Do I REALLY have IBS?
#164756 - 03/28/05 01:45 PM
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I've really appreciated all of the intelligent, caring and supportive feedback I've received from my last few posts so I am reaching out again with another question.
I was reviewing Heather's second book, specifically the section on confirming the IBS diagnosis. I am familiar with the Rome criteria of course, but somehow it's kind of slipped my mind in all of the effort to make this diet work for me. Some of you who have read my other posts will know that I am still uncertain as to whether I have IBS, or whether there is something else going on, or both. Note: I have had more tests than a lab rat over the past six years and at this point, I am (allegedly) negative for celiac, parasites, yeast, bacterial overgrowth, Crohns, UC, thyroid, food allergies (ex egg/soy), etc.
I'm going to list my symptoms along with their severity and duration and ask you all how you think they fit (or don't) the IBS diagnosis.
History:
* had normal/great digestion my whole life, until severe case of parasites/dysentary at age 24 in Indonesia
* since then I've had persistent and worsening symptoms listed below:
Symptoms:
Last six years...
1. Gas/bloating (we're talking off the charts, 24X7, wakes me up from sleep)
2. Devastating fatigue (been on disability 15 months, wake up feeling exhausted, tire easily, doesn't improve with exercise/sleep)
3. Constipation (incomplete evacuation, reduced motility)
4. Pain/spasms/cramps (hospitalized three times so intense)
5. Malaise/foggy-headedness (difficulty concentrating, feel "out of it", like I'm surrounded by a wet blanket)
6. Muscle weakness/ache/fatigue (I get sore after even a small amount of activity)
Last two/three years (in addition to above)
7. Insomnia (has become increasingly worse; seems to correspond to pain/gas/activity in gut)
8. Depression (obviously)
9. Anxiety/agitation
My doctor believes that all of these symptoms could be caused by an "irritable gut", but I'm just not sure I buy that. I would LOVE for this diet/program to work for me and to stop searching for an answer... but so far I've really struggled with it (see other posts).
I'm just curious to hear what you all think...
Chris
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The gas, bloating, constipation and cramps are all signals of an IBD - not necThe only way to tell whether you have IBS is by having a colonoscopy to outrule crohn's and colitis. Only then is a true IBS diagnosis given.
The other symptoms you mention are generally not signs of IBS at all. The lack of sleep is concerning. Have you been tested for a sleep disorder like apnea? Does your partner complain of your snoring? This could be a sign. With the lack of sleep, it's hardly surprising you're having anxiety and depression troubles. Not to say that they're caused by lack of sleep, either. But it can make them worse. Have you always been anxious? Ever been depressed before? These are signs of depression or an anxiety disorder - I should know - I have both.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Thanks for your reply. My doctor believes the insomnia I suffer from is not indicative of a primary sleep disorder like sleep apnea (and from what I gather in my own research, I agree). The insomnia corresponds to what's happening in my gut, i.e. on the extremely rare night I don't have pain/spasm/gas, I sleep pretty well.
The anxiety and depression didn't happen until about three or four years into this illness. In Jan '04 I was hospitalized with "passive suicidal ideation" for three days. (Translation: the illness had worn me down so completely I didn't want to live anymore, but I wasn't actually contemplating suicide) It was a complete emotional breakdown.
I took meds for about a month, but they didn't work for me and I've always been partial to natural approaches. A little over a year later and I'm doing remarkably well in this department. I attribute this to frequent exercise, creative pursuits (piano, acting classes), friends/family/significant other, my spiritual practice (Zen Buddhism), good therapy and funny movies  .
If I do have IBS, it's got to be one of the most severe cases I've ever heard of. The fatigue, malaise, brain fog, weight loss (remember, I'm IBS-C, not D), muscle/joint aches all suggest something like a parasite... but we haven't found any on recent tests (and believe me, it's not for lack of looking!)
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I've had EVERY test there is pretty much and have medically diagnosed IBS. I experience every single one of these symptoms except the C and lessened motility (only cause I'm a D). I am fatigued ALL the time, I ache all over especially in the lower back and legs, I get woken up from sleep all the time by my aches and pains and when I do sleep it's full of weird dreams and I wake up feeling more tired than when I went to bed.
It is important you have a proper diagnosis of IBS badlydrawnboy but there are many things I've found with my body that quite simply do not fit into the Rome II guidelines for Irritable Bowel and yet that's what I've got. Hope this helps (and sorry I'm not trying to be rude, it's kinda hard when you're posting sometimes not to sound like you're being rude  HS, just going off how I feel every day).
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Amy
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I developed IBS after a really nasty stomach bug (isn't travelling fun?  ). Along with the IBS symptoms of stomach cramps, bloating, gas, D, C, etc I also had increasingly worsening pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression and mental-clarity-difficulties!
I have IBS, no question bout that. But I ALSO have fibromyalgia. It turns out that I've probably had it since I was 13 if not before BUT it wasn't until the IBS wrecked my bod that symptoms became a day-to-day problem - which I've found is VERY typical of FMS.
So you may want to give it some thought! You seem to have ALL the main symptoms. I don't supose you also have some "extras" like sensitivities (ton any stimuli!) or tension headcahes/migraines?
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You very well could have IBS -- and you could have something else with it as Linz suggests. Many of the people ont his board did fine until something triggered it. Mine was triggered about 3 and a half years ago. Many of them have been going through a lot of the same things.
I have problems with insomnia myself - and have for quite a while. I didn't realize I had IBS until I had already been suffering for nearly a year. I also have had problems with gas & bloating until recently. Pain & cramping was terrible until I got stable. Depression is very common and so is anxiety -- and it can make IBS worse. It's sort of a cyclical thing because the IBS can make you depressed and anxious -- but that can make your IBS act up... which makes you even more depressed and anxious.... you have to break the cycle.
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--------------------
Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Amy...
#164877 - 03/29/05 05:24 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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...you could still have something else as well as IBS! Have you considered Fibro? Your sleep symptoms sound very typical.
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fibro
#165006 - 03/29/05 11:33 AM
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Men can have it right? Or CFS. I know a guy with that.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Re: fibro
#165017 - 03/29/05 11:48 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Yep...it's very like IBS in that more women have it but men can def. still have it!
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