Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hello, I am new to this website...I am fairly new to IBS! I have not had all of the tests that you mention we ought to have to illiminate other more serious illnesses, but my doctor has said she thinks I have IBS from me just explaining my symptoms.
I have read often that persons with IBS have these all of a sudden painful attacks that can drop you to your knees or send you running for the bathroom...and I dont ever experience this. However, I do have some of the other symptoms. I experience cramping and a dull, sometimes pretty strong, chronic pain, that sometimes will last a month or more...I experience soft stool, but infrequent movements. I have had mucus in my stools. Not diarrea and really not hard stools. I have alot of pain from gas in my system pretty often, and sometimes I belch and belch (my husband cant believe how much air I have in me!) There are a few food that I have identified that cause me grief, but sometimes I think that it isnt food related.
I want to address this issue, and plan to go through some of the testing required to diagnose properly. What does everyone do, just print out the list on this website and hand it to the doctor and say "here, I want to do all this" or, how do you all handle this? I have Kaiser insurance, and they are not always willing to do anything more than they have to.
Is there anyone that has IBS that has constant pain in their midsection...not the urgent pain episodes that I have heard of? Thanks so much....

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