Help! Need to vent
#216040 - 09/27/05 03:41 AM
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Emily H.
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 83
Loc: Luxembourg, LU
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So here I am, on the second day of my first "real" job ever, and I'm having an awful attack. I'm an A, but I've always been mostly C. Of course, today, I've got D. But not the average D. This is weird. My stomach gurgles, I know what's coming, so I head to the bathroom. And...nothing. Gas, lots of it, and some pain, but only a few little specks of D. It's like I'm the only person to ever be BOTH constipated and have diarrhea. Anyway. So I took Immodium, but I think that could be a problem too. The stuff I have is the liquid stuff, and as I was taking it, I read the "inactive ingredients" label. Sucralose. So now I'm worried that a) I'll have an attack on the train and not make it to work, b) the Immodium is actually going to make it worse, not better, and c) How the h*ll am I going to survive 8 hours sitting in an office when I feel like this? Arrgh. Okay. Have vented. Don't really feel better, but it is immensely reassuring to know that you all understand this.
~Emily
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I feel you pain......it's okay to vent.....that's what we're here for. I couldn't take my diarrhea attacks at work anymore, so I quit. I don't know how we're going to survive on only my husband's income but I cannot work when my IBS-D is this bad. It gives me PLENTY OF TIME, to follow Heather's diet and rest so my tummy can try to relax. It's been almost two months now, and I'm still messed up! My mornings used to be worse than part of the day but now my mornings aren't that bad and I start having attacks at about 3:00pm or 4:00pm. I don't know what's up with that! Anyway, I Hope you get better soon!
Michelle 
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I'm sorry you're having such a hard time of it. If you're not following Heather's diet strictly, this might be a good time to do so. It should help your tummy settle a little.
I'm straight IBS-D, so I don't know what to say about being IBS-A and Imodium, except that if you do take it, use the tablets - they don't have anything IBS-bad in them.
You might also take a look at this old post from someone who commutes into the City. Based on the responses I got in this thread, I tried Donnatol. It helps me, but it does have classic dry mouth, kind of out of it side-effects.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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My doctor wouldn't give this to me, either. I wish I could have tried it......
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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How did your husband take your quitting your job? Just curious, no need to answer if you don't want.
There's a lot of people here who don't work, and I often wonder how their other half feels about that. DH and I have never discussed it much other than in the context of when we eventually have kids, but if I quit my job now because of my IBS I don't think things would be too happy around here.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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Sorry you're feeling rough! I've been going through this every day for the last couple months, but I'm a straight D, so it's a little different for me. Since you didn't mention taking anything else, I highly recommend seeing your doctor and getting a script for an anti-spasmodic. I would have never made it to work at all these last couple months without my Levsin, even though it doesn't work all that great.
I have also found that drinking lots of plain hot water can be very soothing (I can't have tea). Bonus side effect: people think you're weird if you drink a cup of plain hot water.
Hope you feel better soon.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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He was not cool with it all for a little while and we got into a big fight that almost landed me in the hospital. So, after that, he decided that he would rather have me than the money because I was making almost as much as him. It's hard, but we're okay. We both realized that I need my health more than money. I was getting worse and worse as the days went by. So, we're just cutting expenses as we can and trying to make the best of it. And I'm learning to eat again, by Heather's diet. I have been eating the SF alot lately and slllllowly but surely it's working. It takes a very long time for my body to get back to normal after I have an attack like I did a couple months ago. How are you doing?? Aren't you taking the Acacia, too?? I just started that again this week and I think I need to up it a little more, but I'm afraid of throwing my body off, again. I have the Levsin, too, for my attacks but it doesn't really help like I would like it to. Put it this way, it doesn't help me enough for me to be able to work.......
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I know "exactly" how you feel. Like you, I am mostly C but in the last few days D too! I'm a 911 Director and it's really tough to keep my mind on what I need to be doing at times. I haven't had much luck with OTC meds. I'm on Robinol and take Lomotil when I have severe attacks. (It's lights out though whenever I take that.) I'm pushing the water too. It's terrible...I sympathize with your condition. Keep your chin up!!
Lisa
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Thanks for all of your support, guys. I really appreciate it. I made it through work today, yay!, but this just confirms my conviction that I've got to finally go to a good GI doc and get all the tests done. You're right, Jen, I think I do need an anti-spasmodic or something like it. The really frustrating thing is that I've been following Heather's diet like religion, so who knows where this came from. Unfortunately, I really can't afford not to work, since my fiance is a grad student and I'm sure you can guess how well that pays. On an upbeat note, my cats were all cuddly when I got home. 
BTW, Sand, thanks for the heads up on the commuting ideas. Would you by any chance know of any good docs to recommend in Manhattan? I'll search the boards, too.
