Is this IBS? Panicking please!!!

[Jo3016]

Hi

Following on from a minor stomach bug a few weeks ago, I have had a big flare-up of unwanted IBS symptoms. I haven't had a bout for about a year now and I am so fed up: I have almost constant abdominal pain (low down, mid and upper at different times). It feels crampy and bloated. I have wind, gurgling stomach and a pressure type thing low down in my bowels which makes me think that I always need the loo (feeling of incomplete BM). I also have some indigestion pain round my ribs.

I don't have any really sinister symptoms: I average 3 BMs per day and always have and now that the bug has gone, they are mostly normal (although I have the heavy tummy feeling of constipation!). I have no bleeding either. I did panic earlier this week as I was having very dark, almost black stools until I remembered I have been taking 6 charcol capsules a day! I rarely get woken up with the pain at night either.

During past flare-ups I have had a colonoscopy, barium x-ray, abdo ultrasound, blood tests, urine tests and stool tests. All were fine.

I am sure that this is just IBS but I do worry as they are also some symptoms of cancer!! My doctor felt my tummy last week and said just to give it time.

I hate this!! I am going on holiday in just over a week and I feel rubbish for most of the day. My worst symptoms are the pain and rectal pressure. Does anyone else have similar symptoms or can recommend anything? Please!!!

[emmawalton]

Join the club its horrid isn't it.

[Jo3016]

Yes and the symptoms are worrying too. Do you have the pressure thing and abdo pain? That is what is cocerning me the most

[lelespears]

Yes I get both those. Also always feels like I need to pass wind but can't.. Gettin a colonoscopy soon hope to god it's all ok..

Lele x

[nuttymoo]

Hi Jo
Maybe your tummy bug wiped out a lot of your good bacteria so a probiotic supplement might help.
I was diagnosed with IBS in 2004 after a barium enema and blood test for coeliac disease. I've tried loads of things - colonics, gluten free diet, dairy free diet, precription drugs, peppermint capsules etc. It took a lot of trial and error but I've pretty much found what I can and can't eat although I do still have a few bad days.
I used to have the pain you describe and used to have to grab hold of something and do the breathing exercises I had been taught at my antenatal classes. Also used to feel I desperately needed the toilet yet when I got there I couldn't go.
I mainly control the IBS with a careful diet but when it gets bad, maybe before my period, then I take co-ton A 00 capsules. I got them from the colonic hydrotherapist and they say to be taken on the advice of a practitioner or pharmacist. If your GP or pharmacist says it's ok for you to take them you can get them online.
Hope you feel a bit better soon and you enjoy your holiday

[emmawalton]

yes i do and get rumbling tummy and wind and burp alot.

[Jo3016]

Horrible isn't it?

One of the many good things about this site is that we can look back and see previous posts. I wrote of exactly the same symptoms in May 2009 and November/December 2009 so I have had about 18 months free of IBS symptoms (plenty of other ones though!!). I just have to keep thinking that it did eventually go those times and it will this time too, hopefully!!!