Is it IBS?

[Dilbertian]

I have most of the symptoms of IBS, but am virtually symptom-free if I avoid certain foods. So is it IBS?

I have been tested negative for coeliac and have had a clear FIT test.

I had issues around 25 years ago, and remember my GP saying to me that after they have ruled everything else out, IBS is the only thing left.

So it isn't really an actual positive diagnosis, it is just that they can't find what is causing the symptoms. Things may have moved on since then though.

A relative had symptoms suspected to be IBS and was treated as such. Eventually they did a FIT which was negative. After a while, had a bowel scan and despite the negative FIT it turned out to be bowel cancer with a near full obstruction of the bowel.

I'm not telling you this to scare you just to say if your symptoms persist I would push for a bowel scan. The relative I mentioned had private health insurance and this scan saved their life which is why I'm telling you.

Hopefully it is IBS but don't assume it is.

Could it be IBS and those certain foods you’re avoiding are triggers?

That is IBS, it isn't really a systemic illness, you've identified the triggers and manage the condition. Making life changes you wouldn't otherwise is still managing a condition. It's just not a big deal in the same way.

You wouldn't say "am I really coeliac, I've cut out gluten and my symptoms have gone."

My worst trigger is gluten. So am I gluten-intolerant or do I have IBS triggered by gluten?

Not that it really matters, I suppose. It's just that 'gluten-intolerant' is a bit fashionable, and therefore poo-pooed.

and therefore poo-pooed.

In the words of Basil Brush, boom! boom!

Hi,
You could try asking the GP for a Calprotein test. My colleague has been getting side pains and not going to the toilet. Maybe it is IBS C for her.
Do you have any abdomen pains? How many times do you go to the toilet? Any blood? How long have you had it? Lately, I have heard people getting diarrhoea, cough and cold. I wonder if any virus flying around this summer.
Hope you find out soon. Pop here next time. Take care all.

Groan!

I genuinely didn't realise I'd done that 🤦‍♀️

It definitely sounds like IBS. Advice is often to follow a low FODMAP diet, which excludes many food types that trigger symptoms. These are often the various sugars found in different foods. For me, avoiding high carb foods help (all carbs turn to sugars in the gut), and particularly wheat-based foods, so e.g. bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and pasta. So it might not be gluten that triggers you, but wheat: https://www.dietvsdisease.org/sorry-your-gluten-sensitivity-is-actually-a-fructan-intolerance/ and fructans are found in other foods as well, particularly onions, which are a big trigger for IBS.

TBH I'm pretty sure it's wheat fibre, because I always used to tolerate white bread far better than wholemeal. But it's simpler to say gluten free when talking about food in general.

And, yes, eating low carb makes a massive difference. It's how I realised that being windy and, erm, intermittently explosive was not normal.

I've had IBS for donkeys years (as the Dr helpfully told me once, if it was anything sinister I'd be well dead by now haha) and there's no rhyme or reason to it. I agree eating Low Carb is good but it's also boring. Low FODMAP is very good and definitely worth a try. I'm pretty sure my hormones have a massive influence on what's going on with my bowels though.