Does this still sound like IBS?

[GrrrlInterrupted]

Sorry if tmi:

I developed IBS about 5yrs ago. My symptoms were usually having trouble going to the loo, and waking with a stomach ache. I couldn't really identify trigger foods, and peppermint tea helped.

Since my kids though, i either go like hell or can't go. When i have trouble going, there's alot of blood (from a fissure that gets aggravated) I'm waking in pain early in the morning- this morning my stomach hurt so much it hurt to touch it. I've also started having pain shortly after eating- even if it's a small meal, and indigestion when i've not eaten anything you'd expect to upset you.

Does this still sound like IBS? If you have it, how do you handle it?

I was listening to good info on radio the other day. They said best thing is peppermint tea and buy pro biotic tablets which should help you if it is IBS.

I think you should go to the doctors and get a proper diagnosis, maybe even a referral.

Agree that you should go to the doctor. It is almost impossible to diagnose IBS but they can at least give you something to ease it.

I used to suffer terribly years ago. I was prescribed Colofac which relaxes the muscles in the gut so they don't spasm, and fybogel which is a bulking agent to ease stuff through the gut. These helped with the sympoms but didn't actually stop them.

There are lots of books you can get to help with your diet (a major factor in IBS).

In the end I went on an exclusion diet for a while and I haven't suffered since. I excluded wheat, potatoes, sugar and cow's milk for about 6 months. This seemed to kick start my gut and I honestly haven't had any probs since then.

Tbh I've found that these things do still give me bloating problems so I try to avoid them (not very successfully , but I've never had the agonising problems I used to have.

Good luck.

It's worth getting checked by your gp, grr.

Your lower symptoms sound like IBS and your upper symptoms sound like you have a touch of acid indigestion/gastritis.

Make an appt. with your doctor and he can M.O.T. you!

My Naturopath/Homeopath says that IBS is just a term applied to a range of symptoms that they have no other label for. My DH has 'IBS' but with very different symptoms to yourself and if he followed the instructions of his specialist then we would be keeping the chemical company that own Immodium rich! It is worthwhile seeking alternate treatment once 'traditional' medical practitioner have run out of ideas and have just called it IBS.

I would definitely get a referral -- could be something like colitis or Crohns. IBS is not a condition in itself, just a kind of catch-all term for these kind of symptoms.

I had a severe episode of colitis a few years ago and the things I found helped were cutting out wheat, dairy and caffeine, and taking liquid vitamins, minerals and omega 3, which are more easily absorbed in liquid form. Also some people swear by aloe vera juice.

Going to the doctors Tuesday. I have unexplained bruises on my legs too, though don't know if that'd be connected.

I agree with others about the IBS being a term for the unexplained stomach problems. My DH was diagonised with IBS, many years ago and no amount of diet change or tablets stopped the sudden bouts of 'IBS' that he got.

It got so bad one night and he was so fed up with no-one taking him seriously, we phoned NHS Direct, who suggested he went straight to A&E. Low and behold, they had to sit up and take notice.

Now, before I go any further, I am not suggesting in any way, that this is what you've got, BUT dh was diagonised with diverticular disease, which is pockets in the colon and food was getting stuck in them and going bad, hence all the pain. He had an operation to remove the infected part of his colon and he is 100% better. Problem solved.

What I'm saying is, don't let the doctor fob you off, with more pills and posions. If necessary, when you are at your worst, go to A&E. Good luck.

My AP was told she had IBS, after much pain, weight loss and many tests they discovered she had Heliobacter - a course of ABs and she was fixed.

thanks all- i was up with a sore stomach at 1.30am, and lots of blood in the loo again this morning. i feel dreadful.

You really ought to go straight to A&E, I think. One of the things that NRS Direct asked was about blood and if present, go to A&E.

Remember thought, its not always bad, but certainly needs dealing with. Its not right, is it? As I said, DH was exactly the same and now he's cured. Please think about it.

I Have been diagnosed with I .B.S just seen a gastro guy this week have still to have the scary camera test but i do think its better to have a look to be 100% sure nothing bad going on , i dont have blood ,only a little if straining ,but i do suffer with bloating ,gas and loose BM and strange texture , have done since having very bad bug from DS over a year ago which wiped through the family one by one .
Stress also plays a big factor with i.b.s. and becomes a vicious circle .the more you worry the worse it becomes .
My mum had divaticulitus and chose to not go for help because she was scared, for many years she had bleeding (she tells me now ) but after tests she was diagnosed and was treated and is fine now .