IBS or something else??

[jen2020]

Can you tell me if these symptoms sound like IBS or if it could be something else:

Constipation & occassionally loose, watery stools ( mostly constipation)

Occassionally I'll have mucous in my stools

At times feel urgency to go to the bathroom especially when my stomach is acting up.

Mild to moderate nausea ( no vomiting) - Nausea not everyday

cramping/pain ( naval area) - Happens cocassionaly & stomach feels tender, no shooting or stabbing pains.

Bloating/gas

Somtimes my stomach makes a lot of gurgling sounds and frequent belching..

I have had an upper GI and ultrasound which were both normal and my blood test ( CBC etc.) was normal as well... My PCP doesn't seem to be too concerned with this and I do have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in a few weeks and I'd like to know what other tests you think my doctor should perform and does this sound serious?

Thank-you!

Jennifer

PS. I do think foods are bringing some of this on. For example, I know I can't handle alcohol or especially caffeine as that causes a lot of problems for me.

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.

The simple answer to your questions is YES, the symptoms you describe really sound like IBS. You have had an upper GI as well as an abdominal ultrasound which were normal, therefore, technically we can rule out possible causes such as acid reflux, peptic ulcer disease and gall bladder disease.

The gastroenterologist will likely want you to undergo an endoscopy (where the doctor visualizes the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine using a fiberoptic tube (endoscope) with a camera on the end. Also, a colonoscopy is certainly indicated here as well. With a colonoscopy, a fiberoptic tube is passed through the rectum allowing the doctor to directly visualize the entire colon and rectum to search for inflammation, polyps or other abnormalities which may explain your symptoms.

IBS commonly is worse with certain foods, therefore, I tell my patients with IBS to keep a "diary" of what they eat, and when their symptoms are present. It sounds like you have already done this to some degree and have learned that caffeine and alcohol will make things worse. (this too is common with IBS).

Essentially, the best way to control IBS is to control stress, avoid certain foods and to maintain a healthy, consistent diet. Fiber may be helpful as well. Increase the fiber in your diet slowly. Increasing fiber content in your diet to rapidly will increase the likelihood of gas and bloating. As your body becomes more accustomed to the increases in fiber, the gas and bloating will resolve.

1. Eat a variety of foods and avoid foods high in fiber or caffeine
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Eat smaller meals (6 small meals/day instead of 3 large meals)
4. Keep a diary for 2 weeks and avoid foods which seem to aggravate your symptoms
5. Learn ways to control your stress
6. In severe cases consider the use of prescriptions medications such as hyoscyamine (Levsin) to help control stomach cramping or Imodium (immodium) when diarrhea is severe.
7. Increase fiber in your diet

I hope this information is helpful.
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.

[England]

I have been having nausea for almost every day now for several weeks. I have had an endoscopy (and a new doctor wants to do another one),ultrasound, and abdominal CT. Could this be IBS as well? I don't see any connections to foods, except at the moment, I don't want to eat much of anything.

[becababe]

hi i have had ibs now for 10 years. when i get constapated i get pain in my lower right hand side it feels like gas is trapped the pain goes  on for weeks is that normal?

[inca]

Hi, I've been sick off and on with dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and a lot of gas, contipation, stool irregular, sometimes soft but no constipation Ive been to emergency, to primary everything seems to come back ok but my nausea,  I have lost so much weight because there is no pain is just that sick feeling where I cant stand the smell of food, dont want to eat, Ive taking so many meds because doctor at first thought it was vertigo, you name it they thought I had. I recentley called the doctor and said look something is not right, Why am i feeling this nausea all the time. Finally she gave me a prescription for prevacid, said maybe Ive had to much acid on my stomach, I request a referral to a gastro doctor so I could find out what possible is wrong, I been sick every since the second week of jan. And for a whole month they had me taking antivert for nausea, which ent told me do not take that because all it does is feeds the sickness. also now I am experincing so shortness of breath which i read on internet that it could be part of may gastro problem that and chest pain. Do you think I am heading in the right directions

[jen2020]

Inca:

What tests have they done? I would recommend going to a gastroenterologist and getting upper gi, endoscopy, etc.. Also, get your gallbladder checked.. Finally, I would start looking at food allergies to see if this is causing problems for you. I know how frustrating this is as I still have not found out the reason for my nausea either and its been since September...

Please let me know if you find something that works!
Jen

[sjo32]

I had all of those tests done even the one where they do the scope of the stomache and intestines. My aunt told me about a test to see if your gull bladder is working. They gave me a shot of something and waited to see if my gull bladder would shrink, like it is supposed to. My gull bladder was only functioning at 10% they removed my gull bladder and their were no stones or any other signs of a deseased gull bladder. I thank my aunt for that one. I suffered for 9 years and it was my gull bladder the whole time. It's worth checking out. GOOD LUCK!!!!