Wishing I could figure this out
#248211 - 02/23/06 05:23 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am so depressed about my health. I feel like it is completely out of my control. I am bloated, cramped about 80% of the time. For the past 8 months I continue to develop worse symptoms in addition to weight gain. I went from 125-139 pounds! The doctors say that it is IBS, since stomach scan/pelvic scan, colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy came back negative for problems. All that he says is that my intestines and colon are inflammed and I have a spastic colon= IBS. I'm wondering...could it be something else? how do i know this is only IBS? Great, now I should take Zelnorm and everything will be fine? Nothing works. Everything takes 2 weeks only to give me MILD results. I feel so frustrated. Before this I was an avid exerciser and healthy eater. I am so depressed I feel like I'm losing my life. Please help me get my life back :-(
Sincerely,
Sad and Bloated
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with IBS. From what you say, it is IBS-C not IBS-D. Since you've had a colonoscopy, I'm sure your doctor has tested you for ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease, etc. and ruled those out. Unfortunately, for most of us it's a "mystery" disease and we each have to cope by trying different ways of eating to alleviate the pain.
I hope you get some ideas from this site, such as eating more soluble fiber and cutting out certain foods (see Heather's diet). Perhaps you can try an elmination diet by eating "safe" foods and gradually adding other "suspicious" foods that may be triggers. I have taken laxatives in the past, which tend to have a rebound effect - causing more constipation once they have "worked".
I hope you get some relief soon.
--------------------
Penny
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Don't We All!
#248223 - 02/23/06 05:44 PM
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
Hi Sad and Bloated,
We're all in the same boat! You're not alone here.
If your doc gave you the diagnosis, I wouldn't try to out-guess him by "wondering.... if it could be something else." I know how you feel, though, 'cause when I got my diagnosis, I was in total denial and refused to give up my healthy foods (salads, fresh fruit, raw cabbage slaw, cheese, coffee -- shall I go on?). When I was in extreme pain, I turned to Heather and these Boards. I used to worry that my IBS would become worse, that I would get Crohn's or Colitis and end up dying. It would keep me awake at night. Now I know better, and now I'm stable, thank GOD!
I know all about that weight gain, oh yeah! I gained more than you did, Girlfriend! I'm just now beginning to lose it, thankfully.
You need Heather's books and you need to follow them to the letter. I am totally convinced it's all about diet -- that is, if you want to get better. I confess, I cheated on the diet; Heather caught me with my beloved coffee! With one post, she got me off it, and it was then that I began to improve.
You'll "get [your] life back" when you're finally stable, but right now you need to focus on the diet in order to GET stable.
Are you a "C" or a "D"? I don't know about Zelnorm, but I think it's for "C" as I recall. I'm a "D", so for me, my med is Donnatal. Thankfully, I haven't had to take any for months.
On a positive note, you're an avid exerciser -- that's GREAT! That's gonna help you a lot. KEEP IT UP! I tend to baby myself and don't exercise when I have an attack. I think the exercise could help me through the attack if I was stricter with myself.
These Boards are all about IBS, full of great folks who have been there and back again, and who can help you through this. Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have; I guarantee you, there's someone here who knows the answers.
Welcome to the Boards!
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Zelnorm may work if you have IBS-C. I had one Dr. suggest it to me and I have IBS-D. The damage that would have done! I switched docs shortly after that. What worked for me to get stabilized was to eliminate all trigger foods immediately. For a few weeks I ate nothing but rice, bananas, bread, oatmeal, hot tea and lots of water. I slowly started introducing foods again after I was stable. I also incorporated the tummy fiber and regular exercise into my routine. I later also started yoga and eventually I did hypnosis (fantastic!) I took me a few years. At times it seemed neverending and it was so frustrating. But it can be done. And try to learn how to listen to your body. It will tell you what you can eat and what you cannot. And definately keep exercising. It is so good for IBS. Good luck.
--------------------
***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Did you do the IBS hypnosis cd's or did you go to someone?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Something is not quite right here. Your doctor said your colon is inflammed?
There is not visiable inflammation in IBS?
Are you sure that is what he said?
--------------------
My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I went to see a CHT and she recorded all the sessions on cd. So I can reuse them anytime I need to. Which I've only had to do once. From what I've heard the cds are very good. It can be pretty costly to actually go see someone. But I loved it. It was tailored to specifically fit my symptoms and she was able to slip other suggestions that are not directly related to IBS but still have an effect on it.
--------------------
***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
hohoyumyum
was that a Hypnotherapist in Oregon?
--------------------
My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
No, down in Sacramento, Ca. Her name is Katherine Zimmerman. Her website is www.trancetime.com
--------------------
***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks, yes I am familar with her.
--------------------
My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
