Early stages

Hi all first post ,I'm yet to be diagnosed with ibs d but I firmly believe I have it as all my symptoms are classic my GP wants to send me for an endoscopy which I'm not happy with as they require me to basically fast for 3 days and flush out everything for 24 hours before and I'm trying so hard to keep food in , I'm going to see a lady for food intolerances before hand and hopefully this will bring up trigger, any advice would be fantastic, as so far it's hell to be honest 👍

[Linley]

The colonoscopy is the only definate way to find out what's going on in your gut. Don't understand the 3 day not eating as I have just had a colonoscopy. Monday - I had to eat normally but bland food (chick, rice, spuds) you will receive a diet sheet. Tuesday-no solid food just clear soups, dissolved oxos, cordials, and plenty of water. Take the prep. Wednesday-procedure day.Your bowel is never empty therefore that's why you need to take the prep it enables the endoscopist to see the bowel clearly. Good luck🍀

[Hidden in reply to Linley]

Thank you for your reply,that makes more sense because to be honest I couldn't really understand what the lady was saying over the phone, kind regards.

[Linley in reply to Hidden]

Never be afraid to ask a clinician to repeat the information as its your body they are going to look after.

[Jadiegirl in reply to Hidden]

Hi-just so you know-the colonoscopy does NOT tell you if you have IBS=it only eliminates other problems if it is something else causing your symptoms-there is no test to diagnose IBS- all of these tests just eliminate other issues and the colonoscopy was awful for me- I had an allergic reaction to the prep drugs and ended up in the ER & in addition to the bad reaction, I got a UTI FROM THE MESSY prep- i will never do this again- they said colonoscopy was not complete due to anatomy which happens a lot so then they want you to do a barium Enema ct scan which requires all of the prep over again-I refused that-they found nothing wrong -i figured this out with lots of research-I have IBS which is mostly anxiety driven-got meds from my internist and have it under control with a few diet changes .certain foods do bother me and I do eat 3 small meals instead of a big dinner since that also helps-You have to do what you feel you need to but I would encourage you to do a lot a research on this before you commit to all of these tests which most of the time don't provide an answer- I have always been in good health and always vigilant with having complete physicals, blood work etc-I started with this right after I got Covid in early October, 2022-up until this started, I had no health issues -good luck to you

[M77L26 in reply to Linley]

you only have to use the packet of drink the day befor you have this test you will bee on the loo a lot that day I had abou5 of the tests so that all iv every done befor test

[Teal1953]

I too am self diagnosed, I have had symptoms for years and also have the advantage of being a healthcare professional. However, if your GP wants you to have tests I would advice you to consider it as IBS symptoms can also be similar to other diseases and he obviously wants to rule these out. Think of the 3 day fast as a detox for the bowel!

[xjrs in reply to Teal1953]

Just a bit concerned that you are self diagnosed - have you run all the standard GP tests yourself? It's just that I had a relative who assumed IBS too, had symptoms for years, then was diagnosed with bowel cancer that was so severe that she ended up with a blockage and nearly lost her life.

[Teal1953 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for your concern. To put it in context, I am now 70 and have had IBSd for about 30 years, probably more. IBS wasn't really on anyone's radar then and mostly was not investigated so over the years I have developed strategies to deal with it myself. I used to be in a very stressful job in the NHS so I knew stress was a factor, and also diet, especially anything very spicy or fatty. I also take part in bowel cancer screening every 2 years. I am not in any way recommending that anyone self diagnoses, but after 30 years I feel that I can manage my IBS, although, as with many sufferers, it does have affect when travelling, especially early morning.

[M77L26 in reply to Teal1953]

yes year ago no one had the test don like to day but one doctor told me that there is no such thing thing as ins as that’s just a name for it thay don’t really no wot it is iv had this for years the same as you but it got worse now the pain every day try most med nothing take the pain away been tested for most thing the last tea I had was mri which found a nodual on my lung and neck. So had my tonsils out there was nothing there had part of my lung taken away that was a small cancer all last year so ithink having test is the best way to find out wot going on I’m 78 so if you are offer a test take it that’s my advic

[Hidden in reply to Teal1953]

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to go for the endoscopy just to see what they say ,I was looking forward to seeing the dietician to see what came out if anything but seems a lot of negative response which as a born worrier now makes me wonder 👍

[Kylie89]

A Coloonoscopy isn't that bad i've had 2. It's actually very satisfying as it gives you a detox.

[xjrs]

Have they run all the standard tests for IBS, which is by ruling out other conditions such as blood samples (CRP for inflammation) and coeliac disease test plus poo sample for calprotectin (inflammation)? See information in the link below:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

These indicate whether or not you need to be referred for a colonoscopy. If the tests come back clear and you have IBS like symptoms, they will diagnose IBS. You can still be diagnosed IBS after colonoscopy.

I'm not sure why you are being referred for endoscopy (upper end test) unless you are experiencing acid reflux (often with pain in throat/chest), stomach pain or vomiting episodes.

However, I wouldn't assume anything or start treatment when you don't have a diagnosis.

Be very careful of anyone who operates outside of the medical profession. In the UK dietitians are formally trained and recognised by the NHS, however, nutritional therapists have qualifications from privately run bodies; many of theirs courses do not have rigour in terms of their entry requirements (no more than basic english and maths on some of the courses). The only way to diagnose food intolerances, is through a FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet, ideally with guidance from a registered dietitian. If anyone offers you a food intolerance test other than this, there is no scientific basis for these, so please don't waste your money.

As previously stated, I wouldn't go ahead with anything until you know what you are dealing with.

If you are diagnosed with IBS, I wouldn't start with a FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet. Many people's IBS is due to a gut bacterial imbalance. First try a scientifically studied probiotic like Alflorex on a 3 month trial, which might help to bring things back in balance and make you more tolerant to a wider range of foods, so if you do need to try an elimination diet subsequently, there may be less foods that you need to omit from your diet. If you are still having problems after all of this, please check back in here. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to xjrs]

Very early stages yet done 2 blood samples both ok 2 stool samples also ok endoscopy booked end of July , intolerance test next week although after reading the reply's on that I'm now unsure 🤔 cheers 👍

[xjrs in reply to Hidden]

I would cancel the intolerance test. Here is the official guidance regarding these tests:

bda.uk.com/resource/food-al...

You should avoid these because they have no scientific basis.

If you have the test, you could end up eliminating some founds unnecessarily. Some people have found some food intolerances from these tests, but this will be purely chance e.g. for example common culprits like wheat or lactose.

[angelwings52]

I would be wary of seeing anyone about food intolerances - you should be tested for conditions such as celiac disease by the hospital only. The only way to establish what food and drink triggers IBS is by keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink for about 6 weeks (be especially careful about artificial sweeteners in particular sorbitol). Make sure that your gall bladder is scanned, this can cause a lot of symptoms. And from my own experience, request an abdominal ultrasound of your ovaries and womb - I didn't and suffered horrendous painful cramps and diarrhea for years and it was actually caused by severely inflamed fallopian tubes and a large cystic mass on one ovary which thankfully wasn't cancerous. Sometimes the IBS symptoms are masking other health problems and that's why you should only see doctors and consultants about IBS.

[Hidden in reply to angelwings52]

Thanks for this going the end of July for endoscopy and to see a consultant 👍