IBS Question

[lofwyr]

Well, I have not been diagnosed with IBS, and the abdominal pain I have been having is very mild, and periodic. I cannot tie it to a specific food or dietary aspect, but my stomach often feels gurgly and I burp a bit, and have had pretty bad gas for the past couple of months.

That said, I cannot help but worry that it all means something more serious. Now for the TMI part. My stools have been fairly normal, in spite of all the discomfort and gas and burps, everything seems to be coming out fine, so to speak. Is it possible to have IBS and NOT have diarrhea? I am to the point where I want this to be IBS, just because then it is not something more serious...but I feel without diarrhea it is not IBS.

Anyway, sorry for the topic, kinda gross. Just trying to prevent a freakout before it escalates after my doctor visit today.

Thanks!

[Hunniedeww24]

Um IBS comes in many forms...most the time i have regular bowels but always extra burping or gas if i eat dairy..or tomatoes etc...take a gas x...if your not in dire pain your fine...actually i get horrendous pain with my IBS gas pains...but thats only when its really acting up, and once i go potty it subsides...thats wheni have the hard bowels, then the diareha after that...there is no set thing to IBS

[AndromedaWay]

I have pretty severe IBS, and from my understanding (backed up by various doctors) it is different for everyone; there's no "exclusive" type of criteria.

A friend of mine is diagnosed IBS and only has cramps after eating a couple of times a month, literally no other symptoms and she was diagnosed and put on peppermint capsules which help a lot in the milder forms.

I can't say you definitely do have IBS, but I can say not having bowel movement issues doesn't mean you don't have it. I do, for sure, and I don't suffer that badly with gas - it bothers people in different ways.

[marc]

My doctor told me that IBS can present itself differently in people.

[LindaRK]

I, too, have IBS.  It can present itself in many, many ways.  I go from having diarrhea to constipation ...... no rhyme nor reason, except that stress exacerbates it.  Try to get your stress under control and I think you will see that your IBS symptoms will vastly improve.

[ambitransitive]

It could be acid reflux/GERD as well. Like IBS, it is exacerbated by anxiety and stress. If you're concerned, talk to a doctor about your symptoms. They may be able to find something to give you some relief.

[lofwyr]

Thanks guys, feeling better the past couple of days.

[rr2005]

I have been diagnosed with IBS. Most of the time, my only symptom is lots of gas and some bloating, which always seems worse first thing in the morning.