Hi everyone. I'm wondering if anybody can offer me some advice please. I've suffered with loose stools for over 6 years and figured it was diet related. I have cut out dairy and gluten many times and it made no difference to my bowels. Side note I dont drink fizzy or caffeine of any sort. Because it made no difference I figured sod it and basically have eaten whatever I like. Not a great attitude I know. I had a baby last May and ever since her birth (which was stressful and excruciating) my bowels have gotten way worse. They're still loose but just awful. I went to my doc who took bloods, stool sample and also did a abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. All came back fine including celiac. These past few months particularly I'm bloated 24/7 I wake up bloated and gassy and my intestines feel tender. I went back to my doc who said I have ibs. She gave me a printout of the fodmap diet and that was that. She said she could refer me to hospital but since my tests have come back fine with no signs of inflammation they'll basically decline my referral. I'm so gutted. I live in NZ and the health system isnt too great. Everything is horrendously expensive and I had to pay over $300 for the ultrasound. What I'd like to know is does that sound like ibs? I've been reading everyone else's stories and they all seem to have to run to the loo when they're having a bad episode. Also mines just constant theres rarely a time where my gut feels right. I dont ever have a sense of urgency to go the the bathroom though. So sorry for such a massively long essay I'm a newbie and trying to find my way. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Thank you Nikki.
Do I actually have ibs??: Hi everyone. I'm... - IBS Network
Do I actually have ibs??
Hi Nikki
As they've ruled out other illnesses I would say it's probably IBS but some on this forum might suggest other ailments like Sibo but I'm no expert on those at all.
I was having diarrhoea near enough every day as well as nausea since having food poisoning back in November 2018 (I was originally diagnosed with IBS back in 1996 but controlled it really well and had no real issues as I had IBS C and didn't have pain all the time, mostly constipation but I managed to help that by taking linseeds in water). Back to November 2018, the IBS turned on it's head and along came the diarrhoea and nausea and I've never felt so ill.
I think it's so unfair that they would decline a referral for you, that's awful. If they think you have IBS then they should refer you to a Dietician. I've been very fortunate with my doctor here in the UK as he referred me to a Dietician (initially he gave me some web addresses to look at the Low Fodmap diet myself but after me speaking to him again he agreed to refer me). I've been on the diet since last Monday so 1 1/2 weeks now and I have to say I feel so so much better. I'm not going to say it's an easy diet to follow, particularly if you are a Vegan like me, but it's definitely worth putting the effort it to feel like I do.
See what other people say on here but it does look like IBS to me and I don't think it would hurt to have a look at the internet and maybe start the diet yourself. The best place to start would be the Monash University as they were the creators of the diet and they have an app which, I would expect, work much better with the foods you have in NZ than we have here in the UK, I'm thinking that you may be similar to Australia where the diet was created.
Wishing you all the very best.
Alicia 
I did wonder about SIBO. I just have a hard time trusting doctors especially when Ibs seems to be thrown around so easily without further testing (in my case) I know stress is definitely a factor too so I'll have to start implementing some things to start looking after me.
Unfortunately the tests for SIBO are not accurate. This means that you can test positive for it when you are not and the treatment for it is pretty brutal. It includes attacking your microbiome with antibiotics, natural antimirobials and a very very restrictive diet to not feed your gut bacteria. If you don't have it this can be detrimental to your health. The first port of call should be a fodmap elimination and reintroduction diet. I don't know how things work in NZ but ideally this should be conducted under the guidance of a dietitian that you GP should refer you to. If you can't get this for free and don't have insurance to cover it, you could maybe start here: sompar.nhs.uk/media/4352/fa....
You start with removing all fodmaps from your diet for 2 weeks. You then reintroduce one type of fodmap at a time starting low quantity, then increase the second day and increase again the 3rd and wait 2-3 days for symptoms. You need to be symptom free before you try the next fodmap. This is the recommended approach. However I am trying a slightly different approach in adding new fodmaps back into my diet over a longer period of time since I have read in scientific papers that your body can adapt to fodmaps by encouraging the bacteria required to process them to grow, but this means not throwing too much at your system at once i.e. one at a time, in small amounts for the first 2-3 days, if I get slight symptoms I continue and increase the amount for another 2-3 days. If I get intolerable symptoms I cut back to the previous amount that I could tolerate for longer.
Thank you for your reply. I'm finding all the info so overwhelming due to lack of sleep from my 8 month old. But I'm determined to get on top of things and find my triggers etc. I'll check out the link, thank you.
I'm following the low Fodmap diet and it's working for me, I feel so much better.
Agree that IBS seems to be the condition doctors say you have when tests come back clear. I would say in my case its IBS as the low Fodmap diet is working.
Really hope you improve soon but I'd definitely try the diet.
