questions??
#153044 - 02/22/05 10:47 PM
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Hello, I am new to the board and any possible answers to these questions would be very helpful.
History:About 8 months ago my wife was diagnosed with ulcertive colitis. She was put on ASacol by her doctor. It seemed to help at first so the Dr. backed off the dosage. about a week later she was back in the bathroom with the attacks. She called her Dr. and he advised her to increase the asacol back to 9 pills a day and he explained to her that he believes that she also has IBS. He told her that the 2 conditions go hand and hand. However, everthing that I have been reading states that both conditions are not related. Are they related?
Months have gone by and the Dr has not been able to do anything to stop the attacks. He told her to take imodium a few times a day and to call him next week. This went on until my entire family ended up with the Flu. My wife who normally can't leave the house because she needs the bathroom sometimes more then 20 times a day was forced to see our family doctor. I explained the situation to him. He felt that our GI guy is not helping us at all and reccomended a second opinion. I was already searching for another GI doctor so of course I agreed. Our General Dr. agrred with me that something needs to be done for the alegid IBS. 20+ times a day in the Bathroom needs to stop. He ran some blood tests and told us that everything was normal. He also prescribed, dyclomine and put her on 4 a day but instructed her to build up slowly because she is sensitive to medicine. She is taking 3 per day currently. One other thing, the GI Doc put her on Paxil and after 4 days the side effects were unbearable so the General Dr. told her to stop taking it. It did not help and caused panic attacks. I almost rushed her to the Er because she had problems breathing. Of course she is depressed. Her life is in the bathroom. She can't leave the house and I have not been able to go to work myself, because I am taking care of our 3 year old only child because he needs the attention and my wife can't do it. The attacks have not stopped. She also takes benefiber but from my reading, probably not enough.
Is the combonation of asacol and dyclomine safe? How can I help her? I ordered Heather's eating for IBS book and I have done endless research. How can my wife get her life back?
Does this sound like, IBS, Colitis, Chrones or a combination? One last question, I have noticed in all of the symptom lists that I have been reading for all of these condidtions that she would show signs of no appitite. She is always hungry, She never feels full and she always wants to eat, Why?
Please excuse any grammer or spelling errors. It is late and I am tired.
Thank you,
Eric
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I'm so sorry that your wife is suffering so much. She's lucky to have such a supportive spouse. I have no wise words of wisdom for you. Heather's diet is good for both IBS and Colitis. You cannot have Colitis and IBS at the same time. It has to be one or the other. IBS is a diagnosis given when there is no Crohns or colitis.
I would recommend your wife increase her fibre supplement. Also, does she take imodium? It can give some relief of the symptoms.
Has she tried peppermint tea? It can really ease the spasms in the colon. Try several strong cups a day.
I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. Good luck with the next GI.
--------------------
Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Welcome!
#153060 - 02/23/05 05:48 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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Hi Eric!
I'm only going to be of limited help, I'm afraid - I don't know anything about those medications, and I also don't know anything at all about ulcerative colitis and whether or not the two go "hand in hand" as the doctor said. For more information specific to the colitis, you might want to post this message on the "Crohn's and Colitis" board - it doesn't get very much traffic compared to the IBS boards, so you might have to wait a while for a reply, but when you do get a reply, it's more likely to be a knowledgeable one. 
I can tell you that it definitely won't hurt - and can only potentially help! - for her to follow the Eating for IBS diet guidelines, to see if there's any improvement. You don't need to wait for the book; everything you need to know to get started is right here on the site, here. It sounds like you've already read a lot of what's on the site... it's good that she's taking Benefiber, but she could also try increasing that *slowly*. She might also want to try peppermint tea or capsules - they're just about the best antispasmodic there is, and if she has any cramping at all, it will help.
A lot of us have been greatly helped by antidepressants. There's a definite mind-gut connection with IBS. I know she had a bad experience with Paxil, but not every medication works the same with everyone, and it's possible that another might work much better for her. I'm not saying she should run back to the doctor and demand a different AD, it's just something to keep in mind. I know I'd be lost without my Lexapro. It hasn't been a cure, but it's been a huge help. Between it and Heather's diet, I can leave the house again!
Good luck! I hope you find a better GI, and definitely keep us posted on how she's doing!
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...it sounds like she really needs a proper diagnosis! Fraid I don't know about UC or those drugs...try asking on the Crohns forum.
Good luck.
PS. If she starts on the diet, it can't hurt and will probably help! That and a good dose of SFS are something she can do whilst waiting for a proper diagnosis.
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Thank you to all for your replies.
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