Hello all-
I just found this board and it looks great! I'm so grateful to find such a comprehensive source of info about IBS- I'm looking forward to perusing the various contents at length.
I also had a quick question- I recently (this AM, in fact) had yet another rotten experience with a doctor re: my IBS. This makes about the fourth MD I've talked to about it, with basically no help and/or relief- each time, I've been pawned off with a kind of "Well, you know, change your diet, try to relax, get more exercise", etc., etc., ad infinitum and ad nauseum. I HAVE changed my diet, I AM exercising, I AM reducing stress as much as possible- in short, I'm trying to do everything I can to do things right, but most of these are medium to long run solutions. In the meantime, when I have an attack (I tend to get localized intestinal spasms with intensestabbing pain, cramping, nausea, and chronic constipation) I'm unable to work, write, or get out of the house- frequently about all I can do is lay in bed until it abates, which is sometimes several days. I've tried explaining this to doctors, and each time they tend to minimize it or try to tell me it's really not that bad- I only wish I could inflict it on them for an hour or two so they get an idea what it really feels like. I understand that the long-term solutions are important, and will eventually help me get this under control and minimize (if not eliminate) the symptoms. I'm currently on Prozac and taking Bentyl, but the Bentyl barely works any more.
My question is, though- what do I do in the short run? Is there any other medication that helps (i.e. muscle relaxers, etc.)? Basically, I feel completely non-functional at this point- I'm unable to work, and in fact lost my last job as a result of my IBS. I'm scared to even schedule an interview, since there's a good chance I'll either be having an attack or recovering from one and have to cancel. This is doubly frustrating for me because I am not an invalid by nature- I've always been healthy and active, always had a job, I write, I paint, I'm a tattoo artist, I've been in several bands- in short, I've always had an active, enjoyable life, and now I feel like a bed-ridden cripple at the age of 40. Although I realize that members and/or authors of this board probably cannot make endorsements for various reasons, if someone can refer me to a sympathetic, understanding Physician in the San Fernando Valley/ Los Angeles area who specializes in IBS, I would be eternally grateful. Perhaps I've just had bad luck with regards to doctors, but I'm really at my wit's end. In the meantime, I'm going to check out all the resources here. Thanks to all of you for you input and info, and I look forward to being a member here. TIA!
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