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HELP!
      #285641 - 10/08/06 10:02 AM
burk

Reged: 10/07/06
Posts: 17


I am a 23 year old trying to figure out what is wrong with my digestive system. I have been told by my general physician and a GI specialist that I probably have IBS, but I'm not quite sure it's that simple. I have a copy of Eating for IBS, and have tried the diet, but my symptoms still persist. My symptoms are terrible gas and bloating, loose bowels, and what is pretty much a constant smell of flatulence emmanating from my anus. A lot of foods, in fact almost all, that are supposedly safe under the IBS diet are giving me trouble. I have been trying the foods under the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" section, and only Crispix seems to work.
The worst symptom of all is that my anus gives out a constant stench. This symptom seems to baffle both doctors that I have seen thus far. I believe that I do have the diarrhetic form of IBS, but something else seems to be going on. I have lived with this for a while, but a combination of factors this summer have increased my stress level to the point where this is a crisis.
I have started taking a supplement Align and have a free trial of Rifaximin. These have seemed to have relieved the diarrhea, but my other symptoms persist. I have been taking activated charcoal for gas, which seems to work, but the most unbearable symptom, this stench, continues on. I have noticed that whenever I eat something that later gives me trouble, I immediately have a feeling in my stomach or upper intestines that something is not right, like I ate some really spicy food or something. Could I have an ulcer?
I currently have little to no social life because of this problem. It's to the point where I don't want to be around people at all if I can manage it. I feel that if I'm in a room for more than a minute I begin to stink up the place. This is really hard for me because I have friends who want to hang out with me, but I can't handle the embarrassment.
I am having a colonoscopy on the 12th, and I plan on calling in to get other tests done at the same time. What tests do you suggest I have done?
I have only been on the IBS diet for a few days, so maybe I just need to give it more time, but when you're suffering, it's hard to be patient. I have been a vegetarian and have been eating stirfried vegetables and rice for a while before I heard about the diet, so even though I recently started the IBS diet, I've been on a similar one for a while. Anything with wheat in it seems to give me trouble especially, but I have had a blood test that was negative on wheat allergy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Doctors have been of no help thus far, but maybe I'll find something out after my tests on the 12th.


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Re: HELP! new
      #285644 - 10/08/06 11:05 AM
franny

Reged: 05/16/05
Posts: 508
Loc: N. FL

Burk, I'm sorry your suffering so much discomfort. Sometimes this board is very slow on weekends. Don't get discouraged if you don't get too many replies today but bump it up tomorrow.
I'm glad your getting a colonoscopy. That may give the docs some clues as to what is going on. I did have a problem with "mucous type wetness" around my anal area constantly before I began this diet and supplements 17 months ago. I was confined to my house for years due to IBS and it's fun companions, depression and panic attacks. To say my life has changed in 17 months is putting it lightly. This program saved me.
Here's what I'm doing now that helps me tremendously. The diet, 2T Acacia (1T a.m. - 1T p.m.), 1 1/2 Immodium daily and lots of fennel and peppermint teas (great for gas). For a while I took an anti-depressant (elavil) but haven't used it in many months.
I don't have the detailed information that you might be looking for but I know others here may be able to help more. Good luck.

--------------------
Franny
IBS/D
Celiac

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Re: HELP! new
      #285668 - 10/08/06 01:24 PM
JJBean

Reged: 06/27/06
Posts: 55
Loc: Buffalo, NY

I'm glad you're getting the testing done. Heather has a list of all of the tests that you should have done. It's here. Also, I know it's so hard to be patient at first on the diet. I remember crying as I was running to the bathroom for the third time and hadn't even finished breakfast yet. I would say give the diet at least a month. It has taken me about five months to feel somewhat stable, and I'm still not totally there. However, my symptoms are very mild and manageable now, not the frightening, embarassing, depressing symptoms of before.

I have not had the problem of the smell, but hopefully the tests will help you determine what exactly is going on. Good luck!

--------------------
IBS-D and STABLE!!!!

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Re: HELP! new
      #285680 - 10/08/06 02:33 PM
tummalarkey

Reged: 09/05/06
Posts: 131


I'm in the same boat that you are but hang in there. I'm 25 and have been eating bread and potatoes for 2 years. I'm about to start the diet (starting with what to eat when you can't eat anything) in a couple of weeks. I don't have much advice except that Immodium has helped me quite a bit as well as acacia and beano. This is a great place that you found with lots of information. Good luck and keep us posted on the results of your colonoscopy.

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Courtney (IBS-D)
"Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible." Romans 12:18

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Celiac Disease new
      #285684 - 10/08/06 02:54 PM
Sand

Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)

I don't know exactly which tests you had for wheat "allergy", but I think you need to rule out celiac disease. Symptoms include excessive gas, bloating, and foul smelling stool. Combined with the fact that wheat seems to cause problems and that so much of the food on the EFI Diet gives you trouble, I'd make sure this was thoroughly investigated. I know there are blood tests to check for this, but you may need an endoscopy with biopsies to get a firm diagnosis.

web page

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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]

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Re: HELP! new
      #285685 - 10/08/06 03:35 PM
kim123

Reged: 07/18/06
Posts: 543
Loc: Florida

Hi, I'm wondering if you may have a yeast allergy. Your symptoms match mine pretty well when I eat anything with yeast. Of course, bread is the biggest culprit, but yeast is in a lot of other foods...crackers, canned soups, sauces, etc. (Read all labels)Did you consider eliminating something you are eating...like yeast... just to see if you have any positive results? May be worth a try?? Yeast really kills me and if I don't eat it, I am sooo much better.
Take care.

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Re: HELP! new
      #286210 - 10/12/06 04:15 PM
burk

Reged: 10/07/06
Posts: 17


Thanks for your reply franny, and for everyone else's. I had my colonoscopy today, which revealed nothing, so I guess it's just IBS. Things have gotten better with the diet, but I had the best results when I stuck just to Crispix. I have noticed that my butt sweats a lot in general, so I have gotten medication for hyperhydrosis that will hopefully help. I just got acacia and I take fennel supplements and drink chamomile tea and I'm doing the diet, so hopefully these things will help.
I will definitely investigate yeast allergy and celiac disease also. Thanks again.

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