How do you know if you are IBS?

[maryp]

I have been kind of having some problems lately. With either real bad bloating or constipation? I don't know what it is. And maybe it is just because I am anxious and it messes my stomach up. I don't know if I am IBS or not. Can some of you with IBS tell me if this sounds like IBS to you or not. I don't really get D* but sometimes it feels like I might. It just seems like it really acts up when my emet acts up. I used to be so regular but at times, it is so aggravating. Please comment if you know something of this. Maybe if some of you can give some of IBS symptoms, maybe I will know if I have it or not.

[swiftette]

Start a food journal and make sure to write down any stomach problems you're experiencing every day-it sounds like a lactose or food intolerance.

[sillygirl]

First of all, if you think there might be a serious problem you should see a doctor. I do think your symptoms sound a lot like IBS. If you do a search on the internet, there is some really good information around that might help you figure it out.


I do have IBS, and I do not get a lot of d* either. I get a lot of gas and bloating and it feels like I'm going to have d*, but don't always. Usually, I will eventually have to go, but it always feels like I'm not done. Sometimes I am just plain constipated with it.


I do think there is a link between IBS and emet (or rather stress in general). I find that it gets worse when I am stressed or having emet issues, but I think it is more of a chain reaction. I have found that dairy aggrevates my IBS although I am not actually lactose intolerant. Sometimes I can have all the dairy I want with no problem, while other times a piece of cheese on a sandwich will send me to the bathroom for hours.


I think what happens with me is that when I stress (especially over emet) I don't eat. By not eating, my digestive system get disrupted and upset. WHen it's upset, I don't want to eat which just perpetuates the problem. This morning, for example, my intestines were all gurgly and gassy and crampy - my typical IBS problems. I also felt hungry, but I didn't want to eat. However, I forced myself to eat just a plain bagel and after a little while, the IBS stopped. It's like I had nothing to digest so my intestines were trying to do their job but there was nothing there. If I eat every 2 or 3 hours - just something small, I seem to have a lot less problems.


Swiftette is right about keeping a food journal. Not only can it identify certain foods you have a problem with, you may also notice that there is a connection with when you eat and how long in between meals.


I could keep going on and on, but I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for. Let me know if you want to talk more about it.

[katherinee]

i have this due to my anxiety from my phobia and probiotics really helped i mean REALLY. try biocare or udos super 8 3 times a day for a couple of months then just once a day to keep it up. could u have candida? koz if u do u want to get rid of it NOW i had 2 years of it real bad before i finally met a nutritionist who got rid of it but i started off feelin bad like u describe and stress makes it worse.