Recently I was speaking with a person who obviously was unaware that I am the About.com Guide to IBS. He told me that he had been experiencing severe and chronic abdominal pain and believed it was related to stress. He went to a gastroenterologist and was told, "You suffer from a spastic colon." This is where I inwardly cringe. It goes to show how low on the priority ladder IBS is, if gastroenterologists have not even bothered to learn that the term spastic colon is no longer used!
This person went on to say that the doctor prescribed an antispasmodic and that it was very helpful. I am glad that this person found symptom relief so easily, but I am appalled by the lack of information given by the physician. What about any discussion of diet, stress management, or the need to rule out celiac disease or any bacterial involvement?
This conversation led me to wonder, how typical is it for doctors to use the term "spastic colon" in this day and age? Please take my poll and let me know!
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I had a friend who got a “spastic colon” diagnosis in early 2003. When I was later diagnosed with IBS, she knew they were the same thing, at least.
I went through so many tests, and it was basically a process of elimination. My Navy Dr put me on antispasmadics, as well as a low fat, high fiber diet. I also avoid anything that is overly processed, and take fiber suplements. Things have actually been pretty good for the last 24 years.
Although diagnosed as IBS in the 1980’s, in my case I would prefer the term spastic colon as it seems to better describe my own problems which seem to be caused by unpredictable muscle movemnents of the colon, often speeding up and getting way out of control, other times reasonable and then suddenly deciding to shut down for a few days. I do not find that stressful situations or trying eating patterns make any difference to me at all. IBS to me suggests a wider range of symptoms and possible causes. I have heard both terms used to describe the complaint.
Bernice, you make an excellent point. I wonder if in the future, IBS will be broken down into sub-classifications, i.e. “bacterial”, “food sensitive” and “spastic”.