[Smoochez81]

Hello all,I've been reading this forum for a few days now and decided to post. I'm new to the site, but definitly not IBS-D. I started having stomach problems when I was about 15 yrs old. I was constantly spending time in the restroom and realizing things like soda, ice cream, and all those yummy things you enjoy as a kid was causing me A LOT of issues. I started taking 2 imodium pills twice a day and thought there was seriously something wrong with me because I never became constipated. I saw a few doctors back then, but IBS wasn't really well known as it was today so I was told I was lactose intollerant (which I wasn't). Anyway, my mother and grandmother went through all the GI tests years ago and the doctors never found anything which is why I never went to see a specialist. I lived the past 10 + years just trying my best to watch my diet and to keep an eye on the bathrooms no matter where I went. Well, I'm now at the point of my life that I want to take control of this! I'm 29 yrs old now and before I hit the big 3-0, I want to get a better understanding of whats going on and how I can control it better. I still live on my liquid imodium and eating as bland as possible, but I still get these annoying flare ups where I spend my days in a bathroom. So I guess what I want to know, is what type of tests do they commonly do to diagnosis this? Blood tests? Endoscopy?

 

[BQ]

Hi Smoochez and Welcome If you look up above us here you will see a dark blue menu bar with the 1st tab on the left that says "Home" and the next tab says "Forums". Well right underneath there is a white menu bar and you will see that the 2nd tab says "Medical Tests" and the next one talks about "Diagnosis". Just click on those for a wealth of info.And also be sure to check out all of our forums using the site navigator to the bottom right of the page next to the "Go" box.I would make an appointment with either your own personal physician first or if you do not need a referral from them... go right to a board certified Gastroenterologist for a consult. It is real important to get a proper diagnosis and not self diagnose. So I am pleased that you will be seeking a true diagnosis. It depends on the Dr and of course your family history what tests are run. But IBS is a diagnosis reached by excluding other GI diseases & disorders. So those need to be ruled out before an IBS diagnosis can be found. Many folks find a combination of treatment methods working together seems to manage their symptoms best. What works for you will have to be found via trial & error, as all of us are different.Keep us posted on how you are doing through the diagnosing process and please post any other questions you may have after reading the forums here.