For Those Of You With IBS.... - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

hoping4best · 12-08-2005, 12:02 PM

Hello All!

Hoping for some insight....

Were you diagnosed by a gastrinologist, your general practitioner, or did you self-diagnose??

I "think" I'm suffering with IBS, but have not had it confirmed yet. I've had the problem for the past 4 years or so. I am 25 years old. My mom is 58 and was diagonsed with stage 3 rectal cancer last year, so now getting me checked is a bigger priority. I am going to see my doc to get a referral to a gastrinologist to rule out polyps, ulcerative colitis, crohns, inflammitory bowel disease etc...

My GP has been pretty useless thus far. I was tested for Celiac, but nothing. She told me to take Metamucil, for my IBS-D? But no change. My biggest problem is with urgency....have to stay very close to the bathroom after eating.

Would like to hear some of your stories....Thanks!

hoping4best · 12-09-2005, 09:41 AM

Anyone?? I know you all have some sort of story...

6th_sense · 12-09-2005, 03:52 PM

Hi hoping4best,

I was diagnosed with IBS through a gastro-enterologist. My GP ran tests and suspected that I had some IBS, but sent me to a GI to confirm.

IBS, was for the longest time considered an all-in-your head problem until recently. Yet, most estimates I've seen say that around 70-80% of the cases seen by gastro-enterologists are IBS patients. IBS, some time ago was a disorder that was euphemistically called the "I'm basically stumped" disorder - because doctors called it IBS, when they couldn't find anything else. Even though it has a name now, the treatment options are limited and the patient is often still left to fend for themselves through creative diets, excercise, meditation etc....

So, it is possible that there are still many GPs who don't recognize the significance of IBS or its impact or the treatments that exist for it. The diagnosis of IBS is however, much simpler now because of the Rome II criteria. (see the Worth Reading for IBS'ers for the official site for IBS).

Of course, my situation is different from most (around 99%) people - I used to suffer terribly and now I don't any longer suffer much. I owe it to my visualization techniques which I invented myself. So, when my GP, who is an excellent GP, told me there were no longer any treatment options left open for me: I was neither surprised, nor much bothered.

By the way, have you tried using calcium supplements to help with your "D"? There are other options as well - I know i've frequently posted answers to IBS-D questions.

Cheers, - Raju -

ravenousdog · 12-10-2005, 08:45 PM

Hi grease what a word for someone like me it just sends me to the R.R. just thinking about it im different from most ibs patients because my problems started around 3 years ago but with vomiting not r.r. issues and my doctor still cant figure that part out but now in the past 1 &1/2-2 years the big c but lateley D. Its a really embarrasing problem when you cant even shop because of a sudden attack.
Anyone else have this problem
Heres hopin for better days.

hoping4best · 12-12-2005, 11:31 AM

Ravenous. I get the attacks all the time. I am very hesitant to eat when I'm out unless I'm in a restaurant and close to a bathroom. I have a very hard time eating on the go! But if I have to, its usually a sandwich....for me, the bread is ok. Salad...heck no!