At 70 doctor diagnosed IBS

[marypar]

Anyone else diagnosed so late in life?

[Jules40]

Sorry to hear that you are unwell. Have you had other tests before you were given the ibs diagnosis?

[marypar in reply to Jules40]

Yes, blood test, colonoscopy, abdominal scan. No gallstones, all good. All normal. Went to gyno and all is good too. I do not have constipation or diarrhea. In July I had bad trapped gas that lasted six days and went away. Then in October, scrubbing the floor, I hurt the side of my back near the waist and after stuffing myself with a pound of grapes, next day I was in agony. I don't feel I have IBS just constantly trapped gas and don't know why. It keeps me up at night sometimes with horrible pain. Gas X helps some. It always starts strong where I hurt my side, and when that eases up it goes to the lower belly. Doctor just gave me peppermint pills. I also purchased Heather's Tummy products. I found that Ibuprofen works for the gas pains but I don't to live on it. I am going back to the doctor Tuesday. Maybe it's an ulcer (I will get the endo)?? Or SIBO? I can accept IBS but read very rare after 50 so that's my concern. Thank you for responding. maryann

[Skyrooms in reply to marypar]

Ask your doctor to try you on metamuccil or something better than that. Thats what the doctors gave me when I left the ER at 60 years old. I never heard it was rare for older people.The metamuccil balances you out with IBS C AND IBS D.

HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE.

I ALSO ONLY DRINK TEPID DRINKS. NO ICE.

I TAKE METAMUCCIL EVERY NITE.

THANKS,

SKY

[Natcat_taylor in reply to marypar]

Try the fodmap diet as it's gentler on the gut, you could have fructose malabsorption. Probiotics are good (the expensive live stuff by SYMPROVE) to rebalance gut if you have taken antibiotics over the years. Good luck

[Hope26 in reply to marypar]

Hi Maryann, I so appreciate your thoughts. I have had trapped gas and bloating that came on suddenly 2 years ago, I had just started into menopause and was trying estrace creme for hot flashes. have had it every day now since. Gas comes out in the morning, then when I go in the morning, I start bloating out again throughout the day ( I have for no reason gained 25lbs). I have had many tests through my gastro. All came back negative. Anyway, I was taking Ibuprofen for neck pain and also noticed it got rid of much of the bloating but was afraid to take it to long. Then I got sick and started using Flonase nasal spray. It got rid of ALL the gas! I use it every day. Have you tried this yet? Hope

[marypar in reply to Hope26]

Hi Hope,

It's been a long time but I think what I had was not IBS but just trapped gas (never thought it could last so long); I have been taking Heather's Prebiotic one TBS every morning in water plus one of her peppermint pills every single day and for the past months I am normal; no pain or excessive gas at all. I'm afraid to stop this regimen. She has a great website for IBS helpforibs.com. Hopefully, I won't get another episode like the two I had that last for a couple of weeks each.

[Skyrooms]

My IBS RECURRED BIG TIME WHEN I WAS 60.

Sky

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed 4 years ago at 65 after suffering diahorrea for 3 months and now have to have a dairy free diet and I also cannot eat most fruit - a complete change for me

I also know someone who was diagnosed with Ceoliac disease at about the same age

[Hidden]

Hi marypar,Don't worry about age,I was diagnosed at 63-64 yrs old,and now I'm 73yrs old and have supposedly "IBS" I say that because I don't believe there is an illness called IBS,it's a collective amount of symptoms e.g. S being syndrome can mean anything. Nevertheless it's still painful,and people seem to suffer differently. I suffer every Minuit of the day,I've seen every medic available,had every test and done every diet,makes no difference they can't find anything wrong.

Your best bet is try some suggestions on here,they do help some people,but me not being one of them. It's totally ruined the last 11-12 yrs of my life.

All I'm saying is age has nothing to do with it. Just research and see what may help you. Good luck.

[marypar]

Everyone who answered, I thank you all. It's very confusing, because some days I feel totally normal, and then all of a sudden that pain on the left side has me miserable day and night for a few days. I never know what food did it. Everyone, you should check out Heather's Tummy helpforibs.com - she got it at 9 years old and sells great products (you can get on Vitacost or iherb too); she has tons of information for free. Again, thank you all.

maryann

[amasufindme]

Hi there, I would say don't be concerned about the demographics of IBS, its about you and is your micro- biome happy! Have you had Coeliac IgA test done? N.B. 10 % of population produce a false negative re: coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

Also look at pre/probiotics e.g. Kefir and gentle fibre intake like psyllium husks, gluten free, go organic as best you can, remove food additives from diet, regular intake of spring/filtered water and gentle massage of colon in lying down position following its path - starting at right hip up right>along left>down left in small pulsing circles.

Start diarising your diet and symptoms there may be foodstuffs that you are acquiring intolerance to e.g. for me mushrooms ;-( nutritionist +/or kineasiologist may help to ascertain food intolerance kinesiologyfederation.co.uk/

Hope this helps

[marypar in reply to amasufindme]

Thank you

[Jules40]

Have you tried buscapan tablets for cramping pains?

[marypar in reply to Jules40]

No, don't know anything about it. Will check it out.

Is it possible to have IBS without diarrhea or constipation (I don't have them at all). Checked the Fodmap diet but I notice that some foods don't match other diets for IBS (like artichoke, grapefruit, beets).

I would think everyone is different and that's why there is a discrepancy. It can drive me crazy.

[Jules40 in reply to marypar]

Some fruits and veg can cause a lot of bloating and wind, try eating those from the green side for a few weeks to see if your symptons improve. Dietrician advised me one fruit or handful at each meal everyday and have sensible portions of the veg. You said you ate lot of grapes and got ill, try only a handful as they are safe in small portions.

You could also ask you doctor to refer you to a fodmap dietrician on the nhs, it is the nice ibs treatment plan

Hope this helps

[marypar in reply to Jules40]

Thank you again. In your opinion, can IBS be diagnosed without diarrhea or constipation? I was getting trapped wind on and off for days until it passed (up at night in pain); than three months later same thing happened again, with the trapped wind, and now it is lasting longer. I go once an day with no problem, that's why I'm confused.

[Palynn in reply to marypar]

yes

[Jules40]

The symptoms of ibs are vast you get labeled with it when crohns and other bowel conditions are ruled out. Take a look at the nhs choices site it has a section on ibs symptoms, but I agree most suffer from bowel issues but if you are getting the other symptoms it may fit

[Grannycake]

72 for me,however once I found out did my homework and sorted

[Palynn]

My doctor said IBS is previlent after 60years plus.