Ibs or something else

[Grish]

Hi after being diagnosed IBS C over the past few years my consultant found a blood vessel pressing on my bowel which could be causing IBS type symptoms I have been referred to a specialist and awaiting my appointment anyone else have this diagnosis?

[Meleber]

No, I haven't. But my functional bowel problems could be caused by dysautonomia. This is, the working diagnosis dysautonomia, under investigation. I will have further examinations next month.

[Grish in reply to Meleber]

Thank you and good luck

[Meleber in reply to Grish]

Thanks, you too. I forgot to mention that in 2020 a Meckel's diverticulum was surgically removed from my abdomen. I thought and hoped that this could be causing my bowel problems but unfortunately the symptoms didn't disappear.

[Liz1234ty]

Hi Grish, just wondering, how did your consultant spot this? Did you have a MRI scan? Fingers crossed it is something that can be cured through surgery.

[Grish in reply to Liz1234ty]

Hi Liz it was from a stomach contrast scan with having to drink lots of water in prep for the scan

[Liz1234ty in reply to Grish]

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if this will apply in your case but an excess of bacteria in the small bowel can be caused by bowel adhesions so this might also contribute to your symptoms. It is known as SIBO and excess methane in the gut can cause IBS-C. It can be diagnosed via a breathe test that measures bacteria fermenting so perhaps something to discuss with your gastro.

[Clara25 in reply to Liz1234ty]

Hi Liz, I have Methane dominant SIBO. I had a private breath test in April 2021. The test also showed Hydrogen but I’m Methane dominant. For anyone in the UK, the NHS just don’t want to know or discuss Methane. Further down South, (I’m in the North East) it’s possible you may find a very small number of Gastroenterologists who may listen. The SIBO without doubt has caused my IBS-C problems. I’m getting no help whatsoever from the NHS for the SIBO and I just can no longer afford to pay privately for Nutritionist or Functional Drs and to be honest, I don’t really have very much faith in them. I’ve paid out almost £3k now for fees, tests & medications with no improvement whatsoever. I am now awaiting a letter from NHS Dietician, which last Gastro I saw has referred me to. He wants me to try Low Fodmap diet. I’m actually pretty desperate now. According to the ‘SIBO Community, 80% of people with IBS, it’s actually SIBO they have 😔

[Liz1234ty in reply to Clara25]

Hi Clara,Yep, I totally feel for you. I have had a similar experience. It can be a rabbit hole of wasted time, money and hope. One product worth exploring for Methane SIBO is Atrantil. They offer a 60 day money back guarantee so other than postage costs there is not much to lose. If you look it up online it was developed by a gastro in USA and is particularly helpful for Methane SIBO sufferers. I don't have this problem so never taken it myself.

If you've tried the herbal route than other than antibiotics and diet there is not much the NHS can do. But perhaps the hope lies in resolving the blood vessel as if that is the underlying cause of the SIBO you may never be cured of it until you can resolve this underlying cause.

[Clara25 in reply to Liz1234ty]

Thanks for replying Liz. Last year I bought Atrantil. I finished the whole bottle and felt absolutely no different. It didn’t help the bloating or pressure etc. Then I read that you usually need a 2nd bottle before you feel it’s helping, so I stupidly bought another and that did no good either. Think it cost me about £75 for the 2 bottles! It has very mixed reviews. I’ve had Rifaximin, Metronidazole & Amitriptyline with no success whatsoever, plus over £600 worth of various herbals etc. I won’t give another penny to Nutritionists etc. I may as well have burned the money they’ve had. My root cause I believe was the triple meds I was given for HPylori 😔.

[Liz1234ty in reply to Clara25]

Yeah, its tricky. Unless a root cause can be found it is really difficult to treat as it is just guesswork. Hopefully the Low Fodmap diet will help you.