Doc thinks it could be ibs

[micro71]

Hi. I'm new to here. Been feeling a bit crappy for 6-7 weeks now. Been back and forth to the doc. He said last week that he thinks it's ibs. I've had diarrhea and really bad stomach cramps. Started having panic attacks and thinking the worst. He's put me on fluoxetine and diazepam (stopped taken that) for the panic attacks and worrying. Got buscopan and solpadol for the cramps and pain. It just seems to never end. A don't know about anyone else but today a woke up pain in the lower right side. A did read though that it can just be painful in the one area. Anyone have any advice?

Sorry for the long post. I feel like I'm at my wits end

[FRreedman]

Have you had a calprotectin test of your bowel motions yet? What were the results? If not, then you should ask your GP to refer you to a GI consultant, for further and more in depth testing. I am so glad to see that you have stopped taking the Diazapam (probably the most addictive drug on the market today). As far as pain is concerned, take whatever makes you feel easier, but remember with IBS/IBD, diet is a major influence. With that in mind you should stop drinking fizzy drinks and reduce alcohol, also remove peanuts and sweetcorn from your diet. This is not an exhaustive list but, imo, a minimum, and will also help with the bloating. Good luck.

[micro71 in reply to FRreedman]

Thanx for the reply. My poo has been tested, came back clear. Had bloods done, came back clear. Had chest x-ray, came back clear. Doc said that if I still have the diarrhea on Monday he's going to send me to the hospital to get the camera. God knows how long that will take though. I'm watching what I'm eating but just seem to be in pain all the time. It feels like the doc don't listen to u. The solpadol isn't doing much for the pain.

[jbrking]

There are so many different bowel conditions so you may need further tests. I had diarrhoea weekly for 20+ years and told IBS or what I ate and tried low fodmap cutting out wheat, dairy and caffeine, but it still happened. Got so bad last year I would end up on the toilet for hours in the night and being sick. Had colonoscopy which was clear and a sehcat scan and diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption so I know how meds which bind but have side effects which are similar in to the pain I was getting. Can’t win. Anyway I suggest you keep a diary of what you eat and drink, write down times, what happens after you eat, how you feel, when you go the toilet and what it is like and how long. It was the only way my doctor could see how it was affecting my life I got referred. The first thing the consultant said to me is that it’s bile acid malabsorption, the most under diagnosed thing. Had tests and confirmed. Good luck

[micro71 in reply to jbrking]

Thanks for replying. I have currently been up since 0445 with really bad cramping. That's what woke me up. I'm really considering going back to my doc today. It is so painful. I have been recording what I eat and what tablets I am taking. Nothing seems to be helping the now. I feel like i just want to rip my stomach out.

[Hidden]

Hi micro71

Sorry to hear about your recent troubles!

You do not mention diet in any of this. I know how remise the NHS is about mentioning how lifestyle impacts on illness. Why on earth would your GP should prescribe antidepressants for gut issues troubles me. Though be care coming of them abruptly because it can give you withdrawal problems.

I'm no expert but I think its safe to say you have some kind of digestive problem. So why not start keeping a food diary? You will then start to see what antagonises you. Consider cutting out dairy (Lactose is a FODMAP sugar) and Gluten. It is possible that you develop temporary sensitivities to these substances. Cut out processed food and refined sugar in general.

Consider a low FODMAP diet until you get a proper diagnosis. It takes some effort and can be boring because of the lack of choice but again it removes the common foods that can inflame your problem. In the short-term (3-4 months) then you can start to reintroduce foods to see whether you still react. In time as you recover you will find less and less cause you difficulties.

I understand your frustration and feeling of where do I go to find sound advice. The NHS has a very poor understanding of IBD/IBS and they often go for mind treatments instead of the gut. I started suffering with IBS & SIBO seven years ago and my GP tested me for H. Pylori and then suggested a Shrink!!

There is good support on this forum because you are talking to fellow sufferers. Bear in mind though that IBS is multifaceted and it's effects can be very specific to each individual so one person's delight is another's poison! 😊

[micro71]

Thank u for replying. I have started to keep a diary of what I'm eating and what tablets I'm taking. Going to try the fodmap diet. I have also starting using lacto free milk in my tea. That has helped a tiny bit. It is just really frustrating. I feel like the docs think I'm just making all this up and it's all in my head. He prescribed me fluoxetine and diazepam cos I was having panic attacks because of the pain. Stopped taking the diazepam though. A read that fluoxetine can help with the stomach pains but it's doing nothing for me. He also prescribed buscopan, take 1 three times a day. The pain was that bad this morning I took 2. Can I ask, do u ever feel pain in other places or is it just your stomach?

Just back from the docs. He has taken another poo sample and prescribed me with amitriptyline. To take one before a go to bed. I don't know if anyone has been prescribed this but I don't see how this can help with all the stomach pain. Anyone any suggestions?

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