1. < Digestive Health

Not so sure it's IBS

Posted by katiek78 @katiek78, May 1, 2020

Hello, about a year ago I began having digestive issues that came on slowly, starting with more frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, lack of appetite, chest discomfort, and nausea, but no abdominal pain. The symptoms progressed and I began to lose quite a bit of weight which was a big concern considering I've always been lean. I had every test in the book (colonoscopy/endoscopy, pill cam, ultrasound, gallbladder testing, labs, etc.) and consulted with several GI and other specialists (endocrinology and infectious disease). All came back normal. After about four months, the symptoms subsided and eventually disappeared altogether. For the next four months I was totally fine, but in February the symptoms returned and have been present again for over two months. Doctors have stopped suggesting more testing, and seem to think this is IBS. I just completed a two week FODMAP diet as proposed by my doc, but it has not helped. Any thoughts or suggestions as to what else this could be, or does this in fact sound like IBS? I am skeptical because my symptoms don't include the abdominal pain. Any thoughts are much appreciated!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 4, 2021
In reply to @catstx "Thank you. Btw, Costco now carries a very good gf bread: SOLO. It’s especially good toasted,..." + (show)
@catstx

Thank you. Btw, Costco now carries a very good gf bread: SOLO. It’s especially good toasted, but better than ok plain.

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I didn't know about the Costco GF SOLO bread. Thanks for that information, @catstx!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 5, 2021
In reply to @catstx "Any info on gluten free products that taste good would be welcomed. Thanks" + (show)
@catstx

Any info on gluten free products that taste good would be welcomed. Thanks

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Cat, you may also be interested in this related discussion where members are sharing about going gluten free.
- Gluten-free diet https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gluten-free-diet/

REPLY
tjoanne | @tjoanne | Jul 5, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @catstx I see that you are looking for gluten-free foods (GF) that taste good. You..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @catstx

I see that you are looking for gluten-free foods (GF) that taste good. You are fortunate because most of the major supermarkets do carry a variety of GF products. Many are kept in the freezer section. There are many GF crackers (I especially like Van's brand). If you like to bake there are many GF baking mixes for cakes, brownies, etc. I found that GF cookies don't turn out all that well in that they don't stay crisp but fall apart easily. I must be doing something wrong!

Regarding bread, often sourdough bread can be eaten as gluten is processed differently when the bread is made.

Here is a link to Mayo Clinic article on eating GF. Perhaps this will give you some more ideas, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530

What have you tried so far?

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The America’s Gluten Free cookbook is excellent! How Can it be Gluten Free is the title of the book?

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jul 5, 2021

Having a GF family member you get used to looking for GF products.
Sam’s Club also has good GF breads. VANS waffles. Kraft now has a GF Mac&Cheese- delicious.
GF pizza based on cauliflower- delicious. Lean Cuidine has a couple of GF TV dinners.
Yesterday my daughter baked a GF banana bread with GF flour. Have to say it was exceptionally good. Nothing left.
GF breadcrumbs are OK- sometimes I mix them with cornstarch.
There are GF turkey and chicken sausages, GF hams, all Boars Head products.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 6, 2021
In reply to @astaingegerdm "Having a GF family member you get used to looking for GF products. Sam’s Club also..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

Having a GF family member you get used to looking for GF products.
Sam’s Club also has good GF breads. VANS waffles. Kraft now has a GF Mac&Cheese- delicious.
GF pizza based on cauliflower- delicious. Lean Cuidine has a couple of GF TV dinners.
Yesterday my daughter baked a GF banana bread with GF flour. Have to say it was exceptionally good. Nothing left.
GF breadcrumbs are OK- sometimes I mix them with cornstarch.
There are GF turkey and chicken sausages, GF hams, all Boars Head products.

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That is all good to know, @astaingegerdm. I did not know that Boars Head made GF products!

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grace29 | @grace29 | Jun 7, 2022
In reply to @katiek78 "Thanks for the response. Yes, negative for celiac. I have also tested negative for crohns, colitis,..." + (show)
@katiek78

Thanks for the response. Yes, negative for celiac. I have also tested negative for crohns, colitis, thyroid malfunction, autoimmune (ANA panel normal), epstien barr, endocrinology disorders, gallbladder issues, etc. Had a normal colonoscopy, although it had signs of irritation in the intestines, stomach, and esophagus. I had a normal CT scan, normal abdominal ultrasound and normal pill cam. So I'm not sure whether I accept that this is IBS despite the lack of traditional symptoms, or pursue a different diagnoses.

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I’m experiencing similar! It started 2 years ago with severe bloating pain and diarrhea. The only test, and it was borderline was SIBO. Small intestine bacteria overgrowth. I did two weeks of xifaxin (spelling) which made me very sick and I lost almost 14 pounds. I would get attacks that felt like gallbladder except I don’t have one. I’ve had every test including fecal mri contrast colonoscopy endoscopy celiac chrones etc. I’ve just completed a complete ObGyn tests and exams. Thank goodness everything is normal but me. I’m sitting here with bloat cramps and exhaustion. I’m on diciclamine and Prilosec gas pills and cholestipol. The Attacks have stopped but I’m still miserable. Gastroenterologist said it’s IBSd. I take Imodium everyday! So what is really wrong with me!

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1 reply
pwgrimes | @pwgrimes | Jun 8, 2022
In reply to @grace29 "I’m experiencing similar! It started 2 years ago with severe bloating pain and diarrhea. The only..." + (show)
@grace29

I’m experiencing similar! It started 2 years ago with severe bloating pain and diarrhea. The only test, and it was borderline was SIBO. Small intestine bacteria overgrowth. I did two weeks of xifaxin (spelling) which made me very sick and I lost almost 14 pounds. I would get attacks that felt like gallbladder except I don’t have one. I’ve had every test including fecal mri contrast colonoscopy endoscopy celiac chrones etc. I’ve just completed a complete ObGyn tests and exams. Thank goodness everything is normal but me. I’m sitting here with bloat cramps and exhaustion. I’m on diciclamine and Prilosec gas pills and cholestipol. The Attacks have stopped but I’m still miserable. Gastroenterologist said it’s IBSd. I take Imodium everyday! So what is really wrong with me!

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It sure seems like Celiac symptoms. Maybe it is not celiac, but a sensitivity to gluten. Have you tried eliminating gluten from your diet? An allergic reaction to gluten does not show as celiac. What test did they do for celiac and do you have the gene? Check the Celiac Foundation on the internet. Many gastroenterologists do not know how to test for it. 6 of my gastroenterologist said I had IBS and never mentioned Celiac, much less test for it.

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