smilesx4
02-15-2005, 08:06 AM
I have had these side cramps for about 10 yrs now in my upper left side. I went to the Dr. and he did an upper GI finding nothing. He finally concluded it was poor stomach muscles and not to worry about it. Well, lately it started getting pretty bad. I've been all over the internet trying to see what it may be. Then I stumbled here.....
I have always had large amounts of gas and the last couple of days I have found relief from the cramps after passing gas. I also was given a new vitamin to try about 1 week ago. My cramps got so bad I couldn't take it. I realized I hadn't gone to the bathroom for 2 days. (i usually go 2 times a day) I stopped taking the vitamins (they contained iron) and got back on my regular schedule. I'm still pretty crampy though and now I don't know if there is something else wrong or I've got myself all upset making the pains worse. I wake up at night with them, but after I pass some gas they subside or go away completely.
I never considered IBS, always thought it was muscular. My brother has IBS and so does my mom. My dad does not have it, but has problems with heavy gas that gives him chest pains.
So after this horribly long story here's my question. Do I have IBS? Should I go to my Doctor for these cramps again only to face a slew of tests? Should I try something for gas and if so, what? I have started a new weight loss plan about 3wks ago and after reading here don't know if the new foods I am eating have something to with it also? I've added oatmeal and 2 eggs a day.
thanks for any advice you can give, I leave for Florida in 3 days. I am driving down and I always notice the cramps are more bothersome while I am driving. I have no clue why!
tracy
I have always had large amounts of gas and the last couple of days I have found relief from the cramps after passing gas. I also was given a new vitamin to try about 1 week ago. My cramps got so bad I couldn't take it. I realized I hadn't gone to the bathroom for 2 days. (i usually go 2 times a day) I stopped taking the vitamins (they contained iron) and got back on my regular schedule. I'm still pretty crampy though and now I don't know if there is something else wrong or I've got myself all upset making the pains worse. I wake up at night with them, but after I pass some gas they subside or go away completely.
I never considered IBS, always thought it was muscular. My brother has IBS and so does my mom. My dad does not have it, but has problems with heavy gas that gives him chest pains.
So after this horribly long story here's my question. Do I have IBS? Should I go to my Doctor for these cramps again only to face a slew of tests? Should I try something for gas and if so, what? I have started a new weight loss plan about 3wks ago and after reading here don't know if the new foods I am eating have something to with it also? I've added oatmeal and 2 eggs a day.
thanks for any advice you can give, I leave for Florida in 3 days. I am driving down and I always notice the cramps are more bothersome while I am driving. I have no clue why!
tracy
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6th_sense
02-15-2005, 07:56 PM
Hi tracy,
IBS has been given a very strong definition in the ROME criteria (the requirements to have your disorder called IBS). Nevertheless, it is still used as a blanket for many pains that are not diagnosable.
Personally, I have had many different kinds of pains which I would label as IBS - including pains in the sides - which I could have assumed was something else. Fortunately, I've created home-made visual techniques which I've successfully used to counter IBS and its related pains. They are hard to describe/explain though and so I tend to avoid writing about them often.
As for whether or not you have IBS, that is a difficult diagnosis to make. Usually people go by what their doctors say. But are they taking a risk that it could be something the doctors pushed aside - it is possible.
Regarding whether you should or shouldn't have more tests run - it is a matter of choice and your level of comfort with the disorder you have and your belief that the doctor didn't miss something or that he didn't give you enough options.
For most people, IBS tests their doctor-patient relationship very rigorously. A good trusting relationship is necessary when the doctor starts to work with problems that are beyond his capability of curing. He needs to offer a great deal of concern and care to deal with problems, whose only treatment may be to chase down each symptom, one by one - while never necessarily fully alleviating the problem.
In my case, I wish I had a doctor like me, or at least as knowledgeable as I am regarding IBS (my opinion again). I would run to that doctor first - just because I wanted an assessment to see what he'd say. Its just wishful thinking though - I don't think there is a doctor on the planet who is as aware of the situation as I am.
In either case, I hope that someone here is able to offer some helpful advice as to how to deal with your pain - as for trying to figure a visual technique specific to your situation over the Internet - its like trying to give detailed instructions to someone on how to put a specific model airplane together without ever seeing the model and only having a vague idea as to what the model looks like.
Hope I've helped somewhat though.
Cheers, Raju.
IBS has been given a very strong definition in the ROME criteria (the requirements to have your disorder called IBS). Nevertheless, it is still used as a blanket for many pains that are not diagnosable.
Personally, I have had many different kinds of pains which I would label as IBS - including pains in the sides - which I could have assumed was something else. Fortunately, I've created home-made visual techniques which I've successfully used to counter IBS and its related pains. They are hard to describe/explain though and so I tend to avoid writing about them often.
As for whether or not you have IBS, that is a difficult diagnosis to make. Usually people go by what their doctors say. But are they taking a risk that it could be something the doctors pushed aside - it is possible.
Regarding whether you should or shouldn't have more tests run - it is a matter of choice and your level of comfort with the disorder you have and your belief that the doctor didn't miss something or that he didn't give you enough options.
For most people, IBS tests their doctor-patient relationship very rigorously. A good trusting relationship is necessary when the doctor starts to work with problems that are beyond his capability of curing. He needs to offer a great deal of concern and care to deal with problems, whose only treatment may be to chase down each symptom, one by one - while never necessarily fully alleviating the problem.
In my case, I wish I had a doctor like me, or at least as knowledgeable as I am regarding IBS (my opinion again). I would run to that doctor first - just because I wanted an assessment to see what he'd say. Its just wishful thinking though - I don't think there is a doctor on the planet who is as aware of the situation as I am.
In either case, I hope that someone here is able to offer some helpful advice as to how to deal with your pain - as for trying to figure a visual technique specific to your situation over the Internet - its like trying to give detailed instructions to someone on how to put a specific model airplane together without ever seeing the model and only having a vague idea as to what the model looks like.
Hope I've helped somewhat though.
Cheers, Raju.
smilesx4
02-15-2005, 09:51 PM
Thanks Raju for taking the time to post.
I am going to get checked out after I get back from my trip. I do believe I have IBS. I have almost all the other symptoms listed. Mucus, soft and hard stools, gas and cramping. But just to make sure I am still going to make an appt when I get home. I just wanted to calm my nerves a bit so I can relax on my trip.
thanks again
tracy
I am going to get checked out after I get back from my trip. I do believe I have IBS. I have almost all the other symptoms listed. Mucus, soft and hard stools, gas and cramping. But just to make sure I am still going to make an appt when I get home. I just wanted to calm my nerves a bit so I can relax on my trip.
thanks again
tracy