Do I have IBS?

[SA83]

I have severe bloated and a full feeling after eating especially lunch. In addition also get flatulence.
I also have abdominal cramps. I am a rather stressfull person and suffer from depression for which I am on medication.
I need to know whether this bloating, pain and gas is IBS, hence allowing me to treat it properly. What is the treatment?? I have been suffering from this as long as I can remember.

SA

[SA83]

Thank you! Its great advice and nice to know others suffer from this too

[FurballsMom]

Certain types of foods will aggravate IBS symptoms more than others.  It will actually help to work with a naturopath for IBS.  Everything that the previous writer just mentioned is right on.  The treatments for IBS really depend on each individual to do what works for each one.  This isn't something that you can just go ask for a specific kind of medication for.  We are actually pretty much forced into making lifestyle changes in order to help ourselves with our IBS.  In addition to the things already mentioned, though, I just discovered that taking aloe vera juice (available at natural foods stores and supplement stores) according to the directions will actually help a lot.  I'm already getting relief from the chronic colon pain, and I've only just started to use it.  Trust me, this is worth it.  If you're not sensitive to apples, then organic, unfiltered and unsweetened natural apple juice will work for you.  Do make sure you don't use the cheap commercial stuff, because all of it comes from concentrate and all concentrated commercial juices use high fructose corn syrup, which is really bad for those of us already dealing with health issues.  It's worse for people's health than plain old white sugar, which you really shouldn't use either, because too much sugar of any kind, including the natural kind found in its natural state in fruits causes and promotes inflammation, which none of needs when we're dealing with these kinds of health issues, including IBS.

A good fiber to take when psyllium fiber causes you problems, as it does for me, is flaxseed meal, too.  Just one more thing to keep in mind.

[Danih23]

Hi SA83-
Since you have been suffering from these symptoms for so long you really should consider seeing a gastroenterologist (GI specialist). They will probably do some labs and a colonoscopy with biopsies to confirm that you do not have something more serious.
Type A personalities do typically suffer from IBS, as do women. Really not a lot of treatment, just managing symptoms; increase fiber, exercise, probiotics, certain antidepressants are sometimes used (amitriptyline, etc..)
Good Luck!!!