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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 2/15/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Im new to this whole, IBS business. I was only diagnosed a week ago. i went to the doctor with pains in my back, right rib, and upper abdomen.. I was certain i was dying. My doctor, after several tests, etc explained to me that it was probably gas. I can live with that conclusion because 1) it comes and goes depending on what i eat and 2) its not actually my BACK that hurts, its my rib, but it feels like its my back. Its an ache, and at times it is very sharp..all of this of course, depending on what I eat. As dumb as it may sound, that lack of my favorite foods makes me soo sad, its true.  I am a HUGE lover of food, im a  22 year old and a mom to a toddler. I eat what he eats, which isnt always the best option. I feel like my "eating life" is over and i feel very depressed about it. Im keeping a food and pain journal, and the only thing that doesnt cause me pain SO FAR is rice, and unseasoned chicken. This is mostly just me venting, but also im curious if anyone else has pains like mine. Im also asking for ANY help in the relief of the pains. I cant figure out what my safe zones are until i try the foods, but if it turns out its not a safe zone, im down for the count for days.

 

Thanks for listening!

Posted 2/17/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Prettypenguin

Read all of this site.

http://www.aboutibs.org/

In IBS the act of eating itself can bring on pain regardless of the foods. Although some foods are triggers to the underlying disorder.

But foods don't cause IBS.
Posted 2/23/2011 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
I strongly encourage patients with recurrent Recurrent cystitisor persistent symptoms of abdominal pain to see the doctor. Only by doing the appropriate tests can a cause be determined and specific therapy begun. The negative ultrasound and Cat scan represent important pieces of information. Additional tests including endoscopy may be needed if pain persists

spinal stenosis
Posted 2/25/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Shawn the lump in the throat could be Globus pharyngis.

something to read

http://www.bhj.org/html/globus_135.htm

This is not really related to IBS. It maybe its another functional disorder. It could be upset by gerd and dyspepsia perhaps.

For some stress is a factor.

also

http://www.nexiumresearch.com/globus_pharyngis.html
Posted 2/25/2011 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
also thanks for the comment. I am looking into a few things here for you.
Posted 2/27/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Urbanshawn, if there are things you need to discuss privately no problem. But info can help everyone.

What are you looking for specifically?

I was looking for more pain info, here's some

Pain in IBS

http://aboutibs.org/site/about-ibs/symptoms/pain
Posted 2/28/2011 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi PrettyPenguin,

I am also 22 yrs old and relatively new to ibs symptoms. I was diagnosed last year. From what i have read on many forums, many say that drs diagnosed ppl with ibs when they dont know what could be going on :( Its hard to know what exactly is our diagnosis because there is no simple exam to test for ibs. And to make matter worse, many of stomach disorders have similar symtoms.

For example, i have acid reflux, slight lactose intolerance, and possible ibs. Dairy is bad for all 3, so its hard to know whether i have lactose intolerance or not.

Its gets really frustrating! all of us have simalar but sometimes different symptoms. I also get a lot of stomach pains and a lot of rumbling right after i ate, especially in the morning. Do you ever feel that?

Yea i also get the stabbing sharp pain that doesnt last long (thank god!) Like someone mentioned before, its not necessairly always certain foods that trigger it because sometimes i can get pain from just eating dry cereal.

As time goes by, you will see what foods you really have to stay away from. I suggest you do some research on ibs, thats how i learned a lot.

Its not dumb to feel that way towards food, i am struggling with sadness and bitterness that comes from not only the pain, but also because of how many delicious foods ive had to eliminate from my diet :( i have struggled with acid reflux for many years and it hurts because i am young, i shouldnt have to worry about health issues.

If you want help or information, feel free to email me :)

 

Posted 3/1/2011 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
+IWillBe

I just want to add, because it can get confusing IBS is a large colon problem, not an actual stomach problem. Although for some it can effect the upper gi tract. There are also functional upper gi tract disorders.

Acid reflux is an upper gi disorder. They use to think Lactose was IBS, but now they don't. Its an intolerance and for some even rarer they can have a allergy.

Which is why they diagnose IBS on a 'specific cluster of symptoms', minus red flags symptoms.. They have to rule out organic diseases and conditions. Now they do knowa lot more about whats going on in IBS, but not exactly the cause/causes. Its also one of the most common conditions.



Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is a chronic condition of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach and intestines. IBS is the most common of these disorders. It is sometimes called spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon, but these are outdated terms. Modern research understands IBS as a disorder of increased reactivity of the bowel, visceral hypersensitivity and dysfunction of the brain-gut axis. There are subgroups being defined as well, including post-infectious IBS. about 2/3 of people with IBS are female and 1/3 are male. IBS affects people of all ethnicities and ages, even children, with prevalence ranging from 9%-23% worldwide. IBS can be mild, moderate or severe.

Certain signs and symptoms occur with IBS. Symptom-based criteria for IBS emphasize a positive diagnosis rather than extensive tests to rule out all other diseases. No tests confirm the diagnosis of IBS. A detailed history, physical examination, and limited diagnostic tests help confirm the IBS diagnosis. More extensive testing is reserved for specific situations. A number of symptoms that occur together characterize irritable bowel syndrome.


The symptoms can occur over a long term and come and go over time. Some or all of IBS symptoms can occur at the same time. Some symptoms may be worse than others. Abdominal pain is often described as crampy, or as a generalized ache with periods of cramps. Sharp, dull, gas-like, or modest pains are common. The IBS discomfort or pain usually feels better after a bowel movement. Other symptoms which can and do vary from person to person may accompany IBS.

