Do I have IBS, do I really have to see a GI specialist to figure this out? Here are my symptoms!
#56290 - 03/30/04 11:35 PM
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Hi everyone. As you see by my username I have been through 4 years of hell. Upper GI, Lower GI, Gastroscopy, Barium-Enima, Ultrasounds tests have been performed but concluded I had nothing wrong with me. I just spent 5 HRS in the ER waiting room trying to figure out why I had such abdominal discomfort and the feeling of trapped gas in the intestines on my right side of stomach recently. The doctor said, you're 22 years old, nothing seems wrong, I'm not a specialist, here's a referral for a GI. (This would be my 3rd time through the ringer). This 4 years of inconclusive tests have cause my a lot of anxiety and general fear. So, I have been doing a lot of reading about what my problem might be, and so far, IBS relates the most. So I tried to make some diet changes, quit drinking and quit smoking on day 19 now of this trial.
Miraculously by increasing fiber and drinking a lot of water, and avoiding sugar, lactose, and red meat (which seems to move slowly in my intenstines), I've felt a lot better, until this recent attack this morning that made me go to the emergency room.
For the last 2 weeks I ate only salad, carrots, apples, bran muffins, bran cereal (100% Bran), and breaded chicken, with the occasional turkey breast sandwhich on multigrain bread (which sometimes gave me pain). So I felt like I refortified myself and was ready to re-introduce my favorite foods. We are Wednesday now, last friday I ate a burger at Burger King, everything seemed bearable, so I went for my usual Steak and Cheese Sub. (The Sub gave me a bit of trapped gas, but no pain, plus I felt okay the next day). So Sunday comes around, and I ate a Shish-Taouk (chiken, salad, garlic sauce, onions, rapped in pita bread), followed by 2 chocolate bars, AND BAM! All the symptoms came back. I had burning feelin in stomach, kept burping up garlic gas, and my intentines felt swollen. But the next day was bearable, until I got into a huge family crisis, then the symptoms flared up again, which leads us to tuesday (where I went to the ER) cause I woke up with sharp pains to lower abdomen right under naval, and the bloated swollen feelings. So I freaked out. (Not thiking I might have IBS).
So guys, here I am, 3 AM on an empty stomach, was afraid to eat all day (had 3 apples, 3 bran muffins, and a bit of beef boringnon stew), wondering if I have IBS because no MD can conclude this for me until 2 months from now when I have my appointment.
To describe my stools, basically, they haven't been hard in a long time, they are soft and bulky and float to the top, and always the same color, light brown, and sometimes diarrhea like. One day a few months ago, I had diarrhea all day for no reason.
My question to you all is, Does it sound like I have IBS? IF so, what can I eat for breakfast that is considered safe? Oatmeal is good I find, but recently it gives me problems, (unless its organic), bran muffins and apples are getting old, what should I eat to start the day? I need somthing with substance here?
Please someone reply, this is a desperate cry for help!
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Work Hard, Study Hard, Relax Harder
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Hello and welcome to the boards.
First off, let me just say I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling so bad and I hope that soon you'll be feeling in tip-top shape! 
So, now, on to some suggestions. First off, it seems to me that there are a lot of things that you're eating that are GI triggers, and if you do have IBS, then they could certainly be contributing to how bad you're feeling. Bran muffins (for example) are notorious for upsetting the stomachs of IBSers, both because they're high in insoluble fiber and because they are often high in fat. It sounds like you use them as a staple, and this may be contributing to how bad you're feeling. Here's a page to read on insoluble fiber: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber2.asp
You mentioned as well that you're eating a lot of salads and bran cereal, these are also IBS triggers.
There's a ton of great information on this site and how to incorporate insoluble fiber (see the link above) with a soluble fiber base. For example, if you're going to eat a salad, you might find it easier if you have a soluble fiber meal first. Here's a link to a page of soluble fiber: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber1.asp
Finally, you mentioned that once you re-fortified yourself, you re-introduced some of your favorite foods, and a lot of them sounded like major GI irritants as well. Anything that's high in fat (burgers, steak and cheese) and dairy (chocolate bars) are really hard on the tummy. If you read through the info on Heather's site you'll see that the recommendations for things to eliminate include red meat, dairy (even chocolate  ), items that are high in fat, caffeine and carbonated beverages. I noticed you said you've given up smoking and drinking which should really help, but you may also want to try following Heather's diet and see what a change that might make.
You also mentioned your increasing your fiber, which is great to help IBS, but rather than eating so much bran and what not, you may want to try a soluble fiber supplement like Citrucel, Benefiber, or Heather's Acacia, which allows you to add fiber but is much easier on the tummy.
Finally, with regards to whether or not you have IBS, I'm not a doctor but it certainly sounds like that could be a possiblity. That being said, if you have pain that is so bad it lands you in the emergency room, I would definately keep you GI appointment and get everything checked out to be sure. Have you ever had a colonoscopy? I don't believe you mentioned that.
