Does this sound like IBS? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

Algu · 01-19-2005, 11:23 PM

Hi all

Ok, here goes. Im 22 years old and have been having problems with my stomach for the past 5 months. Basically it all started when i felt constipated and took some metamucil a couple times that day to help get me to go. I eventually had a BM the next day or so. After that i started experiencing some pain and discomfort in my tummy. This lasted for about 2 weeks. I thought i had food poisoning. I would feel like i had to have a BM, but i couldnt actually go, just that feeling along with nausea. Usually right after i ate, which made me not want to eat at all. It wasnt really a shooting pain, more of a feeling of being sick. I couldnt eat anything without feeling this way afterwards. It was really bad at some points. I remember rolling around on my couch waiting for the pain to go away

Eventually this went away and then started again a week later. I have really been monitering myself these past couple months, and heres what my symptoms seem to be.

1.Constipation - can last almost a week before i go.
2.Diahhrea - not as often but has happened occasionally
3.Upset tummy - feeling sick like i have to have a BM but cant
4.Gas - run to the toilet only to pass gas
5.Rumbling tummy - rumbles and feels like stuff is moving around in there
6.Tiredness/fatigue - might just be my sleeping paterns
7.Slight abdominal pains - usually up and right from belly button. A steady pain but nothing major. Not all the times. But some days i notice it.

I have been to my doctor a few times. I had blood and urine samples taken. Then i had a Bowel X-Ray where you drink that chalky liquid. All came back that i was in perfect health. The doctor told me to eat many small meals a day and get on a regular schedule, plus eat high fibre diet. I have been trying to eat a high fibre diet consisting of things like Multi Grain bread, beans, fruits, vegetables, and trying to drink alot of water. I dont drink any other liquid, just water. I must admit i have cheated a few times and ate some junk food

.

The constipation seems to be the biggest thing. I feel sick like i have to have a BM but nothing can come out. When i do finally go, i have to push soo hard. And my stools are little or clumpy hard round things. Other times i can go easier and my stools can get thin and ribbon like. I have also noticed having the urge to have a BM around 1-4AM (i usually go to bed around 3-5AM or so). And alot of times i wake up in the morning with pain feeling like i have to have a BM. But nothing will come out. Then im usually ok during the day until night. Night seems to be worst for me.

I remember some times just laying down on my couch and listening to my tummy rumble. I also feel a bit of pressure by my rectum like i have to have a BM.

I have been reading many posts on this wonderful site and it seems like i have symptoms of IBS. Its so nice to hear other people with problems like mine

. Does it sound like i have IBS? should i go to doctor to get colonoscopy done? What are good foods to eat? I eat pretty much the same thing every day

Thanks in advance to anybody who responds. And to all who took time to read my horribly long post.

-Mark

princesspea · 01-20-2005, 08:31 PM

Hi Mark,

I am not a doctor so this is going to be ONLY my opinon.

Your syptom are on the list for IBS symptoms including, in small print, fatigue BUT you might want to have some further testing. Have you had a colonoscopy yet. That's where they go up and look at your colon with a camera. That should probably be your next step. The reason I suggest this is IBS is a great mimicer of other problems. I have had both the barium thing and the scope. The scope lets your GI really no what your colon looks like. You don't say if you have a dx of IBS.

I can't believe how much your symptoms are like mine.

I too have the Big C! Nothing helped me much until I started taking fiber and drinking lots of water with it. I put at least a gallon of water in me every day.
When I got really bad last month I went to my GI and she gave me something called Mirilax. I take it with my fiber. It's my understanding that it works by pulling water out of your system to the colon. It helped get me going again. The good thing about it is your colon doesn't get hooked on it so you can get off it if you want to.

Hope this helps.

Love,

Jamie

Algu · 01-21-2005, 02:16 PM

Hi Jamie

Well i havnt been diagnosed with IBS yet and havnt had a Colonoscopy yet either. Im thinking i should get one done soon to see if its not something more serious wrong with me. My doctor didnt mention IBS, he just said to get on a regular schedule and increase fibre, eat many small meals a day.

Basically it seems to be bad when i wake up for an hour or so, then gets better for a bit and gets worse later on at night. I get urges to have a BM but nothing will come out except gas. it doesnt even feel like theres anything there. But i want to go to get rid of the feeling. The past few days i push really hard and can get something to come out in the morning. But it takes so much pushing my body is shaking.

For a while i was going every night for about a week at like 2 AM. I would get an urge and then go and it would come out. But now its like i dont get any help from my body to get this stuff out of me.

I think ill go back to my doctor soon and ask about a colonoscopy ( not looking forward to it ). But my wife had one done and said it wasnt too bad. And ill ask about the Mirilax you mentioned

.

Thanks for your reply Jamie. I feel for you and hope you can get more regular too!!. This Message Board has been really helpful to me. Thank you all who post and hope you all get better and feel better

.

Best Wishes all,
-Mark

hot rod · 01-23-2005, 10:16 PM

Mark
Your symptoms and mine parallel, except I generally dont wake up at night with the urge to go. My syptoms came on suddenly about 6 months ago. Before that I had an iron gut and could eat and drink anything. I had occasional bouts of indigestion and heartburn, but nothing like this.
when it first hit it scared the cr*p out of me (pun intended). I went to the doc and fortunatly for me I had all the tests. CT scan, colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound and barrium with small bowel check. All came back normal. Based on that the doc has determined that it's IBS. Last week he ordered a bunch of blood tests I guess to rule out anything else??
The symptoms has eased for the most part and I have it semi under control. I also take Mirilux occasionally for the C and I take 2 Citrucel capsules and 2 stool softners each day. I also drink a ton of water. I never used to, but oh well... I watch what I eat and try and keep the stress at a minimum since that really seems to fire the symptoms up.
Have the colonoscopy to be sure you are dealing with whatever ails you correctly. Also, by having tests it rules out any other problems and puts your mind at ease.
From what I have read on these boards it does get controlable. I now recognize the symptoms much earlier and can get after them before it gets really bad. Be encouraged and try and be of good cheer. Do a lot of reading here and you will benefit from it
Good luck
Jim