Symptoms of IBS
I looked pregnant in my cute holiday dress, but I wasn’t, nor did I wish to be. Rather, I was so bloated that my tights wouldn’t stretch over my stomach. Instead, they bit into my lower abdomen. The painkiller I took dulled the pain I felt in my guts but didn’t relieve it. It was time to change into my loose dress, the one I increasingly wore these days. I threw the cute dress aside with a sigh.
I knew I had stomach problems, but I didn’t know what to do about them. I searched for my signs and symptoms on Google: stomach issues, symptoms of dairy intolerance, symptoms of gluten intolerance, when to see a doctor for stomach pain, how to get rid of gas, how to get rid of bloating, signs you need medical attention, chronic stomach pain causes, and early signs of digestive disorders. However, I didn’t find any actionable information. What I found on Google was mainly people selling supplements.
While online searches offered clues, they often fell short of providing reliable medical advice. That is why I realized that self-diagnosis wasn’t enough, and I eventually turned to a doctor for medical guidance. However, there were months when I tried to fix things myself rather than seeking help. While I was searching, I couldn’t find a blog discussing these symptoms in a meaningful way. I did find them on social media, but I find that type of content complex to remember and process in a way that helps me.
I share my story below and a helpful symptom tracker as I, too, searched for this information for myself, but my search algorithm didn’t send me to helpful places. While there are plenty of resources on digestive health, I found that most either lacked a personal connection or didn’t provide actionable steps. I know not everyone experiences symptoms like the ones described below, but for those who do, it can be incredibly frustrating and hard to manage without the right information. My goal for this post is to bridge that gap by offering both lived experiences and practical tools, like the symptom tracker.
Early Signs and Symptoms of My Digestive Disorder
Now that I have a better understanding of why I was having consistent stomach pain, I can better identify the symptoms. However, in the summer of 2023, I didn’t yet see the symptoms as patterns or even as being related.
I had eaten the same way for years and never had any major stomach issues. When I did, it was often linked to stressful events, viruses, or improperly handled foods. I had a method of pinpointing the issue. I often ate in line with healthy guidelines from expert sources; eating various fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, and treats.
However, in the summer of 2023, I was often gassy without having eaten “gassy” foods. I often became full very quickly, maybe halfway through a portion size. I was often bloated, starting in my stomach and settling in my gut. Then there was the inconsistency and high frequency of bowel movements, which I found annoying. This happened a couple of times a month, so I would brush it off as something I’d eaten, like, “I must not have washed off that lettuce well enough,” or “Maybe I got a mild version of Jen’s flu.”
Many of these symptoms would happen later in the day or the evening. This was extra annoying as this is a time when I often wind down and want to be comfy. Also, I had an issue where, before bedtime, I’d start to get really bad breath, beyond what would happen if I hadn’t brushed my teeth yet. I saw these as separate events, not connected.
When I felt bad, I tried figuring out what I ate earlier when I had stomach pain in the evening, but I couldn’t see any patterns. I was also frustrated not knowing if it was a snack or the previous meal that caused the symptoms. I tried a day without dairy, a day without gluten, a day without nuts, and a day without eggs, but I still had symptoms, so I’d try something new to eliminate the next day. I was scattershot in my approaches and couldn’t figure out why I was having pain so intensely.
By Christmas time, I knew I had a problem in that hotel bathroom. I didn’t feel like I was thriving anymore. The symptoms were consistent, were getting worse, and were interrupting my life. I’m sharing this personal story because I know many people struggle with digestive issues but often feel alone or embarrassed to talk about them. By sharing my experience, I hope to offer others reassurance and a starting point for getting help.
The Decision to Seek Medical Help
January came, and so did a relief from the time-consuming nature of the holidays. I finally had time to keep a journal of my symptoms. I recorded what I ate, when, and how I felt throughout the day. I used a symptom tracker that I made to log my symptoms. After doing this for a month, I realized that more than half of my days had intrusive digestive issues. Symptom tracking was empowering because it turned vague concerns into actionable data. Seeing this data made me call my primary care physician to start figuring out what was wrong with my digestion.
Once I saw my doctor, I had a precise log of what had happened and when. This made for an easier conversation and a quicker start to figuring out what was wrong. Tracking my symptoms helped me see patterns I hadn’t noticed before. It made my conversations with my doctor more effective, as I could provide concrete data, which ultimately sped up the diagnostic process. If you’d like a copy of the symptom tracker I used, download it from here. I know these are things we don’t often discuss in public spaces, but I hope sharing my experience normalizes these discussions and encourages others to seek help.
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Key Points
- It was months before I realized that my digestive issues were not random events, but rather persistent and related to one another.
- Using a symptom tracker helped me decide to seek treatment.
- Using a symptom tracker helped me talk to my doctor to start the process of figuring out what was wrong with my digestion.
Reactions and Next Steps
I realize my journey may not be the same as everyone’s, but if you’ve had similar frustrations, I hope my story and the tools I’ve shared can help you find your path to relief.
By sharing my learning experiences, I hope I’ve sparked something positive in you. Maybe you felt like, “I’m glad I’ve never dealt with that,” “I’ve had this same issue,” or “My experience is way worse.” Whatever your experience is, if you feel comfortable sharing it, please do so in the comments. I’m working hard to make this a safe and inviting space for all, so leave comments that meet the code of conduct expectations. This community and I would love to hear your stories, thoughts, ideas, and questions to benefit all.
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Additional Information
At the time of writing this post, no financial compensation was derived from any of the sources, products, or people mentioned in this post.
Update history: None.
References:
Healthy eating- US Department of Agriculture- https://www.myplate.gov/
Gassy foods- Mayo Clinic- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372714
