PLZ, PLZ, PLZ....can anyone help me?
#310957 - 07/11/07 02:55 PM
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FosterDad
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 9
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
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I don't know were else to turn. Im new to this site and am not sure if this is the right forum or not, so plz forgive me if Im in the wrong spot.
I am a 38 year old male who now carries an emergency nap-sack and a port-a-potty in the back of his truck. Approximately 12 years ago, I do believe I had my first attack after eating at Pizza Hut. In a matter of 15 minutes, I had to have my friend stop his car 3 times as he rushed me home. Since then, its gotten worse over the years. I always feel bloated/nauseous almost all the time. I am constantly looking for washroom signs or places to hide "just in case" I used to love driving around with my friends skiing, scuba diving, golfing and just going out and having fun....now I cant even drive with my wife in the car. If I even start thinking that I have to go anywhere with anyone I instantly feel more ill and have to use the washroom. Which makes it sound like I have now become the owner of a phobia....oh joy. I gave up lying to my friends and family about why I cant make it to family functions or why I cant go golfing with my best friend.
I have had test after test, sample after sample, and finger after finger done over the last 10 years...most recently, I had a colonoscopy at the end of Nov/06 and everything came back fine. All the biopcies came back fine. I am suppose to be a perfectly healthy 38 year old male. Then why am I unable to control my bowels. I know I have trigger foods, which I try and stay away from, but it just seems to be getting worse.
About 7 years ago, I went for a year of having NO junk...all health foods....no take out, chocolate, pop, alcohol, even my cigars with no cheating. It was all vegies, fish, rice, boneless skinless chicken, vegie burgers and NO BREAD. I went from 200 lbs to 148 lbs in one year. The symptoms got a little better but still hung around. Was a great diet.
About 3 weeks ago, I started taking "DIGESTRIN" to see if that worked, but have now stopped until I get this weird stuff under control. Has anyone else tried DIGESTRIN?
**CAUTION...GETS A LITTLE GRAPHIC....SORRY**
Normally, my attacks are very quick to come on (have less than 1 minute to get to a facility) and my BM is extremely loose and oily. I never feel like I have had a good evacuation and always feel like there should be more. (even though I swear I saw my shoes shoot out once) About a month ago I had an attack while working out in the yard, well actually 4 attacks in about 1 1/2 hours. Since then things have gotten a little un-nerving. I am having almost uncontrolable BM's, with unbelievable gas, that first started out being "D" but then turned to a mucus and now for the last 2 1/2 weeks have turned to mucus with some blood. Needless to say, I have been freaked right out, but when I went to my family doc yesterday, he didnt look concerned at all....told me to take 50mg Dicetel 3x / day for 1 week, if that doesnt work bump it to 100mg 3x / day. He said that there is nothing left for him to do and if this doesnt work then I get the joy of getting scoped again.
So....PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. I am 38 with a wife and a 20 month old baby girl. I do not want to pass this on to my beautifull baby. (physically or mentally) If anyone can tell me anything that will give me any sign of hope, I would be very greatful. I just dont know what else to do, Ive lost my zest and really would like it back.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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I can't offer you any help but I want you to know that after reading your post, you have described me. I am 39 and have been experiencing the exact same thing. Recently, I find that I will not go anywhere without a restroom and I cancel or do not attend any kind of function where I have to ride with someone in a car a long distance or take a plane ride, boat ride, etc. It's really sad. I feel like it is controlling my life now.
I am the same way in that it comes on instantly and I have to find a bathroom asap. Then it's not just go and be done. Last weekend my family and I were all grocery shopping and I had to leave my poor husband with three small kids while I raced back to the bathroom at least 12 times. It was so embarrassing. Now when I go into that same store, I can think about what happened and start it up again.
I wish that I could just never have that fear or think about it again and just be one of those people who can go anywhere, do anything without the fear of having to use the bathroom. I would LOVE that.
I hope you can find some help. I know how you are feeling, though, and just wanted to share that there are many others like you out there and we all understand.
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You poor thing. 
First of all, we're many people here who can relate. My first question - since you described your stool as being oily, have you been checked for bilesaltmalabsorption? This can lead to problems with "fatty" loose stools and D. However it can be treated efficiently.
