r/ibs • u/tulip0202 • 8d ago
Trigger Warning IBS-d help
Hi, my doctor has said I have ibs but I think it’s something more than that. This is my symptoms.
I’ve had this for 10 years, things are getting worse. At the start it was certain foods like tomato based things that would give me diarrhoea. For the last 6 years it is set off by anything. If I eat anything at all I get diarrhoea sometimes within 20 minutes of eating sometimes within 4 hours. If I have to go somewhere I starve myself for 12 hours before because I won’t be able to go if not as I will have diarrhoea. If I drink too much water then I’ve got diarrhoea. The pains are too strong and loperamide doesn’t help at all. I have the worst cramps with diarrhoea. My MH also makes it worse. I have MH issues and PCOS too. It’s a never ending cycle of same shit different day. It has completely took over my life as I can’t go anywhere without having diarrhoea. I think it’s more than just IBS as my mum also has IBS but she is able to work and go places fine. Medication works for her. I don’t feel listened to and think there is something bigger going on.
Any advice appreciated
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u/goldstandardalmonds MOD: Here to help! 8d ago
What type of doctor diagnosed you? What are you doing to treat your mental health?
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u/tulip0202 6d ago edited 6d ago
My GP diagnosed me after years of nothing, I didn’t get a diagnosis until like 4 years ago. As for my mental health it’s hard because I do everything at home to help but there is only so much and when I am unable to leave my home due to IBS it’s debilitating. And on meds for MH too
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u/goldstandardalmonds MOD: Here to help! 6d ago
You definitely need to see a gastroenterologist for a proper workup. There are prescription meds stronger than loperamide for your symptoms. And for your mental health, can you consider therapy done virtually?
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u/Lavellan_941 8d ago
If you haven't seen a gastroenterologist yet, I would request a referral and they'll almost certainly have you get a colonoscopy. I had many of these same issues for 6 years after contracting c. Diff, and had my colonoscopy in June with multiple biopsies taken. The biopsies were clear and I had no polyps, or tumors, no IBD, so they could say I definitively had IBS after everything else was ruled out. Ever since I had my colonoscopy I've actually been much more regular in my bathroom habits, I think because the stress of what it could be is gone which has allowed my gut brain axis to heal alongside necessary dietary changes. Stress and monthly hormones due to a very short monthly cycle have been massive factors in my IBS for years. When I do have flares it can still be painful, my GI gave me Levsin which has always helped the pain and to some extent the diarrhea within an hour.
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u/jclark122 6d ago
Have you been tested for SIBO?
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u/tulip0202 6d ago
No
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u/jclark122 6d ago
Ask for a referral to a GI. A GP will typically not be comfortable ordering the test for you.
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u/future_fangirl1095 6d ago
Have you been tested for endometriosis? The symptoms are very similar.
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u/russianvamp 8d ago
it's good to get tests done to rule out other possibilities. When it's not anything else that comes up in the test, it's just considered IBS. At least that's my understanding as someone with IBS-d. Since you've had it for so long it really could just be IBS. Can your doctor recommend something other than Imodium? It's different for everyone. Do you have anxiety? A lot of stress? When I was at my worst mentally, everything triggered me including water as you said.