IBS diagnosed, anyone?

[craftlete]

My partner's genetics pre-dispose her to eventually develop celiac disease but so far, she hasn't tested positive. She has been suffering with IBS (and, of course gluten related symptoms). We are wondering if anyone else was diagnosed with IBS and if so, did you try the gluten free switchover after that diagnosis? We are really hoping that she has celiac and that IT is the main cause of her problems, not IBS. ANy commentary would be greatly appreciated!!! THanks in advance!

[jax]

IBS cannot be diagnosed until tests are done and all other possible causes are ruled out. Has she had a blood test to look for antibodies? Endoscopy with biopsy?

If she has been given those tests already, maybe the damage hasn't progressed enough to be positive... or there's also gluten sensitivity/gluten intolerance without Celiac Disease. If she has been tested, I don't see any harm in trying the gluten-free diet to see if symptoms improve.

[JRiv]

I got sick about 2 years ago, from what, I don't know. I wasn't able to eat for about a month and my body was not keeping anything I ate, therefore I wasn't receiving any nutrients. After going through a series of tests (blood and stool tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy, etc.) where everything came back negative, I was diagnosed with sever IBS.

Before having the tests done and thinking that I had a form of IBD, I did a lot of research online. Once I was diagnosed with IBS (which personally I think is the doctor's way of saying "We've tested everything, nothing's showing up, so I'm going to tell you that you have IBS because I can't figure it out."), I found several people with IBS saying that going on a gluten free diet has helped lessen their reactions. So I decided to try it, and is has helped out a lot. I'm still sensitive to certain and random foods, like some fruits and vegetables, but for the most part...it's nothing like before.

Because of being gluten free, the desire to eat a juicy hamburger or sub or stacked sandwich has gone away, which is why I've recently been looking into becoming a vegetarian. So that might even help too.

I know everyone's reaction is different, so I'm not sure if this helped any. But I hope it did. Good luck!

[Zloduska]

After I went vegetarian a long time ago, I realized that a lot of the digestive problems I had from eating meat went away (like, oh, not being able to go to the bathroom for an entire week...) Eventually I got really sick with myriad health problems, and was diagnosed with celiac disease. Before figuring out by MYSELF that I was gluten-intolerant, the stupid doctors tried to tell me that I had IBS, acid reflux, anxiety disorder, etc. Well, like magic, without gluten my digestion is pretty good and my supposed IBS is GONE. I'm guessing that after going strictly GF your girlfriend will find relief too.

[artmama]

check out stool testing from enterolab to find out for sure if there is a gluten problem, I used it. I did tons of research, Dr. Fine who runs the lab has an article on celiac.com you should read. Blood testing and biospy miss a ton of folks who should NOT be eating gluten. Enterolab- google them and check it out.

[Hope4hounds]

I was diagnosed with IBS ( seems to be be easiest way out for the doctors). Blood teat were all negative. Then i decided to go gluten free for a week and unfelt 100% better. Your partner should def try. It was very easy for me to do too. And I felt like image less carbs as well. So confused though as to whether I have celiac or just a gluten sensitivity. Hope this helps.

[laurlaur1013]

I was also "diagnosed" with IBS, after seeing a variety of doctors in three different states. And after negative test results via blood and biopsy. The doctor prescribed me anti-anxiety medication to keep my stomach calm. I felt so awful I finally caved and took the meds, which I really did not want to do.

Two and a half years later, I stumbled across a gluten intolerance article and the lightbulb went on. After about six weeks of living gluten-free, all of those "IBS" symptoms disappeared.

Another big red flag was that I was severely anemic. I had never had that problem before an initial infection/stressful situation that I believe triggered the gluten intolerance.

[MAP]

I never even had any tests done before a doctor told me I had IBS because it was "common for girls my age." They gave me some useless expensive medication.

Aside from weight loss (I actually had weight gain, probably because I had this desire to eat even though I wasn't hungry) I had every other gluten intolerance symptom. I don't know why she wouldn't have run a blood test. But my choice in doctors is extremely limited.

Anyway, I tried eliminating soy which I thought was the culprit and had no change. I recently got rid of gluten, and feel 100% better and its only the 3rd day.

No more huge bloated belly, no more constant burping/gas, no more desire to eat past being full, no headaches, tiredness, constant bathroom trips etc. I would recommend at least trying to cut out gluten and seeing if thats the problem. Whats the worst that could happen?

I'm amazed at how awesome I feel. (: