Bad, bad week...what to do?
#143668 - 01/28/05 06:31 AM
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Hey, guys. I'm obviously having a bad week, as can be seen by the number of my posts. Here's my problem:
After I had my colonoscopy last month, I had figured that my GI would have an idea of a routine that would help, or else have a magic pill that would "fix" me. No dice. He says he's gonna pass me off to the thyroid guy or another specialist now because he doesn't know what else to do for me.
It didn't help that I felt so damn good after the colonoscopy either...I wasn't bloated or in pain or gassy for about 3 weeks. But after that, everything came back in full force. For the last two weeks, I haven't been able to go the bathroom except for every 4-5 days (I'm IBS-C) and I'm miserable. The bloating is constant. I'm tired from lugging this gut around, and completely demoralized. I'll admit to eating foods that aren't so helpful, and avoiding the gym to simply huddle under a blanket on the couch with my cats and be depressed. Yeah. Real healthy.
In short, I think I'm at the end of my rope. I'm tired of coping, tired of dealing, tired of scouring 3 or 4 grocery stores a week for special food, tired of wearing the only pair of pants that fits (I'm sure everyone at work is tired of that, too!), tired of feeling "fat" and unnatractive, and dammit...I WANT SOME CHOCOLATE!
I suppose I don't have to add that I'm PMS-ing, do I?
How does everyone else cope after a few weeks of feeling good and then feeling so absolutely terrible? Sorry. I'm just pretty down in the dumps today.
sue
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I get a lot of that. I'm not a C - I'm an A, which is pretty darn difficult, because you swing from C to D without any warning - so I tend to go in cycles, where I feel good for a week or two or three, and then I'm back to having bad days again.
What I do is allow myself ONE DAY to wallow. I lay in bed with the heating pad, I eat nothing but bread and tea if that's what tickles my fancy (and usually it is), I whine and mope and have a good ol' pity party. Sometimes, if it's PMS time, I allow myself TWO days (because, you know, hormones suck).
After that, it's back on track. I force myself to eat well, no matter how much I don't want to. I force myself to at least be a little active, running errands, cleaning the house, whatever, just so I'm not sitting on my butt. I force myself to work. It stinks, but if I don't MAKE myself be good, I won't be good!
And surprisingly, after a day or two or maybe three of forcing myself to be good, I FEEL better. Maybe still not exactly good, but definitely improved mentally and more "in control" of myself, and that really does help.
My advice would be to just bite the bullet and eat well and treat yourself well. But that's just what works for me.
Good luck!! And feel better soon!
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Great advice AtomicRose!!! We all need to throw ourselves a little pitty party once in a while, especially when the hormones decide to invite thmeselves to our party!! 
Being IBS C myself, I can relate! I ALWAYS get more C the day or two before my period. Usually, once I actually start my period, than I poop!   I do take miralax, which helps so much with the C. But, exercise and water helps a lot also. I KNOW, believe me, I do KNOW, that exercise is the LAST thing you want to do. Not only will it help get things moving, it will help your mental health and the bloating and pain!! If you can't get out and exercise somewhere, crank up the sterio and do what I call "Dance Cleaning!!" I'm sure I look pretty silly but I dance myself from one end of the house to the other end dusting and straighting things up. Do little twists and kicks while you walk the vaccum around!!  Whatever, just move around and get your heart pumping!! Not only will you start to feel better, your house will look great!
When you have done that for a while, take yourself a nice, hot bath in your newly cleaned tube, light some candles and relax with a hot cup of tea!! Make youself a nice, safe dinner and than treat yourself to that chocolate!! If you don't dare eat regular chocolate, try some chocolate soy delious "ice cream" its VERY chocolatey and safe!!
I hope you feel better soon!!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I could not agree more with Michele about the benefits of exercise!!
I am IBS-C and ever since I started working out everyday I've been having a BM almost everyday. It's helped ALOT!!
I don't think there's much I can add....it's pretty much been covered. Good luck!!
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By "work out," what do you mean?
I work 9 to 5 and am single mom to an 11 year old (who HAS to get to soccer practice), plus I freelance and work odd jobs to make extra money.
Do you mean hard-gym time every day, or at least 30 minutes of walking? Or yoga? I'm curious to find out what is working for you.
Thanks!
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Hi Sue,
I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so badly. I know exactly what you're going through. I'm due for my colonoscopy in about 2 weeks & although I'm not looking forward to it, I am hoping that afterwards, there'll be a miracle cure (I know there won't be but I can hope). At least I'll be cleaned out & I am looking forward to that. As for advice, well, I'm pretty bad about sticking to the diet too so I can't offer any real food advice but I can tell you that exercise & water helps alot. Like Casey said, a pity party is good just don't let it go on too long. Do you take any SFS? They really seem to help me when I'm consistent about taking them.
