Looking for clues.

[firmino7]

I am currently suffering with some nasty digestive problem and after a little research have concluded that I probably have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Most of my symptoms tick the boxes but knowing there is no real cure I am just wondering whether it is worthwhile seeing a doctor or should I just follow the tips I find online to deal with it.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

(I'm new here so hello by the way.)

[SophieC22]

Definitely see a doctor! It’s good to have it down on paper so if it gets worse you can be put on some medication (eg peppermint oil tablets). Basic advice is exercise, reduce intake on food that you think bloats you, peppermint tea is popular with people who are bloated in the evening after dinner! Medications that you can buy at a pharmacy can work well eg. Buscopan. Can ask your pharmacist for advice. Decrease portion sizes as that can be an issue, maybe try lactose free products to see if that helps? Basically try and mix up your diet a bit to see if that changes anything, and try and find any problem foods which you can stop eating (eg I found some pasta sauces hurt my tummy a lot) Try not to eat dinner after 8. Massively limit takeaways! Lastly stress plays a large role very often so have a think about if that could be effecting it all. Hope this helps, good luck!

[BidC in reply to SophieC22]

I've found that silicone Gel (from a leading pharmacist company) works well. And taking silica tablets has also helped.

[b1b1b1]

As Sophie C22 says, you should see a doctor. Some other gastro issues can masquerade as IBS, and you want to eliminate everything before you are sure it is IBS.

[Laxmik]

Hi. IBS requires to be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. Not because they can cure it. But so they can eliminate other sinister causes. Plenty of things have the same symptoms as IBS. I would advice pl see a doctor. Pl don’t self diagnose.

[Hidden]

I agree that you need to go and see a doctor and gastroenterologist to check that it is "just IBS".

Ask them to check you out for Sibo and Candida too. That can save you a lot of time and grief. This article may be of interest to you: sickofibs.com/ibs-symptoms/...

Just wanted to say that I have recovered from IBS after having it for 25 years (chronic IBS for at least 10 years). Although that is not officially possible.

Hope this helps you,

Alison

[golf99 in reply to Hidden]

Wow! Well congratulations if you really are cured. Hope it is not just remission so an apparent change in diet and lifestyle.

[Hidden in reply to golf99]

Thank you, Golf.

If I talk about recovering it is so that other IBS sufferers open themselves up to that possibility.

Because feeling trapped in some living hell and told you will just have to live with it just isn't empowering.

It keeps us stuck and miserable.

sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Before the airplane was invented, everyone said it was impossible for people to fly. And even when they saw a plane, people thought it would never work...

Alison

[Merth83]

IBS is pretty much a junk diagnosis. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. That word syndrome literally means a bunch of symptoms that often occur together but can be caused by different conditions or diseases. Doctors diagnose it when they can't find any testable, provable reason for the symptoms. I've had IBS for four years, started around the time I had a polyp removed from my colon. The symptoms and triggers are different for everyone so you just have to try different things like diet changes and medicines until you find a plan that works best for you. My biggest issue is the diarrhea, which lately has been extremely unpleasant and will appear out of nowhere. If it weren't for Imodium, I wouldn't ever want to leave the house. But I'm still trying to make adjustments to my diet, trying new probiotics and hoping that whatever the underyling cause is will make itself none eventually so I can better treat it.

You are not alone!

[Linley]

Hey! Firmino7

Not always good to self diagnose, go to your GP let he/she do the tests and tick the boxes-and only if he/she says IBS then we on this wonderful site gave offer you some advise on how we live with IBS

[Hidden]

Hi firmino7 , I would definitely see a doctor as it could be something else, there are some many digestive health conditions that it could be one of many. I had a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy before I was diagnosed, my son in law had blood tests so I would definitely see a doctor. At least once you know you can start to look at the foods which may be causing the symptoms.

All the very best.