Please tell me: Can IBS sufferer have only bloating and gas?

Question

I mean not even pain, diheria, constipation. But be diagnosed with IBS. Any of you with it here? I cant really understand what else to do with my life..and just it keeps being soo dificult to handle. I feel the disconfort, that you wont imagine. Doesnt matter i eat or not. Its from the morning, in my bed. Thats what wakes me up in morning so early. Im sick of this. n any kinds of medications. I dont really think this can be cleared from inside of me so i can go back to the way i used to live like every one else. Its been bout a year (. Will u help me? tnx

I was diagnosed about a month a go. Sometimes im thinkiong that maybe i just think about it too much? but no..i dont feel happy or free for even about an hour a day :(. So its not in my head. N i stoped goin to my classes in college for about 2 weeks already.

Answer 1

Hi Liza. Your symptoms are very real - you are not imagining them and you are not exaggerating them.

It is important to understand that "IBS" is NOT a diagnosis. A diagnosis tells you the CAUSE of your problem and IBS tells us nothing about what is causing your symptoms.

IBS is a "label" given to patients when the doctor cannot determine the CAUSE of bowel symptoms. Sadly, there are many known causes of these types of symptoms that most medical doctors are not trained to know. Here are a few conditions that must be tested for to find and fix the cause of your symptoms:

1) Celiac Disease (CD). CD is an autoimmune disease that damages the lining of the small intestine. It is caused by an allergic reaction to certain proteins in wheat, rye and barley called glutens/gliadins. This is a very common condition, yet doctors rarely diagnose it. This failure to diagnose may result from the fact that there are no drugs to treat this common condition; the only treatment is dietary - avoidance of gluten/gliadin in the diet.

2) Lactose intolerance. Again, your doctor should have tested you for this.

3) Intestinal Dysbiosis - an imbalance in the normal bacteria (microflora) living in the intestinal tract (too many bad/toxic organisms and not enough of the health promoting good organisms). This is a common condition that is caused by use of anti-biotics and/or acid inhibitor drugs (e.g. Nexium, Pepcid, etc.). Again, your doctor should have tested you for this by ordering a series (at least three samples) of stool tests to identify the organisms living in your gut.

4) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIB0). This is what it says - an overgrowth of bacteria living in the small intestine. These bacteria digest your food and produce toxic byproducts from it. Again, it is caused by use of anti-biotics and acid inhibitors.

5) Food allergies/intolerances (other than lactose).

6) Hypochlorhydria - inadequate productin of stomach acid (very common as we grow older).

These are some of the most common causes of "IBS"-like symptoms. You may need to find a specialist in nutrition to help you evaluate and properly treat whatever is causing your suffering. A Naturopathic Physician, a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN), or that rare medical doctor that specializes in nutrition, environmental medicine or functional medicine will be your best bet for getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Best wishes and good luck.

P.S. I can also suggest a good book that can help you learn more about these issues. It is called: "Digestive Wellness" by Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

when the doctor diagnosed you with IBS- did they do any food allergy or intolerance testing ??
often digestive troubles such as IBS are directly related to and can be alleviated by simple allergy and intolerence testing.- Much of the time meddication is unnessecary.
One of the biggest contributors to digestive issues is Celiac or wheat/ gluten intolerance or allergy. If for some reason you are unable to get tested- you can do a trial and error. Go on a gluten free diet for about 2 weeks and see if oyur symptoms clear up any. If they do- go back to eating like oyu had been - if the symptoms return- you need to stay on a GF diet- no wheat, rye or barley. If this is not the offending food try getting off of dairy for a while and see if that helps.

I know of a couple of people who were put on medicatons for IBS, acid reflux and other digestive issues. No allergy tests were ever taken and the side effects of the medications were given no thought. These people eventually came to an understanding of the digestive system and food allergies. They quit the medication, went on a GF diet and are doing GREAT now. THey are living a normal life with little to no symptoms. It does require a drastic change in diet and lifestyle but after having a daughter who was sick for 12 years and never getting to the bottom of it- going on a GF diet has been more than worth getting my healthy, happy, vibrant 14 yo daughter back.

Answer 4

I have ulcerative colitis and I feel your pain. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and I go through remissions and flare-ups regularly. It is a vicious illness and I would never wish it upon my worst enemy. I don't know what kind of medications that would help you specifically because everybody is different and I actually have a more severe condition, where my colon is actually attacking itself so I have take steroids. I also have to take special pills that are also steroids but they have a special coating that can bypass the stomach and be released in the colon having an antiinflamatory effect directly. Even with all the medication, I still get sick. Stress is a huge contributer to UC and also IBS. You should talk to your doctor about medications out there. Have you had a colonoscopy? Are they sure it's not Chron's or UC? Sometimes antianxiety/antidepressent medications help. Paxil actually has be known to work really well in IBS patients and it worked a little for me but I quit taking it for my own reasons. There are a ton of books out there on IBS that you should read. I know that understanding your condition will help you manage it more effectively. It did for me. Good luck.

Answer 5

IBS is a real pain......... I've had it for many years. The symptoms come and go. I have found they are often times brought on by stress in my life. (And not necessarily major stress) I know I must take time to relax, listen to relaxation tape or even just some soft music. 20 minutes a day. Also there are certain things in my life (work especially) that I can't change so I have to say to myself " It is what it is."
Citrucel every day seems to have helped me.
I am convinced stress is the primary culprit. Don't give up. You will feel ok again. Some people with IBS seek stress counseling. I did. And it helped a lot. (I look at it this way if I had a cast on my foot I'd need a crutch. So the counseling is like a crutch and i'll toss the crutch one day.) Like I said IBS is a nuisance.

Answer 6

If you have IBS you can suffer from diarrhea or constipation, have pain or bloating. Dicetel is a medicine in Canada and does help a lot. Also stress can bring on a lot of these symptoms. Drink camomile tea to relax and help with indigestion.

Answer 7

I'm so sorry you're having a difficult time. I posted a link below that gives you lots of information about IBS. Click on the link below and you will see different categories. I sure you hope that you find a solution. If you feel like your doctor has not truly found the correct diagnosis, see a specialist. Feel better, so sorry.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/

Answer 8

Dietary changes can help many people with IBS manage their symptoms. Fiber reduces constipation by softening the stool, making it easier to pass. Yet few of us come close to consuming the 20 grams to 35 grams of fiber a day recommended for healthy adults.

If you suffer IBS with constipation, gradually introduce high-fiber foods into your diet, says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, author of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Guide to Better Digestion.

Good sources of fiber include whole-grain bread and cereals, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Dried plums, prune juice, ground flaxseed, and water also help loosen bowels.

Stay away from coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. They can slow the passage of stool. So can refined foods such as chips, cookies, and white rice.

Remember, different foods affect each person with IBS in different ways. Some people develop diarrhea and gas when they eat too much fiber, or certain high-fiber foods. So, it's a good idea to keep a symptom journal to figure out which foods your digestive system can handle. Just jot down your symptoms, then note the type and amount of foods you ate during the meals before your symptoms appeared.
Fiber Supplements

Some people use bulking agents, commonly known as fiber supplements, to treat IBS with constipation. These include:

* Wheat bran
* Corn fiber
* Calcium polycarbophil (Fibercon)
* Psyllium (ispaghula husk, Metamucil, Fiberall, and others)

These supplements may increase bowel movement, but they do not appear to help with other IBS symptoms such as stomach aches, discomfort, and swelling. In fact, extra doses of fiber may worsen abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort in some people with IBS. Drink lots of water daily.

Answer 9

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