I'm just writing to see if anybody else is or has, been through the same as what I'm currently experiencing, as I'm totally fed up.
End of July 2020 I had 2 weeks of not feeling hungry at all (but I could eat as much as I wanted, I didn't feel full either, just no feeling in my stomach), with bloating and changes in bowel habits. This calmed down and then mid-September this all came back again. I've no hardly any feeling in my stomach since mid-September, it's not like I have no appetite as I do want to eat but I just don't have hunger feelings anymore? They will come and go, but it's not often I feel it anymore. My bowels were changing still, I went for a colonoscopy 1st November 2020 which was good news, they said everything looked very good and no concerns - since then my bowels have been pretty much normal, so I thought maybe part of this is anxiety (as I do have severe health anxiety as well as general anxiety which I've had CBT for and it didn't work). My bloating calmed down straight after my colonoscopy, but my hunger feelings have still never fully returned. A few days after my colonoscopy I started with really horrid heart burn, with burping bits of food back up (which I have had intermittently for years), always feeling like something is stuck in my throat. I spoke with my Dr and she went through the colonoscopy results which she said were very reassuring, she said I've had so many blood tests for intolerances, infections, CA125 and everything was normal. I've had a FIT Test and a normal stool test, again, all was normal. I've had an ultrasound of my abdomen and my pelvis (inside and out) with all being normal barring fatty liver and excess gas. The Dr stated she is very sure I have IBS & Reflux given the tests I've had, she started me on 15mg of Lansoprazole which have worked wonders until this week. My anxiety has risen this week, which has now resulted in bloating returning as well as increased bowel movements (but they are still normal consistency). I just feel so down, I thought I was on the mend but now it's coming back again.
I just feel like something bad is happening and they are missing it, but at the same time I should be thankful all of the tests I've had. The Dr did say I've not been tested for h-pylori (sorry if that's spelt wrong), that's the last thing, I just need to pick up a pot and get a sample in which I'll be doing tomorrow.
Has anybody else experienced this? Does it get better? The feeling of nothing (no hunger or fullness) in my stomach is what worries me most, I feel hungry maybe 3-4 times a week if that.
Sorry to ramble! I've just never had problems before and now I've hit 30, Ive had nothing but stomach troubles, I'm so frustrated.
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Moo45678
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Could have written the above. Ultimately my symptoms got worse at a time of high anxiety. Gradually improved and have now worsened again with increased stress. Acid and IBS permanent residents but both get worse when stressed. Bloating is horrendous, constant gurgling and no hunger, react to many foods. Tests all clear. Need to accept it is anxiety and then hopefully by worrying less about it things will start to improve.
My symptoms have definitely picked back up since my anxiety has soared again this week, it's as if a switch flicks once I feel a slight twinge of bloating and then the anxiety comes on straight away, worrying about all sorts, even things that I don't even have to worry about (or shouldn't worry about).
It's the no feeling in my stomach that worries me the most, I'm overweight, and I've always had a big appetite where I feel hungry a lot but the last 2 months - it's hardly there. It's just so bizarre, the Dr says to me so you have no appetite but I can eat, it doesn't make me feel sick and I don't feel full, I just feel nothing. It's crazy.
Gone from 97kg to 72kg in past year. Being well over 6ft tall that's not ideal. Due to eating better to try to limit reflux and real lack of appetite. I start to put weight back on if I eat more high calorie rubbish and destress! Fidgeting and mental energy expenditure use up everything I eat leaving me knackered.
List of physical symptoms are never ending. Had issues for years but come to a head in last 18 months - had many negative tests to rule out the nasties. Can now clearly link worsening issues to worsening stress levels which is sort of reassuring!
I'm not convinced it's true IBS rather my body being knackered from anxiety making my digestive system play up in a chronic way. Deal with the stress/anxiety and the rest will hopefully resolve over time. Keep stressed and the recovery won't be able to start.
You have had all the tests possible apart from h pylori!
Given that 50 percent of us have it I can’t see why you’re not been try for it. I had it after being fobbed off with ibs!. Go get a stool or breath test or you can buy one online home testing kit.
You must stop any medication like omeprozole for 10 day’s before testing though.
Symptoms I had. Gas, wind pockets in guts, reflux, gripping feeling in guts, noise. It can cause that feeling you want to clear your throat etc and swallowing.