~Emily
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I know!
#216226 - 09/27/05 07:58 PM
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Passanie
Reged: 04/28/04
Posts: 344
Loc: Fresno, CA
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Yes!! I know that feeling - C and D at the same time. Usually I'm D, but yeah, you run to the bathroom and nothing but gas comes out, even though you can just feel it right there and if the darn stuff would get the &*$@ out your body, you'd be fine.
The stress of a new job is probably what's causing this. That's good though, because your stress level will only drop, so it has nowhere to go but better!
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GIs in New York
#216304 - 09/28/05 09:22 AM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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Sorry, I'm not going to be much help recommending docs in Manhattan. Here's a thread from a while back with my lukewarm recommendation for a GI guy.
And here's the big thread Heather started on good docs. The one she lists at Cornell had moved as of Fall 2004, but maybe there's someone else at Cornell? There is one in Mt. Kisco, but I don't know if you're commuting into Manhattan from anywhere near there. There might be more listed further on in the thread - you just have to dig through and look for them.
My GI guy in New Jersey is good, although not the least bit warm and fuzzy, but I don't imagine that will do you any good. I know Jersey is like the end of the earth to people in Manhattan.
I hope someone else pops up with a ringing recommendation for a GI guy in New York. You can try doing a Search - I know this has come up before, although I don't remember anyone insisting their GI guy in Manhattan was great.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Hi Sand, What about that guy, Dr. Michael Gershon who wrote
the NY TImes article that I think Jaime posted. The article
says he's chairman of the dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology
at Columbia University. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Michael Gershon
#216472 - 09/29/05 07:22 AM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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As I said in an earlier post, I wish we all could find a doctor like Michael Gershon - brilliant, knowledgeable, compassionate, funny - what more could anyone want?
My impression is that he does research only and doesn't see patients, but I don't know that for a fact. I found his Website at Columbia:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/gsas/anatomy/Faculty/Gershon/
It has an email address for him and I'm sure one could backtrack through the Website to get a Department phone number. It would certainly be worth a call or email for anyone in New York City. Even if Dr. Gershon doesn't see patients himself, he might be able to recommend someone.
Excellent thought, BobK.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thanks for your help! I'll have to dig through Gershon's website, too. And I have to admit, Jersey does feel quite far away, Sand - but only because I have no car. 
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You're welcome and I hope it helps you find someone to see. If you end up calling Dr. Gershon and he sees patients or can recommend someone for you to see, please do post the info.
I have a car and Manhattan seems like the ends of the earth to me so it really works both ways. (I worked with a woman who was in her mid-20s, had lived in Northern New Jersey all her life, and had never been to New York City.)
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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How about the Penn Central railroad? It's still there isn't
it? -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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My doctor at columbia 168th street is great, compasionate and an advocate for research in IBS. I have considered moving to another state and considering to come every few months to see her even if I have to pay for the visits ,because she is that good.Her name is Susan Lucak. I cant find her number right now but if you do a search online you will find her.
Good luck
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Hi Jen,
I have been married to my husband for the past 30 yrs, and 7 years ago I became so sick that I could not work. I am now receiving disability benefits and things are better. When I first got ill I thought my husband was going to just get tired of me being sick and leave. He did not leave, and when I talked to him about it he said he understood. Most days are good for us, as he finds things to do with our business and I help when I can. My help may consist of just riding along and being supportive, not actually doing anything. Then there are the days that he is over stressed and he forgets that I am not able to do things like cook, clean, drive, etc. I have had to remind him a few times that I can not help this, that it is an illness that will never go away. He understands and apologizes. You must find out from your spouse if they are willing to be supportive or non-supportive. This is only from my own history, so I dont know if others would be as understanding.
Lummibeader
IBS, 7yrs, Semi-Stable
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Honor the Creator... Seek peace!!!
Lummibeader
IBS-D with pain
and bloating
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You're probably right - I've only been in NYC a couple months and haven't really figured out the whole transit system yet.
Michael Gershon info, for those who might be interested:
His website: Columbia/Michael Gershon
I did a search for him on Columbia's patient care site, but they claim he doesn't exist. Perhaps he doesn't take patients anymore? I could be wrong...
And, Susan Lucak's phone number, since she does appear on their directory (see post from Niesan, above): (212) 305 5573, 16 East 60th Street, New York NY or (212) 305 5573, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York NY
Edited by Emily M. (10/02/05 06:05 AM)
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Excellent!
#216950 - 10/02/05 05:55 AM
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Emily H.
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 83
Loc: Luxembourg, LU
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Great! I knew I'd read something about an IBS specialist at Columbia Pres, but haven't had any luck finding her name again. Thanks! A plus: That's about 5 subway stops from my house, so really convenient.
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