Is this classic IBS.

[Missmuffit]

Hi, I'm new to this site and I'm sure someone may be able to help. My GP said I have IBS ages ago and occasionally I have similar symptoms and he has said the same. I fully trusted that doctor but he has now left the practice. I have an anxiety disorder too and am scared stiff of tests, but at the same time want to know if anything is wrong. To cut a very long story short, I injured my back 7months ago and been on strong p.killers on and off since. Also though I get what I call a pressure feeling when I need to empty my bowels, I am constipated and s.times it's hard to go,when I do, I check that there is no blood and there isn't. These past few days have been agony though, cramping, wind,aching and really painful down there. Could this be that my IBS is changing and since hurting my back and worrying about this, it's just different. I hope this makes sense,I just don't want to babble.

[Hidden]

Hi Missmuffitt,

IBS also kicked off for me after a spinal problem which was treated with strong pain killers plus laxatives to counteract the constipation they cause. Keep the pain killers to a minimum and try a FODMAPs diet which works brilliantly for me.

Try not to worry about the symptoms as they sound pretty normal ones for IBS to me and I know a lot of people who have it apart from myself.

[Missmuffit]

Thank you so much for your reply, hearing from someone else with it really helps

[Missmuffit]

Thankyou. I think that my anxiety levels are sky high too, I am very worried about this at the minute. I do intend to try and get a docs appt.tomorrow to see what he says,a different doctor now and all that. I'm just so tense. I also feel so useless right now and full of ailments :((

[pmiller]

hi my name is pat i 2 have ibs try pepemint tea giger i also have panicvk attacks its shiit its got worse since i gave up work as a rmn i dont know what the ans is im at my witts end

[kiwimiwi]

Were the painkillers something like tramadol or morphine? If so, they are renowned for causing constipation but with the extra symptoms you said you're suffering, it could be that you are really clogged up. Laxatives in IBS are awful, my mum (with IBS-C) refuses to use them as they kick off her other symptoms big-time. She's currently trying out different kinds of softeners which are working much better. I'm suffering similarly with the cramping and pain during the day at the mo (although I have IBS-D) and I was told that I'm most likely having a really bad flare up. I was in a lecture and people six rows behind me could hear the wind thudding and growling around in my gut! This cramping and pain seems more pronounced in people with constipation and I've seen my mum rolling around in pain before with the same symptoms. She cannot take medications like opiates as they make her really ill but if she suffers like that without taking them, I can only imagine how you are feeling currently Hopefully your doctor will assess all the past and present symptoms and help you!

[Missmuffit]

Hi Pat and Kimimiwi,

Pat I so know how you feel,you are not alone. Kimimiwi,Thankyou for reply, Opiates,even one,makes me feel extremely nauseous and dizzy and generally rubbish so I would rather not take them. At the moment the anxiety isn't helping and I'm trying to sort that out in my head and hoping that what is happening isn't anything more serious. IBS is serious but considering what's going on in my head I would rather have the IBS. Thanks again for your kind words.

[ausems]

Having suffered from IBS for 10 years (since the death of my husband, which was a bad time) had all the tests and tried lots of different medication, saw a new doctor who put me on Alverine, which I have found helpful in relaxing my stomach. At the same time decided to try hypnotherapy as had read this could be helpful. IBS is very much a psychological complaint, and the more you worry the worse it makes it, which is then even more worrying, and it then becomes a vicious circle. I found even when my stomach was quite settled I would worry about when it was going to flare up, which almost encouraged it to do so! After three sessions I am feeling much calmer, able to finally relax and also sleeping much better, which is having a good effect on my stomach. If it does start playing up I listen to a couple of tracks on the relaxation CD I was given, especially in bed at night, and that really helps. There doesn't seem to be a definite cure for IBS but learning how to try to manage it can be very helpful. Being hypnotised is not at all frightening, you just feel really relaxed but still aware of all that's going on around you, and taking in what the hypnotherapist is talking about. It seemed I had various events from my past life that had been worrying me for years without me really being aware of it, and these have now successfully been put to the back of my mind. I hope this helps, and please let me know how you get on if you decided to try it. Meanwhile, good luck to you, and don't despair!

[Missmuffit]

Thankyou all so very much. Went to the docs and as suspected I have IBS, it's probably been brought in again by long term p.killer use and long term anxiety. This website is element helpful and I will definately be recommending it to friends with the same condition. I have been given Omeprazole and Peppermint Oil capsules. The relaxation CD is definately worth looking into. Once again Thanks.x

[marky555]

Hi

As a thirty year sufferer from IBS I certainly understand what a struggle it is to cope with this condition. The symptoms and causes are so varied and changeable it's very difficult

to treat the symptoms alone and I've learnt over the years to take a holistic approach, this has finally lead me to a place where my IBS is currently under control and I'm living a full life again. I would suggest the following as a holistic and lifestyle approach to the condition......

Firstly and most importantly get a proper diagnosis of IBS, in my case my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist and I had a raft of tests to rule out any underlying medical causes. Once they could found no medical issues I was diagnosed with IBS .

If you can afford it join a self help group such as the IBS network for support and information and in my experience I really needed both.

Research: you are already doing this by posting your question, Unfortunately as a typical young guy I tried to ignore my condition, especially as I was told it was all in my mind.This led to many years of unhappiness until desperation finally forced me into self help. Research into my symptoms led me to the following......... leaky gut syndrome...which can cause food intolerences and all sorts of other digestive issues which then led me to the four r's approach

The four r's

Remove, replace , re-innoculate and repair. Along with that Iwould add relax as I suffered from anxiety and stress, a great deal of which was caused by the IBS itself ! I researched this approach and implemented into my life along with relaxation techniques.This approach helped me greatly.

Remember that we are all different and to tailor your self help to you.Also within your self help approach you may find one particular element that is a silver bullet and leads to a drastic improvement in your condition. In my case this was taking vitamin B12,for you it may be something else.

I apologise for the length of this post and also if I don't reply to questions ( just don't have the time at the moment ) you may also find this same answer to other questions on the board as I feel I needed to share my experience. Please remember there is HOPE that you can control this condition

[Missmuffit]

Thankyou for sharing your experience Marky555, I read it over a few times and have taken what you have said on board. I'm glad that your approach works andI will definately look at implementing a few ideas into my future.