21 and losing my life to IBS - HelpForIBS.com Message Boards

I started having symptoms a year and a half ago. It began, actually, with severe stomach pain and burning. For months I was told it was heart burn. In July 2011 I was admitted to the ER and found to have two large peptic ulcers and gastritis in my stomach. I was put on PPI to heal the ulcers and for a few months I was fine.

However the same pain and symptoms returned in December 2011, and I received another endoscopy, but everything was normal. I have since been on 20+ different medications to help with the pain and burning, but as of April 2012 I developed lower abdominal symptoms including cramping, diarrhea, accompanied by severe nausea (no vomiting).

I have seen 4 different doctors at this point and be diagnosed with IBS. I have taken up yoga, mediation, Heather's IBS diet, counseling for depression and stress, and I have tried everything. For the past two months however I have been stuck in my apartment. I can't leave, I can barely eat. I have lost 30 lbs and most of my muscle. I used to love eating a healthy clean diet, weight lifting, running, and being active. Now I have lost my friends and my life. I have failed college classes and had to drop to a part time student, but now may drop out completely.

I am at wits end. I see no light at the end of the tunnel. Most days I wish I was dying because then there WOULD be an end to this. I am a burden to my family and my boyfriend. I feel completely alone. I don't know where else to go from here.

I have a strong family history of Ulcerative Colitis on my Dad's side (he had his entire colon removed at 25 and 3 of his cousins have had parts of their colons removed) and a strong family history of peptic ulcers on my mother's side (her father, and mother, and several cousins). Sometimes I am in disbelief that this pain is due to IBS... that there is nothing to do to stop it. But four doctors have told me that it is IBS and to simply change my diet and I will be fine.

I am not fine.

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IBS Fitness & Lifestyle

IBS Fitness & Lifestyle