confusion - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

babylou17 · 04-11-2004, 08:03 AM

I have been told by dr that I had IBS but I never had any tests done I just told her my symtoms and she just said they were tipical of IBS. What kinds of tests do you have done to confirm it? I have been reading some sites and it sounds really serious. Does it affect your fertility?

Thank you

Kirsty

L-Town · 04-11-2004, 09:08 AM

I've had IBS for 7 yrs. I was diagnosed by having a physical, a blood test, and a fecal occult test (where they check your stool for blood), and my symptoms. IBS is not serious or life threatening to your health. It does not affect your fertility. It is a series of symptoms that cause no permanent harm. It can be life altering though. There is no cure for it. Taking prescription meds., a change in diet, and avoiding stress can control it. If your really young and have no "red flags" like bleeding, weight loss, or any family history of colon cancer (IBS symptoms can mimic colon cancer), then they diagnose you with IBS by your symptoms alone. Assuming your young, and have no obvious symptoms of something serious they won't do any further tests.

On the other hand, if their are "red flags" they might do a sigmoid (insert a small, round tube up your rectum to view the first10 or 12 in.), or a colonoscopy which they insert a tube and it goes all the way through your colon (they put you to sleep for this one.) I just had the colonoscopy done since I recently found out there's a history of colon cancer in my family and I'm going on 40 yrs. old. These tests check for polyps, tumors, or cancer. The colonoscopy is the best one to rule out any other serious diseases. There is really no specific test to diagnose IBS it's a process of exclusion. In other words, if they can't find any other cause for your syptoms they diagnose you with IBS.

L-Town

babylou17 · 04-11-2004, 10:12 AM

Thanks so much for your help.

I am 17 and had no tests. My symtoms were just a bad belly ache and strange changes in stools. It went from one extreme to the other. I could descibe the pain like contractions. Very bad contraction. I have been given meds which have help alot.

This may sound daft but whats 'red flags'.

There is only one person in my family how had had cancer as I know of and it was throat cancer due to smokeing. I dont smoke and I barely even drink (I have not had a drink since Christams)

If I do get pregnant will it have any effect on my baby. Me and my bf are planning to try for a baby in about three months.

Thank you again
Kirsty

bulletinboard25 · 04-11-2004, 04:18 PM

the only thing i've heard is that pregnancy can affect the mom's ibs even more.... like when a woman is pregnant she goes through a lot of changes, and i've heard of women getting ibs like symptoms throughout pregnancy, some even being diagnosed w/ long term ibs after pregnancy, and for those who have ibs already, their symptoms just get worse... this isn't with everyone obviously, but just some facts.
after all you're only 17, not fully developed in your own body, a suggestion by me, is to wait, wait until ur a bit older to think about kids, after all.... you are only one yourself....

L-Town · 04-11-2004, 05:16 PM

The term "red flags" is a term used by doctors. I stated in my previous post "red flags" are weight loss, blood coming from your rectum, or family history of colon cancer. In other words red flags are warning signs or something like family history that would put you at risk.

Sounds to me like you have IBS. I don't mean to sound preachy but I argree also that you should wait on the baby. Your body needs much more time to prepare itself. I've heard that IBS can either get worse while your pregnant or better. It all depends on each person. Good luck with everything.

L-Town