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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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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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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food!
#56358 - 03/31/04 08:19 AM
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Dalia
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 79
Loc: London / Tel Aviv / New York
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hey there
sounds to me like you stomach problems could be well down to that terrible (no offence !) diet you were on!! But def go for a colonoscopy....as for the crap that some gi's come out with...well we all know how it feels! Whatever your oroblem turns out to be, ibs or not, going on a healthy diet is ONLY going to help you. I hope it becomes a lifestyle for the rest of your life!
I am an ibs person who CAN tolerate insoluble fibre, and need it, to an extent! But it is right that unless you baked the muffin yourself, it probably is high in fat and dairy which are no nos for ibs.
Breakfast - oatmeal (unsweetened), made with water, you can make it with soy milk!
Toast (wholewheat frash bakery bread, not packaged full of preservatives supermarket bread) with tehina spread, 100% fruit jam (the brand is french...St Dalfour), almond butter, natural peanut butter.
Egg white omelette with lots of vegies.
Snacks - baked plain chips, brown rice cakes, bananas, apples.
Oh, try not to eat too much fruit...no more then three pieces a day and make them three different fruits! Its can make you gasy!
More snacks - carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber sticks...
base all meals around something filling, like rice, pasta, bread etc
Good luck! Stay away from burger king...yikes!!
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Feel the fear, and do it anyway
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Re: food!
#56376 - 03/31/04 08:34 AM
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JuLee
Reged: 03/23/04
Posts: 144
Loc: Flushing Queens NYC
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sorry to hear man....
this is my second week doing this diet and i am still on the basics.
but for breakfast i will have a bagel or an english muffin (with a few spritzes of i can't believe its nott butter spray....give you the taste but not the tummy aches...or i make a fat free turkey sandwhich on the english muffin if i am really hungry.
i spend my day snacking on kix or sourdough pretzel nuggets, in the afternoons i'll try and get a banana i feel like they give me a boost
and because my job is so f-ing stressful and high demand i try to just breathe and relax....it is hard but sometimes you just have to take a breather because work can kill ya! and you can't work if your dead.....but anyway...stress contributes is what i'm saying there 
so clean up your diet, try to exercise, drink water like its nobody's business, and try to relax a little...you'll feel a change fairly quickly
good luck
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I haven't looked at the board for a while so came into the middle of this. I always make my first food of the day oatmeal. The other food that I find very tolerable on an empty stomach is toasted sourdough bread. In fact I have made these two items a staple of my diet and it really helps. I can eat (in moderation) some of my favorite foods again that I had not been able to eat for a while - as long as I start my meal with sourdough bread. I haven't really found any IBS-safe snacks that I like yet. Cutting out pop and chocolate has helped me a lot. Good luck.
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Heather
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Hello,
Well, I'm pretty new to the diet so I'm still in the trial-and-error phase, seeing what works and what doesn't. In the morning I generally have a piece of bread with a little honey or jam, or half a bagel with the same toppings. First thing when I get up a have a cup of Fennel tea with Heather's Acacia in it, and that acts as a "buffer" for me for the morning.
I rely a lot on Tuna and other fish (don't know if you like fish) because I find it really easy on the stomach, as long as it's not battered, fried etc. I'll often have a tuna sandwich for lunch (no butter or anything on the bread, low-fat mayo) and for dinner I've been relying heavily on white rice, plain pasta or fish (again), like salmon or halibut, and I make it on a grill so it doesn't need butter and oil to cook.
There's also a lot of great recipes on the Recipe board, I love the recipes for breads (some of them are there, some in Heather's book) and I find they make a great snack!
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Kelly
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Ditto!
#56512 - 03/31/04 12:38 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Yeah, I was very impressed. GREAT job!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I bought myself some french baguette bread today, felt very soothing!!
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Oatmeal I used to eat every morning, found really helped me, but recently I find it gives me heartburn, and acid reflux. That's if I eat the Quaker Microwavable brand. I tried Organic brand, seemed okay. The thing I'm wondering is, If I eat Crispex cereal, and IBS are supposed to stay away from dairy, how do you eat the cereal? RAW?
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Why not raw? I've always eaten it that way. Or you could try it with some soymilk or rice milk.
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I just wanted to say Jen that you are an angel sent from heaven to help me, and others like me. You've given me more hope than anyone has over the last 4 years. I say this because I am amazed on how well you put together your reply, and how much care you put into answering my individual questions. I felt good today cause I stayed away from the foods that mess me up.
I just wanted to know what you use to eat your Crispex cereal, that sounds like a winner. MILK? I can't imagine milk, isn't it bad for us? How do you make chocolate all day, and not eat it? That shows a very strong character!
Well, thank you soo much for being so caring! You have no idea what it means to me this support group board thingy! Like I'm not the only one that's been going through this, and it seems there's finally some answers around here! I felt a little down because for a long time I felt nobody can help, and there were no answers!
Jen! You are an amazing person!!
Chris
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Cereal without milk?
that's equivalent to living without air
is that how bad this diet stuff is for real?
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I had a hard boiled egg this morning, and it gave me burning sensation a bit, but pretty minor. I had sunny side up eggs on weekend, and had no problem at all. So is it the way the egg was cooked? And what's with the Egg white?
Chris
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Yolks are all fat, and the worst kind of fat -- ANIMAL fat. It's a big trigger.
BTW, you can have your cereal with soy milk. Hubby and I have become big fans of soy milk, as have most of us here on the boards.
Congrats on all the questions -- you'll get better real fast that way!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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What's soo stressful about sports sales! that would be my dream job I think! What do you do exactly? My job is really stressfull too. But you're right exercise is key! Do you beleive in any of that Yoga Stuff. Maybe i'll start with some of that until it gets nice outside, we still have snow here.
Depressing, I know.
CIAO
Chris
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This seems like a very foreign concept to me! Does milk without lactose work, or low fat milk? Or is it better to try the soy milk? Can't imagine it being that nasty with cereal I guess, the cereal masks the abnormal taste right?
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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and there are lots of soy and rice (or oat or almond) milks that taste great. Experiment with different brands and find one you like.
I think it will really, really help you to review the overall IBS diet info - look to the left of your page for the main nav link to "IBS Diet and Recipes" and read through that whole section. That will answer a lot of your questions asap.
And welcome!
- Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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