Hi
I totally sympathise. I've had IBS since 1988 so know how that knid of abdominal/bowel discomfort affects everyday life. Your doctor is definitely the person to diagnose this, but if it does turn out to be IBS, don't worry, there are ways to manage it. Your doctor really should examine you though to be sure it's not anything else (appendix etc). Have other things already been ruled out?
If it does turn out to be IBS, GPs aren't always the best at finding solutions. They usually prescribe fybogel or laxido and an anti spasmodic, and tell you to eat more fibre. But that doesn't suit everyone. My IBS symptoms changed with menopause and last year I started to have exactly the same issues with BM and bloating as you. Someone on this forum recommend a book "IBS Solutions" by Dr John Hunter. After 30 years of living with IBS and trying everything, this book is by far the best thing I've bought! I highly recommend it to anyone with IBS or constipation etc.
Re all the supplements, I take probiotics from optibac. I find some supplements have fillers/bulking agents in them that irritate my digestion so I have to be careful which companies I use. Magnesium is a great supplement, but if you have bowel issues some forms of magnesium can aggravate things. Magnesium bisglycinate is fine for me.
Re the BM issue, the thing that helps me, which I found out about from the book, is golden flaxseed, whole and soaked overnight. Also a few prunes (but not too many!!). It's a fine balancing act getting the right things in the right quantities. And what suits me might not suit someone else.
Let us know what your doctor says. Thinking of you. I know how you're feeling. X