I always thought that in NZ health matters were better than ours in the UK so sorry you are having a tough time getting a diagnosis. My journey for an IBS diagnosis started with my helpful GP. I had stool tests gluten, dairy etc and finally a referral for a colonoscopy, all clear except for a polyp which was removed. So IBS was diagnosed. If you are bloated 24/7 it can be IBS but it maybe something gynae so if you have had period probs suggest a CA 125 blood test maybe in order. Wish you well in your search for a diagnosis
I did wonder about a gynae but as I've had an ultrasound and it came back all clear my doctor hasnt even mentioned it. I may look into another gp to see if I can get some more answers. Just a bit more testing would put my mind at ease. I'm a worrier at the best of times and so all these symptoms I'm having are worrying me even more. Especially because google likes to give worse case scenarios and I'm worried I'm being told its ibs when it could be something else. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my earlier post. All the best to you.
I think it sounds like ibs. Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, pains, stomach aches. It affects everyone in so many different ways. I’m so sorry to hear that your struggling it is so hard and it effects our life so much I don’t think the doctors actually understand and take seriously. I recently took a York intolerance test and it actually some back with some food items. Maybe it is worth going down this route. I was desperate willing to try anything. I did pay for it but I have some answers so worth it.
The low fodmap diet is an absolute miracle, it's worth the money to see a dietition who specialises in it. It's a game changer x download monash university app and you'll end up learning which foods are safe and which are safe in small portions (I use a food scale to weight it all out). Most people find relief by day 3 of following it strictly then by 6 weeks you'll see the full benefit and can start reintroducing high fodmap foods back one by one x
Hi
Have you been tested for gluten intolerance or tried cutting this out to see if this makes a difference? It's worth trying that for a few months and also trying the FODMAP diet if that doesn't help. You could also Google the low residue diet for IBS and follow this alongside the gluten free diet as it's mainly about low fibre. Try taking enteric coated peppermint oil capsules or if you can get them there Sennacalm which are more expensive but seem to work well.
You can also drink peppermint tea.
I've also found taking enterosgel helpful for bloating and frequency if you look on the enteromed site they often have offers on or I get mine on ebay from people selling it on.
Your symptoms sound typical of IBS but we arent medical professionals.
I'm guessing you've not had a colonoscopy?
IBS tends to exacerbate around the time of a period for a woman too.
My symptoms started after pregnancy and childbirth, the pregnancy was quite stressful
Good luck with trying to manage your symptoms
Mine has definitely flared up since the birth of my baby last may. It was a very stressful pregnancy and my daughter was tongue tied, has reflux and doesn't sleep so things have been very stressful of late. Thank you for your advice x
I spend decades being told "it's just IBS" (which is particularly annoying for people with IBS, as there's little "just" about it as far as I can see). However I was eventually diagnosed with coeliac disease (was negative on blood tests but positive on biopsy), and also now Bile Salt Malabsorption. It can be diagnosed in the UK with sehcat scan, or on response to medication.
I initially saw a dietitian/fodmap specialist who put me on an elimination diet then declared not IBS as I was symptomatic throughout the controlled phase.
I'm not sure about NZ but give it a google. I am now on medication (for the BAM, strictly gluten free for the coeliac obviously) which is brilliant, and though far from foolproof it's been life changing. Also the relief of knowing that it's not caused by what I'm eating but is a malfunction in my body, hence taking away that huge stress of constantly trying to work out what the hell is causing it. Really good luck, it's miserable I know, and I well remember the days of dealing with it with a little one x
Thank you for the tip. I'll google it and see if theres anything offered here in NZ. Fingers crossed
It’s maybe worth adding that BAM isn’t obscure - estimated to be hugely under disgnosed according to reputable studies which suspect quarter to a third of IBS-d sufferers actually have treatable BAM.
Did you actually try the Low Fodmap diet? It is a fairly cheap and easy diet to follow for four weeks. Just download the Monash app.
As well as trying the low FODMAP diet, if you think your IBS is stress-related - and having a baby who doesn't sleep well is a pretty big stress without a single other one in your life! - you might want to think about what you might be able to do to reduce and/or manage either the stresses in your life, or how you respond to them. I tried Michael Mahoney's hypnotherapy recordings, which are specifically aimed at treating IBS and my understanding he is respected by the medical establishment in the UK. They didn't help me, since as it turned out my IBS had nothing to do with stress, but they were very relaxing and it was interesting to observe what he was trying to do in them. With a small baby you might not find it easy to make a window of time where you can be sure of not being interrupted, which is what you are supposed to do with his recordings, but there are loads of ways to relax and de-stress that don't require a fixed time window. Things like do-it-yourself yoga, short guided meditations or mindfulness might be helpful, and I think you can get instructions/videos/recordings for all of these free online.
I definitely think part of it is stress related. I have 5 children and a very busy husband who works extremely hard and long hours so at times it does get stressful. I'm very lucky my children all pitch in and help with the baby but I'm aware its also time for me to start looking after myself more. I'm going to start up with yoga again and try some meditation. I'll check out Michael Mahoney. Thank you so much for your helpful advice xx
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