Panicking! New to all of this

[Nurse2512]

Hi guys,

Hope you are all well at the moment.

This is my first post so apologies if I am rambling.

I am 25 years old currently working as a nurse.

I am just in the process of ? being diagnosed with IBS. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a 'temperamental' stomach; if something stressful happened I would need to go ASAP, before exams etc etc or if I ate something greasy or spicy. (Which is a real shame as I love spicy food).

I have had an incredibly stressful year, and around 8 months ago I would say I had my first proper 'flare up'. 3 approx weeks of bloating, pain, spasms, feeling of fullness, mucus in my stools and alternating between diarrhoea and constipation. This seemed to pass and I didn't see a GP. Since then I have had random bouts of diarrhoea and bloating but these seem to only last a few days and ease with loperamide.

Anyway, for the last 2-3 weeks I seem to be having another flare up; mucus in stools, awful bloating, wind, pain, nausea, backache and alternating between diarrhoea and constipation, mainly diarrhoea prominent however.

I have had a few 'good' days but today my stomach is playing up with a vengeance, awful diarrhoea. I have taken some loperamide today as it is really getting me down.

I have sent a stool sample and am awaiting the results. I also have blood tests booked in.

When I spoke to the doctor she was lovely and didn't seem too concerned.

I am panicking however as I made the mistake of Googling my symptoms, and now am worried I have something horrific and sinister. My mum and nan have both been diagnosed with cancer this year (breast and lung) so I think cancer is at the forefront of my mind and I just can't shake the worry.

Ironically, I am a nurse and the rational part of me knows not to panic as it makes it worse, and that I am young and don't have any of the Red Flag symtoms of bowel CA.

My brother had similar symptoms around 2 years ago, and eventually was seen in hospital, and was ultimately diagnosed with IBS.

I don't really know what I am asking but sort of looking for other people's stories, reassurance etc.

Thanks so much,

Maisie

[LMor]

Hi. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Have you had a test for celiac disease? I would insist on having on while you are still eating gluten. Even if it comes back negative I would then try going gluten free and see if that helps. (Only after the test). It has helped me tremendously.

[Nurse2512 in reply to LMor]

I think they are adding that to my blood tests. Thank you for your reply.

[LMor in reply to Nurse2512]

Good luck. I know it’s a very stressful time for you but hopefully the bloods will pinpoint what could be wrong and then you can work from there to improve the issues you’re having.. x

[Linley]

Firstly, a big thank you for what you are doing in this crisis fingers crossed 🤞you keep safe for the duration. As the gut is the centre of our emotions its no wonder its playing up, your anxiety levels must be high dealing with this virus. Suggest you eat a bland diet for a few weeks and take loperaminde until you get your results, if you are still not happy then the ultimate diagnostic test is a colonoscopy which would put your mind at rest

[xjrs]

To put your mind at rest statistically far more people who have these symptoms will come back with 'everything's fine' from these tests and will get an IBS diagnosis. It does tend to run in families which means there may be a genetic connection and the fact that your brother has it points to this. The stool sample and blood tests will check for any signs of inflammation and also check for ceoliac disease (which would only show up if you have it and are consuming gluten). Even if you have signs of inflammation and are referred for colonoscopy, again statistically far more people will come back with an IBS diagnosis rather than anything else from the colonoscopy. This is what happened to me. You also have youth on your side.

These times have been very stressful and I take my hat off to you working as a nurse particularly now. I get stressed just going to the supermarket, so heaven knows what you've had to go through. There is no wonder that if you are predisposed to IBS, you are getting symptoms now.

If you want some general hints and tips this is a great resource:

theibsnetwork.org.

Please check back here if you are diagnosed with IBS since there is much that can be done to manage your symptoms and we can advise you. Good luck and also thanks for everything you've been doing in your job.

[SueFML]

Hi and welcome, I have had a dreadful year. I am been trying Gluten Free diet for the last week and it is helping don’t think I have celiac disease but thought I might be sensitive to Wheat.

Give it a try anything is worth trying.

I have had no end of test in the past. Seeing the gastric specialist in July I am going to ask them if that could be my problem.

Good luck you are doing a marvellous job and I applaud you. Thank you ♥️

[one-n-den]

Hi,

First of all, thank you for all that you do in your work as a nurse - the demands on you at the moment must be horrendous.

I’d agree with all the advice so far, but add a few suggestions if my own:

I use Colpermin peppermint capsules to help reduce bloating and pain - they are enteric-coated to protect them until they reach the gut and they work better than unprotected peppermint oil capsules.

You might also find it very useful to refer to the FODMAP lists of ‘high’ and ‘low’ foods which are more and less likely, respectively, to cause pain, bloating and loose stools.

There are several apps for your phone to help you assess foods while out shopping or eating out (as if!!!)

I also find exercise very helpful - I walk 2-3 miles every day and that seems to regularise my bm’s, too.

I hope that helps!

Good luck.

[Carlettejaque]

I would cut out all dairy products for a couple of weeks. Don't drink fizzy drinks of any kind or alcohol (No wine).

Find the low Fodmaps diet on line and stick to it. A dietician told me awhile ago not to eat fruit as its too acidic and fruit skins can be too harsh on the bowel if you must then half a banana now and then. But, to me it sounds like an intolerance and the biggest culprit is dairy and fizzy stuff and alcohol.

Keep a food diary but remember it can take between 24 yrs to 4 days for things to go around your system. It depends on your digestive transit.

You are not alone. Millions of people worldwide have IBS. If you can afford it, have an intolerance test with someone like York Laboratories. (Fimd them on line). I am intolerant too dairy, yeast, sunflower oil, soya and my biggy, dextrose which makes me really ill like a bad hangover with motion sickness.

Hope this helps. Stay safe. If you need further advice come back to me. I've had IBS for 20 yrs.

[Nurse2512]

Thank you all so much for your replies. They are all really helpful and have chilled me out a little!!

I will let you know how I get on x

[jointpain]

Ask to have B12 serum blood test too!

[Pleesee]

Dear Maisie, Firstly you are amazing and doing a wonderful job, thank you. I have not been to the doctor but I have had a problem with constipation on and off. I have started doing stomach massage when I go to bed at night! It is truly amazing and really helps, you can go on you tube to watch how to do it! Also I take a teaspoon of olive oil in the morning and at night before I go to bed. Also sometimes organic Apple cider vinegar.

I wish you a lot of luck and hope this helps.

[Nurse2512]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your messages.

My stool sample and bloods have all come back normal so it is IBS! Very relieved I now have a diagnosis that i can try and manage.

X