IBS is not easily characterized by structural abnormalities, infection, or metabolic disturbances, the underlying mechanisms of IBS have for many years remained unclear. At this time, the exact cause/causes of IBS are unknown and there are no consistent biomarkers. Recent research, however, has led to an increased understanding of IBS.

There is no cure. Treatment interventions focus on management of the symptoms, usually the predominant ones. Options may include, among others, dietary changes, medications, and psychological therapies. A good doctor-patient relationship has been shown to be often helpful as well. It is, however, important to consider the overall management strategy in IBS. This is necessary because people with IBS exhibit a wide spectrum of symptoms of varying frequencies and degrees of severity. There is no one ideal treatment for IBS.


+IWillBe, what treatments do you use or do?

Its pretty common for newly diagnosed IBS patients to have issues like,

"i am struggling with sadness and bitterness that comes from not only the pain, but also because of how many delicious foods ive had to eliminate from my diet :( i have struggled with acid reflux for many years and it hurts because i am young, i shouldnt have to worry about health issues."


I might be able to help with all that for you as well.
Posted 3/1/2011 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
FYI

"Video Corner: Causes and TreatmentsA functional GI disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has very specific symptoms. Over the past 5–10 years we’ve developed an understanding that many different components contribute to these symptoms. Brain-gut interactions, changes in serotonin signaling, motility, inflammation, gut sensitivity, genetic predispositions, and bacterial flora all can contribute to varying degrees in an individual having this condition. Not only will this help with developing more effective treatments, but better understanding of the factors that underlie symptoms in each individual will enable more reliable treatments that will work earlier on rather than trying hit or miss one after another.

Functional GI disorders, such as IBS, present challenges to both the patient and the doctor or other healthcare provider. For the patient, education about their disorder is important to improving management of their condition. For the doctor, understanding the many facets involved with the condition and addressing those that are most evident in each individual is important.

Patients and many physicians alike will benefit from the recent and continuing advances, which not only further our understanding but also confirm the validity of the functional GI disorders"


http://www.aboutibs.org/site/learning-center/video-corner/causes
Posted 3/1/2011 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Abdominal Pain

http://www.medicinenet.com/abdominal_pain/article.htm
Posted 3/2/2011 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry for what your going through. I can completely relate to being depressed over missing your favorite foods.


I've been struggling with IBS for over 20 years but was only diagnosed about 2 years ago. The MAIN pain I get is a feeling of sharded glass in my lower abs, with a poisoned feeling throughout my gut which extends into my entire body. The lower left side gets most of the pain but it can radiate right sometimes. Recently I'm experiencing pain throughout my entire abs (From ribs to pelvis) which feels like everything I've ate in the last year is stuck in their and poisoning me. I've tried elimination diets, journals, EVERYThING to identify stressors to my system but no luck. For the past year, I've been crippled with pain, every day, every moment and they still say "IBS" It's a hard diagnosis to swallow as there is no cure and nothing is working for my pain. Sorry to sound like a downer, I hope your experience is different and you find something to fix or at least "HELP" I'm new here and really hope to learn some tricks for less pain.
Posted 3/2/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Just something to now, but the depression/stress/anxiety can set off the same system that the foods cause to cause symptoms and others as well.


CrashN

what tests did they do on you.
Posted 3/3/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Shawn12, I'm certain Depression/Stress/Anxiety is an issue for me but it feels more like it's CAUSED from the illness. I feel like I'm stuck in a loop of illness-stress-over-illness which leads to more illness. I've been put on several different Anti-depressants which horrible side effects (I seem to be very sensitive to meds) I have both FMS and IBS (According to the doc)

I've had a Lower GI xray (many years ago) Recently I had a colonoscopy and an ultrasound.
Posted 3/4/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Crash

"Shawn12, I'm certain Depression/Stress/Anxiety is an issue for me but it feels more like it's CAUSED from the illness. I feel like I'm stuck in a loop of illness-stress-over-illness which leads to more illness."

This is the classic "IBS vicious cycle."

It actually doesn't matter what one comes first, they both feed off each other.

You should look into both CBT and HT perhaps if your sensitive to meds. I am too. Especially Anti-depressants.
Posted 3/4/2011 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I read this thread with interest as I have been experiencing bowel problems and also pain, and it is the pain that is concerning me me right now.

I am currently taking one sachet at night of movicol to help with constipation, and it seems to help me, but the twisted pain feeling either at the upper right shoulder blade, or between the shoulder blades themselves, last night I had no pain, but tonight I can feel it if I sit a certain way.

I am waiting for an endoscopy and colonoscopy, but I thought that it might be an idea to have an ultra sound as I feel it could be gallstone related.

I have had this problem since around xmas, but the symptoms are different and appear to alter day by day.

Anyone else suffer this pain around centre of back area downwards?
Posted 3/5/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
oceanz

Its pretty common for IBSers to have lower back pain. But, yours sounds higher up.

Its good your being checked out.

Have you had blood and stool work done?

Do you get pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen?
Posted 3/5/2011 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
shawn12,

I had a stool test for infection done early on for the symptoms, and it came back with negative, haven't noticed any blood, only red bits after eating stuff that's coloured red.

It's the pain I get at the shoulders that bothers me, it used to be the right shoulder blade, but today it's the left.

When I see the doc in just over a weeks time I will be telling him about this to see if some other tests can be done prior to the endoscopy/colonoscopy.

I have found that taking one sachet of movicol at night is enough to make me go in the morning without straining.

I don't get much pain in abdomen, sometimes the lower back, but mostly upper and often between the 2 shoulder blades.
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