Sorry lengthy, but I am ready to throw in the towel or die....
#315812 - 10/01/07 05:54 AM
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LtDanFan
Reged: 12/17/03
Posts: 588
Loc: Ohio
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Hello my fellow ibsers. I have been with this board for 4 years and have had great suggestions, tips, friendships, etc. But after my IBS attack last night I am just not sure which doctor to go to next. It started out as my normal IBS attack, I knew it was coming, I get kind of a flushing sensation (like you might faint) and get chilled then my stomach will start cramping. I was in the process of drinking my peppermint tea and had taken a lorazepam just before that because I felt it coming on. I went and laid on the couch with the heating pad, finished my tea and laid there and laid there and laid there in the most God awful pain I had experienced in a long while. I generally have my cramping in my descending colon, but this was there, my sigmoid colon, above my naval, all over and so intense that I started getting nauseated and started spitting out nausea taste in my mouth....then the numbness and tingling set in (which I have had before) but NEVER this severe. My husband was home to experience and witness the intire attack. Both arms got cold and my fingers on both hands went numb and tingly, they were froze in this state and I could not move them. He tried opening and closing them for me to try to get some circulation in them, but I had no control over them. Then I started getting the tingling across my chest, up my neck and down my leg and toes. It felt like (when you sleep on a part of your body and wake up and it's asleep and it's kind of numb and tingling). I continued with the nausea and this tingling sensation to the point where I started shaking and basicall could not move, my legs and feet were tingling so bad I could not stand up, meanwhile, when the nausea, tingling sensation started it ws brought on by my colon cramping (which was horrific). I literally wanted to die and told him I was making an appointment to today to find someone who will give me a colostomy. I was not "nervous or panicky" before this hit, I was sitting outside sipping my tea enjoying our fire pit. I ate cooked potatoes and cooked carrots for dinner and a slife of "safe" french bread. I was once told by my favorite internist (who is no longer in practice) that when I have the passing episodes from an attack that it was a vaso-vagal episode and it was my colons way of trying to work properly and by doing so it was taking the blood is needed from my heart, hence me getting faint and passing out. I did not pass out last night, but I was basically in the "froze" position on our couch with my husband giving me sips of water with is hand. I had taken my Librax (for IBS, yeah right) and he had gone and gotten me a Levsin sub-lingual (also for colon spasm) to put under my tongue, at this point I was desperate because I KNEW as soon as I could poop (sorry) my symptoms would go away. Neither medication helped with the colon spasm (so what good are they)...I have often wanted to just quit all colon spams prescriptions, but am so afraid that if my symptoms are this severe with them, what would it be like without them? My like new GI doctor, that I was a drug seeker, bcause I was trying to explain to him the pain (I have never used anytype of narcotic when having an attack) He wanted to do a 4th colonoscopy, and I had just had one a year prior, which should the same thing, colon spasm in the ascending, tranverse and descending colon (which was worse). He said that everyone's colon has spasm and he would not consider them abnormal colonoscopies..... (jerk) The last one I had my internest had to blow so much air into my descending colon to get it open to he would finish the test, he said he was amazed because it completely shuts....I'm sorry, but I was so desperate, this sounds like a colon spasm/IBS attack/vascular type situation because of all the numbness and tingling, bt who in the heck is going to see me and take me serious. I cannot live this way any longer, the older I get the worse my symptoms get and that's watching every tiny tid-bit I put into my mouth and reading every label, etc....I have wanted a colostomy before, I am not sure if you can just ask for one, but if I do get one will the pain go away? Please I have serious about this and very desperate. I forgot to mention that this excapade lasted 3 1/2 hours before the water diarrhea kicked in for like 5 bms...
Cheryl 
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
Edited by LtDanFan (10/01/07 06:03 AM)
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I still don't know how to use this board yet. I'll try and make this brief; I've had similar problems in the past, notice I said in the past. First of all I started going to natural paths, I'm sure you've met many who have, but the secret is meeting the right doctor, the right fit so to speak. I took drugs for only 3 months and realized it was only a band aid. So, to make a very long story shorter. I learned that all of us can't have a one size fits all diet, so I started looking into alternative foods, etc. I discovered that I can't eat bread, no matter how natural or fresh. The yeast makes my body freak out and swell. It also constipates you. The thing about the colon is you have to keep it calm and only eat things that are easy to digest for you, not for someone else that says, how good they feel after eating whole grain bread or whatever it may be. You have to go by common sense in terms of, how is your body reacting when I do this, or when I eat that. Another thing I found is Slippery Elm capsules, they sooth and coat the lining of your intestines and it's also an anti-inflammatory herb. Very mild, but so wonderful a God sent.
