Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I have been known to have a sensitive stomach but never like this. I have gone to see a Gastro doc because of me complaing about having gas, severe crimping and diarrhea. Anyhow he ran blood test and I also had an x ray which showed my intestines inflamed. Anyhow he said it most likely is IBS. In the course of a month I have been on two different medicines (first hysoscyamine and then dicyclomine plus gas X and motrin because of the pain) Anyhow I have been to the ER twice including last night and they really couldn't tell me much. My gastro doc wants me to see a gyn to rule of endometriosis. He said if it's not a gyn issue then he will schedule me for a colonoscopy.

Do What I am basically asking did anyone go through this??? I feel like I am at the end of my rope. The pain gets so bad I can't function.

Sorry that this is so long.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

First

I have been dealing with stomach issues for over 20 years....

I've been told that I have IBS, and ulcer, a "sensitive" stomach, bacteria in my intestines, etc, etc Been on all kinds of meds too

Nothing ever seemed to help


Then, a few years ago while seeing an acupuncturist for infertility, and following a low carb diet...we noticed that my stomach was so much better. She suggested that I be tested for gluten allergies


Well, it turned out I was a strong positive for one of the categories, not considered celiacs, but a gluten sensitivity...what a huge difference!!!

I have had a colonoscopy that showed swelling but the dr said he wasn't sure if it was from the prep...

Not saying this is your answer, but maybe get tested for it

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I agree with Lisa. Gluten sensitivities and lactose sensitivities are the most common reason for gastro issues.

I have Crohns. I would definitely get a colonoscopy anyway. It's the most definitive test.

Have you tried to change your diet?

I notice that certain foods hurt me more. It concerns me though that you had to go to the ER and take Motrin.


eta: I would not take Motrin for any gastro issues. It could promote bleeding. Take Tylenol instead.

Message edited 10/7/2008 10:30:53 AM.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

You are NOT alone...

I have IBS - i have had it for 10 years. There are two types of it - IBS-C(onstipation) and IBS-D - which is sounds like you have, and so do I.

NONE of the medications have ever worked for me. I have been on all of them (as recently as last year).

The pain, I don't have much of - but i can quite literally feel my food 'drop' and i'll have to make a run for the bathroom....

Do you wake up at night to use the bathroom? Have you had any other tests done???

My doctor's next step for me was to put me on anti-depressants, because a common side effect to some is constipation....i got a second opinion and then saw a nutritionist.

The nutritionist gave me a diet to follow - one I can email you if you want to FM me your email addy. I did it for about a month (albeit a pricey month) - but i found it helped a LOT.

For what i was doing, i would eat once, maybe twice a day and always be in the bathroom for long periods of time. The diet she put together for me involved eating about 5-6 times a day, but small, little meals. For the month I was on it, it was great.. It requires discipline though and a LOT of planning. I really do have to get back on it...

For everyday life - i have good days and i have bad days. I have WAY more bad days than good days. There is no ONE food that sets me off - i can have the same meal today and tomorrow and today i will be fine and not have an issue, but tomorrow, i'll be in the bathroom all day.

The only thing that has EVER (and i do mean EVER) stopped me from going is overdosing on Immodium. I take 6 pills at a time and i'll have a good, 24 hour time period. Only bad thing about this is that you will eventually build up a resistence to it and need to stop for a month or so before it'll work again.

I am so truly sorry that you are faced with this - i would not wish it on my worst enemy...but know that you are NOT alone....

Message edited 10/7/2008 11:02:57 AM.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

Thank you everyone who posted have an appt with the gyn to rule out endimetrosis (I don't in my heart think thats what it is) I will then update when I get back. And then I have to call the gastro to set up the appt for the clonscopy

Message edited 10/7/2008 11:58:34 AM.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

DH has IBS and had it very badly for many years. For him, the major exacerbating factor is stress and nothing truly helps him although he says that acidophilus pills(yeast) or yogurt helps. At first he had to get a colonoscopy and test for gluten allergy.

Definitely going to the gyn is a good idea, just to make sure there are no issues, even if just for peace of mind. You should also make sure they rule out gluten allergy. My grandmother had IBS symptoms her whole life and finally at age 73 they determine she has gluten allergy.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I've had IBS pretty much my whole life...when I was young a dr told me it was all in my head, b/c apparently they didn't think kids could have such a thing
It got so bad that i stopped eating most foods which caused me to drop a lot of weight, and on top of that I was in the bathroom sick all the time.
Finally found a Gastro dr who did a Colonoscopy which ruled out cancer and ended diagnosing me with IBS.
I cut out all dairy and anything spicy and was also given meds to take which would help with the spasms.

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease... for years i had "IBS"... celiac is a hugely underdiagnosed disease .. and it is as a pp mentioned a "gluten" allergy of sorts...
i have to watch what i eat, soaps i use everything.. bread crumbs can't touch my plate (i know it can be that extreme.. im just starting gluten free 2 weeks now... so it will take me some months to know if its that bad for me)
so far just going gluten freeish in the last 2 weeks my symptoms have completely turned around .. i feel like a human again...
i wanted it to be something simple i could take a pill for.. but now im the girl who never would go on a diet.. on a lifetime diet..
luckily i hate bread and stuff... so its potatos and chicken and bbq (gluten free of course)
and salad wtih some salad dressings...

but youd be surprised how many sympoms or combinatinos of them are celiac.. you can get a blood test for it to see if your suggestive of it... then when they go in for the scope they might have a clear view to make a firm diagnosis on...

good luck..

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I agree with the other postings. Do go for the colonoscopy, although I think the preparation is torture. I had these issues a few years ago, and I visited a food allergist. I found out I had a lot of sensitivities, avoided those foods, and all of a sudden I was better. No more spasms, but occasional bloating. Send me FM if you have any questions!

Feel better!

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

Re: Question for anyone who has IBS...long

I've had IBS for about 18 years now. I was told it was my "nerves" and I needed to stop worrying. I had benign polyps in my intestines and they diagnosed me with IBS. I do believe about the gluten. Some things make me SO sick, I have to stay home or run home alot of the time. Over the years, it has gotten better. Contrary to what you might think, Metamucil and green leafy veggies (once I got past the bloating) DID help. Walking helped me tremendously with the spasms and pain.

I hope they give you an answer soon! Feel better!