Well, I hope I've made some suggestions that you'll find helpful and take care of yourself. Keep up posted as to how you're doing!
Kelly
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I,m so sorry you are haveing so much trouble.do hope you are feeling a little better.I have been there an done it all with no luck from my doctors ,one says i have IBS an the other says i have spastic colon which is the same.so who do you believe.Gerry 10  but yes you need to go to a GI specialist.
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Neta G.Yale
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Kelly (Vicam) made some really good points. You HAVE to have a colonoscopy before you can be diagnosed with IBS - have you had one? I've had a trip to the ER with IBS before - sounds like similar symptoms, though I'm IBS-A.
Please read all Heather's notes on soluble and insoluble fibre. Your diet would KILL me.
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Kelly
#56312 - 03/31/04 05:21 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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This is an amazingly well put-together post! You're the best!
*j
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No, I have not had the colonoscopy done. Imagine that 3 GI specialists and none did that test. I do have a history of Crohns disease in my family.
I just feel so dissapointed and don't trust that any doctors here in Montreal, Canada are capable or qualified to detect my problem so I can assess a solution.
I mean, every time I see the doctor, and come home inconclusive results, I literally feel like putting a bullet through my head.
So I don't know if frequent visits and tests are the answer anymore?
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Work Hard, Study Hard, Relax Harder
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I was in a GI specialit's office on friday, he asked me about my parents being divorced, asked me what I do for work, asked me if I was in school, and asked if I had a girlfriend. I told him, yes I am University Major, Yes I run my own business, and No I don't have a girlfriend. He proceeded to ask me if I was gay (answer is no), then told me nothing was wrong and sent me home.
So, is GI the answer really? What's the harm in changing my diet? Please help me change my diet! Its a lot less mentally damaging then getting insulted by a GI if it fails.
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Work Hard, Study Hard, Relax Harder
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Yes Kelly, thank you for your reply, it was encouraging.
If I have IBS I don't think its severe if I can get away with eating the insoluble fibers as you say, and as I've read by your request. But I mean to eat what I said I was eating could be easier on me because I used to eat horribly.
Were talking here like bacon cheeseburgers, fastfood, fries with cheese and gravy, pizza, No vegetables, and rarely fruits.
My intention is to follow an IBS diet to see if it helps me not have an attack which seems to happen once a week.
So I need to know what to have for breakfast? What do you eat in the morning?
And what do you snack on?
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Work Hard, Study Hard, Relax Harder
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Thanks! I tend to be very organized in my thoughts, but recently school has been suffering because of my general sense of discomfort. So please help me not let my mind go to waste here.
What do you like as IBS safe snacks?
What do you eat for breakfast?
What do you eat on an empty stomach?
Thanks!
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Work Hard, Study Hard, Relax Harder
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Re: Kelly
#56343 - 03/31/04 07:51 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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Kelly, we don't mind questions at all!
I'm actually going to link you instead of repeat stuff that's been written already for some of your questions.
Quote:
What do you like as IBS safe snacks?
If you do a search (for future reference that link is at the top of each forum) for "snacks" you should be able to find tons of options. I'm not a good one to ask because I don't eat gluten. I usually snack on Crispex, rice crackers, Silk soy yogurt, applesauce, a banana, some guacamole with baked corn chips. Not that you can't eat those, but there's so much more you can have! Definitely try a search. Someone was recently compiling a list of safe and portable (low-prep) snacks... I'm sure it will be posted soon. This comes up a lot! Just make sure your snack is soluble fiber-based. (I am a recovering Rice Krispie Treat addict... had to stop 'cause I was uncontrollable around them! But they're a great safe snack if you have self-control.)
Quote:
What do you eat for breakfast?
I have a fruit smoothie with a banana base and misc. other fruits. I toss in my acacia and a soy protein supplement (for energy). Sometimes if I'm still hungry, mid-morning I will have 2 gluten-free waffles (but be careful with waffles and the like! many -most?- have dairy in them!). There are cereals that are soluble fiber: my beloved Crispex, for one, and others. Do a search for breakfast foods, too. I'm sure you'll get tons of "hits."
Quote:
What do you eat on an empty stomach?
Anything I want that's soluble fiber or otherwise "safe." If I'm at all questionable about the safeness of it, I make sure I take my Equalactin, first. It's a soluble fiber in a cool tablet form.
Make sure you've familiarized yourself with Heather's info on soluble fiber. Once you understand the concept it's easier to plan your meals, especially since Heather has listed tons of safe foods on this list! Build your meal/snack from those and you can't lose!
Last bit of advice for now: check out the IBS recipe links that Heather has provided. There's a link there to the Recipe Boards where you can get tons of great meal and snack ideas.
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