how would I know if I had ibs

Managing symptoms via medication and diet mostly. No treating yet.

I have IBS-D. Diarrhea. I also get diverticulitis flare ups a couple times a year. Theres a couple classifications of IBS. There is no set test that determines you have it. It isnt really pass/fail type thing. Theres certain criteria you have to meet. Sometimes you have to get an endoscopy, sometimes a colonoscopy, always have to give a stool sample. Ive had two colonoscopies , a half dozen endoscopies to check for and monitor various stomach and gut related problems in addition to IBS. Lot of monitoring of types of food, quantities of food, frequency of eating, times you sat, etc. spend lots of time eliminating various things from your diet to see if things get better or worse.

I take anti spasmodics for my gut, lots of immodium, fiber supplements, antibiotics a couple times a year, and in a the next two months will start using Humira (injection arthritis meds with a well known off label use for Crohn’s Disease) to help manage whats slowly getting worse. I also take antidepressants prescribed by my GI doctor.

It sucks sometimes. Sometimes its not too bad.

thanks for dying by the way

Woah

Anyway, IBS is mostly a rule out diagnosis. First things to investigate are common intolerances, like lactose/gluten. I dunno how things work in the US though. If you can't afford to do the investigations, try ruling out these things from your diet one at a time and see if they make a difference, eg go without lactose for a few weeks and see.