When you're doubled up in pain, use ice packs, not heat, you already have all kinds of heat in your intestines, cool it off; I also learned this, when I was on my period, it really helped. Just remember, you know your body better the anyone else, in terms of how it reacts to foods or stress. You have to take control of how it functions. If you have any faith in a greater power, then put that trust in the fact that you will find an answer, you just need to go within yourself and stop being afraid of trusting your own instincts.
For me, the rule of thumb is no bread (yeast), no heavy animal protein or very little in a vegie stir fry since it's hard to digest. No spices, watch the sugar intake, and make vegie juices for yourself or buy them at health stores, your body will appreciate the minerals you're giving it, that it usually can't get from the food. That's another reason for the dizziness, you're not absorbing, so calm the insides down and read up on juicing books and how millions have healed themselves through this method.
Good luck I know you'll get through this, I did, and I'm 45 now.
I hope this helps you, it's done wonders for me.
Liv
Edited by Livs (10/01/07 10:59 AM)
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Have you been to a naturopath? I really suggest going to one, especially if GIs and family doctors aren't giving you the help you need. Do some research to find a naturopath in your area that has proper training (ie: is registered for you state), make some calls to try to find one that can help you. I just started seeing one this past month and already I'm very pleased.
PS: I another post I saw that you were taking calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is actually the one that is better for IBS-D. Something you may want to consider. Also, if you can find a liquid calcium supplement it may be easier on the tummy. I'm taking one by Genestra (with calcium and magnesium, but it seems to be helping with the D).
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Kat
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K2
I will look for the neutropath, what are they listed under and are they expensive, I am not working right now? Also, the calcium thing, that is exactly what I mean when I get frustrated at the stuff I read on here, I read that the calcium citracte with vitamin D was the best for IBS-D grrrrr and what is up with the maganesium, I posted about that also and got no responses, I heard maganesium was not good for D.....
Thanks
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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Thanks for the tips, I know everyone says I should know my body, but I get stable eating things that I do for weeks and then bam, I have attacks....never knowing what caused them especially if I"m eating the same things. Granted there are times when I may have a bite of a reese cup and get crampy and that one I can figure out, but before 15 years ago, prescription meds, and this board, a zillion tests, I used to eat ice cream, cheese, fried foods, taco bell, wendys, pizza and I never had attacks like I have now, there was a time in my life when I had mountain dew and donuts for breakfast every morning with no problem. I would maybe have an attack once every 6 months eating this way, it seems once I was poked and proded, offered all the soothing techniques, prescriptions, fiber, "safe" eating I got worse. I have read that IBS is supposed to get better as you age..... Please know, I do not eat ice cream, milk, cheese, fried foods, mountain, donuts etc.......but it does get very frustrating when you eat rice for days and you are fine then you eat it again and you get sick..........I have just had to eat rice before to stabilize myself. I used to eat apples, pealed and applesauce, but the board made me so scared of eating them because of the "fructose" levels, I gave them up. I used to love to eat a peeled apple with a little peanut butter or sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar.
I take acacia, Citrucel, eat what is called safe, no pop, no coffee, no grease, no fried foods, no beef. I myself cannot find any one specific trigger let alone many and that is what is frustrating. I do not have time to do an elimination diet, because as I said before, things that I had been eating for weeks, I eat and get sick and to get as sick as I did last night was ridiculous and I cannot live my life like this. Like today, I am frustrated after being sick last night I woke up and blasted some more, I have not eaten anything today because I am so scared to eat anything, even the so called safe stuff........so I'm having water and pepper mint tea.
I think if you directed your reply to me, I got it, sometimes I will put the person's name in the subject like so they will definitely read it. Thanks
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I know, things get confusing on here for sure. One thing I found confusing was people recommending Caltrate (brand name) and I immediately thought it contained calcium citrate. It actually contains calcium carbonate which is recommended for IBS-D. I have found liquid easier on my stomach than pills.
Magnesium is supposed to help people with IBS-C. However after not having as much success as I wanted with just calcium, my naturopath suggested a multi mineral including both calcium magnesium to help regulate muscle contractions. I would suggest starting with just calcium carbonate, and find one that is gentlest on your stomach. Vitamin D doesn't seem to make a difference on my IBS.
I live in Canada so I'm assuming insurance and costs of naturopaths are different. This website may be a good start for you: Ohio naturopaths. If you have insurance it may cover some of the cost. Most insurance plans in Canada cover naturopath services up to a maximum amount per year. Try to find one that doesn't focus on chiropractor services. Instead find one that looks at nutrition, herbology, Chinese medicine and homepathy.
I hope you start finding some relief soon..
