I am so frustrated, and could use insight from anyone who has a minute that either has experienced these symptoms, or has any advice.

I have had "stomach aches" my whole life. I was first "diagnosed" with IBS about 8 years ago, but it would come and go, and wasnt life altering. About 7 months ago, i started getting bad stomach pains. They are a dull, cramping ache, in the lower abdominal area, in the middle. I have seen 3 doctors, had an U/S, Abd CAT scan, and full blood panels, all negative. My GI doctor said he thinks its IBS. Here is my dilemma. It seems my symptoms dont match alot of what many people say they have. I dont have any diarrhea, and I dont have chronic constipation (atleast not that I can tell). Here are my symptoms:

-chronic dull cramping ache in lower intestines (absominal) center. This can last all day for days. Comes and goes.
Very hard to describe the pain, it seems to change alot.

-feeling of heaviness in stomach, MAJOR bloating, gas

-often times have stomach cramps usually associated with diarrhea, but do NOT have diarrhea. Just have the pain and cramping and a regular bowel movement. This occurs alot in the morning.

I have tried Levbid and Acidophilous. Levbid worked a little, Acidoph didnt do too much for me. Doctor recently prescribed Zelnorm, but havent tried it yet.

Does anyone have IBS without diarrhea or major constipation? I have been a naturally constipated person my whole life, so I dont even know if I am or not half the time. But I usually do go every 1-2 days.

Sorry for being graphic. I am just tired of the pain!!! Any advice or insight would be appreciated!

Thanks for reading this.

Do you get nauseated? Have you had your gall bladder checked?

I have pretty much all of it, but I go to school with a girl who has the same symptoms as you & she was told she has IBS too. I'll see when she's in again & try to remember to ask her what she does for it. I do remember her saying she altered her diet for a while when she was in high school though....

I think you should start taking a water soluble fiber supplement like Psyllium that is in Metamucil ---Twice daily. But, start off slow because while it is safe ---it's natural fiber does breakdown with intestinal bacteria ---ferments and causes gas. As you get use to it the gas will go away!!!

I also think your intestinal bacteria is out of balance---- this causes bloating and cramping. The intestinal flora not only consist of Lact. Acidophilus but there are over 400 different bacteri that have been ID'ed. You could have a candida infection??? At any rate start eating a good brand of yogurt like Stonyfield Farm and taking a good probiotic supplement that contains alot of various types of live active cultures ---- like PB-8, Flora Source, iFlora. The floras contain about 16 different cultures. I like Probiotica that contains Lactobacillus reuteri to recolonize your intestines. You can buy it at Wal Mart. It is also in Stonyfield Farm yogurt.

You may want to study this more -- look up probiotics on google.com if you're really interested in finding out more!!!

God Bless--- Harry

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 12-14-2002).]

I am a 40 year old female. I had lower and upper right abdominal pain for over 2 years, accompanied by some constipation, excessive bloating, extreme gas, worsened by exercise. Undiagnosed after several doctors and tests. I figured out on my own that the major problem was eating beef...so I stay away from it. It has made a big difference and my quality of life is much better now. If you eat beef you may want to try giving it up and see what happens. Good luck!