I think I may have IBS-C

[TrenchcoatPenguin]

Hi,

I have had chronic constipation for years now and have done many tests to try to determine the cause of my constipation but to no avail so far. I have ruled out infections, tumors and any physical blockage which leads me to believe I could have IBS. Furthermore, someone else in my family also has IBS (which is how I learnt about it in the first place).

I'd like to get tested for this, to confirm or rule out IBS as the cause of my issues. How does one get diagnosed/tested for IBS, in Europe ?

[winfong]

It's basically process of elimination (no pun intended). You basically take a bunch of tests (which you seem to have done) before they throw up your hands and say, "IBS." Ask your gastroenterologist or GP if they can suggest any other tests or if they feel confident giving you a diagnose of IBS - so you can go on to start getting it treated.

[Meleber in reply to winfong]

I agree. I've had all possible examinations and tests and in the end, after some 4/5 years I was told by a gastroenterologist (Leuven University Hospital, Belgium) I have IBS C. However one test, the gut transit study, hasn't been done like it should have been done. I couldn't do it without continuing the use of bisacodyl during the test period because of my symptoms. So the conclusion that was drawn based on this particular test is still doubtful. There could still be a probelmatic dysfunctional area somewhere in the intestines and I suspect it's the cecum, the first part of the large bowel. That is why I will ask my GP for a new referral to a university hospital in my region (the North of the Netherlands) for a new whole gut transit study in a clinical setting. Can't do it at home without taking prokinetics so therefore I need to do it in the hospital in my opinion.

[TrenchcoatPenguin in reply to Meleber]

Good luck with that study.

[Meleber in reply to TrenchcoatPenguin]

Thank you. I've been referred by my GP. Now hopefully the specialist doctors of the university hospital do see enough reasons, based on my medical files, to invite me for a consult🤞🏻.

[Dudders123]

I too have seemingly permanent constipation, the IBS idea has never been mentioned, in all my years of tests and interventions - it’s a go to pretty meaningless diagnosis in the absence of anything with a name or treatment regime. I have stopped all laxatives - but use daily suppositries, eat mountains of fibre ( it actually helps) I eat more food - that helps too, I do breathing( abdominal) position myself properly on the loo, it’s a struggle, I have bad days but I’m trying to train my whole bowel system ( slow transit test done) like in biofeedback I picture peristalsis and opening up like a flowering bud - work in progress !!! There is no test - and I also eat prunes, cereal , roughage - offered irrigation but really unsure, would rather work by myself - they can’t do it for you IBS just means they can’t help , sorry x

[nicky54 in reply to Dudders123]

Sounds similar to me 1 years of diarrhea which then switched to chronic constipation - I found gut related hypnotherapy useful as well as yoga - I use glycerine suppository every other day or less so I don't get used to it - trying 10ml dulce pico liquid at every other night which might help a bit in the morning Try to cook everything from scratch and add probiotics to all along with chia seeds

Morning is always bad as my bowel seems efficient at sucking out moisture but as day goes on it gets easier

I have a prescription for linaclotide which I'm avoiding as I had a a bad experience with prucalopride last year which the side effects floored me - linaclotide meant to be gentler drug and maybe a solution for some.

I'm trying l reuterii also to see if it helps

I'm hoping I can find a balance without the stronger meds

Not many tests in the world available yet although more research is happening - chronic constipation, fibromyalgia and IBS all Venn digram overlap so all three possible as diagnosis

Sometimes it's my brain fog which is the most debilitating and sometimes it's the sensation of stuck poop neither great 😃

[TrenchcoatPenguin in reply to nicky54]

I feel you. This truly sucks, but I have faith we will find better ways of coping with this over time.

[nicky54 in reply to TrenchcoatPenguin]

nerva is an app that lots of people think helps - its based on lowering anxiety and stress that ibs causes in the system - i haven't tried but am thinking about it - subscription cost - and a lot of people think the tests which are carried out by Zoe are useful - spector one of the science boffins behind it has written some good stuff on food and the biome - again its a cost for the test and then subscription which is needed for a while.

a useful document in the uk is the nice pathway to determine IBS nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61/c...

this diagram shows the pathway recommend by NICE - which is the exclusion method

gps.northcentrallondon.icb....

might be of help

and look at the guts charity site and IBS network - both uk

[Gold22]

I have had IBS C for a very long time. Tried all sorts to control it. Do check out The IBS Network they are a charity with lots of helpful information and an advice line. I am currently using Rheal which is a powdered kiwi mixture, seems to be doing the trick so far. Drink plenty of water, avoid having too much carbs and don’t overdo the fibre. Also do you have any hyper mobility issues because it can also cause slow bowels?

[TrenchcoatPenguin in reply to Gold22]

As far as I can tell I do not have any hyper mobility issues. Thanks for the advice

[Health650]

They seem to have one mantra, eat more fibre and drink more water.You can be eating lots of fresh food and drinking lots of water...it doesnt always help just eating more and more fibre.

That can really mess you up if you have slow digestion.

I have found it helpful to not eat bulky foods like pasta , pastry...red meat is hard to digest( so I dont eat it ) and I only a very small amount of bread.Their mantra is eat more fibre, drink more water. It depends on what is causing your constipation.

I space my food out in moderate portions. I do eat a lot of fruit and veg /pulses but it will be in soups or smoothies to make it easier to digest.

I try and eat as normally as possible but paying attention to not overloading my system .

I drink a lot of water and also coconut water.

Basically you have to try and find your own way because they aren't really that helpful in a lot of cases. Even if they give it a name...it still needs managing.

[TrenchcoatPenguin in reply to Health650]

Thanks for the advice friend. I suppose I am looking to give these issues a name to reassure myself but things probably aren't that straight forward unfortunately.

[Bayougurl78]

Sitz markers test for colonic motility. I also did series of test t for IBS c . After that test I was diagnosed with slow transit constipation which I later found out my family also have especially on my moms side. It's not something we discuss over Thanksgiving dinner about that I knew beforehand. Trust your gut, I did and had a fight on my hand, after the Doctors nearly killed me by misdiagnosis.

[TrenchcoatPenguin in reply to Bayougurl78]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm not sure I understood though. Did you gte misdiagnosed before colonic motility testing ? Or was it the colonic motility test that caused you to be misdiagnosed ?

[Bayougurl78 in reply to TrenchcoatPenguin]

I was misdiagnosed before the Sitz marker motility test. After I had the motility test, I ended up having to have a subtotal colectomy.

[Meleber in reply to Bayougurl78]

That's why I think my motility test should be redone in a proper way. Could be a congential issue. I already had a Meckel's diverticulum removed and had a volvulus (strangulation ileus) in the past, an acute abdomen. Problems with the intestinal tract run in the family.

[Bayougurl78 in reply to Meleber]

I was diagnosed in 2020 before I ended up with the colectomy in December 2021, with tortuous colon. I eventually found out that my Moms two sisters have the same problem, however They are able to be treated with medication so far.

[FrostGyre]

Don't bother testing. Your diet is the cause. It's causing inflammation.

Eat nothing but fatty meat, salt, eggs, butter; and drink nothing but water.

30 days or less: no more constipation. 👍

[Starfush in reply to FrostGyre]

because diet is better balance of omega 6 to 3.