Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.

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Silentlies25 07/12/2014

How do you know if you have IBS or some form if bowl issues?

I tend to spend about 3 days a week in the bathroom far longer than I should do to stomach issues. I get bad BM's and I have an upset stomach all the time. I haven't been to the doctor yet but feel like I need to get checked out. I'm curious if there is something I can so to avoid feeling like crap all the time. Was thinking of eliminating things from my diet slowly and seeing what helps with that and with keeping me a lot more healthy as my diet isn't great. It's not bad by any means but it could use improvement for sure.
I also want to do a cleanse to wan out my system but not sure if I should it which one to do. I need help if anyone knows a thing about that I would appreciate it for sure! Thanks!

deleted_user 07/12/2014

Hi,

I would definitely go to the Doctor. Make a list and write down all your symptoms and how and when it happens and how you feel and how many times you go to the bathroom and how often it happens and any other symptoms and questions and or concerns and take the list with you to the Doctor's office and read it off to him and or her. It could be many things but I would have it checked out for sure. I hope you will be okay. I would not do anything until you see a Doctor.

annettearizona 07/12/2014

You might want to check with your dr first-then your dr can suggest which direction you should go..be it using laxatives or adjusting your diet

22Lynn 07/12/2014

I am guessing that your primary doctor will refer you to a GI doctor. That's actually a good thing. I like my GI doctor a lot. She does a lot of things that are pro-active, like digestive enzymes and probiotics. I've had major stomach problems after a long and very big round of antibiotics for sepsis. I have nausea everyday until about 2-3 p.m.

I also wouldn't change your routine until you talk to your doctor. I especially wouldn't do a cleanse, no telling what that might start if you have inflammation.

The GI doctor will address your stomach issues too.

Good luck in your search for an answer.

deleted_user 07/12/2014

The only way to know if your problems or IBS or something else is to go to your doctor and he/she will determine if you need to see a GI doctor for testing to rule out other digestive system problems. IBS is only determined through a process of elimination.
Of course it wouldn't hurt to try an elimination diet to see if a food is causing you a problem. Drink lots of water too.

bosley 07/13/2014

Hi, hate to hear you are having such a rough time of it. I'm with everybody else. See your dr or just schedule an appt with a GI doc. My family doc treated me for IBS for almost 5 years until I got fed up and made my own appt with the specialist, turns out it's Crohn's disease. Please don't wait, even if it turns out to be nothing major, well then you just got relief sooner :) wishing you the best

2scicrazed 07/19/2014

I had to be scoped up-and-down - and then the Internist diagnosed IBS simply because he couldn't explain my range of problems any other way.

Years later it all turned out to be food allergies/sensitivities I'd developed as an adult. (As was my RA) Now as long as I avoid the 20+ foods that were positive in the allergy testing - I'm normal again. This is becoming more common according to my rheumatologist.

You can also diagnose new food sensitivities through an elimination diet. However it does take time, diary and a lot of willpower. I have to do that when a new allergy develops.

Good luck!

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