Loud stomach/hunger noises causing embaressment

Hi

I have suffered from digestive problems for about 3 years now, the doctors say its IBS but im not too sure. It all started in my first year at university when i was in a lecture hall. That 40 mins was hell - my stomach was making the loudest noises and I havent experienced anything as embarresing as this! I found exams difficult with the quietness, and in my first and second year of University I actually walked out of two exams without finishing the paper because I was letting it distract me. I was sweating and pushing my stomach in to make it go away but nothing worked. Family advise me to shuffle around to drown out the noises, but these noises can not be drown out unless i am literally shouting above them!

Back then I thought this problem was related to my diet, I weighed just over 10 st at 5 foot 3, and my diet was ridiculous, (takeaways all the time). I decide to lose weight and I got down to 7 stone 10 and my diet consisted of only salad or soup. During my diet, I dont ever recall having any stomach problems at all, but I was doing a year out at university so i wasnt in quiet places i worked in a factory. It wasnt until i got back to university i noticed it all came back, the loud noises and the bloating and painful abdomen.

Now, I really need help. I've had blood tests at the doctors, and nothing was found. I have taken milk out of my diet but I still had the noises. I took wheat out of my diet and still had the noises. I now have resorted to taking caffeine out of my diet and my problems actually seem worse since doing so.

The only thing I can share that actually helps supress the noises for about 40 minutes at night, is peppermint tea. But eventually even that wears off and before I know it my stomach is growling at me!!

The reason im posting here, is because im dating at the minute. I travelled america and when i was there the guy i've been after for so long told me he wanted to take me out, and i really didnt want to ruin this. I returned home, and we went out for a drink and i slept at his house. Alcohol makes my stomach fine on a night time, it almost settles it. On the morning though, my stomach was making the LOUDEST growls ive ever heard it make and i had to lock myself in the bathroom and drink water, it didnt help. This was because I was hungry but it was completely abnormal the sound!!

Things thankfully are working out for us but this guy moves away for 9 months TOMORROW and he wants me to stay over at his. I cant. Because my stomach is ridiculously loud and i cant bare the embarresment. He also wants me to go to his housewarming next week and i'm so upset that im going to have to make an excuse because theres no chance that i can stay over for two nights with this problem.

Basically, to put it bluntly, this is ruining my life. I am developing anxiety over this problem and when i am with this guy i have to constantly do breathing excerises to control my stress so that it doesnt 'trigger' my stomach problems. I just need a hand, maybe some suggestions which could help? I am going back to the doctor on monday and im tempted to demand to see a specialist. I cant deal with this anymore, and no one else understands. I got my final year results back from uni, all my grades were brilliant, apart from one module which i failed and got 38 in because i walked out of the exam without finishing. Its so sad that I would rather spare myself the embarresment, than sit through a 2 hour exam hall that could cost me my degree. Thats when I know it's serious, because i take my education seriously and if something like this can affect it then that is pretty bad.

Please dont tell me its in my head, i was having myself a lovely sleep this morning and my stomach actually woke me up.

A problem i have, is i seem to get hungry more regularly than others, either that or i am mistaking my stomach growls. Usually i find that eating something quietens them. I went for a large meal at 9pm last inght, steak and veg and potatoes. At 4am i was woken up with stomach nooises and hunger pangs (bad ones) yet the guy i was with told me he was still full off the meal.. i dont understand. Can someone suggest anything, i will buy anything.