How to get diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.???

Hi josey,
All of us were diagnosed through exclusion. Doctors will do all sorts of tests (for IBD, parasites, gallbladder, cancer, etc.) and then when they all show nothing they say "you have IBS." Here is what I have had done (most others have had many of these tests too): blood work, stool tests, abdominal ultrasound, bone density test, upper GI (barium swallow), EGD (upper endoscopy) & colonoscopy.
You're right about the test your doc wants you to do, SBFT - You will have to drink barium and have several x-rays so the docs can see how it passes through your digestive system. It's a way to catch any abnormality. If they are inconclusive, or doc sees any irregularies, you will be asked to have a colonoscopy.
Sorry you're having a difficult time with meds... But it's good to see you are looking further into your problems. I hope your docs can get to the bottom of it soon.

By the way, what are your symptoms?
Take care.

PS - I'm sure others will be along shortly to share their stories as well.

thanks 7lil,
my specialist is a very good one, but its been me putting off getting afinal diagnosis.
i also have endometriosis, and gallstones, after i get my gallbladder remouved, then im going to go back to him, and do the SBFT, he said hes pretty sure that IBS is what i have. He tryed me on a few differnet meds, and most of them worked. I didnt have to go to the bathroom suddenly, or have the horrable cramps i had before, unfortunately that particularmedication cause lactation, which was obviously unacceptable for me, especially sincei was 18 at the time. So after that one, and about 6 other ones that had equilly badreactionsi decided to give it a break. But hopefully after i have this gallbladder surgery, andstart these endo hormones, ill be able to consentrate on that.
My symptoms are especioally after eating having horrable cramps in my stomich fallowed quickly by having to use the bathroom, and different kinds of stool'ssome painful,some not.
I think that is all the symptomsi have, but again, i do have alot of oter stomich problems, sosometimes its hard to tell the difference.

thanks forall the info

Wait, you have gall stones? Why on earth does he think you have IBS? Gall bladder problems will interefere with your bowels. I technically don't have IBS myself; I have post-gall bladder surgery problems. Once the gall bladder goes bad, there's not much help for it, but your body does seem to respond better to diet changes than people with IBS and there is medicine out there for people with excess bile that causes diarrhea. IBS is really bowel problems without any known cause; if you have a bad gall bladder, then you have a known cause for your bowel problems; that's why it's not technically IBS, even if we all do have the same symptoms. From what you have said about your symptoms you sound everything in the world like a person with a bad gall bladder. When they take that out, you should stop having the cramping, but urgency and diarrhea may remain. But they have medicine out now for that. That really makes us the lucky ones because there isn't much out there--nothing, really--to help people who have diarrhea from IBS.

Also, endometreosis will spread to your intestines and cause a lot of problems in its own right. There are a number of ladies on here who have gotten hysterectomies, but whose adhesions and endo got so bad beforehand it was all over their intestines as well and they still have problems, even after the hysterectomy. It seems to me that the longer you wait to get your uterus out, the more time it has to ruin your intestines, but that's something you'd definitely need to talk to your gyno about, especially if you want to try to have children or are young (they hate to take it out of young people). But you mentioned hormones, which perhaps will keep that at bay and keep you from getting your guts messed up on that account.

hi all, im the new guy, i was wondering if one has IBS do the attacks come every day, sometimes all day, or is it just when you eat a meal, or can it be on and off all day long, and also is the pain severe, from what i read sounds like alot of people are on the edge, i can surely understand why.

Canyonbabe thanks for getting back, seems that you just have to take it day by day, will I hope all your days are good ones, feel better...MJA

Josey,   Hi let me give you my history...  I was dx with endo stage 1 when I was 25 yrs old..  I did all the hormones and had 4 laproscopies to try to get rid of it...  Then pain was terrible.  I had to have a hysterectomy at age 35..   THinking that would solve my pain..  Well I am 42 and it did not...  I have pain everyday..  I also go to a gastro and had all the tests..  They say IBS...  So my next step is Cleveland CLinic..  TO have a team of doctors try to figure out my pain...  Do you have pain everyday??   Do you have rectal pain???  Try to do everything not to have a hysterectomy it really does not solve your problems..  Sometimes the endo is so microscopic they cannot see it..  Mine is on my bowel...  I have been really bad for about 10 years..  I hope and pray you never get this bad..  I am glad to hear you have good doctors..  Make sure you go to a endocrinologist that speciallizies in endo...  They are the best..  Also Try to go to a teaching hosptial they are up on all the latest stuff...  Feel free to email me if you want..  Take Care..