Upset stomach daily and noisy bowels

[Starrk]

Hi, new here.

Was wondering if anyone had any advice, as I’m not sure if it’s Crohns that I definitely suffer from.

Since February, I have had diarrhoea almost daily, almost constant bowel noises (growling, popping) and occasional abdominal pain. I have found that it’s worsened by the likes of chocolate, pizza or other fatty foods but this is as far as I’ve got. Symptoms seem to be worse after eating too. I’ve been to the doctors a few times but they’ve been fairly dismissive and I’ve been told IBS can’t be diagnosed by any particular test.

This is really starting to take a toll on my life because I’m a student and frequently find myself missing education due to these symptoms. They have only gotten worse since February. I really don’t know what to do.

I’ve tried taking Imodium in the morning to help with my symptoms but it only seems to help for a few days at a time before stopping working. I’ve tried Buscopan too, which didn’t seem to make any difference. I’ve tried drinking camomile tea in the evening, regulating my sleeping schedule, and eating a lighter breakfast but nothing seems to help and symptoms are terrible regardless.

I understand this is a lengthy post but I’m very desperate. Any advice at all is welcomed. I’m unsure if this is IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or something else. I’m going to book another doctors appointment soon, but they often leave me feeling quite hopeless due to how quickly I am dismissed.

Many thanks.

Starrk xx

[FRreedman]

Wow,do you have doctors in your part of the world, or are they medicine men? Technically they are correct, nothing confirms IBS, however, in order to even think about IBS, you have to eliminate IBD. There is one simple test called the Faecal Calprotectin test, which is used as an early eliminator of IBD, which would then indicate your symptoms are IBS. If your symptoms are IBD, then there are further tests to distinguish between the main two, which are Crohn's Disease and Colitis. There are then further tests to check for all the other off shoots.

Now let's try to solve your problems with the symptoms:

You should stop remove all fizzy drinks from your diet, reduce alcohol intake, and chew small mouthfuls of food, until you can suck the food through your teeth (not quite, but really chew well). Do not eat peanuts, sweetcorn or any pulses, also refuse known agitators (baked beans, Brussel sprouts etc.) It may be worthwhile going online and looking up Fodmap diets, which a lot of people find very helpful.

Finally, as far as your GP is concerned, if I were you, (assuming you are in UK) I would ask for a referral to a GI consultant, and ask the GP if the GP will organise a Calprotectin test. In the event your GP refuses the test, then knowing how long a normal, non-urgent referral takes, I would be inclined to invest £200 and make an appointment privately to a GI consultant (make sure it is one who works on the NHS as well) and be upfront with him/her, and say I've booked this appointment privately because I am very worried, but, unfortunately, I can't afford to remain a private patient, so will you be able to see me on your NHS list. (This is done much more frequently than you think). Good luck, keep us posted, and I hope you have just a dicky tummy and not IBD/IBS

[mickeysmom34472 in reply to FRreedman]

I have similar problems . Dont know if its IBD or IBS. I am living on lapiramide, prescrition immodium because its cheaper. I have frequent bowel movements usually not diarhea but very mushy. I may go 4 times in a 2 hr span. I take 2 tablets and that will keep it calm until after I eat dinner. Then I can go another 4 times before bed in which case I take 2 more tablets. It never constipates me but I don't want to be taking this for the rest of my life. Dont know if its connected with my rheumatoid arthritis or not. Good luck, love to hear how this turns out

[jakelayla in reply to mickeysmom34472]

Hi there, have you had any tests? Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition, so is ibd. I have heard of these two diseases being connected. I should see your Dr, and push for further investigations. If you have inflammation of the bowel, there are very good medications for this condition. Hope you get better soon.

[Vo321]

Hello Starrk,

Your post sounds all too familiar to me. I have experienced diarrhea, bowel noises and abdominal pain for almost a decade. Only after beginning treatment did I find relief from some of these symptoms. Well done for identifying the foods that aggravate your symptoms. It's important to know what can cause your symptoms to worsen and then try to eliminate or at least reduce those types of foods. Before getting a diagnosis of Microscopic Colitis, I would eat a meal and after that very meal I would have an intense urge to use the loo. My stools were always watery and at times contained blood. I'm sorry that the doctors you have seen have been dismissive towards you. When you are feeling unwell the last thing you need is medical professionals brushing off your problem. When I was at university I had to take some time off, so as to allow myself the chance to attend any hospital appointments etc. Don't feel bad/guilty if you feel you may need to take time off your studies to look after yourself. YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST. Rest assured, even if it is IBD, there are medications that many people respond well to and that keep the disease in remission. It's good to hear that you are doing everything in your power to take care of your body. Stay hopeful! Someone WILL take you seriously. Keep us updated.

All the best,

Vo321

[lessan]

Hi Starrk I would definitely insist on asking the doctor to run some more tests or ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist. I have Coeliac disease, which was 1st diagnosed then when my symptoms did not improve was then taken really ill with Crohns & hospitalised - I have also got diverticulitis - I cant always tell which of my problems is flaring at a time 🙄 but try going for a low fodmap diet I find this really helpful & cuts down the bloated belly

[IBSNetwork]

We understand. We suggest speaking to your GP. We are the national charity supporting people living with IBS theibsnetwork.org

[Mycathy in reply to IBSNetwork]

Can you have belly ache with ibs.not really got diarrhoea or constipation.just bad belly ache. Any feed back please.

My molly

[IBSNetwork in reply to Mycathy]

Please see your GP for a diagnosis. Please do not self-diagnose. More info about IBS here theibsnetwork.org/have-i-go...

[vojaso82]

Hello Everyone. I have similar problems like many others here. Everything started a year ago with pain and diarhea and some fresh blood in stool. I had CAT scan and nothing showed, then Colonoscopy and Endoscopy on february 2019 and nothing showed, doctor said its IBS. My simptoms comes ang goes. So after that everything seemed fine until now like 2 months ago. Pain was back and a lot a lot a lot of Nausea. I had MRI enterography and doctors said that they see some changes on the spot where small intensine connecting with colon, they did colonoscopy again and they took 15 diferrent spots for biopsy, also they said that they saw like a redness or that area, but a very very little. Biopsy came out as a inflamation unspecified type. Then they did Calprotectin stool test and result was 58.9 which indicated mild inflamation. I went to the GI again and he sent me to repaet the test again. In the meantime I do not have pains, I have nausea, but now a little bit less. Some days I do not have it at all and it comes back and it’s always Nausea with weakness. But now in the last 5 days I had 2 days with like some kind of painfull cramping and I have to go over and over again to the bathroom and right now I have it and it’s 1:30am....My stool is solid no diarhia, but its’s like I don’t know it looks like some brown mucus or that might even be pus and it’s smelly bad. I am worried that this might be Colitis or Chron’s. What do you people

Think?