New to this and very anxious!

[EllieTredudwell]

I am increasingly anxious about whether or not I have IBS (or something like IBD?). I have been struggling to register with a GP due to recently moving house and apparently they have too much work to get around to registering new patients, meaning I can only access healthcare via the emergency care routes (which is highly inappropriate for my symptoms).

I experience gas with associated stomach pains and bloating, particularly after eating anything greasy. I also have bouts of constipation followed by intense diarrhoea which doesn't resolve for a few days. I've never seen any blood or anything which is good news.

Does this sound in line with what others experience of IBS has been? Any advice appreciated, including any tips on how I can alleviate my symptoms whilst I wait for a GP appointment.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, it sounds to me like IBS. You could try an antispasmodic (mebeverine (colofac) or buscapan), I believe you can buy them over the counter! I'm sure the pharmacist could help you with this. If I remember rightly, I think colofac is better for constipation and buscapan is better for diarrhoea!

[Megamini27]

Totally get you Ellie. This has been me! It’s really worrying isn’t it. Especially when the symptoms of IBS are so similar to other things. I’m just getting this last flare up under control. Things I have tried that have helped are-

Mebeverine for the cramping

Immodium when I’m loose

Peppermint tea in place of all my caffeine (best to avoid caffeine anyway and peppermint helps with the gas!)

Deflatine after everything I eat to reduce bloating and gas

Avoiding too much carbs and replacing my dairy and wheat for a like for like (gluten free or almond milk for example)

And when I’m really cramping and don’t know what to do with myself, I do some yoga (google yoga for ibs) and take a boiling hot bath with essential oils. Probably psychological but I find really helpful me before bed!

I’m absolutely not an ibs expert. I’m a newbie like you 😊 but find these things have helped me over the last two months whilst I’ve been suffering x hope your better soon as possible x

[eliz45]

lBS is basically a diagnosis made by ruling all other possibilities out. So there are many people with IBS but the symptoms vary from person to person. So you will end up needing to be tested to rule out the other possibilities. That takes awhile.. Meanwhile you basically try to deal with symptoms while you wait. Definitely try to consider your diet, and stop eating anything you know makes things worse. And check out all the other posts which have a wealth of information. Good luck. We all know what you are going through.

[FRreedman]

If you are having a turn, it may be an idea to phone 111 and get an appointment that way. You certainly need to get on the NHS ladder sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the previous posts have given various medications you can take to relieve the symptoms but, unfortunately, you need to relieve the cause. In the meantime use 111, pharmacists and A+E as and when necessary.