I started (32M) with similar symptoms just after Xmas this year, bloating, pain just below sternum and a general feeling of being unwell, although doing lots of exercise.
Went to the GP Jan 6th, who booked me in for an endoscopy which turned out to be 4th April 02! Went back to another GP a couple of weeks later and he said I could have gallbladder trouble. He booked me in for an ultrasound - turned out to be 17th April 02!
In the mean time went to BUPA (yes the NHS is slow in the UK) to see a gastro consultant. He suggested "I cope with the symptoms" for a few months and get the free NHS endoscopy rather than paying
Hi your doctor told you that you probably have IBS. But have you done a stool test before? I think you might have c-diff bacteria overgrow in your intestin or colon. My husband has the same symtoms like yours and he used to have IBS. But his IBS getting worse presently. He got cramp, bloating, pain, lost appetile and diarreia. his stool test ture out positive with the c-diff. so he is taking treatment now. C-diff is a bad bacteria. I think you should talk to your doctor about it. Get a stool test!
It sounds like the doctor is guessing and that's not good. Your doctor sounds typical. He probably wrote cheat sheets for the medical exam and he knows how to help someone who has the common cold. You know, take two aspirins and call me in the morning. There are a lot of incompetent doctors out there! I've posted this information on this board before. I try to help anyone that I can because it's a horrible situation when you can't get diagnosed and you're sick. You can check out a doctors record on the medical board web-site of your state. Just type Medical Board in the search box and you'll get a bunch of links, find the medical board in your state. Then I called a diagnostic lab that I read about. The Great Smokies Lab has an extensive digestive test that shows everything that's going on in the digestive tract except for a blockage. You would need to rule out a blockage with a colonoscopy. The number is 800-522-4762 - press 0 and then press 1 for clinical support, I think. Since I wasn't getting anywhere with a regular MD and a gastroenterologist I called the lab and asked them for a list of good doctors that work with them and know how to diagnose digestive conditions. It worked and I ended up with a really good naturopathic doctor. I just took the lab report to the MD and got a prescription, but I'm working with the naturopathic doctor because she does Kinesiology (sp?). After a year and two months I had a diagnosis. FIND A DEPENDABLE DOCTOR!! There's many people that go un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed and don't make it to these postings.
I know Mcdonalds is not the healthiest of foods but to cause vomiting and diahrea? If your Doctor does not suggest looking into this further with tests then you should either suggest it yourself or find a new Doctor who will take this more seriously.
Good Luck, virgo