Blood is not typical for IBS though if you go a lot you can get small amounts of blood from the skin around the anus and/or the rectum because it gets irritated.
Since this has (quite understandably) given you phobia-like problems I suggest you take a look at the hypnotherapy info on this webpage. You can buy CD:s with self hypnosis. This has helped a lot of people here and it's particularly useful if your IBS is triggered by stress/anxiety/worrying/anticipation of an attack. I am currently working my way through a book by Barbara Bradley Bolen called Breaking the Bonds of Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is about cognitive behavior therapy for IBS. I can really recommend this book.
Diet wise you can look through the info on this page and see what you think. It differs in some ways from the diet you've been following that you described in your post, but look it through and see what you think.
Have you tried taking Imodium? A lot of people use this as a preventative. I take a generic daily. It's my life saver. I have sphincter control problems too you see because of a paralysis condition I had as a child so that complicates things for me.
Since this is affecting you a lot mentally too you might consider talking to your doctor about getting some sort of medicine to help with the anxiety and anxiety is a huge IBS trigger. There are many people on these boards who have experience of this type of treatment.
About your worrying about passing this on to your daughter. It's not known exactly what causes IBS. What you can do is to encourage your daughter as she grows up to have a healthy diet (and here you are a great role model of course) and to not smoke or drink et.c., to exercise and also to try to avoid stress as much as possible. Also encourage regular meals. Not only should this help decrease the risk of your daughter developing digestive problems but it will also help her overall health.
Read up on the info on this site and feel free to ask anything. We'll do our best to help you out.
/Ulrika, IBS-D
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I am so sorry to hear about your current problems. Just know that we all have been there and know how you feel. Have you read Heather's books yet? They are very helpful and have given many people some welcome relief. I was in really bad shape before Heather!
I am IBS-D, and when my tummy gets really bad I simplify my diet to Rice Chex cereal, rice, rice milk, pasta, white bread (bakery/homemade), potatoes, and bananas. I do this for a couple of days to get rid of the D and pain. Then slowly I return to my safe foods. I know it sounds unhealthy and boring (especially with all the "white" foods), but it is the only thing that stops the attack for me. Some IBS'ers can eat lots of different IF foods, like veggies and fruits. I can't handle IF well at all. 90% of my daily intake is SF. Maybe if you increase your SF and decrease your IF you will have less problems.
IBS is a Royal pain in the butt (literally), but if you begin to incorporate Heather's advice, I am sure you will get some relief. Good luck.
MeiMei
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we're too young for this stuff! 35-yr-old mom of 3 boys here, very healthy and athletic, but nasty case of IBS.
you should rule out intestinal parasites and celiac disease first. celiac disease is intolerance to gluten found in wheat products. mucus in stool could be a symptom. my doc says mucus in stool is normal for IBS, not to worry. i have loose stool with mucus much of the time. heather's book and diet have helped a lot. i now avoid dairy products and fatty oily foods completely and it helps a lot!!! pizza hut would have me on a 3 day diarrhea streak too! i could never eat that. you just have to follow the safe foods. i have a bowl of plain oatmeal every morning first thing. it coats the stomach. you have to find the foods that soothe your intestines. heather's book is worth getting. use probiotics as well. active cultures are the best, like in yogurt. i got Bio-K plus, which is from canada. it's got the most lactobacilli i've ever heard of, 50 billion per container. i think that's been really helping me. good luck.
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IBS/GERD/Lactose Intolerant
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Have you ever been tested for celiacs disease? Sometimes, the blood tests can be wrong. You can have your bowel checked for celiacs at www.enterolab.com
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WOW....didnt expect this many replies in one day...this is great. Kinda makes ya think that if there are this many of us out there...why havent they figured out how to fix this thing yet. Thank you all for your support and encouragment, it really does mean a lot.
With regards to what tests Ive had done....Im really not sure...as I have had so many done over the last 10 - 12 years. I was kinda wondering about CELIAC DESEASE as well, but I think Im going to have to change doctors and start all over again. My doctor just isnt taking me serious anymore. I can honestly say though that I have never heard of BILESALTMALOBSORTION....thats quite the mouth full.
