Can someone tell me if this sounds like I have IBS?
I have no constipation and usually go once or twice a day. My stools are flat and usually are in small pieces. I had a colonoscopy which came up negative.
But every time I eat I get bloated that last for about three or four hours. Doesn’t seem to matter what I eat. It’s the amount that causes the problems. Only time I feel good is in the morning when I have an eaten for eight or nine hours.My Gastroendocrinologist has prescribed Linzess which I’m supposed to start taking this weekend but I am skeptical that I actually have IBS.
Started about four months ago. I’ve had two or three times I’ve had about five days where I felt pretty good but then it’s reverted. Also I’m 63 years old, it’s an IBS supposed to be very rare if it starts when you’re older?
Hi
and welcome to our community! I'm sorry that you've been dealing with these symptoms. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to get bloated after every meal for no apparent reason.
While we can't diagnose you or confirm whether you have IBS or not, I just wanted to share some of the things that help me personally:
- eating slowly
- eating smaller quantities but more often
- not sitting for too long
Have you tried keeping a food diary to see if something you eat could be causing the symptoms? We have a free one here: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/food-journal-download
This happened to me twice, once with gluten and then with oatmeal, that foods more or less suddenly became triggers for me.
You could also try the Low FODMAP diet (https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/ibs-diet) to see if it helps at all. And you might also talk to your doctor about getting tested for SIBO: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/getting-tested-for-sibo
I hope this helps a little bit and that other community members will chime in to share their tips and experiences with you.
Wishing you quick relief,
Karina (team member)According to your website, absent of abdominal pain and cramps excludes having IBS. Since I don’t have any abdominal pain I guess I don’t have IBS so I don’t think there’s any point in doing any FODMAP
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I’m gonna try the low FOD map diet and see how that works. I do have a question though. I hear people talk about flareups. Does that mean they’re bloating comes and goes? For me I’m always bloated, it’s just uncomfortable after I eat. When I wake up in the morning and have an eaten all night I feel OK, but you can still see that my stomach looks bloated. Is that typical?Community members often talk about flare-ups when their symptoms suddenly get more severe. For me, for example, a flare is when I get diarrhea or maybe very severe and painful bloating, but I wouldn't refer to "regular", slightly uncomfortable bloating as a flare. It's not a scientific explanation by any means, but that's how many of us use the term.
Constant bloating can be typical for some people with IBS (I've had that in the past). But that doesn't mean that you have to accept it and can do nothing about it! Like I mentioned in my previous messages, you could try diet changes, the tips mentioned in the articles and maybe get tested for SIBO, as that can cause bloating as well but can be treated.
Also, I was wondering, did you start taking any new medication or supplements before the symptoms started? I'm just asking because I have had this type of reaction to iron supplements.
Please keep us updated if you like!
All the best, Karina (team member)
