? Ibs-d/c

[Kath2440]

I have been having really bad diarrhoea for 6 months now and have had lots of investigations done but nothing positive has come back. I’m guessing that ibs is going to be the answer now . The only other thing I can think it may possibly be is a gluten intolerance ?

I have cramps, bloating, wind ( sometimes it’s not just wind 😔) and diarrhoea then sometimes I get constipated but mostly not .

Any ideas ?

[Luisa22]

I get cramps, lower tummy distension on the left particularly, and loose stools with occasional rarer constipation. I was told it's IBS when my tests came back normal. I haven't noticed gluten upsets me at all, though I did eliminate it during an 8 week low FODMAP trial. It makes no difference to me, it seems.

But if someone has Celiac then I think a blood test should find that. Can you ask your doctor about it? Or you could just try going completely gluten free for at least 2 weeks, and see what happens to your symptoms.

Don't go gluten free though, if you are about to have any testing for it.

[Edgar77 in reply to Luisa22]

I am a celiac. You need a blood test but do NOT go gluten free before as it will give a false negative result.

[xjrs]

Usually, it isn't gluten that causes problems for people with IBS, it is the Fructan FODMAP contained in wheat that causes the issue.

You may want to try Alflorex probiotic to make you more tolerant to different foods, since a gut bacterial imbalance can be the cause of IBS symptoms in some people. I would try this in the first instance since it may eliminate the need to adjust your diet.

Failing that you can ask for a referral to a FODMAP trained dietitian or information from your GP about the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet if they won't do a referral.

[Bella33355]

I have been having gas, a bloated stomach and a very difficult time connecting with this, my gluten test came negative a couple of years ago, and only lactose intolerance was positive, but none of my problems disappeared and this year I passed a blood test called FOX and it checked lots of food intolerances and they found out that I don't digest lots of food together with gluten. Even my osteopenia was linked to that. Now I am going above and beyond to restrict all gluten-containing foods, but the in country where I live gluten-free foods are not "really" gluten-free and I still struggle to find authentic gluten-free food, even medicine(most of the medications contain gluten and/or lactose). Try to avoid as much as possible, and conduct a food diary you'll find it very useful and helpful at the beginning.