Could this be IBS?

[MagnusMoo]

Hiya everyone,

34yo male who is really struggling right now with gastrointestinal problems. Looking for some advice please.

Since June of this year I've been having really bad abdominal and back pain on and off in cycles - it's worse at times and better at times - it really does come and go. I'm badly constipated and nothing alleviates that.

When I eat I feel like it's going through me really quickly - as soon as I eat I feel like I need to poo and even after emptying myself, I feel like I'm full of poo and it's very uncomfortable gastrointestinal wise

I feel like nothing alleviates my symptoms when I'm going through a really tough time

I had a positive FIT test last month which my doctor believes to be because I have an anal fissure but I was sent for a colonoscopy which was clear other than a 4mm polyp which the nurse told me 100% isn't bowel cancer but it's being sent off to pathology as a matter of course. Nurse said it'd be a 6-8 week wait. It's being sent as routine.

I'm at the end of my tether right now. This has been going on for 6 months now on and off and I'm no closer to getting to the bottom of the problem.

Does this sound like IBS or should I go back to my doctor for more investigations regarding more sinister diagnoses?

Any advice would be much appreciated because I really am sick of this now!

[Kenzino]

I have been having the exact same problem for almost two years now and I am not close to the solution.

[Dollymae06]

Sounds like IBS I've been like this for many years no solution either. Sorry you are dealing with this also. Its so depressing and disabilitating I hope you can get some answers and help.

[Frasina]

Sorry to hear you have been suffering for a good few months. Sounds like you have tenesmus which is the feeling you need to poo even when you have just been! It relates to both IBS and/or IBD but seeing as your colonoscopy did not pick up inflammation (unless biopsies say otherwise) you have to assume it is IBS related.

May seem counterproductive, but if you increase your fibre intake, you will automatically go more and that will alleviate any constipation. It will not take away the tenesmus but will help with stool passing through the gut quicker and psychologically benefit. I have both IBS and IBD and my tenesmus comes and goes; it normally doesn't last more than 2 or 3 weeks and then settles....till the next time! I think mine is stress related....

It is frustrating and bothersome, yet GP's don't take it seriously. Hopefully when you know all is fine from the colonoscopy results, you may find things settle but IBS flares are often caused by stress. If you have a good understanding GP, then you could ask what you can do in the meantime.. good luck!

[Daz1113]

it does sound like IBS. It’s an awful thing to have. It just messes up everything. Still ask for all the usual tests to rule out everything else. But if it is IBS there is plenty of advice on this site to help you. I hope you get some relief soon. And I know it sounds mad but I hope it’s not IBS and something similar like colitis because at least that can be treated. You take care

[bungi1961]

Well what I suggest you do is go back 2 the Doctor and see if they have the results of things that you have had done!!! When you do go Doctors please try and write down as much as possible as if your Doctor is anything like mine they only give you a 10 minute slot and can forget something and as soon as you are out the door you think of it then you have to go through the problem of getting an appointment all over again well you know what I mean as seeing a Doctor is like gold dust these days Sorry I can't be of much more help!! and wish you the best 4 it all and Xmas