near instant), peanuts, wheat, yeast and gluten in general.

I paid to see a nutritionist privately, as I may not have qualified in the NHS, and the wait would have been huge anyway. It was only about £140 for two or three appointments and well worth it.

And mine was diagnosed decades ago when I was seeing a gynaecology registrar for PCOS 🤔

Those sound very similar to my IBS symptoms.(I have had lots of tests done before IBS was diagnosed)
I do not have any D or C but do get cramps badly, Pain is my main symptom.
Sometimes the pain will come on almost instantly after eating and I can barely stand upright,This can last for a few hours or lessen off but last for days afterwards.
Sometimes the pain will just start up late at night and last until the morning when I go to the loo.
The severity of the pain varies greatly-thankfully the really bad cramps don't happen that often but most days I will have some degree of discomfort...
No idea what foods are the trigger
Stress is definitely a trigger.

OP the dr diagnosed it

I think I have the same, at first I thought it was gluten intolerance as I had similar symptoms as my Nan who is officially diagnosed with cealiac. I always have gluten in my food and noticed it was only periodically that I was getting the pains, cramping, I didn’t have diarrhoea just loose stools and always after I’ve eaten. I also get constipation durnto thyroid issues. I know it not gluten else I’d be ill all the time. I don’t want to go to doctor as it’s a waste of time, I might mention it next time at my blood test review for hypothyroidism as it may be related to that. I honestly think it’s ibs. My mum has had it ever since I can remember, hers used to be really bad but now she controls it. DP also has it.

Yes very much sounds like it. I have it I also get the diarrhoea with the cramps. Funnily enough fresh foods (meat) set mine off. I take to buscopan before tea and that helps a lot x

I have IBS. It does sound like mine, although flare ups can last a week for me.

I strongly advise that you go to your GP. Symptoms of underlying bowel issues such as coeliac disease and Crohns are often dismissed as IBS. Changing your diet could well help but it’s important to be tested before you change it as otherwise you can get false negatives (coeliac shows as a specific inflammatory marker after you’ve eaten wheat. If you stop eating wheat, you’ll get a negative test result even though you would react if you were eating wheat).

I did the low FODMAP diet under the supervision of a dietitian, I was referred by my GP after my bloods tests and colonoscopy with biopsy were normal. I am now on a gluten free, low lactose (I can have some) and have reduced my sugar intake, all of which help.

Thank you everyone for taking your time to talk to me. After last Wednesday's cramps and bloating, I had 6 days of various but lesser symptoms (very active gut and nausea and some gas), one day of no symptoms but back today with cramping, gas and backache. What with that lot, and your collective wisdom, I'm off to the doctor's next Monday. Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it soon (who can resist that pun under the circumstances😁) and I'll report back.

Update: I had a barrage of tests with numerous pots to fill with bits from me (blood, stool and urine 😁) and pelvic and abdominal scans. These all pretty much excluded cancer and inflammatory diseases so it looks like an IBS diagnosis for me. Otherwise a clean bill of health.

Hope that helps anyone else wondering about IBS.