What exactly is IBS and symptoms? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

nyxin · 11-14-2003, 07:59 AM

I have been having a lot of stomach and GI problems. I have seen the doctors a couple of times, but nothing has been resolved. Can someone please explain IBS to me and it's symptoms? Also, what causes it? Thanks in advance.

actudan · 11-14-2003, 06:50 PM

IBS is a chronic disorder that can cause problems throughout your entire digestive system. There is no known cause for IBS and there is no magical cure. IBS is diagnosed by exclusion. I have been having problems for 7 months now and I have had all the tests but nothing has been found so I am now studying IBS. I still don't really think I have IBS because my symptoms don't follow the standard crteria (such as the Rome criteria). My doctor's response was that the criteria was developed based on 1000s of cases and the criteria represents the symptoms that the majority experienced. However, just because you don't fit the criteria perfectly doesn't mean that you don't have IBS. I will accept his diagnosis for now and I will start adding more fiber to my diet and watch what I eat. I will also keep a food diary to see if I can find any particular foods that may be causing my pain. Anyway, I think the links below will help.

I think this thread would be a great place to start

[url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=67345[/url]

and a good article from that thread is

[url]http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0497web/gastro1.html[/url]

nyxin · 11-14-2003, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actudan

IBS is a chronic disorder that can cause problems throughout your entire digestive system. There is no known cause for IBS and there is no magical cure. IBS is diagnosed by exclusion. I have been having problems for 7 months now and I have had all the tests but nothing has been found so I am now studying IBS. I still don't really think I have IBS because my symptoms don't follow the standard crteria (such as the Rome criteria). My doctor's response was that the criteria was developed based on 1000s of cases and the criteria represents the symptoms that the majority experienced. However, just because you don't fit the criteria perfectly doesn't mean that you don't have IBS. I will accept his diagnosis for now and I will start adding more fiber to my diet and watch what I eat. I will also keep a food diary to see if I can find any particular foods that may be causing my pain. Anyway, I think the links below will help.

I think this thread would be a great place to start

[url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=67345[/url]

and a good article from that thread is

[url]http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0497web/gastro1.html[/url]

Thank you so much for that info. It is hard to know if it is stress, mental, past damage or what. I hope you start to feel better too. Try pepermint, it works so well for me.

FluffySockers · 11-20-2003, 12:34 PM

I expressed all syptoms just about, it was pretty obvious but I was stubborn and thought it was colon cancer, and was worried to tell my mom to take me to a doctor...

Then the day came, I was well.... in the bathroom, and my mom came home early from a job interview, she silently entered and I didn't hear her * i mean silently entered the house, not the bathroom* and she noticed I was there for 20 mintues and wasn't doing a single thing.... She took me to the emergency room, for a colonscopy which stunk to high heavens......

since colon cancer runs in my family, she was worried it was that

but two days ago when the tests were revealed, we found out I have IBS with D & C

nyxin · 11-20-2003, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluffySockers

I expressed all syptoms just about, it was pretty obvious but I was stubborn and thought it was colon cancer, and was worried to tell my mom to take me to a doctor...

Then the day came, I was well.... in the bathroom, and my mom came home early from a job interview, she silently entered and I didn't hear her * i mean silently entered the house, not the bathroom* and she noticed I was there for 20 mintues and wasn't doing a single thing.... She took me to the emergency room, for a colonscopy which stunk to high heavens......

since colon cancer runs in my family, she was worried it was that

but two days ago when the tests were revealed, we found out I have IBS with D & C

thanks for your imput, but what are the symptoms? and what is D & C? and how did they test for it? i am just getting so fed up with all of this. they gave me some dicyclomine for my stomach, we shall see how it goes...