Is there a chat board somewhere in this site? Ive been peeking into all the different spots but still am not sure. Is it the "LIVING ROOM"? Would love to chat with some of you.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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First, Welcome! You have found a very friendly, helpful place.
Second, I agree with Ulrika - immodium does help! I don't take it often, only when I have a really bad attacks that go on and on and on.... You understand 
Third - hypno does really help with anxiety about your ibs issues. I've done the cd's twice, and I have a lot of stress and anxiety at work and about ibs. I'm getting better everyday. I had a bad year last year. Dropped 40 lbs just before I got married, had to follow break-the-cycle diet week after week to get stable, had relapses, but I'm doing much better now.
I completely understand how frustrating it is when your dr. says that there is nothing they can do - I live in ON! OHIP sucks too, and we have a huge dr. shortage. I can't get into my GI without a referral from my GP, and then it takes about 8 months, and I am a returning patient, imagine if I was new!
Anyways, you're in the right place. Read lots, ask questions,etc. The Living Room isn't a chat room, but its the closest we have - go vent about anything or ask opinions on usually non-ibs related stuff - family, jobs, cars, anything!
Welcome, take care.
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Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up!
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celiac disease is caused by gluten intolerance. any thing with wheat in it. you can try eliminating wheat and anything with wheat gluten in it from your diet for a week and see what happens. next, you can get bloodwork done to test for celiac disease. stuff to eat: rice, gluten-free products made with rice flour, arrowroot flour, etc... if you still have D most likely you have IBS. in that case, follow heather's diet, avoid fatty foods, dairy and take a good probiotic. you want a good doc to test for colitis, crohns. don't forget to rule out intestinal parasites, like e.coli, giardia, b.hominus, c.diff. just get a stool test done to make sure.
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IBS/GERD/Lactose Intolerant
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I know Ive been tested for intestinal parasites, and from my understanding colitis, crohns and inflamitory bowel disease is usually detected by a colonoscopy and all my biopsies and film came back 100% normal.
This last bout has been unbelievably nasty and the only thing that really concerned me was the bleeding, but that seems to be going away on its own. Now Im just getting a weird almost clear, water like, EXTREMELY urgant evac, first thing in the morning. (of course usually when the wife is in the shower  ) Then just a lot of bloating and loose bm during the day. I have been trying to eat very plain foods, ie. boneless skinless chicken breast, plain potatoe, soda crackers, graham crackers, puffed rice cereal with rice milk...etc. I am in the process of getting Heather's books, cant wait to read them.
So is this the right board to be chatting about IBS help, or is it suppose to be just about food here?
Thanks again for everything guys.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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to talk about managing your IBS by managing your diet primarily using Heather's guidelines.
Ask away
Welcome aboard!
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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hmm... i used to have the same thing, clear, water-like urgent evac. when i had my parasite infection. this is when my mother, a nurse, suggested the test for celiac because this was a similar symptom of celiac. with celiac you have a reaction to gluten and your body dumps massive amounts of water into the intestines to try and flush it out. this is what i heard on a celiac disease forum. in any case, your body could just be trying to rid itself of something else, parasite, a virus, etc... get on a good probiotic asap to try and build up your "good" gut bacteria. i'm using Bio K plus. Someone on here suggested starting out with a little bit each day and then building up to whole container and then tapering back down to 1/2 bottle. i currently use 1/2 bottle a day and feel very good. normal bowel movements for 6 days now. previously had D for the past year every day. it's worth getting tested for celiac. it's a simple blood test.
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IBS/GERD/Lactose Intolerant
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Ive been looking at the BIO K+ line....is there one that is better to use than another? I would guess that the non-dairy is a good one for our group of people.
Does anyone from Canada know if there is a number or web site you can go to to try and find a good doctor in your area?
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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yeah, i use the soy formula.
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IBS/GERD/Lactose Intolerant
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CSIR
#311204 - 07/14/07 03:41 PM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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If you are looking for a GI doctor with current knowledge about IBS you might try contacting the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research. They have a toll free telephone number.
If you do contact them please tell us how helpful they are in putting you in contact with good resources.
