Is it really IBS or something else ?

[Angsthase]

I am always worried that my doctor misdiagnosed me. Since almost 3 years I have following symphtoms : gas pain, flatuance, mostly left sided abdominal pain/discomfort, sometimes frequent bowl movements, no appetite. First they did blood test (including for Celiacs disease ), a sigmoiddoscopy, Upper GI series (with barium), Blood test for Inflammation, CT scan of abdominal and pelvis area,x-rays and vaginal ultrasound. I asked them to do a colonoscopy but they said to me it's not necessary since all the other tests are negative and it's mostly done on older people or people with high risk of Colon cancer. I am always worried about Colitis, Chrons and of course cancer but the doctor said I don't have it. Sombody posted on the Internet about IBS and wanted to know what treatment works best. Three woman answered and they said that they were misdiagnosed for IBS ( after 3 years they found out). One had
celiacs disease and the other one had parasites. I want to talk with my doctor about the parasite issue because it would be possibly easy to treat ? I didn;t search the net about it because I know I am going to read scarry stuff. My doctore just doesn't call me back and he doesn't respond to my e-mails ( he always use to respond). He probably
thinks I am just crazy. I am always so worried. This is my second G.I doctor and I actually liked him but now he doesn't call me back ( I waited already 5 days). I need constant reassurance that I really "just" have IBS. I am already taking antidepressents (50mg of Celexa). It seems to help my depressive mood but I still have this
horrible health anxiety. Does this sound like they did enough tests ? I can't stand the constant worry and my husband can't stand it either. I can't talk with nobody about that. Does this really sound like IBS ?

[basm101]

Hi there,

I am pretty sure I have IBS to go with my general anxiety- I have never been properly tested for it, but was born with a spastic colon - aka IBS. I am currently taking prozac for my anxiety, but am finding that it (and other SSRIs like effexor) is helping with my IBS and digestive issues.

The main thing to indicate it might be Crohns or Ulcerative colitis instead is if there is blood in your stool. Also, IBD is usually only diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, so if you are over 25 it is highly unlikely. (I know a bit about this as my sister has UC)

As for ceiliacs disease, do you find eating gluten/wheat makes your symptoms worse ? Have you ruled out lactose intolerance ?

I would think it very unlikely you have parasites unless you have been holidaying somewhere exotic.

All your symptoms sound like IBS to me - I get gas pain, tummy cramps, diarrhea, no appetite. The best thing is to relax with a hot water bottle if you can, try and figure out which foods you can tolerate and take immodium, pepto bismol or laxatives depending on your symptoms. Aloe vera is also soothing, I find. I also have Levsin, which is an anti-spasmodic drug to take if i need to.

And I know that IBS is very real and thoroughly miserable - I am sure it partly causes my anxiety and even sometimes makes me feel depressed. Who wouldnt be with an upset tummy a lot of the time ?

Also with IBS, unfortunately the more you worry about it, the worse it tends to get. So try to relax (I know only too well this is easier said than done!)

best of luck

[Angsthase]

Hi there,

I am pretty sure I have IBS to go with my general anxiety- I have never been properly tested for it, but was born with a spastic colon - aka IBS. I am currently taking prozac for my anxiety, but am finding that it (and other SSRIs like effexor) is helping with my IBS and digestive issues.

The main thing to indicate it might be Crohns or Ulcerative colitis instead is if there is blood in your stool. Also, IBD is usually only diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, so if you are over 25 it is highly unlikely. (I know a bit about this as my sister has UC)

As for ceiliacs disease, do you find eating gluten/wheat makes your symptoms worse ? Have you ruled out lactose intolerance ?

I would think it very unlikely you have parasites unless you have been holidaying somewhere exotic.

All your symptoms sound like IBS to me - I get gas pain, tummy cramps, diarrhea, no appetite. The best thing is to relax with a hot water bottle if you can, try and figure out which foods you can tolerate and take immodium, pepto bismol or laxatives depending on your symptoms. Aloe vera is also soothing, I find. I also have Levsin, which is an anti-spasmodic drug to take if i need to.

And I know that IBS is very real and thoroughly miserable - I am sure it partly causes my anxiety and even sometimes makes me feel depressed. Who wouldnt be with an upset tummy a lot of the time ?

Also with IBS, unfortunately the more you worry about it, the worse it tends to get. So try to relax (I know only too well this is easier said than done!)

best of luck

Thanks so much for your respond! Two months ago I had some rectal bleeding ( maybe 3 tbsp) and after that stool came out. This never happended before. I was extremly freaked out and was convinct I have chrons or colitis or some other serious condition. I went to the doctor the next morning (not my regular doctor, because he wasn't available. The rectal exam was fine and I talked to my regula G.I the next day. He said from the last sigmoid (2,5 years ago) I have internal hemorroids or it could be an injury. Should I still worry about it. He wasn't worried about it at all. So far it never happened again. I am not in the risk age group ( I am 36
What's your thought on that ?

[AYKM]

That is IBS!! I have IBS, and experience all the same things. I don't have internal hemmoroids, but yes, you can have bleeding from them. Trust me! My cousin has colon cancer, and it is NOTHING like what you have described. His symptoms were so significant that if you had the same thing, you wouldn't be writing this post! I have found that warm baths, and stomach tea help very much. The stomach tea usually has ginger which relaxes the stomach, and licorice which helps with the gas. You will also go through boughts of consitpation and diahrrea. Part of what comes with IBS. I am actually on my way to get a colonic for the first time. I'll let you know if it helps.

[Angsthase]

That is IBS!! I have IBS, and experience all the same things. I don't have internal hemmoroids, but yes, you can have bleeding from them. Trust me! My cousin has colon cancer, and it is NOTHING like what you have described. His symptoms were so significant that if you had the same thing, you wouldn't be writing this post! I have found that warm baths, and stomach tea help very much. The stomach tea usually has ginger which relaxes the stomach, and licorice which helps with the gas. You will also go through boughts of consitpation and diahrrea. Part of what comes with IBS. I am actually on my way to get a colonic for the first time. I'll let you know if it helps.

Thank you for the reassurance ! It makes me feel so much better to hear that. I don't really have constpation or diarrhia. It's mostly the feeling that not everything came out and sometimes I go 5-6 times to the bathroom but not diarrhia. When this whole thing startet it was more like soft stool and everyday 5-7 times even though I didn't eat much. I had it acutally worse but still I need reassurance since I have so much anxiety over that. I am probably reasured until I read something scarry again. I try not to surf the web over that but sometimes you hear or read something in a magazine and of course I am scared again. Thanks again !!!!

[JENMAR105]

It sounds like IBS to me. My doc diagnosed me with it too and did zero tests, which kinda scares me. I have panic attacks and every time my anxiety flares up so does the IBS. I feel sick when I eat and sick when I don't. I get diarrhea and mucus in my stools. They say its IBS and decreasing anxiety is one way to get rid of it, we'll see I guess. good luck to u and try not to stress out although I know its hard, Jen