Abdominal pain (left side), gurgling and burping in the evenings - could it be IBS?

[AnnaCuriousMind]

Hi All, for the past year or so almost every evening is the same story - after dinner I keep burping (can do for a few hours in severe cases) can hear and feel gurgling in my stomach, lower left side I think in the colon, and get overall dull tummy pain. Sometimes in the morning I feel nauseous (don't vomit) and often have diarrhea. Often gets 3 bowel movements a day. I have tried to control it with various diets - vegetarian, free from diary, gluten, meat and sugar, tried drinking veg/fruit juices/smoothies - still diet changes weren't helping and burping/gurgling and tummy pain were coming back. I had endoscopy a few months ago - stomach is ok, no gluten intolerance, no ulcers, H. Pylori checked last year it wasn't that. I was considering eggs and/or lactose intolerance - not checked. Also cannot loose weight no matter what I try diet wise. Recently realised I may sometimes binge eating on chocolate/junk food. I don't drink alcohol not smoke. Any advise of what could I try next or what it could be, IBS? Or food intolerance? Please please let me know your thoughts. Thank you so much Anna x

[HomeChef]

Hi Anna:

Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine, except I don't get the burping.

I wake up every morning to diarrhea at least 3 times.  Every time I eat, my stomach and bowels sound like a washing machine.  The gurgling is so loud other people can hear it.

I've been diagnosed with IBS since childhood, but had it well under control since my 30's (I'm in my early 50's.)   This all started last year in the fall.

I never feel good--EVER.   For me at least, feeling nauseous and bloated colors my whole attitude; I can't enjoy anything and have trouble getting motivated to do things.

I'm looking at the medications I take to see if any of them could be the culprit...do you take meds?  Do you mind me asking which ones?

Finally....I'll offer to you two things that help a bit; they don't make the symptoms go away completely, but I DO notice a difference:

1. Buffered peppermint capsules.  They're called IB-GARD.  You can buy them at any drugstore, but sometimes they're hard to find. so you have to ask the pharmacist.  They're a bit pricey:  $30 for 30 capsules.  I have to take 2 at a time.

2.  Ginger.  I buy candied ginger at the grocery store.  I'll chew 2-3 big pieces; it tastes good and always helps my upset tummy.

Also, my doctor prescribes a drug called hyoscyamine.  It's brand name is Levsin: it's an anti-spasmodic.  I think the gurgling you and I are experiencing is from "hyper-motility" of the bowel; meaining, spasm.   I'll caution you though...this medicine has some strong side effects (dry mouth, blurry vision, tireness.)

Hope this helps...good luck...