I have been posting so much about being bloated and cramps....Went to my gastro and explained what is happening. The cramps and bloat! He told me you're worry to much ! You had the colon test.....and ct scan! Nothing has been found... He blames it on worrying! he said worrying can cause your stomach to bloat! But this happens all the time!
He doesn't have to go through this either! I started to say you don't know how l feel when this happens and it's just about all the time when l eat. l know l worry but this bloat and cramps has taken the place . I feel sometimes l'm just being brushed off! i don't want anything wrong but just the help from the gastro!
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lYNNETT
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I have been posting on here for some time now, I worry a lot, but I did not use to worry about my IBS -C until it began. I'm on holiday now, can't join in the fun as I look 9mths pregnant but at 57 can't use that as a reason🙈 and trying to be so good with my diet, I find it difficult to eat out. I have seen two Gastroentologists in the past, both were so dissmive I'v given up on going down that route. Rant over!! But with all the research into gut bacteria let's hope we can all be helped in the near future 😀
Thank you for your reply! I do wish the doctors would look at this board and see how many people are suffering with IBS! Hopefully they will find the help that is needed for all of us and take us more seriously!!!
Unfortunately the medical profession are not really clued up about IBS, perhaps because it's (a) not life-threatening in itself and (b) a functional disorder that doesn't respond to surgery or drugs. Luckily there's Peter Whorwell, I'd suggest you read his book Take Control of your IBS.
Thank you for your reply! l do appreciate it! I have found through myself and others that a lot of us are not taken seriously! My opinion we should be! l will pick up his book too! l would like to see what he has to say about this too!
My GP's only concern is that it might be cancer. She won't be happy until it is confirmed. The colonoscopy showed nothing, not even a teeny weeny polyp. The ultra sound scan, including a vaginal one, also showed zip all.
How many times does she have to be told it is IBS? Honestly it is like talking to a brick wall. I can't help it if the blood test flag something up, especially as it is no different now to what it was way back in 2011.
I know what causes it for goodness sake, it is my body. I was on too healthy a diet, as in well in excess of five fruit/veg a day, plus other high fibre foods. That is what was causing the problems, only I didn't know that until I was on the low residue diet for the five days before the colonoscopy. Within 24 hours I had twigged what the problem was. She may very well have a medical degree and all that rot, but if it isn't in the book of acceptability, then the average GP doesn't have a clue. One GP did tell me once that they don't know everything, too true mate!
Thank you rozwalts for your reply! You sure have a Big Thumbs Up on that! I have got the impression as long it's not something terrible and it's just IBS that's the end of it! And that bothers me! Because if you cannot rely on your gastro to care and help the situation then l don't know what else to say! I just know how l feel and to me it is something.... you need help from your gastro!
I have the same problems, about to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy done on Monday. I’ve found the more fiber I eat (of any kind) the more bloated I am! Also any high fatty foods (my biggest trigger food is butter!) sets me off into severe stomach cramps. Hope this helps!
yes your gastro blew you off. But you can stop worrying about having cancer or some such. That's the stuff he ruled out for you with the tests.
Now about the bloating and the cramping: time to get educated. You know what causes bloating: air in your stomach and air in your intestines.
Air in your stomach comes from swallowing air. Either with your food and drink or just when you swallow during your normal day. (This is not a criticism, I do the same). I taught myself to burp. It's the only way I could think off to get rid of stomach air. Do you have any insights or ideas? I do not only burp, when I lie on my back I push on my stomach (it's below your ribcase when you have breathed out and your liver is hiding in your chest cavity now that there is room because lungs are flat). I then flip to my stomach, raise my head like a seal and burrrp. It can happen 5 times in a row!
Air in your intestines you know too: FODMAP. Feeding the bacteria that produce air. Even when on a strict FODMAP and not feeding them they will still make air.
The problem with air is that a bubble can get stuck in your tubes. This causes pain. Cramps. Especially when food is stuck behind the bubble. This food will cause swelling. More pain. When this happens in the bend of the colon at the spleen or the liver it's called the Splenic Flexure Syndrome or the Hepatic Flexure Syndrome.
If it happens in any other bend we don't have a name for it but it's the same principle.
Do you happen to have a photo of your scan? That would be so helpful! to see how your tubes (intestines) are: bendy or not; with extreme folds or not. This could give you insight into where and why things might get stuck and cause you pain.
Now I tell you about me. I have bendy tubes. Air gets stuck. Things swell up. I don't have much pain because I was born with this and do not register the pain. My body does, however, because this wakes me up every night, after 4,5 hours of sleep.
(This coincides with the BMM, the big mass movement, that goes through your intestines to sweep them clean, every 1,5 hours.)
Anyway, I am now on a FODMAP and no fibre diet and my bloating has gone and so has the cramping.
My gastro said the bendiness of my intestines cannot cause this because it isn't extreme. However, results are 100% repeatable. So what does he know?
You: stop trying to educate your gastro and stop trying to get his approval or understanding. Take from him the knowledge you can use and use him to get test results you desire for your own understanding of the problem.
My gastro also said people do not need fibre if bowel movement is regular. Lots of people mistake constipation for a shortage of fiber. Just like lots of people mistake heartburn for too much stomach acid when in truth it is the other way around.
You can help your stomach with breaking down your food by acidifying it (take a HCL pill or diluted vinegar or lemon juice with your food. This also helps with nausea because that has the same cause)
Since food digestion takes up so much energy you can help your body by eating less fibre, eating less raw food, eating less food in general (only eat quality) and taking digestive aids such as acid and enzymes.
You've got this. You will become the expert on your own body and you will solve this problem.
I completely get what you’re saying. I’ve booked another appointment with my GP as I am so sick of the pain and being bloated. I know I will cancel the appointment as there is no point.......if it wasn’t for this forum I don’t know what I’d do 😔
Many well-meaning doctors/gastros just do not understand IBS. Let's face it, it took me living with it for 25 years and researching it all the time to understand mine. They just don't have the time for that. Their work is centered on stopping people dying (a very honorable cause). But it leaves us IBS sufferers high and dry.
That's why I started my blog - but I am such a little voice in such a huge crowd.
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