Is this truly IBS?? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

FarmGirl31 · 11-16-2008, 03:52 PM

Hi,

I experience spasms and cramping up inside my guts... i guess large and/or small intestine, very bad and it causes trouble breathing also. But, no actual pain and I dont get diarrhea with it at all. If anything I am always constipated. But I can feel the guts like cramping and spasming and its very, very uncomfortable. More than 1 person has told me this sounds like IBS but is it truly? ? I take an anti-anxiety med (like Xanax) and it does loosen up the spasms. But while it is happening, the distress can be very great and the trouble breathing is upsetting.

Does this happen to anyone else here and if so, how was it diagnosed? I mean were u surely given the IBS diagnosis and what do u do to treat/prevent this?

I also have a symptom where i can drink a glass of water and almost as soon as I do, feels like my stomach "drops" or something, and I feel great pressure inside, like something pushing on my organs and I again have trouble breathing. BUt this experience does not feel like the spasming that I described up above. i am tired of this hell and not getting any real clear answers. Have had an endoscopy and just had mild gastritis and told I had spasms in my esophagus. I have Gastroparesis but find it difficult to believe that is behind any of this. I was in so much discomfort earlier from trouble breathing and the pressure inside that i was in tears and almost went to the hospital. Taking an anti-anxiety med relaxed my insides and ME to a degree, so that i felt al ittle better and able to somehow bear it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Oh and I am female, 35, not overweight at all.

FG

Mavsgirl2 · 11-17-2008, 04:51 PM

Farm girl,
I have similar symptoms. Once in a while I will have diarrhea, but never constipation. Most of my problems are stomach pain, pressure, the feeling that my stomach is pushing into my lungs and it's hard to breathe. I also can feel my stomach/intestines having spasms, they're not painful, just annoying. I have had upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, Hida scan, gastric emptying and two abdominal ultrasounds, all normal. My GI is going to order a CT scan before he confirms it is IBS, but everything is pointing to it. I had the colonoscopy today, so I have been without solid food the past two days and actually had no pain during this time. Like you, I am in my 30's and thin also. Hope this helps.

Mavsgirl

FarmGirl31 · 11-17-2008, 10:43 PM

MAvs,

Thank u for replying! It feels good to know Im not the only one. It seems noone ive talked to has experienced these sorts of symptoms... maybe 1 or 2 but not all in combination. I get pretty nervous when the spasms are severe, like i wont be able to breathe at all and will suffocate. Does that ever happen to u, u kind of panic a little? What do u take, if anything, to help alleviate these terrible symptoms?

Mavsgirl2 · 11-19-2008, 06:41 PM

My doctor gave me Bentyl for the spasms, but I try not to take it too often, but it does help when I do. I used to take effexor xr for the panic attacks that I would get, but I weaned myself off of that last year. However, since then, my anxiety has gotten worse, so I probably should start again. Do you currently take anything for your spasms?

Harry · 11-19-2008, 11:44 PM

FG,
The best thing I have ever used for cramping as well as spasms is a homeopathic remedy --- Magnesia Phos. 6X -- works well.

Your symptoms do not sound like IBS.