Good luck
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Re: CSIR
#311357 - 07/16/07 08:55 PM
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FosterDad
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 9
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
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Hey Syl.....Thx for the link. I actually contacted them first thing this morning. The girl on the other end of the phone was very nice,(thx Danny) and when I explained to her my circumstances, she was very understanding. (or made herself sound that way anyways) When I asked about resources for local physicians or specialists, her response was, "Unfortunately, we are unable to give out information about individual doctors for liability reasons." So when I asked were I might find the information I needed, she just googled physicians and surgeons of BC and gave me this web sight......... https://www.cpsbc.ca/cps/physician_directory/search unfortunately the closest GI specialist that they list is over 1 hour away from me. Anyways, she also took my mailing address and is sending me their information packet of everything they have on IBS from there research. I will let you know what thats like when it arrives.
That is a great site for information on all GI related problems. Thanks again Syl.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
Edited by discouraged (07/16/07 08:56 PM)
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Well ppl....looks like I might have joined the wrong group unless this is also a place for Colitis sufferers. I was just diagnosed this afternoon with an emergency colonoscopy. Apparently I have damage from my rectum to almost my appendix. Well the good news to this is that I finally know what was wrong with me after 15 years of being told that it was all in my head. So I guess now I just move forward one day at a time. I have been put on medication that the doctors are hoping will work for me. Anyways, enough about that.
I would just like to say thank you to everyone who was kind enough to talk with me and share their experiences. It was greatly appreciated. You people are great. If anyone is interested I have some literature and a book on IBS if anyone would like it. (not sure if its really relevant for me now) I live in Canada so you can just Private Message me or email me with an address an I can get that off to you.
Thanks again everyone.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
Edited by discouraged (08/14/07 06:13 PM)
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Well congrats to you! Amazing how after 15 years you have what you probably thought you've had along! I find it interesting that they ruled out colitis with you too years ago. I swear, it sucks to have to have an emergency to have them finally take you seriously. I'm so jealous that you have a dx! I had a colonoscopy about 6 years ago...got the "well maybe it's ulcerative colitis". "Let's wait for the biopsy". Lo and behold the biopsies came back with just a little inflammation  I guess not enough to justify the medicine that they WERE gonna give me after my test. I'm back and forth with having another colonoscopy. I'd like in some ways to just have another so maybe they can find whatever's causing my agony for the last 19 years!!! I do have a good doctor though and he's working with me until we find something! I am 50% improved from about 5mths ago with being on Elavil but I want this gone...gone forever so I too can get a life!
I hope your new medicine works for you and you get your life back without having to worry about "losing it" in the car or with friends. Someday I too will have the peace of mind...someday I hope 
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~~~Lisa~~~
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it seems to be the norm here in Canada. I suffered for years and years and nobody diagnosed me with anything. Eevntually I was diagnosed with IBS but just last year they finally did a colonoscopy and endoscopy and found that I have colitis. What type of colitis did they say you have?
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Microscopic Colitis, IBS-A, GERD, Hiatal Hernia
Bethany, Ontario, Canada
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Yeah...its just wrong how the medical system treats people. I tried telling my doctor that there was no point in schedualling a colonoscopy because it takes approx. 6 months to get it done and by then things have cleared up, then ya leave and a month later....BOOM its back.
This time I actually purposely made my symptoms flare up as bad as I could and then went to the emegency room twice...the second time the emergency doctor tracked down a surgeon and made him come talk to me and then the surgeon booked me in for an emergency colonoscopy. I was just sick and tired of the "Medical 2 Step"
I wish you all the best in getting your situation sorted out. It just plain ol sucks to be having to deal with all this.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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Quote:
it seems to be the norm here in Canada. I suffered for years and years and nobody diagnosed me with anything. Eevntually I was diagnosed with IBS but just last year they finally did a colonoscopy and endoscopy and found that I have colitis. What type of colitis did they say you have?
Not sure.....I was just told that I have colitis up to the transverse colon. I will be meeting with the Doctor who did the colonoscopy when he gets back from vacation in about 3 weeks.
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Just diagnosed with Colitis Aug. 14/07
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theres a colitis board on here too! im really sorry to hear you have this, i hope everything gets better for you though now that you know exactly what is wrong with you. Its a shame you had to wait so long for a diagnoses.
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