Hi. I’m really stuck with what’s going on with my body and movements. At the end of March I had what I thought was a standard tummy bug, I didn’t think much of it. After 4 days of diarrhoea and not eating (even water was going through) I tried eating a plain piece of bread. Needless to say that didn’t stay in…….. I spoke to my doctor who had a go at me for ringing the surgery and being over exaggerating. I was taken to hospital as I was in immense pain, the doctor said to have a plain diet and take Imodium and I’ll be ok in 72 hours……. They discharged me after having 3 bags of saline and other medications. After another trip to the out of hours GP she said it sounded like E-Coli…….. Fast forward to present day I’m having several bouts of diarrhoea each day. Each doctor I have spoken has said stay on a plain diet of bread, potato and chicken which I have done now for 3 months. I’ve lost 3 1/2 stone, not been able to work for 3 months now, my appetite is completely gone, the bloating is beyond a joke and I don’t know what to do anymore. I had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and all results came back normal as did my blood and ultrasound. I’m completely at a loss and it’s affecting my mental health. Every medical professional I have spoken to says it’ll get better and keep taking Imodium and have a plain diet. I have an allergy test booked for this week and I’m praying that it shows something because I really don’t know what to do. Any help, suggestions or advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Possible IBS but GP doesn’t know for sure….. - IBS Network
Possible IBS but GP doesn’t know for sure…..
I agree with Maureen1958 . BAM is a condition that is different to IBS and there is a separate test for it. You can ask your GP for this. In the meantime you could try a good probiotic like Alflorex in case you are dealing with a gut bacterial imbalance. This has been scientifically studied for IBS. If after a 3 month trial of Alflorex your symptoms get much much worse on the probiotics, you may have a rare condition called SIBO (if the BAM test is clear), but you'll only have this if you have one of the predisposing factors for SIBO, which would need treating.
Regarding your allergy test, is this with the medical profession e.g. the NHS or privately with a service? There is official advice about such testing in the link below.
bda.uk.com/resource/food-al...
Please be aware that there is no scientifically proven test for food intolerances (and there is a difference between food allergies and intolerances where an allergy can lead to a life threatening situation, an intolerance is more likely to lead to the symptoms that you are describing). The only way to find out about food intolerances is through a FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet ideally with a trained dietitian from a GP referral. In the UK dietitians are recognised by the NHS and nutritional therapists are not. If it is the latter I would stay clear since they are not properly medically trained and could make your situation worse.
Note, it is best to try Alflorex prior to trying the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet, since it may make you tolerant to a wider range of foods and you don't want to eliminate foods unnecessarily.
Finally, have you had COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms? I ask this since I've heard that COVID-19 can mess with the gastrointestinal system.
Please ask your doctor for a poo test to see if you have got C.diff, i got this at christmas it is horrible .
Ask your doctor to test you for Bile Acid Malabsorption and request an ultrasound scan of your abdomen and gallbladder. And ask to be referred to a Gastroenterologist as soon as possible, IBS can only be diagnosed by a process of elimination. With the plain diet, white bread can cause bloating, try brown or wholemeal and try not using any oils or butters as this can make things worse - boiled rice can usually help (look up the Brat diet online, it can help too).
I have had symptoms similar to yours. The gastroenterologist did a biopsy of the colon and small intestine and determined it was due to micro-colitis. I was on a steroid for 6 weeks and now take pepto-bismol or loperamide as needed. I'm lactose free and try to stay away from gluten and fatty foods.
thank you everyone. Today hasn’t been a good day and ended up bursting into tears in the local supermarket this evening, I just want my life back or for someone to tell me what’s happening. I can’t live like this.
Ask to get tested for bile acid malabsorption as for years docs doctors was keep telling me it was my ibs but just recently i got a bile study done and it came back as severe bile acid malabsorption
I agree with previous poster -- check for c diff.
UPDATE: So……. Finally got somewhere on the allergy test…… Allergic to potatoes of all things……. Also got Campylobacter Jejunii and it’s got a friend called Giardia Lamblia……. Got both strains. She tested my organs with the machine, my intestines are shot to shit, stomach is bad too. She said to try eating some baby foods without potato for some nutrients as well as trying a small amount of root vegetables
Consider also (local, just a small part of your bowel?) pseudo-obstruction as possible underlying cause of the all over the body symptoms, including your gastrointestinal tract. Every, currently known, physical cause should be ruled out in an ideal world (unfortunately it's not) before medical doctors / gastroenterologist conclude that you suffer from IBS.
Hi Steff. I know it was in March you wrote here but I’ve only just seen it. I’m going through very similar. Stomach troubles, indigestion , lost my appetite and lost almost 4 stone. I’ve suffered IBS for many years but not like this. Doctor has given me loads of different pain killers etc nothing seems to help. I’ve had lots of blood tests and stool test and nothing shows but I’m getting so weak and low. My daughter just been and coaxed me into eating a small meal and I’m taking complan. So worried and fed up. Hope you are feeling better now. Sending you hugs x
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Not sure if it’s IBS?
IBS flare, don’t know why!
Is it IBS or something else?
Ibs possible?
Doctor says I may have IBS but I'm not so sure
Awaiting possible IBS diagnosis and having the worst flare up since Colonoscopy
Not sure if I have IBS
Does anyone know if prebiotics are OK for IBS symptoms?