After passing stools can feel like stretching going down ( hard to explain)
It's my fault I'm delayed for the testing of this, I should have picked up a "pot" last week, but working as a Care Home Manager is a little hectic and it's been crazy the last week.
There is much that can be done to help IBS and reflux. Often reflux is caused by IBS, since the excess gas from IBS can causes the valve that sits between the stomach and throat to weaken allowing acid and stomach contents to come back. Initially you can raise the head of your bed by 20cm using plastic bed risers found on the internet to keep the contents in your stomach there overnight.
Here is some information about IBS that I have shared with others in this group in case any of these tips are of interest to you:
IBS can be due to a number or combination of factors - these can be stress (including stress from early life experiences) which impacts the communication between the brain and the digestive system. There are lots of free webinars online at the moment regarding mindfulness meditation which might help. If CBT didn't work there are other talking therapies available to reduce anxiety - I would have thought online appointments are available. Exercise can play a major role in IBS in terms of reducing stress, helping your gut microbiome and regulating bowel movements.
There is also not absorbing certain types of carbohydrates called FODMAPs very well, the residue ending up in the colon and bacteria feeding off them causing symptoms. Ordinarily feeding gut bacteria is a really good thing - when you feed good gut bacteria these produce by-products that have great health effects in the gut and throughout the body. However, in some people with IBS bad bugs might have the upper hand over good - these bad bugs may cause symptoms such as excess gas, pain or disordered bowel movements. There is an interesting infographic on this here:
This is why it’s worth trying probiotics such as Alflorex (which has been scientifically studied for IBS) or Symprove to crowd out the bad bugs and make their numbers die down. If that doesn't work you can try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app and Kings College fodmap apps, they will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities. You can eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks and then introduce each type of FODMAP one at a time starting in small quantities, increasing over a 3 day period and wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount (1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size) of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then try to increment again . I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly and your bad bugs are under control with a good probiotic. Ideally you want to eat as many FODMAPs as you can since they are good for your health. Many people with IBS don't have diverse gut bacteria - it has been found that people who lack a diverse microbiome are more prone to diseases in general. In the long run, if you can get your symptoms under control, the ideal situation is to have a very varied diet - lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables, a variety of protein and carbohydrate sources including cereal fibres. This may seem a long way off, but with the right treatment all of this is possible. Last year all I could consume to control my IBS was white rice, protein and limited low fodmap veg. Using the approach above (particularly introducing Alflorex) I am now able to consume far more foods - more than I've ever dreamed of including wholewheat bread which is unheard of for me.
If you are also suffering from pain, you may be suffering from visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:
It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain - this is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these. Linaclotide (for IBS-C only) & Alflorex have helped me with this intestinal pain.
You may also find assistance with anti-spasmodic medication such as mebeverine (Colofac) or enteric coated peppermint.
If all of the usual IBS remedies fail and you are experiencing diarrhea, it is worth getting tested for BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption), which can cause constant diarrhea - there is a separate test and treatment for that. Good luck.
Thank you so much, this is an amazing read and so much information.
I will dive in and have a good read when I'm home from work.
We are currently looking to switch to plant based/low FODMAP diet as I did eat bad processed food over the weekend, which fits in line with current feelings, and I recognised my anxiety has dipped since I did this as well.
Thank you again, I appreciate your response and such an amazing load of info.
As a side note, unless you are switching to a wholly plant based diet for ethical reasons, you can get a lot of nutrients from healthy animal protein such as oily fish (mackerel & salmon) and organic chicken (I know, expensive!). NHS recommends 2 portions of fish per week, with one of oily fish:
Some people with IBS, whose symptoms are not yet under control may find difficulties switching to a wholly plant based diet for protein, such a legumes and nuts etc. since these may cause issues. It's a case of testing them out. There is also B12 to consider, which unfortunately is only available from animal protein. In terms of legumes, canned versions can be thoroughly rinsed to remove the soaking water, since much of the FODMAPs (GOS) leaches into the water.
I did do an "at home anti body" test for h pylori, and it came up negative, but unless that only detects what you've had in the past - I'm not overly sure.
I'm going to make sure I pick my pot up tomorrow!
You probably need a camera job down the neck. They take an accurate sample that way
I don't like being sedated, I wasn't for my colonoscopy, didn't have any pain relief - hate taking medication 😂 so if I have to have it, it won't be under sedation haha!
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Fed up with IBS - any advice?
Fed up!
Sad and fed up. 
So fed up
