Do I have IBS?

You'd know about it if you did. I have it and I have diarrhea all the time, really bad bloating etc. It's a long term thing, you don't just have it for a day. I don't think sharp stomach pains is IBS, sounds like something else, like food poisoning.

Reply 2

OP

I really don't think it's food poisoning i've been like this for three days now and haven't eaten anything apart from food at home which I know will be well cooked.

Reply 3

I had food poisoning symptoms for nearly a week from eating at the uni canteen. That's what triggered the IBS.

Reply 4

puppy

IzzyWizzy

I had food poisoning symptoms for nearly a week from eating at the uni canteen. That's what triggered the IBS.

How does food poisoning trigger IBS? Isn't it largely psychological?

Reply 5

I wouldn't normally bother, no, unless you think your appendix has burst or something.

Reply 6

bunthulhu

14

It could just be a stomach bug of sorts?

Of course, if you think something's wrong with you then here comes the inevitable advice....See a doctor!!!! :p:

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

How does food poisoning trigger IBS? Isn't it largely psychological?

Because it can. The irritation caused by the food poisoning can trigger it. I'd been able to eat what I wanted before that, and then after the food poisoning I was never really normal again. The doctor said it's pretty common for it to start like that. It can also be triggered by stress but I don't think it's psychological. Mine gets worse when I'm stressed, but I can perfectly calm and happy and still suffer the symptoms.

Reply 8

Oops that was me, came out anonymous.

Reply 9

puppy

Anonymous

Because it can. The irritation caused by the food poisoning can trigger it. I'd been able to eat what I wanted before that, and then after the food poisoning I was never really normal again. The doctor said it's pretty common for it to start like that. It can also be triggered by stress but I don't think it's psychological. Mine gets worse when I'm stressed, but I can perfectly calm and happy and still suffer the symptoms.

Hmmm, I'm still pretty sure, from what I've read at least, that in a lot of cases it's a psychological thing- I think some SSRIs are liscenced for treating IBS. :confused:

Reply 10

OP

I have been pretty stressed at the moment due to work, coursework, exams and waiting for unis to respond I do get totally stressed out.

Reply 11

puppy

Hmmm, I'm still pretty sure, from what I've read at least, that in a lot of cases it's a psychological thing- I think some SSRIs are liscenced for treating IBS. :confused:

Don't worry, I found the link to SSRIs, something about serotonin affecting the gut.

Reply 12

No, that's just not true. It really annoys me when people act like things are 'all in your head'. Stress is a factor but not the only trigger. IBS is just food intolerence that hasn't been diagnosed as anything else. There are some things I just cannot eat/drink, like coffee and when I drink it I have to go to the bathroom immediately. What does that have to do with being psychological?

Reply 13

OP

Hmmm I have been drinking a lot of coffee also recenlty and do need the toilet.

Reply 14

bunthulhu

14

Anonymous

Hmmm I have been drinking a lot of coffee also recenlty and do need the toilet.

Yes but immediately? Remember coffee is a diuretic anyway :smile:

Reply 15

TheShrimp

5

Did these stomach pains go away once you had gone to the toilet?

Although it may feel embarrassing, the best thing to do is go a see a doctor, especially if you've been having diarrhoea for 3 days (<<I'm assuming from what you've written).

Get better soon & remember to rehydrate yourself by drinking water, or flat coke (stir fizzy coke until it becomes flat).

Reply 16

OP

TheShrimp

Did these stomach pains go away once you had gone to the toilet?

Although it may feel embarrassing, the best thing to do is go a see a doctor, especially if you've been having diarrhoea for 3 days (<<I'm assuming from what you've written).

Get better soon & remember to rehydrate yourself by drinking water, or flat coke (stir fizzy coke until it becomes flat).

;yes; the stomach pains did go away after I had gone.

Reply 17

abc137

TheShrimp

Get better soon & remember to rehydrate yourself by drinking water, or flat coke (stir fizzy coke until it becomes flat).

Why flat coke? Random! Never heard of that before :p:

OP You can also get rehydration sachets from a chemist which you add to water.

Reply 18

TheShrimp

5

Anonymous

;yes; the stomach pains did go away after I had gone.

I'm really sorry you're experiencing this - I was suffering particularly badly this summer & I think it was due to stress & perhaps also psychological; of course, I didn't want to be ill, but I was thinking about what I was eating far too much, perhaps making me even further stressed. I did try some medication (I can't remember what it was called but it contained peppermint), but this just didn't seem to help me.

Although I think I still suffer from bouts of IBS, I don't worry about it anymore - this is just how my body normally behaves. Plus I feel fine if I know I can always reach a toilet!

Reply 19