Do you think I have IBS? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

rubato · 10-29-2009, 01:57 PM

I have been experiencing some symptoms for the last year and a half. I haven't gone to the doctor because I'm sick of doctors. I have TMJ (3 surgeries), arthritis, eczema, and Hashimotos thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease that causes low thyroid levels). So, I've been to the doctor a lot.

Last spring, I started a serious exercise program. I lost about 30 pounds and got back to my goal weight. But, any time I went for a walk or a run, my stomach would cramp up, bad! So, this went on all summer. Then, it started to progress. Now, every single morning, I wake up with a crampy stomach. I then have to go to the bathroom urgently with diarrhea. I do this about 4 times in a row every morning over a 2 hour period. Thank god I'm a stay at home mom! As the day goes on, my stomach feels a little better. Then, as soon as I eat dinner, the painful gas starts. My stomach just feels like it's completely full to busting with gas. Then, of course, I have flatulence. And, by the time I go to bed, it's horrible. The next morning, the same thing starts over again.

Any thoughts? I don't want to go to the doctor if they're just going to run a huge amount of tests and, more than likely, not be able to help me.

Thanks for any and all advice!!!

NotAnotheDiet · 11-16-2009, 06:36 AM

The fact that you do have other health issues makes me think that you should perhaps ask your doctor but I'll give you my thoughts. Have you changed your diet recently? Eating a lot of dairy or carbs? Have you been stressed recently or moreso than usual? These are the two things that trigger it for me. I tend to go four to six days with really painful bloating and then go to the toilet, a lot, or, will get diarrea for a couple of days and then the bloatedness. I think IBS is different for all sufferers and triggered by different things. It took me ages to go to the doctor about it. I have some tablets called colonoc (I think thats how you spell it) and they help me.

brownh · 11-16-2009, 07:03 AM

You may be allergic to "lactose," found in milk or Gluten in bread , cutting out these in your diet may help.good luck.