Your symptoms can be seen with IBS, especially when bowel habits fluctuate and symptoms are triggered by certain foods or stress. However, because you have had symptoms for around 1.5 years and are also experiencing fatigue, dizziness, leg cramps and possible nutritional deficiencies, it would be better to rule out other causes before assuming it is only IBS.
I would suggest discussing the following with a gastroenterologist:
• CBC,
ferritin/iron profile
•
Vitamin B12 and folate
•
Vitamin D
•
Electrolytes including sodium, potassium, magnesium and
calcium
•
Kidney/
liver function and
TSH
• Celiac screening: tTG-IgA + total IgA
• Fecal calprotectin if diarrhea is persistent/recurrent
• Stool testing, particularly Giardia testing, depending on your exposure/travel history
SIBO can cause bloating and altered bowel habits, but it is not necessary to test or treat everyone with IBS-like symptoms. If your doctor feels SIBO is likely after the initial evaluation, a hydrogen/methane breath test can be considered.
Probiotics do not reliably cure IBS or SIBO. Yogurt is fine if you tolerate it, but taking probiotics or antibiotics without identifying the cause is not recommended.
Also, since you have already stopped wheat/gluten and milk, I would avoid eliminating additional foods unnecessarily. Excessive restriction can itself contribute to nutritional deficiencies. If celiac testing is planned, tell your doctor that you are already avoiding gluten because this can affect the accuracy of the test.
Your anxiety/stress can significantly worsen gut symptoms through the gut-brain connection, but that does not mean the symptoms are “just anxiety.”
Please seek prompt medical review if you have blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, severe abdominal pain, nighttime diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or significant weakness/fainting.