Does this sound like IBS ??

[CrackerOfNuts]

I have always suffered from IBS type symptoms during my period, but over the last few months, these symptoms seem to be happening more often than not.

Basically, first thing in the morning, I have stomach cramps and have to go the loo about 3 times one after the other. Then it stops, but each time I eat something, my stomach starts making the most weird and loud noises, and is really bubbly and I have to go the loo again, i also feel queasy at the same time.

I am not 100% sure what is causing this, but i'm getting utterly sick of feeling like this ll of the time.

Oh didn't realise it was you

I should probably try and make a note of what foods trigger it off shouldn't I.

Last night i'd had new potatoes, salmon and mixed veg. I think the broccoli might be to blame this time.

I know that lately curry and red wine set it off

Ah yes sweetcorn has been having the same effect on me too, and have just realised that apples do make me very bloated.

Never noticed anything after tomatoes, onions or mushrooms thankfully.

So do you take an multi vits or anything then if you can't have your 5 a day ??

Also just remembered that a few months ago I went a bit mad on lettuce all of a sudden, and my god did i suffer then.

You can take Imodium when you haven't had the runs...I have to when I am going out and don't know how accessible loos will be. However, wouldn't take any if you are finding it hard to go.

I depend on Imodium far too much I am sure, but if I didn't I just wouldn't be able to get out and about. Everybody responds differently to it, so you find out how often you need to take it. I know alot of people disagree with taking this stuff, but I tried that and got fed up with gritting my teeth and wishing I had never gone out. I decided to take them when I need to and get on with life. They don't have any nasty side effects either...except constipation if you take too many lol! But read the instructions!

Thanks greeneyedgirl..

I am already dreading the next time I have to go out, so i will definatly be taking a tablet before I go.

My dad takes them regularly and he said he never sufferes from constipation afterwards, so hopefully i'll be the same.

Can I just ask have you had any joint stiffness or other inflammatory signs? I particulary had very achey ankles/feet

Be aware that chronic fatigue syndrome can also cause digestive problems like IBS. I get aching joints aswell Countess, the gastro bloke says I have IBS but it has only occured since I contracted glandular fever last year. I get very tired sometimes.

No aching joints is a symptom of IBD not IBS! IBS is not an auto-immune disease

Aching joints is from the chronic fatigue???

How do they determine what exactly you do have i.e crohns, IBS etc?

I have always had what I considered a 'dodgy' tummy but reading some of the syptoms here I am beginning to wonder if it isnt in fact somethng more serious.

Definitely have mucus at certain times and would need the loo to poo () several ties a day - definitely 2 or 3 first thing especially after i have had brekkie I have to run to the toilet.

Am I being overly dramatic or is it possible it is something more?

They do blood tests and shove a camera up your bum and take biopsy samples of your intestines. Inflammation means crohns. Symptoms are the same, pain, mucus, diarhoea, constipation. They test for the nasties first and once everything is ruled out they call it IBS because they don't know what it is.

Ok, saw the doc today and he said that due to the fact that I know I am stressed/anxious at the mo, and that both parents have IBS. He is happy to treat as IBS for now, so long as I tell him if anything changes.

He said to keep a food diary for a couple of weeks to work out which food irritate me the most.

He has given me Colefac ? and Codiene for if i get cramps as a side effect of those is constipation, so obviously they'd then stop the other.

Oh and why is it then when ever i have to go to the docs about something erm delicate, they are absolutly drop dead gorgeous

Poor you Cracker. I really sympathise. I have suffered from IBS in the past and always used to carry Immodium when going out - nightmare.

I found colpermin quite helpful, although understand what someone else said about freezing sqits but the best, best thing without a shadow of a doubt for me was ... accupuncture. Sounds odd, don't know how it works but it was a revelation. Had TERRIBLE symptoms at one point, tried everything without success then after an accupunture session felt 100% better. I went every week for about two months, then cut down to once every two weeks, once a month etc. After that I only needed to go after a bad episode and I was OK again.

In the end I worked out my triger food was yeast and that had been the case for years - things just got worse when I was really stressed / run down. No more beer or bread for me. Pro-biotic yoghurts help a lot too - good bacteria and all that. Good luck with it and when in doubt Immodium work a treat.

Thanks miffy, i'm planning on ordering some probiotic youghurts with the shopping later.

I eat loads of white bread, way too much so wouldn't be surprised if it is that making me feel crap.

I feel a bit better knowing that I can take immodium if I am going out, don't feel so worried now.

Just want to feel back to my normal self.