IBS pain

[Caze]

I have suffered with IBS type pain for many years but this particular flare up has been the worst. I am going to the toilet first thing 2 - 3 times and my upper abdomen is very sore.

I asked my GP to refer me to a gastroenterologist but the person I saw at the hospital back in the summer was a member of the general surgical team. He did arrange for me to have a CT virtual colonoscopy and I got the results in November - everything fine but no suggestions re treatment/ further tests etc.

In the past I have seen a functional doctor and have had lots of GI stool tests which have revealed various problems such as Candida, a parasite, SIBO etc. I have followed this doctors regimes for months but any improvement is short lived.

In addition this doctor is no longer seeing patients convenient to where I live so I am thinking of consulting someone else - either a functional practitoner specialising in gut health or a gastroenterologist. I would be grateful for suggestions as to who I shd see/what tests to ask for etc. I live in West London but do not mind travelling a reasonable distance.

Many thanks.

[auntyjean]

I see a gastric dietician and a biofeedback nurse and they have both been very helpful. You could ask to be referred to them. Hope you get some relief.

[Caze in reply to auntyjean]

Thank you fr responding. Are these practitioners available on the NHS or private?

[auntyjean in reply to Caze]

They are on NHS but I am in Essex. I think a lot of it depends on who your doctor refers you to. My GP sent me to Gastroenterologist and he referred me to Biofeedback nurse. Then she in turn sent me to Dietician. It took a while but got there in the end.

[Eliana5]

I am thinking of a test I had that pretty much showed everything. It is called an upper GI and lower Barium follow through. It is quick, not uncomfortable at all. You just drink a small cup of white thick liquid (does not taste bad, just like a thick vanilla milkshake) and then the nurses or assistants have you lie on a table, have you drink the barium..and the Gastro or Rectal specialist, radiologist see the liquid on machine where it goes into your esophagus, upper intestine, stomach, bowel, lower intestine/Colon. They look for any ulcerations, hiatal hernias, blockage problems, how the liquid travels through, upper abdomen where you are experiencing discomfort. The test took about 1/2 hour..

[Caze in reply to Eliana5]

Thank you I will ask about this.