Can GP do anymore for ibs

[pinky987]

I went to the GP at start of July as my ibs has got much worse. GP prescribed mebeverine and said would take time.

Since then I have also paid privately for a dietician to follow the lowfodmap diet but I am still struggling daily. I struggle to go out as worried when I will need the toilet. I also have wind every evening and multiple bowel movements a day.

So I called the GP back but I couldn’t get through to speak to a Dr instead I got the nurse practitioner. She advised if I didn’t think mebeverine helping all they can do is refer to hospital but they don’t know how long it will take to be seen.

Is there really nothing more that a dr could look at/ suggest?

did you have any investigations?
test for coeliac?
chrohns or other ibd?

ime ibs is used by gp for you to go away.

good luck, hopefully your diet helps.

They have tested for coeliac and did a stool sample for hpylori and blood tests.

Have they tested you for BAM?

Bile Acid Malabsorption

https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/bam/what-is-bam/

DH often had IBS symptoms but only recently was diagnosed with BAM. It has made an amazing difference, especially noticeable on any day that he forgets to take the salts

He still finds stress goes to his stomach but nothing like it used to be.

Don't know if this will help as I don't suffer from it personally but I saw a poster of this medicine in my pharmacy www.avogel.co.uk/silicolgel/

@FinallyHere thank you no I’ve only had the coeliac test and hpylori. I’ll check this out

@Literallyfedup thanks I’ll take a look.

Have you tried a decent probiotic capsule? Really helped my IBS.

It’s very likely to be something you are eating or drinking.
I cannot eat oats, corn, red onions. Rapeseed oil isn’t great, either.

One massive difference to me was getting a basic brita water filter. I’m guessing it’s the chlorine or the fluoride!

@nocoolnamesleft I tried alflorex probiotic but that made me feel really poorly with diarreah and tummy pains.

@Ansumpasty I am eating the elimination diet now and have found that rapeseed oil seems to be a trigger as the gluten free bread and popcorn made me feel bad. Other than that I can’t find what it is.

@pinky987

That sounds more like a corn issue as a lot of gluten free breads are very corn heavy and it can be hard to digest by some people

@JadesRollerDisco thank you!! I’d never thought of corn so I’ll check that

At the risk of sounding dramatic please keep pushing your gp to investigate. My partner was told for 2 yrs he hadm ibs when acutally it was cancer which he told the gp ran in the family.

Hope you get some relief soon, wonder if the immune protocol dieg may help?

@Oopsadaisydoddle

DH was actually diagnosed privately but he told another friend who asked GP for this specific test and ended up with the diagnosis.

I expect it depends on whether your GP is prepared to request the tests. If they refuse, you could ask for a second opinion.

Hope it goes well for you.

If you eliminate all food and physical issues and the symptoms persist, look j to hypnotherapy. It’s NICE approved for IBS and has a high success rate - works better than medication.

.

Just before lockdown I was advised by my dietician to speak to the doctor about BAM. I find that animal fats and cheese are my main triggers but I'll also get attacks out of the blue.

That's interesting @goose1964

DH especially noticed problems when eating lots of cheese, which was always a treat but with such horrible side effects.

Taking the prescription bile salts everyday isn't ideal but makes such.a.difference to his well being.