I think I have IBS

[jazee]

Hi, I think I have IBS and wanted some advice etc. Got a Doctor ringing me later as I couldn't get an appointment.
Feels like I have spasms in my tummy and trapped wind - I know - sounds horrid. But every now and then I double over in pain and its really strong.
I saw the doctor about a week and half ago because I had pain for 4 days and nights - constant. She gave me some pills for stomach spasms. A day and half later I felt fine. Yesterday it started over. Have taken some of the pills and pain killers and presently ok.
Could you possibly tell me if you get really strong "windy" pains I have to breath like in labour!!
Had a giggle with the doctor over "windy pains".I'm just a big kid really!

I'd ask your GP to refer you to a gastroenterologist so this can be checked. There's a few other conditions that have similar symptoms to IBS (crohnes and ulcerative colitis, food allergies), these have very different treatments. Generally speaking, IBS is triggered off by certain foods so it's a good idea to keep a diary or what you are eating and how it affects you. IBS can be painful spasms, diarrhoea and constipation and feeling of incomplete defication (like you need to poo after just having a poo IYSWIM), sometimes the poo can be slimey. Alot of GP's will say it's IBS without testing for crohnes/ulcerative colitis which isn't the best thing for the patient, IBS should only be diagnsed when all the other conditions have been eliminated,

Hope this helps.

If this is linked at all to your periods (in that the symptoms are cyclical and get worse up to and including menstruation) I'd be seeing a gynae too.

It could be IBS. Get referred to a dietician and see if there are any parts of your diet to need to alter. I can't eat too much fibre and raw fruit and veg (especially peppers) have to be kept to a minimum. But this year I have been under a lot of stress and it has got worse and led to piles and an anal fissure so the consultant is going to investigate for Crohns disease just in case.