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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Community
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Is this IBS?
by jayemmpee, Jul 20, 2008 11:27AM
I've been having problems with my bowels for about 6 months. After browsing this forum, I can see that is a very short time compared to how long others have been suffering. Anyway, here is my (brief) story:
Beginning in Feb of this year, I was experiencing an increased frequency of bowel movements. Every time I would leave the house I felt like I needed to use the restroom, but often times when I would pull over to a gas station or hit the restroom in a store, very little or nothing would happen. I did not experience stomach cramps, it felt more like a constant awareness of my rectum. I never had diarrhea either - my bowels were loose to be sure, but never was it like diarrhea.
I went to a doctor who said my body was not absorbing fat properly. She instructed me to cut out fried foods, pork, and eggs. I did that for three weeks and saw no improvement. At this point I had gotten blood and fecal tests which all came back clear. I decided to see a dietitian. After ruling out that I had food allergies, she instructed me to continue avoiding the fried foods and pork, and to eat at least 25g of fiber a day. That was two months ago. Since then, my bowel problems have gotten much better, but not perfect. I still eat french fries once a week, but I find myself having problems at other times as well, not just after eating the restricted foods.
I feel like I have the issue mostly under control, but my bowels are still acting funny. I am no longer severely afraid of leaving the house, but I do see that the frequency of bowel movements is still high. I have at least two bowel movements a day, sometimes up to four. On the days when I have two, they are usually formed, but when I have more than two they become loose. I have no stomach problems (aside from what seems like an unusual amount of gurgling, but no gas or cramps) and, again, no diarrhea on days when I stick to my diet.
Does this seem like IBS, based on the information I have described? Should I go see a gastrointestinal doctor (my first doctor was internal medicine)?
Beginning in Feb of this year, I was experiencing an increased frequency of bowel movements. Every time I would leave the house I felt like I needed to use the restroom, but often times when I would pull over to a gas station or hit the restroom in a store, very little or nothing would happen. I did not experience stomach cramps, it felt more like a constant awareness of my rectum. I never had diarrhea either - my bowels were loose to be sure, but never was it like diarrhea.
I went to a doctor who said my body was not absorbing fat properly. She instructed me to cut out fried foods, pork, and eggs. I did that for three weeks and saw no improvement. At this point I had gotten blood and fecal tests which all came back clear. I decided to see a dietitian. After ruling out that I had food allergies, she instructed me to continue avoiding the fried foods and pork, and to eat at least 25g of fiber a day. That was two months ago. Since then, my bowel problems have gotten much better, but not perfect. I still eat french fries once a week, but I find myself having problems at other times as well, not just after eating the restricted foods.
I feel like I have the issue mostly under control, but my bowels are still acting funny. I am no longer severely afraid of leaving the house, but I do see that the frequency of bowel movements is still high. I have at least two bowel movements a day, sometimes up to four. On the days when I have two, they are usually formed, but when I have more than two they become loose. I have no stomach problems (aside from what seems like an unusual amount of gurgling, but no gas or cramps) and, again, no diarrhea on days when I stick to my diet.
Does this seem like IBS, based on the information I have described? Should I go see a gastrointestinal doctor (my first doctor was internal medicine)?
Post Comment
ibs would defo be painful consitation or diarreha with abdominal pain which is mainly from trapped gas or spasms in the gut .
there would also be swelling or distension of the abdominal with gas and also dyspepsia
there are fats in all foods not just deep fried and maybe for now u need to look at that
there are digestive enzymes u can take to help with fats lipase is good for this.
stick to your diet strictly for now and see if there is an improvement over all but if u are in doubt talk to your doc as they will know best for u
but generally an ibs diagonis is made if u suffer from the above for a period of time and is defined by the rome criteria which would be
abdominal pain relieved by bowel movements
looser stools with pain
more frequent stools with the oncet of abdominal pain
distension
passage of mucus in stool
sensation of incomplete evacuation of the bowel
so if u feel u fall into the above talk to your doc
ibs can present itself in many different forms and it is really a confusing thing in what may be wrong for one person may be normal for another
ibs is also linked to chronic stress
were u checked for coliac as well as this can cause problems like fats intolerance
does that help u