Does it sound like IBS?

[BenInJapan]

Hi there.

I used to have IBS when I was in high school and not had a bout of it for a long time. Now I am 33, my wife is having a child any day now and I am somewhat worried since if the baby is too big they may need to do a cesarean. So I think I may be a little stressed, although I don't feel it.

My stomach feels bloated, I have a lot of wind that wont come out, stool is fairly normal although last week when this started I has diarrhoea, slight nagging pain under my left chest and discomfort in my lower abdomen. I should also mention I am a little overweight and do not exercise that often. I am eating and drinking normally.

I live in Japan at the moment and went to the doctor who didn't examine me and said it is probably IBS and gave me medicine for 28 days.

I don't really remember the symptoms.

Does this sound like IBS?

[Catherine2020]

Sounds fairly typical of ibs. Stress was a major factor in my ibs. Even a slight flutter and I was running to the toilet. Try the meds and some breathing exercises to help calm the nerves and if you haven't seen change in the next few months to go back.

Good luck.

[BenInJapan in reply to Catherine2020]

Thank you for your reply.

I was a bit worried as I tend to worry about health issues and started to think it could be something serious.

Hearing this eases my nerves a little.

[Hidden]

Hi Ben,

This sounds like an IBS flare-up, but it may just be passing. You are under a lot of stress, and you can clearly see the cause and effect. The period waiting around before a birth is particularly loaded.

Don't worry about your wife having a cesarean. I have had two big babies, and two cesareans. And I am really glad I did, and very grateful that the medical team were so fantastic.

Whether your wife has one or not, be happy. Be confident that you will soon be the fantastic proud father of a newborn. It's a stressful time - and that is totally normal. It's stressful because we care, because it is a major life event. But everything will be fine, you'll see. And then your flare-up will probably just disappear.

In the meantime, you may find this post helps you relax when you need to: sickofibs.com/well-being/a-...

Have a great day,

Alison

[BenInJapan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply.

I feel more confident that this is just IBS and not something more serious.

[Palynn]

Yes Yes Yes it sure does. I do believe stress is all part of it. I have had a lot of stressful episodes and IBS flares up from this definitely.

[Palynn]

GOOD LUCK WITH THE BABY !!!

[BenInJapan]

Thank you all.

I had a colonoscopy that came back clear. Although it seems I'm now bleeding when I poo as blood drops appear in the toilet. No pain or anything. Just bloated and gassy.