How is IBS diagnosed?. I have always had 'issues' with tummy for years, had tests, all clear from about 30 yrs ago and based on symptoms it was assumed IBS in those days.
A couple of years ago I was invited to have a sigmoidoscopy as this was being rolled out to people in their 50's. It was found that I had diverticular disease and to be careful with diet etc. They said all symptoms are similar to IBS. So may be a silly question to some of you knowledgeable and experienced people but what is the difference between IBS and diverticulitis disease?.
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Louali
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Hi, I've had IBS for 35 years now. Usually you will be given blood tests and stool tests as first course of action. Diverticulitis kind of falls under the auspices of IBS, as do lots of other things. Years back, when yours and mine started, it was just bowel problems (mainly diarrhoea). But along the way it seems to have encompassed indigestion type symptoms as well!
Basically, IBS, is anything that isn't crohns, colitis, cancer or celiac disease.
Well when i was diagnosed with IBS in the early eighties, tests were far and few between. They didnt have the new technology like web type tiny cameras and computers. Xrays were pretty useless for IBS. They used barium meal xrays instead. Actually probably baruim meal xrays was the worst thing to take, because they give you enormous stools which in itself could damage any type of problem in the gut. Mine was just diagnosed on my general well being. I wss only 23 then, but I had very bad anxiety. Clustaphobia and an awful Agraphobia. They put me on a new tablet (benzo baby). Lorazapam. And the only known IBS treatment I was given was colofac. After twenty years had passed, I was still on Lorazapam, because the Nhs and Weith pharmaceutical had no idea that to ome off them was like trying to come off coccaine. In 2016 me and wife were admitted to hospital with CAP (community aquired phenomnia. It was there after colonscopy after a small renel mass on my right kidney wss found after MRI scan that i was told i had sigmoid diverti ular. As I now have both its hard ro tell whats playing, but cramps, wind, and odd times to go loo are part of my daily problems. I have a good dinner at lesdt once a week of high fibre for the diverticular, sprouts, greens, but not broccoli or cauliflower which I like but have trouble with both. But i dont think you had a sigmoid investigation, divertiular is normally in colon not part of the upper tract?? Thats found by camera up the bum colonascopy. In any case hope you get some answers🤔🤔
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