How do I get diagnosed with IBS?

[Ericaxmai]

I have never had an actual diagnosis for the IBS-C I think I have. I’ve had a full blood count done and it came back clear and I’ve sent in a stool sample which also came back clear but they said that they can’t diagnose me unless they can rule out coeliac disease but because I haven’t eaten gluten for that long they said I would have to eat some every day for 6 weeks before I have the test. However, because I know how ill gluten made me feel I can’t bear the thought of feeling so unwell every day for that long so I’m just wondering if anyone knows a way that I can get the diagnosis without having to go through that or is that my only option?

[xjrs]

As far as I am aware, that would be the only way to find out you have coeliac unfortunately.

[Maureen1958]

I agree with xjrs, and he/she knows what they're talking about when it comes to IBS. I would just add that basically you don't need the test as you have proved you must be coeliac by eliminating gluten from your diet. It must be helping or you wouldn't be so scared to eat gluten. That just leaves you with IBS, if you are still having problems.

[xjrs in reply to Maureen1958]

Ericaxmai , I partly agree with Maureen1958 , being gluten free seems to be helping you. I would qualify that a bit further in that there may be 2 things at play here. One is wheat contains FODMAPs called fructans. Some IBS sufferers are sensitive to certain FODMAPs in foods. It may be that you are sensitive to the fructans in wheat, which is potentially why going gluten free may be helping you since you are avoiding wheat. Coeliac can have far more reaching implications, for example, for some people it can block the absorption of some minerals such as iron. Sometimes people find out they are coeliac, since they start to become anemic. I am not sure if this happens in all cases though. Probably the only reason to try to find out whether you are coeliac or not is to find out how strict you need to be with your diet. For some people with coeliac even having food prepared in an environment that has had wheat in it can cause them problems. It is up to you whether you want to go through the suffering of consuming gluten to get a definitive test done or whether you want to carry on as you are.

[Hidden]

Gluten is in heaps of stuff. Your probably eating small amounts without even knowing it. Unless your totally switched on with everything you eat. It could be stress. And also the more you think about it the worst it becomes. Do you drink. Alcohol can upset the gut lining and speed up transit. Good to know your tests are ok.

[Ericaxmai in reply to Hidden]

No I don’t drink but I agree that stress is definitely a trigger for me. Thank you for your advice

[Hidden]

We live a faster pace of life these days eh!

[Superzob]

IBS is really a diagnosis by exception, so it's not very helpful if you know you have an existing intolerance and no underlying bowel disease. The obvious thing for constipation is to increase dietary fibre; beyond that, I'm afraid I'm not really in a position to comment.

[Edgefield in reply to Superzob]

Increasing fibre doesn't always work. It can make things worse. The FODMAP diet helps focus on soluble rather than non soluble fibre which is important.

[Antiques72 in reply to Edgefield]

I was given fybrogel many years ago and took it every day but only realised in the last year it was making IBS worse .... I have cut out gluten and changed milk and cheese to lactose free ...and absolutely nothing that is high fibre as that definitely makes it worse . Trying now a stool softener like movicol or ducolese every other day so it doest get bunged up and cause dreadful pain , cramps and needing the loo for about 3 hours ... now also taking 6 buscopan every day and it def helps the cramps ...best thing ever ..

[Edgefield]

If you are experiencing symptoms which include chronic constipation , bloating, pain etc and don't eat gluten the I would assume that it can't be gluten causing the problem so it can't be gluten intolerance. I can't see how you would need to have coeliac disease ruled out in this case (but I am no doctor just a long term IBS-C sufferer).I have been told by my gastroenterologist , following a years worth of tests, the diagnosis for IBS is based on ruling other things out and then looking at the collective symptoms. I have had numerous tests (including for coeliac), endoscopy and colonoscopy and the conclusion is IBS-C. I have slow gut transit too (diagnosed by gut transit test) and unable to digest well. I have found the FODMAP diet helpful (under guidance from a dietician), have very little with gluten as i cant break it down, lactose free milk and small meals. I take prucalopride to help with gut transit. I am much improved and its now manageable, but it has taken a long time to get to this and I still get symptoms if my regime slips. I would say, get a referral to a good gastroenterologist.

[Ericaxmai in reply to Edgefield]

Thanks so much for your advice!

[Nerdlady]

after paying attention to my diet and limiting raw carrots and believe me i love them so so much, i feel much better, i was actually to have a pain free bowel movement, and not a few raisins, lol. so far less bloating, nausea, headaches, joint/muscle pain is even better as well. crazy as i have eaten them since 2003 faithfully everyday...well no more, its cooked carrots from now on. i have even cut back on the gluten. i sure hope im on my way to feeling normal again. hope you figure out your dilemma.

[REDLYN123]

how much gluten did you have to eat per day? I ate like a slice of pitta bread.

[Crafted]

Same for me. I couldn't cope with going back on gluten for six weeks. I didn't improve after cutting out the gluten Nd found out that I was intolerant to milk also and things that are spicy and tomato never sits well either. Sometimes I tolerate potato and sometimes not. My doc led me to believe the only wat to diagnose was with the 6 week torture of eating gluten again so I have just put up with it. I hope someone knows of other tests that can be done. However I think you probably have to identify your own triggers and then avoid them. I found a food diary quite helpful. Hope you feel better soon Nd have some answers.