About Jeffrey Roberts Expertise I can share my knowledge about symptoms, clinical features and treatment. I can answer questions to help provide sufferers with the knowledge to manage their own health.
Experience I have had IBS for over 25 years.
Organizations Founder and President, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group
President, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association (IBSA)
Member, Functional Brain-Gut Research Group (FBG)
Member, The Northwestern Society of Intestinal Research (NSIR)
Member, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
Co-Founder and Coordinator, Lotronex Action Group (LAG)
Founder and Coordinator, Zelnorm Action Group (ZAG)
Coordinator, Toronto IBS Self Help Group
Publications I am an expert on the IBS Association "Ask the Specialist" forum.
Question I havent been diagnosed but I am sure that I have the beginnings of IBS.I have looked up the symptoms in medical books.I have a terrible family history when it comes to gastroenterological matters.My dad has an ostomy because of Crohn's and my mom has been diagnosed with diverticulitis.I am 32 years old.I have noticed that certain foods aggravate the problem.I also am sure I have a hiatal hernia which makes me pretty miserable.I am not lactose intolerant.The hernia makes it hard for me to swallow foods and gives me horrible reflux, especially at night.What makes me think I may have IBS is that I get diarrea as soon as I get up in the morning and am constipated by the evening! I have gas and bloating at night.Some days I may have to go to the bathroom 6 times and then go 2or 3 days without going at all.I have no bleeding, no fever, no mucus and no pain, but I do get cramps when I eat spicy or greasy foods.Do you recommend that I try a high fiber diet? I enjoy high fiber foods, should I eat cooked or raw veggies? I try to avoid fried and salty foods for my health.My blood pressure is good.Please advise
Answer With a direct relative with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, ie: Crohn's, I think you should rule that out completely before trying a diet to control your symptoms.
Have you ever seen a doctor about your symptoms? If so, have they performed a GI series (barium swallow) or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy? Even though there is no visible blood in your stool it is still worth confirming a diagnosis rather than diagnosing yourself.
I was diagnosed with IBS for 25 years. With a severe flare up a few years back I was scoped and they found I also have Crohn's disease.
I don't mean to make you nervous about this, however it is best to confirm the correct diagnosis.
