did you have IBS before UC?

For some reason, today I was wondering how many of us got diagnosed with IBS prior to getting diagnosed with UC? I had IBS for years, supposedly, before getting UC..... Now I wonder if really I had UC all along.....

by the way, if you haven't tried rectal meds yet, I highly recommended them. I went from talk of remicade to eating M&Ms for breakfast. they have completely changed my life and given me remission. Here's hoping I don't jinx myself by saying that.... but, I didn't take them seriously because I figured they couldn't help pancolitis, so I wanted to reiterate how great they are for any of you who haven't tried them....

anyway, back to my original question - did you have IBS before UC? If so, how long between the diagnosis of IBS and UC?

No, I didn't.

I was first diagnosed with IBS -- 2 years before I was diagnosed with UC.  My view on it is that it was a misdiagnosis. 

I was seeing a terrible GI who just kept telling me I was stressed out because I was in law school and then because I was studying for the bar exam.  He did one colonoscopy during this time but didn't take any biopsies.  During those two years, my symptoms progressively got worse and worse.  When the bleeding started, I decided to go to a GI (my current GI) at the Cleveland Clinic.  He diagnosed me with UC in two weeks. 

Once we got my UC under control, I have never experienced any IBS issues.  So, I maintain only a UC diagnosis today.  I think the first GI just generalized my symptoms and tossed out an IBS diagnosis.

My mom has IBS (dx'd by c-scope and the usual rule-outs when I was a child) and I'm sure I had touches of it before my IBD dx. However, I haven't been dx'd with IBS before or since. I do though notice some symptoms that I claim are IBS... Wishful thinking? Could be :)

I know that "junk" food isn't a wonderful idea - however, I'll have my M&Ms too. What good is eating if you can't have an indulgence now and then? With my issues, fruit and veges can be an indulgence. Balance and moderation are key :)

Growing up I have always had problems with constipation....always....
i have always eaten lots of fibre, drank lots of water and ate lots of fruits and veggies, but still got UC.
i think it's due to the fact that i have always had problems with constipation and stress plays a major role too, in my opinion.
i still eat enough fibre, but not too much as most of my colon is gone, but i do have a very healthy appetite and i eat everything, as i have eaten before, in moderation (small bits of everything) so i do enjoy a burger or fried chicken so now and then, i just don't make a habit of it.

I was never diagnosed with IBS, but I know I would have it on occasion. As I aged, it came more frequently. Then in the 5 years prior to the UC, I would have a bout of IBS twice a year after extremely stressful situations, (cub scout day camp & Christmas) The episodes would last about 1 month, then it became 2 months in duration.

Then finally one year after Christmas, I thought I had IBS again, but it never went away. My dh finally convinced me to see the doctor. Sure enought I now had UC.

My dad had UC for years. His dad had some form of digestive disease, just don't remember what.

So you can't tell me it doesn't run in the family.

I was never diagnosed with IBS but I did have lose stools in the morning but it never affected my life really - now my doctor says I might because I told him what I eat seems to affect my stools but it is hard to tell as the signs are so similar.