Worried / Anxious

[drinky147]

I was diagnosed with IBS approx 4 years ago , clear gastroscopy and colonoscopy and negative blood and stool tests

Recent flare up over last 3/4 weeks with usual symptoms but lower left pain worst when standing up

Just been referred for another gastoscopy and sigmoidoscopy which is next week.

My bloods and stool tests this week have just come back fine again

Feel so stressed worried nervous and struggling to cope, any help would be much appreciated

Regards Paul

[FRreedman]

Hi,

That is the annoying thing with IBS, it mimics the symptoms of IBD, but the tests come back negative, which means you can only be treated symptomatically, meaning no long lasting relief (unless you're really lucky). The only good thing, I can think of, is at least you are being monitored for, and treated for all other illnesses, that occur, normally silently.

[drinky147 in reply to FRreedman]

Thanks for the reply

Fully agree but my stress anxiety just seems to be fuelling my symptoms

Feel like I'm in a downward spiral

So grateful I can share my thoughts on here knowing I'm not alone

[Kim456]

What is your diet like?

[drinky147 in reply to Kim456]

Kim

My diet was shocking up to Feb

Me and my wife joined Slimming world about 5 months ago and I've lost almost 4 stones since

My diet is totally different now ie more fruit veg salads very little alcohol

Changed to wholemeal bread and stopped full fat pop now drinking diet/zero drinks

[Kim456 in reply to drinky147]

Why I asked is that some foods particularly the diet drinks have artificial sweeteners which can cause upset stomach...and alcohol can do the same....since it has malt, barley the stuff that makes ibs intolerable (cramping and gas) may have to try rice beers or alcohol made with grains which are not wheat or have gluten...you may not have celiac but be sensitive to gluten.

I have lost about 30 pounds on SIBO/FODMAP diet.....it has been hard but I realise that eating processed foods are most problematic and try to eat mostly natural whole foods.

[drinky147 in reply to Kim456]

Thanks Kim

Willing to give anything a try

Interesting about the diet drinks will now leave them alone

I can take or leave alcohol so not really a problem

Well done with your weight loss

Only downside of my SW diet is that it's syn based so full english breakfasts etc are ok if cooked in spray oil and many other foods which are probably not IBS friendly either

[Kim456 in reply to drinky147]

Ok I understand