Is it IBS?

[MeamI]

I was diagnosed with IBS 20 years ago by a GP who decided my symptoms fit the diagnosis. I had no formal testing and have just lived with the symptoms ever since.

I have regular agonising stomach cramps, urgent need to go to the bathroom, times where I can't eat at all. I feel everything I eat moving through my stomach and can sometimes see my stomach moving too.

The cramps are the worst part, so bad I roll around the floor in pain at times. When I was in labour with my son I was sure it was just IBS due to the pain feeling very similar.

Does this sound like IBS or can anyone suggest anything else I could ask to be tested for?

Thanks.

[Hiddenaway]

Some people do get severe cramps with IBS. some people find buacopan helps

[Kariss]

I was told that IBS cramps and labour cramps involve similar muscles in the stomach so you are most probably correct. The muscular rhythm of the intestines (called peristalsis) which moves food through the gut can get out of sync due to various reasons like not enough good gut flora, not enough water or roughage etc and this can cause the spasms. In the past IBS used to be called spastic colon for this reason. The doctor can prescribe you anti-spasmodic tablets to help with this or you can try over the counter ones like Buscopan.

It's a good idea to see the doctor anyway though as a check up will rule out any other possible underlying causes. Much more is known now about IBS than twenty years ago so you should get a better diagnosis.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

You should ask for a colonoscopy as there are several bowel diseases

[elwins]

I had a colonoscopy and was told I had colitis, which I control by diet. Wheat and corn are my main problems. You rearly need to find out exactly what it is, then it can be treated. Things have changed over the years. You need to see your doctor and take it to the next stage.q best of luck

[Roanbarr]

It dose sound like IBS when I used to get the cramp pain after I sweat and feel dizy from the pain I have been diagnosed by specialist I sometimes end up in emergency from the pain but after taking mebvarine and Bascopan it has reduce the pain a lot THESE ARE GIVEN BY PRESCRITOPN I have to be carful what I eat like red chilly when it's chopped the skin of the chilly dose not digest and I can feel it burning my bowel or strawberry the seed cause pain they don't digest so you need to monitor the food you eat and then you will know what triggers the attackes of the IBS good sleep is very important a routine in your life help to regulate the bowel sleep and wake up same time eat regularly small amount rather than one big meal put less pressure on bowel as they will not accumulate and cause pain

You might have other condition called diverticulitis this has similar symptoms and very painful they are little pouch in the lining of the bowel they get infected as it's not a clean area and cause pain

You must see GP who can refer you to specialist to do some test

If you have this condition again monitor your food good sleep have a system to destress something fun relaxing

Google these symptoms (diverticulitis) you will know more

Good luck