Good Luck, hope you feel better soon.
Meryl
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I've been swimming for exercise!! Do you have a local YMCA? They have a good pool and lots of activities for all ages!!
It doesn't have to be hard core gym time. Just physical activity that gets your heart pumping! Play soccer with your kid!! Yoga! Anything!!!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I'm a busy lady too so I know how you feel!! I work full-time 9-5, go to night school and write a weekly column on the side.
I go to the gym every day either after work or after night school and I do at least 45 minutes of cardio/day (brisk walking up hill on the treadmill or bike) and twice/week I do 30 minutes of weight training (to burn fat)....
Doing this has helped me ALOT...
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I'll try. Because I use the local college gym (free) it's hard to get an empty machine or find two matching free weights at any one time! I do try, but helping with homework and driving to and from soccer practice kinda precludes serious gym time. I'm lucky to get 2-3 times a week to myself to go. My son isn't old enough to stay home alone and he's too ornery to participate at the gym (well, he's *not* supposed to use the machines or weights, for liability reasons). Mothering is fun. 
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You know..I've had IBS for ten years and I never ever fail to get my hopes up everytime I have had a good run of things, that maybe its gone away for good and then BAM its back! I am starting to identify a pattern with my menstrual cycle which is something you should seriously consider mapping out too! I get really down when it happens, generally spend a little while sobbing and eventually pick myself up again..feel better...eat more things and then ATTACK all over again. Someone up there is playing a nasty joke on us!!
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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Kimm
#144294 - 01/30/05 08:48 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I was just wondering what you are going to school for? Wow, I would die on your schedule!! How do you do it, especially with the IBS?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I understand how you feel. I've had 3 colonoscopies over the past 8 years. The diagnosis is simply "IBS" because there's nothing visibly wrong. I've been C my entire life. I've tried the fiber/exercise thing. Even though I take fiber & exercise 3 times every week, I honestly haven't ever been "normal" except when taking Zelnorm or Miralax. Have you tried medication to help you?
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I did do a lot better on zelnorm, but once the 8 week cycle of meds stopped, the C began again. My GI has suggested that if I do not have a thyroid problem (diagnosed by the throid doc I still have to see) that going on zelnorm for the longterm is a possibility. I dislike the idea of medication (well, of adding more medication to what I already take!), but if I have to do that, I just might. Thanks for the ideas...it's good to know there is support out there.
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Re: Kimm
#144835 - 01/31/05 09:45 AM
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Kimm
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 1171
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Well I'm in a graduate program in night school for publishing and editing.
Yes my schedule can be very exhausting but I find the busier I am the better I feel. When I'm sitting around at home I tend to feel worse for some reason. Weird eh?
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Quote:
Yes my schedule can be very exhausting but I find the busier I am the better I feel. When I'm sitting around at home I tend to feel worse for some reason. Weird eh?
I am the same way, Kimm! I find that when I am horribly busy, I have less attacks. I guess it's less worry time for me, which I have noticed have been causing more attacks for me.
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- Jennifer
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Casey said it all and Michele brought it home. Just try it for a few days, you will feel better and your bms will become more frequent with less bloating and gas.
I am speaking from experience. After I stopped laying around and started walking every day, I felt better. Now I do aerobics 3 times per week and lift weights 3 times a week. It has made a huge difference in the way I feel as well as the way I perceive myself. Sure, sometimes I have to force myself to do it after a hard day at the office, but I do.
I know you don't want to and probably don't feel like it but give it a shot. Everybody can't be wrong!!!!!!!!!!
BIG BIG HUGS TO YOU.
Lene 
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God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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I know exactly how you feel........ my life revolves around just trying to feel comfortable, searching for recipes that I can eat.... going from grocery store to grocery store. I am also a stubbor C. I have found that zelnorm helps for me ONLY when I am eating mostly soft SF foods and taking citrucel (and a cup of coffee in the a.m. to get my engines going). I think we really do have to allow ourselves time to drown in the sorrow and isolation b/c you can't fight EVERYTHING at once. I agree with the other girls that you have to try and not wallow for too long. I try to put on music and clean the house as well. It gets you moving and if you like music it can perk you up. Read only funny books and watch funny movies. Whatever you can do to get good energy pulsing thru your veins! And stay on the boards....... knowing everyone else feels like you do helps. Keep your chin up 
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