Young IBS sufferers

[Ibs_1]

Hi All..is anyone on this forum in their early 20s and diagnosed with IBS..please message me X

[Speedy247]

I've just turned 25 and was diagnosed when I was 19 if that helps?

[Ibs_1 in reply to Speedy247]

Would you mind telling me how your symptoms started and what you experience now

[Speedy247 in reply to Ibs_1]

Sure!

I experience pretty much the exact same symptoms now and have the same triggers e.g. spicy food, alcohol, greasy food etc. My symptoms started off with me feeling nauseous, having diarrhoea, stomach aches and sometimes vomiting after eating or drinking the usual uni stuff like a kebab or a curry. Then it was like if I even sniffed alcohol I would be ill or one trip to KFC would have me doubling over. So once I realised what my triggers were I stopped consuming those things and my symptoms improved and the IBS flare ups reduced. Basically I had a very very sensitive stomach. I then went to my home GP and was diagnosed with IBS after being tested for the usual coeliacs, lactose intolerance etc. Nowadays I would say alcohol has become my main trigger, but like I said same symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea and occasional vomiting.

[Speedy247 in reply to Speedy247]

Just to add my flares up are less frequent now but that's probably because I avoid my triggers a lot more now. Hope that helps!

[Ibs_1 in reply to Speedy247]

Ahhh it's good you've got it under control. I'm really worried as I need to have a colonoscopy. To rule out other things..also I dont drink so it cant be alcohol for me. It's just getting a little too much not knowing what's going on if you get what I mean! Thank you for responding x

[Speedy247 in reply to Ibs_1]

It's good that they've escalated your case to a colonoscopy. I hope that gives you some answers. I understand how frustrating it is not being able to pin down your triggers or if IBS is even actually the problem! Even how often I eat and how much I eat has an impact on my IBS so I have it under control..ish. As IBS is a blanket term for them not knowing what is actually wrong with your bowels/stomach/digestive system I'll probably never know what's going on 100% or how to get it completely under control but 6 years in I've just come to accept that. I hope you have more luck with it all!