Could I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Question

I've always had what you could call a "weak stomach." For many years, I'd get violently sick to my stomach if the weather "suddenly changed" (i.e., it was chilly outside/AC is on). This was hell during the wintertime as I'd have to urgently use the restroom during classes (if I held it in--breaking out in a cold sweat no less and hugging my arms--long enough, the pain would USUALLY subside after a while...).

Now, I get diarrhea at the drop of a hat, it seems. If I get anxious or excited, my stomach starts to act up sometimes. In the mornings... I ausually wake up hungry and sometimes I feel like I need to go diarrhea, even while hungry.

When I have an "attack" (usually the worst after having eaten food out with friends!), they come in waves. It'll lessen, get worse, lessen, get worse, lessen, then get to the point where I NEED TO GO HOME...

Never been constipated, but my stool's either diarrhea or "small." I usually go once or twice or... if I get sick, 3 times a day.

I don't get these attacks very often, or they're usually mild. Mostly when I get emotionally stirred somehow (and I'm very stressed nowadays), or after certain meals, it seems (it's happened a few times when I was out with friends... and it cut our evening a bit short). I guess when I'm on my period I sometimes sit at the toilet for a long time hoping to relieve the PAIN but all I get is diarrhea or nothing at all.

I am going to tell my doctor just in case though.

Answer 1

Rather than jumping staright to some conclusion like IBS, can we think of some remedial conditions like worms, amoebiasis, or giardiasis perhaps. Can we think of food poisoning when this problem occurs after having eaten out with your friends? In this particular case, you must enquire from your friends whether anyone of them had a similar problem after having eaten out. Getting stool tests done would take care of the first three common problems and if eggs or cysts are noticed, remedial measures (treatment options) are present which are very effective. Then you will also have to consider hyperthyroidism, which can alter the motility of the gut. Finally, you must stop unduly worrying as worrying as such may increase your intestinal motility and cause problems.

Answer 2

There are quite a few things that help with general digestion and may help with IBS. Many customers get benefits from Probiotics, Fiber, or Enzymes. If you are allergic to lactose, you should make sure that any probiotics you get are either lactose free or milk free (they are more expensive that way)... OR you could try some Lactase Enzyme (it helps digest lactose, so it may help reduce the reaction). There are a few people that get benefits from stomach soothers like Ginger, Peppermint Oil, or Aloe Vera..... but that's just to calm the stomach, not the intestines or bowels (which is where Irritable Bowel Syndrome is based). For any of those, I would recommend checking with a doctor that knows about supplements or an allergist, just to make sure you won't have a problem with any of those (standard warning for anyone with a medical condition). ....but you could try them if you don't have a very severe reaction and are willing to risk it ;-)

Answer 3

As a fellow sufferer these are classic symptoms of IBS, a term covering many forms of problems which are not readily diagnosed hence lumbered under the same heading. IBS (Irritated Bowel Syndrome) can be triggered by food stuffs, eg red wine, rich spicy food, coffee, cheese etc. or it can be stress related. Mine is the latter but when it is in full swing the food stuffs can aggravate the situation. Even had my appendix out when the pain suggested that that was the problem (in the days IBS was not a commonly recognized complaint and the appendix was in poor condition so no matter). It is important to work out your trigger by eliminating food stuffs that appear to cause it then reintroduce them gradually one by one (sometimes it is a combination of two or more together) to see which you must avoid. Above all you must remain as calm as possible when the pain starts and take anti-inflammatory pain killers, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, the latter must be taken with food as it can cause stomach bleeding and even ulcers.
My advise initially though is to go to your doctor for advice and if she/he feels it is necessary have a Bowel Cancer check. (Usually only necessary if there is blood in the stools.)

Answer 4

I think you pretty well answered the question yourself when you talked about getting anxious.
See a doctor to rule out IBS but I think in the end most of your problems will be related to Anxiety.

Answer 5

it certainly sounds like IBS. By all means tell your doctor. There are ways to treat and manage this condition. Good luck! I have had IBS for many years & I know that gut pain can be very severe.

Answer 6

Hi, that's definitely what it sounds like. I suffer from almost the same symptoms as you do and it is not easy to convince doctors that this is what it is. They always say your experiencing a temporary condition from something your ate. Except is *everything* you ate!

WebMD has some good information on it. http://www.webmd.com/hw/irritable_bowel_syndrome/hw117853.asp?pagenumber=2

Answer 7

GET CHECKED FOR CELIAC!!!
It's wayyy more common than doctors say.
Just insist them to check for gliadin antibodies. I have celiac and those symptoms sound like what I used to be like before I stopped eating gluten.