I've been down the EXACT road as your husband. I would wake up in the middle of the night with SEVERE stomach pain, lower abdomin swelling, gas, bloating...hurting really bad. I've made 5 trips to the ER in the past year and have had every test known to man run on me...each one of them came back normal.
It is possible that your husband has developed lactose intollerance or gluten intollerance..at least the symptoms you describe lead me to think this.
Do a search on the internet about the above conditions. The one sure way to find out is for him to quit eating anything made from wheat and eliminate dairy from his diet. If you do this he should begin to feel better in a few days and you could have your answer.
One thing to keep in mind is "gluten" is in everything....bread, pasta, oat meal, salad dressing, breakfast cereal, beer, ketchup, croutons and many other items. Good luck and I hope this helps Please keep me up to date.
hi
it could be down to simple lack of enzyme deficiency --there are tests for celiac and gluten intolerance and lactose/fructose intolerance's also he should have his thyroid function tested as all of these will minic ibs.
if he is to try a gluten/lactose free diet make sure he is getting enough nutrients as this is the most common way for people with ibs to lose weight unintentionally by avoiding specific foods without good reason.
there are now home tests u can do for wheat etc --if there is no improvement in 2 weeks i would not alter the diet too much without the help of a dietictian unless u are well infromed about nutrition.
a blood test will show up celiac disease but the gold standard is biospy by endoscope.