Just diagnosed with Colitis yesterday.... - HelpForIBS.com Message Boards

Well....I would like to first say hello. I was actually posting in the IBS section of this site for the last few months. Now I know I was in the wrong section. Here is the quick and dirty on who I am......Below was my intro to the IBS board, but I figured its alot easier to cut and past it here rather than retype it. (ya ya...im a lil lazy)

****I don't know were else to turn. Im new to this site and am not sure if this is the right forum or not, so plz forgive me if Im in the wrong spot.

I am a 38 year old male who now carries an emergency nap-sack and a port-a-potty in the back of his truck. Approximately 12 years ago, I do believe I had my first attack after eating at Pizza Hut. In a matter of 15 minutes, I had to have my friend stop his car 3 times as he rushed me home. Since then, its gotten worse over the years. I always feel bloated/nauseous almost all the time. I am constantly looking for washroom signs or places to hide "just in case" I used to love driving around with my friends skiing, scuba diving, golfing and just going out and having fun....now I cant even drive with my wife in the car. If I even start thinking that I have to go anywhere with anyone I instantly feel more ill and have to use the washroom. Which makes it sound like I have now become the owner of a phobia....oh joy. I gave up lying to my friends and family about why I cant make it to family functions or why I cant go golfing with my best friend.
I have had test after test, sample after sample, and finger after finger done over the last 10 years...most recently, I had a colonoscopy at the end of Nov/06 and everything came back fine. All the biopcies came back fine. I am suppose to be a perfectly healthy 38 year old male. Then why am I unable to control my bowels. I know I have trigger foods, which I try and stay away from, but it just seems to be getting worse.

About 7 years ago, I went for a year of having NO junk...all health foods....no take out, chocolate, pop, alcohol, even my cigars with no cheating. It was all vegies, fish, rice, boneless skinless chicken, vegie burgers and NO BREAD. I went from 200 lbs to 148 lbs in one year. The symptoms got a little better but still hung around. Was a great diet.

About 3 weeks ago, I started taking "DIGESTRIN" to see if that worked, but have now stopped until I get this weird stuff under control. Has anyone else tried DIGESTRIN?

**CAUTION...GETS A LITTLE GRAPHIC....SORRY**

Normally, my attacks are very quick to come on (have less than 1 minute to get to a facility) and my BM is extremely loose and oily. I never feel like I have had a good evacuation and always feel like there should be more. (even though I swear I saw my shoes shoot out once) About a month ago I had an attack while working out in the yard, well actually 4 attacks in about 1 1/2 hours. Since then things have gotten a little un-nerving. I am having almost uncontrolable BM's, with unbelievable gas, that first started out being "D" but then turned to a mucus and now for the last 2 1/2 weeks have turned to mucus with some blood. Needless to say, I have been freaked right out, but when I went to my family doc yesterday, he didnt look concerned at all....told me to take 50mg Dicetel 3x / day for 1 week, if that doesnt work bump it to 100mg 3x / day. He said that there is nothing left for him to do and if this doesnt work then I get the joy of getting scoped again.

So....PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. I am 38 with a wife and a 20 month old baby girl. I do not want to pass this on to my beautifull baby. (physically or mentally) If anyone can tell me anything that will give me any sign of hope, I would be very greatful. I just dont know what else to do, Ive lost my zest and really would like it back.****

As the above was writen a month ago, a few things have changed. After the "Dicetel" never worked and my symptoms presisted, I got to the point were I was not going to take anymore. After 3 weeks of my doctor's reseptionist messing up my referrals to get in to see a specialist, I finaly said screw it. I went out of my way to make my symptoms as bad as I could, (ended up losing 25lbs in 3 wks) went up to the emergency hospital twice in one week and finally on the second visit the oncall doctor tracked down a surgeon, who was actually in the O.R. The surgeon came in and talked with me,(after he was done opperating) talked with me for about 5 minutes and booked me in for an emergency colonoscopy. So, finally, after 12 - 15 years of being told that its all in my head and given anti-depresants. I have now been diagnosed with Colitis. Apparently there is suppose to be different types but all I was told by the surgeon after the opperation was that I have moderate colitis from the rectum to the transverse colon. I was told to start taking a medicaion called "Asacol" immediately.

It may sound silly but it feels like a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders. At least "NOW I KNOW" Im not crazy and it wasnt all in my head. Now the healing can begin. So please, if anyone has any insight, opinions, experiences or anything that might help. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks, talk to you soon.

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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07

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Crohn's Disease & Colitis

Crohn's Disease & Colitis