u/Amalfy

So for 2 years i've been telling myself i don't have IBS. Why? Because i don't have cramps or spasms. At least, not in the sense most people describe IBS cramps.
Well, turns out i was wrong, got diagnosed last month.

You see, what i think of and what most people talk about when having IBS cramps, is the sudden stabbing bowel pain kind of similar to how you get period cramps or when you have diarrhea. I don't have that, at all. My specialist at the hospital described it as such: some people have a cramp or spasm that is less instant BUT CONSTANT over a long time.

He described it like a garden hose: most people have cramps where the hose suddenly bends double or is stepped on: it is sudden, causes a lot of pain and can go on a while but then it lies down again. It comes in intense waves.
Mine is more like a dozen supertight rubber bands that are tied around the hose one after another: slowly the tension builds, it is not sudden or instant, it doesn't cause intense stabbing pain but rather a constant burning tension and pressure around the constricted area because it's more difficult for matter and air to pass through, and can last for days or weeks untill the bowels relax again.

This causes me to have a huge amount of trapped gas and bloating, incredible burning pain and sensations from the constant pressure inside my bowels and pencil thin stool that requires heavy labour to get out. (No worries the pencil stools are always temporary and 2 days max, i did dozens of stool tests, blood tests and there is no indication of the C word whatsoever)

What helped me most right now is taking a combo med that has Alverine + Simethicone 20 min before each meal to keep my bowels relaxed. My specialist told me i could try and stop taking it once i run out and see how i do, but that i could keep taking it longterm if necessary. Right now i'm not able to stop taking it without the symptoms coming back.

I was wondering if anyone else has 'this kind of ibs'?