IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

A few years ago I was having massive stomach problems (aches, diarrhea etc.) and went to a gastroenterologist. He told me I was lactose intolerant and did an endoscopy, which showed that I had several healing ulcers. After I found out I was LI, I was able to control my stomach problems pretty well.

Now they are back! For the past few weeks I have been feeling nauseated, stomachaches, diarrhea or constipation. I am thinking it may be IBS.

I know I have to go back to the dr., but my insurance got effed up when I went on maternity leave and the DOE is being really slow about fixing it.

Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced or is experiencing the same thing...

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

I would start by watching what you eat, nothing too spicy or milky...try bland stuff...take pepto to control the tummy..see if this regulates it..r u sure u dont have a stomach virus?

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

what type of ulcers did you have? I myself have a duodoneal one that will never heal itself (something about it being too far down). It flares up from time to time, but is controlable with meds (i KNOW that feeling when it starts and i head right to the doc).

for me - i have ibs-d (diahhrea - i always butcher that spelling, you'd think i'd know by now!). to date - the ONLY thing to help is pregnancy . I went through the barrage of tests only to be back at the same place i was 12 years ago (when i was first diagnosed). I had hoped that something new had come along, but nope.

my 'normal' symptoms with the IBS - occasional stomach cramping, pain...followed by a 'rush' feeling of 'i have to go NOW'. I can usually feel my food 'drop' into place and that's a signal to go go go. I occasionally was woken up by the need to go to the bathroom as well...and even when i didn't eat anything, i'd STILL go (as our body produces a liquid that sits in our stomach every day - so even if you eat nothing, your body digests THAT liquid and out that would come, so regardless of it ALL, i would still go)..

If you can't get to a doc right away - i can suggest Prilosec over the counter for the ulcer pain. It takes a little bit to work - but it ALWAYS works for me when having an ulcer flare up. For the IBS - the ONLY solution i found was overdosing on Immodium...but if you are alternating between constipation and diahhrea - you may not want to go that route!

i am so sorry you are going through this... IBS is not something i would wish on my worst enemy.. if you have ANY questions, please feel free to reach out!!!!

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

how long ago did you have your baby? after the birth of both kids my obs got very bad. it could be a result from that.

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

My mother was dealing with stomach issues for 2 years. I think i posted this somewhere else too...anyway..

saw a GI for 2 years and he did every test under the sun. noticed she had a few ulcers, nothing major. He assumed at first it was IBS and put her on zelnorm..nothing. Thought it was chrons, diverticulitis, etc. Kept switching her antibitoics etc. It would be weeks before she would poop , her stomach would bloat the second she ate anything..it was so bad she looked like she was 6 months preggo at times.

The dr. finally gave up and was like here, take paxil b/c i think you're just stressed. whatever..

my dad on a random google search for bread recipes came across all this info on yeast and over development of it in our bodies. theres an easy spit test you can do..google it..im sure you'll find directions.

she went to her regular dr. and they did some tests. and sure enough, yeast was the culprit. put on her some potent anti yeast meds and she changed her diet to include more raw veggies and fruits, and she also takes probiotics now. she's 1000x better.

seriously, research this. you'd be surprised how often its confused for IBS.

I also recommend reading THE YEAST SYNDROME.

FM if you need more info.

D-

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

Thanks all...

I got an appointment with my General practitioner tomorrow afternoon. I need a good check-up anyway and hopefully he will refer me to a GI.

Re: IBS, Ulcers, General Stomach Disorders? (TMI)

I just switched GIs..but I have a wonderful one I went to for years. He's excellent but now I'm seeing someone at Cornell for a specific issue.