IBS Sufferers...your opinion please.

[tansy-ann8]

I have had IBS for many years and have managed it very well, even eating normally. These last couple of days I am in a great deal of pain and am somewhat constipated, although my IBS was always 'D' type. Seen 2 GPs who have said try Buscopan, am trying......My tummy is bloated and I have excessive wind, (not normal for me) also feel nauseous...so, all in all, feeling pretty rough. Under enormous personal stress also at the moment which is probably not helping.....My question...Is this amount of pain normal for any IBS sufferers out there? As I am getting worried now..Thank you.

[FRreedman]

When you ask is it normal? I retaliate with what is normal? Unfortunately with IBS/IBD there is no normal. The only approximation to normal is how you, personally are, under any given set of circumstances. If you are generally pain free then when you are in pain there is, obviously, something wrong, that needs sorting out, and if you are normally d but become c, then the same thing, it needs sorting. If we look at your problems as described above you have unusual pain, and unusual c, as well as unusual excessive wind. You are under a lot of personal pressure which could cause these problems, however, I am not certain that is your only problem. I would try the GPs prescription for two weeks and if no better I would go back and ask for further investigation or assistance. I think it is more than likely your IBS which is playing up, as your symptoms are all typical IBS symptoms.

[tansy-ann8 in reply to FRreedman]

Thank you, more or less my thoughts too.....helps to share sometimes.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, you don't say how old you are, but I am 61 and had IBS 35 years and as I have got older it has kind of changed from D to C. I am finding it more painful in some ways than D, although in a different way. D made my insides burn and sting, but C gives me more pressure pain as the hard stuff inside me pushes against me insides and air gets caught up with it. Both give me nausea. I don't know if this might make you feel a bit better about it. Also as you are under a lot of pressure at the moment it could well be that's causing the change.

[tansy-ann8 in reply to Maureen1958]

Maureen1958. Thank you so much Maureen...yes, I too have had it for many years and I am actually older than you are. You are the first person to havetold me that you have the same feelings of nausea that I encounter and I really appreciate your response. I have spent today at the hospital and have had every conceiveable test, I feel like a pincushion...however, all test have come up clear and apparently this seems to be a particuarly vicious flare up of IBS...I do at least know that it is nothing more serious.

[pam1000 in reply to tansy-ann8]

What tests did they give you?

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're struggling. If you need help and support please get in touch theibsnetwork.org

[grufjones]

My top recommendation in your situation is check with the surgery receptionist which GP is best with IBS and gut health issues. A GP who knows this area well should mention seeing a dietitian and perhaps exploring the fodmap diet under their supervision.

It really is worth getting in front of the right person early in the process