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Could it be IBS?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hey,
I've been to the doctors several times and each time I get a different diagnosis
. They dont seem to do any major tests, more guesswork actually.. i've had a blood test and they've "had a feel" of my stomach for (i'm guessing) abnormal lumps etc and thats it. The blood test was all clear btw (i'm not sure what they were testing for though).
My symptoms started in feburary during a chemistry experiment at college, although I suspect that (on looking into IBS) I might have had some symptoms before, but this is when I started to feel constantly sick.
I feel sick most of the time, I am constipated for days and then I get a bout of diarrhea, I sometimes get small "pellet" like stools (normally when constipated) and I dont feel finished when i've finished.. (sorry to put that image in your heads!). I do suffer with headaches (which before now I never thought about), and had a particular bad spell of headaches over christmas and stopped 2 weeks before the nausea started. (practically 24/7 headaches)... I saw the doctor about the headaches at the time, and he said it was due to stress (cause my Jan AS exams were approaching). Eventually the headaches just went, just in time for my exams!
. I also have "burping fits" where I can go for a while without a burp and then get into a loop of burping and have to force myself to stop.
To be fair to the doctors I havn't yet mentioned the stool problems, mainly cause I never thought much about it at the time, so I will mention this next time I go in. However i've had diagnosises from a Hernia to Indigestion without much actual testing, just based on the symptoms. I've been on loads of different tablets, none of which made a huge dent in how I feel (from Indgestion tablets to nausea supression tablets), and so i'm getting more and more depressed cause the constant nausea is terrible, and stressed out about what it could be... which could be causing a vicious loop if it is IBS.
I'm aware you cant "diagnose" me, but I just wanted to see if my symptoms are typical of other peeps with IBS and if theres a strong chance I have it (i'll worry about it less if I've got a better idea of what it could be). Obviously i'll be going to the doctors ASAP, probably tommorrow to hopefully sort this out once and for all!
Oh i'm 17 btw (turned 17 in march), aparrently it's common in teens?
Cheers all
I've been to the doctors several times and each time I get a different diagnosis
. They dont seem to do any major tests, more guesswork actually.. i've had a blood test and they've "had a feel" of my stomach for (i'm guessing) abnormal lumps etc and thats it. The blood test was all clear btw (i'm not sure what they were testing for though).My symptoms started in feburary during a chemistry experiment at college, although I suspect that (on looking into IBS) I might have had some symptoms before, but this is when I started to feel constantly sick.
I feel sick most of the time, I am constipated for days and then I get a bout of diarrhea, I sometimes get small "pellet" like stools (normally when constipated) and I dont feel finished when i've finished.. (sorry to put that image in your heads!). I do suffer with headaches (which before now I never thought about), and had a particular bad spell of headaches over christmas and stopped 2 weeks before the nausea started. (practically 24/7 headaches)... I saw the doctor about the headaches at the time, and he said it was due to stress (cause my Jan AS exams were approaching). Eventually the headaches just went, just in time for my exams!
. I also have "burping fits" where I can go for a while without a burp and then get into a loop of burping and have to force myself to stop.To be fair to the doctors I havn't yet mentioned the stool problems, mainly cause I never thought much about it at the time, so I will mention this next time I go in. However i've had diagnosises from a Hernia to Indigestion without much actual testing, just based on the symptoms. I've been on loads of different tablets, none of which made a huge dent in how I feel (from Indgestion tablets to nausea supression tablets), and so i'm getting more and more depressed cause the constant nausea is terrible, and stressed out about what it could be... which could be causing a vicious loop if it is IBS.
I'm aware you cant "diagnose" me, but I just wanted to see if my symptoms are typical of other peeps with IBS and if theres a strong chance I have it (i'll worry about it less if I've got a better idea of what it could be). Obviously i'll be going to the doctors ASAP, probably tommorrow to hopefully sort this out once and for all!
Oh i'm 17 btw (turned 17 in march), aparrently it's common in teens?
Cheers all
0
Comments
If you haven't already take a look at these links.
http://familydoctor.org/112.xml
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-13,GGLR:en&q=ibs
The official criteria (known as the Rome II criteria) are as follows -
1. Exclusion of structural or metabolic abnormalities which could explain the symptoms - i.e. lactose malabsorption, peptic ulcers, IBD.
2. Presence of a symptom cluster - for at least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecutive) in the past 12 months you must have had abdominal discomfort or pain that meets two of the following criteria
a) is relieved by defaecation, and/or
b) onset associated with change in frequency of stool, and/or
c) onset associated with the appearance of stools.
Other symptoms that are common are bloating/abdominal distension, mucoid stools, abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, feeling of incomplete evacuation), abnormal stool form, abnormal stool frequency (usually take to be either >3 movements/day or
If you can, note down the frequency, consistency and form of your bowel movements daily, it can be of some help in diagnosis.
To me, what you're describing does sound like IBS - which is usually brought on by stress/anxiety. I know that my IBS goes mad around job hunting times/interviews and big events, so exams would definitely kick off IBS.
There are no 'diagnostic tests' for IBS - it's literally guesswork. There's no bloodtest to say yes, you've got IBS.
From the sound of it, the symptoms you're describing do sound very much like Irritable Bowel.
I went to my doctors about it the first time round and suggested that I may have IBS (my mum is also diagnosed with it) I was diagnosed with it 10 minutes later. So book an appt and talk to your GP, and they'll more than likely diagnose you.
It's not hereditory (sp) is it? My mum has IBS, i don't really want to have it too, no offence.
When I went to the docs today and told him all my bowel symptoms (combined with my nausea symptoms they already knew about) he suspected IBS... i'm on mebeverine and am due for some more blood tests in a few days... hopefully i'll start feeling better!
I've had IBS about 15 years, been diagnosed just under 10, and as long as I have my pills (merbentyl/motilium/loperamide depending on what is ailing me) I do fine. imo, the worst part about having IBS is the embarrassment factor.
Actually, to everyone here who has or thinks they have IBS, do you eat a healthy diet?
It's more to do with stress with me, not diet.
I personally have a godawful diet, and I think it definitely makes my symptoms worse. I'd like to eat better, but sadly I'm also lazy and difficult, which isn't ideal.