How can the GP convince me I have IBS and nothing sinister? Really not coping....

Hello

Ive had a change in bowel habits since I took a course of antibiotics 3 months ago.

I had awful diarrhea when I started the antibiotics and to date, my poop is still loose and it gets urgent when I have to go.  I now go once or twice a day.

I had a cardiac test during the last 3 months and the medication they gave me for this gave me watery diarrhea.

Now, if I drink alcohol, I get diarrhea.  Also, garlic and chillies make me looser too.

Ive been tested for CDiff and bacteria and these came back negative.

I had a Calprotecin test and as this came back at 35, the GP diagnosed IBS.

I cannot accept this diagnosis, Im 43.  I thought IBS started in young people.

If there was anything sinister, could the Calprotectin detect this?

Im going out of my mind with worry.

Whatever time I wake up, whether it be early for the school run or after a lazy lay in at the weekend - after an hour or so, my bowel seems to wake up and I have to go!

Can anyone advise?

My GP knows how distressed I am and has referred me to see a gastro, but as I have no "red flags", i have to wait and it could be 18 weeks!

Thank you for reading this.

Liz x

[littlemissbee]

There can be lots of reasons for a change in bowel habit. Like you I constantly worry that my symptoms (loose bowels, occasionally bleeding, rare twinges in my abdomen) are something sinister. It doesn't help that whenever I google my sunspots (bad idea, don't do it) it always comes back to the c-word. 

If you are really concerned then keep pushing your gp. I don't know anything about the test you mentioned but it sounds like the only thing that will totally put your mind at rest is a colonoscopy or similar. 

I know the sudden change must be distressing but if there is no pain, bleeding, weight loss etc then try not to assume the worst. At least you have seen a gp and been referred. You're on your way to getting answers. Good luck xx

[Hidden]

My IBS started when I was 65 - nearlt 4 years ago - it's not restricted to young people

A lot of people on this site have had the symptoms and diagnosis after taking antibiotics - mine didn't

The only sure way to diagnose it is to rule other bowel disorders out by having a colonoscopy and/or a gastroscopy and you shoukd ask your doctor for these tests

It cannot be cured but managed

I am on a strict dairy free diet which keeps my diarrhorea symptoms at bay

[missymo]

Bless you.i.m the same but mines usually constipation. Dreadful either way!! I spend a lot of time on antibiotics and my bowels& stomach never stop burning! ! Horrible place to be.but I do know that stress is the worst possible thing to add to bowel problems. Take care. Xx

[Hidden]

Hello

I appreciate your replies greatly.

I have decided to go private and see a gastro doctor.

I need to know what's really going on.

x

[patientj]

No one truly understands the causes of IBS but there is a lot of evidence that points to some cases of IBS being caused by an imbalance of microbes in the gut. Quite a lot of antibiotics are 'broad spectrum' which means they kill a large number of bacteria, not just the infectious ones. Therefore, it is quite possible that the antibiotics have led to your IBS symptoms because the bacteria in your gut have changed. It might even be worth reporting this through the Department of Health's 'Yellow Card' scheme - yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

Unfortunately, the interaction between gut bacteria and the body is not very well understood either. It is possible that the loss of certain bacteria in your gut has made the gut itself more sensitive to other dietary triggers (like caffeine and chilli). Garlic might also be a problem because it is not totally digested by the body and is then feasted upon by the bacteria leading to other symptoms.

Out of curiosity, which heart medication were you given?

[Hidden in reply to patientj]

Hello, thank you for your reply.

My sister has Brugada Syndrome, and so I had the "Ajmaline Challenge".

Ajmaline, is the weirdest medicine, made me feel like I'd wet myself!

Very strange, but Im glad to say my test was negative.

x