S/O Crohn's Diagnoses - IBS

amother

OP ↓

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 10:46 am

For those of you have who have IBS, did you have any tests done to rule out other issues? What is the general protocol?
I went to a GI who diagnosed me after a 2 minute conversation, gave me a prescription for some pills, and sent me on my way. He also mentioned that my abdominal CT scan (ordered by my GP a few days earlier) showed something weird but he doesn't know what it means since based on my age and lifestyle, there is no reason for that abnormality.

amother

Slateblue ↓

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 11:40 am

Ibs doesnt mean anything other than "gee your gi isnt working but it's not super serious like chrones."
The protocol is trial and error on meds your whole life and it will never go away.
THIS IS IDIOTIC AND FALSE.
I was diagnosed with ibs at 13. I took every med in the book over the next 15 years.
Then I changed my lifestyle DRAMATICALLY and bam, it's gone for good.

amother

Natural ↓

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 12:02 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

My GI only said IBS after ruling out other conditions by blood tests, colonoscopy, biopsies etc. If you had an abnormal CT then get another opinion. How severe are your symptoms? Also ask about SIBO.

amother

↑ Natural ↓

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 12:03 pm

amother [ Slateblue ] wrote:

What lifestyle changes did you make?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 12:11 pm

amother [ Natural ] wrote:

My GI only said IBS after ruling out other conditions by blood tests, colonoscopy, biopsies etc. If you had an abnormal CT then get another opinion. How severe are your symptoms? Also ask about SIBO.

That makes more sense.
I've been dealing with GI issues for close to 16 years now, since I was a little kid, so by this point, I don't remember what normal is like. I have better days and harder days. Figured out some of my main food triggers but definitely not all.
Do I ask the GI about SIBO?

amother

↑ Slateblue

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 12:41 pm

amother [ Natural ] wrote:

What lifestyle changes did you make?

Diet:
Whole foods
Plant based (will have hormone free animal products about once a week)
No dairy
Very low sugar
No caffeine
No processed foods (defined as packaged products with more than 2 ingredients)
Limited whole grains (1-2 servings a day)
Natural household products and cosmetics

Supplements:
Enzymes
Probiotocs
Vitamin D

Movement:
Alternating days yoga and running

Stress:
Baths every other day
Therapy

amother

Sapphire

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 12:47 pm

amother [ Slateblue ] wrote:

I would be careful with supplements. You need a good practitioner to tell you what you should be taking. Especially with above diet you want to focus on nourishment and making sure you are getting all the nutrients that you need including bioavailable B's, minerals, trace minerals and Vitamins A, C, E, D and K.

amother

↑ Natural

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 1:07 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Yes. Ask your GI about SIBO. If he’s not taking your symptoms seriously and ruling out other conditions then find a new doctor.

amother

Jetblack

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 2:33 pm

My husband went to Dr Leon kavaler. We were very happy with him. He's very knowledgeable and thorough with an extremely warm and kind bedside manner. Once diagnosed, dh did not follow the recommended treatment protocol, rather made some drastic lifestyle changes based on his diagnosis and Bh is doing great ever since. It's been more than 5 yrs.

amother

↑ OP

Mon, Jan 27 2020, 3:28 pm

amother [ Jetblack ] wrote:

Thank you!
For those of you who made lifestyle changes to deal with the medical condition, did you figure it out on your own or go through a professional of some sort?