Reached my pain tolerance level this morning...
#287041 - 10/19/06 08:21 AM
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jules
Reged: 06/17/03
Posts: 1140
Loc: Michigan
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I've been dealing with IBS for four years or so, two under an official diagnosis. I've never felt worse than I did this morning. I'm also 20 weeks pregnant. I'm so bloated that it's causing sharp pains in my abdomen. It hurts even to breathe. If I even touch my abdomen, I feel the sharp pain. I can't sit without discomfort. I don't know what to do!! I want to call my doctor, but I know that there's nothing that they can do. I just want to make it through today and tomorrow, and then, finally, thank God, it's the weekend.
I'm struggling to hold back tears here at work. I have a 1 p.m. meeting that I can't cancel because it's my meeting and I'm under some pretty strict time restraints.
I'm pretty sure that my pain is from a combo of trapped gas a stool. I took some Natural Calm last night and have been trying to drink as much water/tea as I can.
I think I have a huge pain tolerance. If a non-IBSer was feeling what I'm feeling right now, they would probably go to the ER. But, I'm accustomed to a certain amount of pain and just accept it as part of my life. I'm so sad because it puts a damper on EVERYTHING! Every daily activity, every planned event. Sucks.
I'm feeling very sorry for myself, but I'm here at work in a cube, and can't call anyone because then EVERYONE here at work will know what's going on with me.
Ok, I'm done. Rant over. I'm going to try and distract myself with some work. Thanks for reading.
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~jules
Edited by jules (10/19/06 08:22 AM)
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Hi Jules,
Just wanted say I hope you feel better soon! Six weeks ago I felt the same way you do and it just kept getting worse until I found this website and started on the IBS diet. I was truly at the end of my rope. Do you follow Heathers diet? I'm sure you do but if not I really recommend it.
Sending positive thoughts your way! 
Peace
Renee
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Thanks for responding. I've tried it in the past, when I first starting researching my symptoms online four years ago. I did not work for me. I've been thinking about starting it up again. For me personally, it doesn't matter what food I eat. Some days, anything and everything bothers me. I could eat an IBS-safe diet for a couple of weeks, and then have a flare-up for no apparent reason.
But, that's the way this goes, right?
Food is such an issue with me anyway, and it doesn't help that I'm pregnant. There were some foods early on that I had such an aversion to.
I want to crawl under my desk and sleep this off.
Are you IBS-C, D or A?
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~jules
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Jules..
I can't imagine having to deal with this and being pregnant at the same time, it must be tough. I'm IBS-C and as far as I can remember have been this way for the past 10 yrs but have just been diagnosed 2 months ago. Of course everything my doctor recommended I eat made it worse.. so here I am eating broccoli, brussel sprouts, everything whole wheat and my stomach is getting bigger and I'm in more pain every day. Well then I found this website and changed my diet completely and MY GOSH what a difference in just one day!
Maybe just try the IBS diet or the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast) for a day or so to see if helps.
Hang in there!
Peace
Renee
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This is my second pregnancy with IBS, and it got worse during that one as well. Surprisingly, all my symptoms disappeared THE DAY my son was born, and stayed away for 7.5 months, my entire maternity leave. The symptoms returned when I went back to work.
I think I will do the "What to eat when you can't eat anything" for the next two days and see what happens. The hard thing for me is to try and keep my diet healthy and well-rounded enough for my baby. This is SO hard.
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~jules
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Good luck, I hope it helps!
Peace
Renee
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Are you constipated? A natural remedy that I have used is to take lemon juice and mix it with hot water (1/4 lemon juice to 3/4 water). The lemon juice works to break up everything and usually only takes about an hour to work. Since you are at work (and if you have lemon juice) I would sip about half of it rather than chugging it all down. The cramping might get a little worse before you are relieved. It works for me anyway...Hope you feel better!
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I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. Have you tried fennel tea to help with the gas? Some people on the Board swear by it.
Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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hi Jules, I'm in bad pain at the mo too I can't imagine how bad it must be for you at work , my prayers are with you and your bump (unborn baby lol)
hope you feel better real soon
xxxx
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Hi Jules,
I am so sorry to read about your pain. I wish there was something I could do. You are so brave to be at work...just think about how great it will be once your baby is born.
I am praying for you...
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I am there with you today Jules as you will see in my post in the LR. What about some peppermint tea? Or just tea in general. Sometimes the heat helps me with trapped gas. Call your OB but I think you can take Gas-X during pregnancy. I like to get on all fours and do the cat arch with my back to help also. Hang in there I totally understand. Right now I feel like my intestines are pushed up into my rib cage!! 
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Do you have a heating pad or microwaveable hot pack? Is there a nurses' station at work where you could get one? I've found that to be helpful for gas pains.
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-Carol
IBS-A
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My heart goes out to you...yes it really is a compromising disease. I remember those days at work when I basically had panic attack b/c a meeting was looming. Take a deep breath and remember that no one else is aware of the situation as much as you are, so play it fake. I feel like I have hidden my IBS on so many occassions that I am becoming a good actress!! Anyway, it will make you feel like the IBS is less heightened if you're not so fearful of everyone else around you. Ironically, I had hardly any IBS during my two pregnancies, but I am IBS-D so I think I just appreciated the being constipated. I ate tons of pizza and ice cream and got sadder as it was time to deliver b/c I knew those days would be over. If you are IBS-C, the gas is probably what's killing you. I would try the gas-x too if your doctor approves it. Also, two other thoughts: first, although you want to be professional, being pregnant gives you some more leeway if you need to make an excuse and leave the meeting for a break...just the idea of that made me feel less anxious. And secondly, I don't know if this is your first baby or not, but just think of how strong you will be in tolerating the pain of child birth! Feel better...the day will be over soon 
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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Oh geesh. How you doing now? When I have a bad day...it pretty much stays bad.
How much Natural Calm are you taking? Maybe you could increase? Good luck and hang in there. Put a heating pad on your belly as soon as you get home. And rip the pants off!
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Thanks all for your replies. I ended up in the ER last night. I called my OB and she was concerned about my breathing issues. I felt pain and constriction when I took a breath in. My blood pressure was once 88/45, they did a CAT scan of my lungs to make sure I didn't have a blood clot in there (something they were concerned about with me being pregnant). There was no blood clot, but I had inflamation of the lining around my heart and lungs. They told me to take ibuprofen to reduce the inflamation, but I can't take ibu while being pregnant, so I took Tylenol instead. IBS is SO hard to manage while pregnant.
My stomach feels a little bit better today, but I think it's because I've hardly eaten anything. Yesterday I had organic yogurt for b'fast, and then a piece of fruit. Then nothing until I was in the hospital in the evening. There, I had about five saltines. When we got home I had a baked potato. This morning I had a bowl of cream of rice. So, I think that those foods are helping a lot. I'm just concerned about getting the right nutrition for my baby (girl!). I've had hardly any protein since yesterday morning. I'm going to have to work some in today.
The hospital told me to treat my constipation as I usually do; there's nothing they can do.
So, I'm home today, feeling marginally better than yesterday. I'm glad I'm in my jammy pants and a tshirt rather than work clothes.
I'm going to try the hot water and lemon juice. I also am having problems straining to "go". Hurts my intestines like they are bruised. Does that make sense?
Oh, and to make things extra fun, I had the flu shot at my OB appointment on Wednesday, and I think I'm getting sick from it. Touch of a fever and some chills.
Anyway, thank you all for the time you took to respond. This is a great board!
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~jules
Edited by jules (10/20/06 05:53 AM)
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