My wife suffering

IBS seems to be a catch all fraize  for disturbences in the digestive tract. My wife suffers cronic (chronic) pain in the abdomen every day ruining her daily life. She awakens and feels fine in the morning. We eat brakfast and almost instantly she developes very severe stoumach pains. we have to rush to the nearest toilet. Her stools are soft too very liquid and pale yellow, she now has to lie down and either use a heating pad or constantly rub her abdomen. within an hour she will need to go again. Everyday life for her is ruined. She is 73 and has had this problem for years, IRB is the diagnosis but I feel as her husband there must be more. Could it be an alergy (allergy), for example we drink wine every evening which she enjoys. We do not eat heavily

[Kevin Pho, MD]

IBS normally is considered if the tests looking for other GI conditions are non-revealing.

I would consider an upper endoscopy as the initial test for chronic stomach pains.  This can evaluate for GERD, an ulcer or inflammation of the upper digestive tract.  

More specialized tests can be done with a 24-hr pH study or gastric emptying scan.

Imaging the abdomen can also be considered with an ultrasound or CT scan.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[BBenn]

All of those tests have been done in the past, and reveal nothing other than the catch all IBS. Is it possible that it could be caused by an alergic (allergic) reaction to types of food. In earlier times it was often said that too much antibiotics would lead to the distruction of the normal bacteria that help to digest food.

[John2155]

My 65 year old wife has been getting worse with this for 10 years. Only difference to yours is usually constipation but not always. Last year was really bad with many, many, tests.  Finally she had an esophageal motility test and the gastric emptying scan that the Dr suggests. Finally a diagnosis! Was that test for your wife the one where she ate an egg sandwich and then they watched it go through over about 3.5 hours? We were led astray with an abbreviated one one time

Daignosis was gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. Has been in bed since last July and eats only Carnation Instant breakfast and then Ensure other two meals. Since quit trying any solid foods it is tolerable. A gastric electrical stimulator (Enterra Therapy) is being considered after trying one more new new drug, Lyrica first. So far not working.
It is not covered where we live and could be up to $100K in US!
Anyone with these problems should check out www.digestivestress.com and then open Home Page.
Good Luck

[CalGal]

If she's been through all the tests with negative results, you may have to start talking to others who have this problem and try to find ways to deal with it on their own. There are a lot of good IBS boards. I suggest you and your wife try reading over posts on some of the boards and see if you'd like to post there and ask for help.

She may want to read over the information on diet on a helpforibs.com site. Foods can make a big difference for some people. There are also some anti-spasm meds that might give her GI system a bit of a break from the pain.

You should definitely consider the fact that foods can result in 'allergies' at any age, and more and more people find out that foods they once loved have to be cut out. But the good part is that their system calms down and they can have a 'life' again. Keep a food diary, note symptoms and see if you can track anything. Some common culprits for those with IBS are dairy products and gluten food (wheat, rye and barley). Those are only two food groups, but there can be others, too.

Tell her not to give up.

[John2155]

I was in error on the website I mentioned before. It is:

www.digestivedistress.com

[dragonflylover]

Try the web site www.helpforibs.com
I am 35 and have had IBS w d for 10 years. This site has helped many people.It focuses on what not to eat and what are safe foods.
Good luck.

[mikcin]

I would seek out another doctor.  I was diagnosed with IBS after every test in the book was done.  Five years later was a different diagnosis, after GB removal I had stones in CBD and had 3 ERCPs to clear it, I also suffer from diverticular disease and hiatial hernia.  When you mentioned food allergies, has she been tested for this?  Possibly for celiac which is an allergy to wheat or grain I believe.   I do believe that IBS is over-rated BELIEVE ME.  I would do some shopping around for a second opinion, or maybe a third.  Find a good gastro doc.  She should not have to suffer so.