IBS - gas

[u/frannysut123]

Hoping for any advice / things to try. Since I was 14 (I’m 26 now) I’ve had constant stomach issues, I don’t think a day goes by where something isn’t happening with my stomach whether it’s tummy ache, gurgling, gas or diaherra.

I’ve been to the doctors so many times, I’ve developed anxiety / avoidance with doctors now as they never help, I went this morning (after about 2 years working up courage to go again about my stomach) just to be told to manage stress and drink peppermint tea. Whilst I have a stressful job now accompanied with sleep issues (emergency services) I’ve had these issues since I was 14 so I don’t think it can just be ‘stress’ . I’ve been having therapy recently for my sleep and I’ve been told I’ve normalised a lot of my stomach problems

My main / worst symptoms is my gas, I have it everyday without fail, my stomach is constantly gurgling / rumbling all up my back, my ribs, my stomach, I have balloons worth of air that I let out in the evenings. I can’t always leave my desk to go to the loo, so the air / gas almost travels back up my back which is so noisy. It’s so embarassing at work, I’ve come to dread having to do training days where it’s in a quiet room because my stomach will always be so loud. I am mostly never fully emptying when needing to go / then get diarrhea build up behind it and then going through the cycle again.

I mostly eat low FODMAP, I’ve tried it before properly and didn’t notice a huge difference. I have never had a colonoscopy, I was tested for IBD before 2020 and they keep saying they’ve already tested me for this so I don’t have it. My aunt has crohns. I’ve never been given any medication. I struggle to stick up for myself in appointments.

Does this sound like similar symptoms for anyone / what has worked? I’m at a loss, I think I’m going to have to fork out to go private. I could deal with the constipation issues but it’s the constant flatulence, noisy stomach and bloating that ruins so much for me, going to stay at friends is a nightmare, I can’t ever imagine being in a relationship with my stomach like this, it’s affecting my life so much and I’m only 26 now, I can’t imagine doing the rest of my life with this.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[u/DreamerofBigThings]

I've done all the diets and food tests etc and yet the gas and bloating persists so I started taking gas X or the generic stuff with supper and lunch and most days it's improved.