IBS or Not IBS that is the question!

[Jaluga]

I posted a thread a few months ago about SIBO and NHS after being told my area of the NHS does not recognise SIBO my GP did set up blood and stool sample tests over Christmas as there was a significant change in my bowel habits such as constantly constipated with cramps wind bloating and the odd loose bowel movement, all the IBS symptoms but for some reason this didn’t feel like the norm for me. Between Christmas and New Year I had bloods and stool tests bloods negative for coeliac (good) stool test not so good came back with blood in stool NHS fast tracked me onto the Cancer Pathway stressing it might not be cancer, NHS have been amazing referred then phone consultation CT scan then colonoscopy all within 3 weeks. Diagnosis given as Diverticulosis (bulging pockets along the bowel) described to me by a nurse as being like an old bike tyre that had bulges due to wear and tear (that made me laugh) Thankfully no cancer the relief for me and my family is huge beyond words. So now I have to go on a high fibre diet and drink plenty of water during meals and obviously during the day, but what about the IBS I forgot to ask, my question is was it IBS that has turned to Diverticulosis, high fibre and IBS could mean more rushing to the loo events, so I try to balance the two, I have had a call from my doctor to have a blood test for IBS never ever have I had a blood test for IBS didn’t know it existed is this new has anyone else had one??

I will stop waffling now but a message from me to you all, you know your bodies better than anyone please if anything changes doesn’t feel the norm please get it checked out I’m not saying it could be the route I was taken down but it could be a little bit more than JUST IBS!! Xx

[eyeofthetiger123]

I believe that it is a blood test designed to rule other things out. Sorry to hear about your situation. A client of mine has diverticulitis and we suspect that it stops him from absorbing things like he should. To this end, he is on some high dose multivitamins as well as slippery elm. If you are worried about going to the toilet too much it may be worth trying to clear a gut infection wirh berberine whilst using aloe Vera in water before meals to soothe digestive tract. X

[Jaluga in reply to eyeofthetiger123]

Thank you for your reply it will be interesting to hear the results of my IBS blood test x

[Angrybelly]

I've had diverticular disease for 14 years and symptoms of diarrhea and constipation daily. My GI says it's Post infectious IBS and my surgeon says it's my sigmoid that looks like Swiss cheese. She says it's not ibs it's a diseased sigmoid and it's time to cut it out, because there's always a bit of inflammation that never ever goes away. She told me all sigmoids she cuts out are a mess and stool either gets stuck there or it causes colitis. She doesn't belive why GI doctors continue to call it IBS. If the pain is crampy bloody and on your LLQ or below your belly button and your CT shows diverticular disease that's what it is. I think for me is becoming clear surgery may be my only solution.

[Jaluga in reply to Angrybelly]

Thanks for reply it’s all so easy for doctors to IBS symptoms isn’t it good luck in the future whatever you decide x

[casares8]

Never heard of a blood test for ibs, not sure it exists but it would be good if it did! It seems like they have found your problem - diverticulitis, so why would it be ibs as well?

[Jaluga in reply to casares8]

Thanks for reply as I said in thread GP contacted to say I need a blood test for IBS plus cholesterol so I’m still going for it mainly for the cholesterol and will be interesting what they say about the IBS bloods. I agree why would it be IBS as well as Diverticulitis will wait and see