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Kat
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Quote:
I used to eat apples, pealed and applesauce, but the board made me so scared of eating them because of the "fructose" levels, I gave them up. I used to love to eat a peeled apple with a little peanut butter or sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar.
Same here. Do we really have to have this fructose scare? Is Syl the only one who does not eat certain fruits because of fructose ?(don't mean to single you out, Syl, but I know that you know you have FI). But these posts were the ones that created this fructose terror in me.
I have cut out artichokes, mango, papaya, peeled apples, applesauce, all pit fruits (like nectarines), and limited sweet potatoes and carrots because of the fructun chains.
Do we really have to be this strict? I will be if it helps...but I don't want to be if it's just the anxiety of it all.
I guess I don't understand if all people with IBS should limit fructose (which studies do say is difficult for us to digest) or is just some of the people with IBS?????
I don't mean to sound like a trouble maker, I'm just trying to figure all this out. 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Isn't tums calcium carbonate? That would be an easy calcium supplement, but I heard was bad for IBS-D.... Good lord it's a wonder why all have anxity and have horrible stomachs.
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I'm so sorry you're still having such a terrible time of it. If you're sure all your symptoms are IBS, I have some suggestions below. If not, I'd really try to find someone to check out your general health. I know the Cleveland Clinic is somewhere in Ohio and I've heard good things about their endocrinology department - I don't know how good they are overall, although they do say they deal with IBS. You might check out their Website and see what you think.
Okay, assuming all your symptoms are IBS, here are some thoughts. I don't remember all the things you've tried, so if I suggest something you've already experimented with, please bear with me.
I'm assuming you have tried following Heather's Diet recommendations to the letter and taking an SFS and neither has done the trick.
Calcium. I haven't found that calcium affects my IBS-D one way or the other but I know some people report it helps and I do take it for my bones. I take Tums, 1500 mg of calcium per day, 500 at a time. That works out to one regular strength Tums and one Tums E-X per dose. I take one dose at lunch, one at dinner, and one right before bed. If you don't want to take Tums, here's some further info from an old post of mine:
Quote:
Here's the sum total of my knowledge about calcium supplements:
I did some research on this when I first started on the Boards and the general guidelines I found were:
calcium citrate is good if you're constipated (Citracal)
calcium carbonate is good if you have diarrhea:
Tums (but they have mineral oil)
Caltrate
OsCal
Viactiv (but most - perhaps all - flavors have dairy)
One thing that made a huge difference for me was starting with a very small amount of calcium (200 mg per day) and working my way very slowly up to 1500 mg per day. Even as D as I tend to be, just jumping in with a lot of calcium all at once made me constipated. By giving my body time to adjust, I've done fine.
If you're taking calcium to help with your bones, you also need to be sure to get enough Vitamin D. My doctors recommend 800 IU per day. Like the calcium, I started with a low dose of this and worked my way up.
Acupuncture. I tried this before I found this Website and it helped to some degree. It didn't help nearly as much as following Heather's guidelines did and when I got a case of food poisoning that sent my IBS into hyperdrive it didn't help at all. However, if you're running out of options, you might give it a try. If you're going to go this route, I think the ideal approach would be to find an all-around Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can also suggest herbs and possibly meditative exercises to go along with the acupuncture. Be sure to discuss with your practitioner what type of results you should be seeing after how much treatment, whether there will be a point at which you can switch to maintenance, and what is involved in that maintenance. Make sure you're clear on prices. Most insurance companies won't pay for this and it can get expensive quickly.
Anti-depressants. My Family Practice doctor tried Elavil (a tricyclic) for me and it worked great in terms of shutting down the diarrhea although we had to keep increasing the dose to keep the diarrhea under control. The side-effects were eventually too much for me but if you're at the end of your rope I think it's worth a try. There are also SSRI-type anti-depressants that may help IBS-D.
Lotronex. This is a big-time drug that can have serious side-effects but my GI guy insists that if you're reasonably attentive it's a good drug. I would never suggest it as a first resort but if my IBS hadn't improved with Heather's approach, I would have been on it in a flash. Only certain GI doctors are authorized to prescribe it and you should probably do all the reading you can about it to be sure you understand what the risks are and what problems to watch out for.
Hypnosis. A lot of people swear by it and I think it's worth a try.
If I were going to list these in the order to try them, I'd say this:
Try a calcium carbonate supplement but I wouldn't expect a significant impact.
Try hypnosis. It's a 3-month commitment so you'd have to hang in there for that long although some people report seeing results well before the program is completed.
Acupuncture/TCM. I'd try this at the same time as the hypnosis assuming cost is not an issue. If cost is an issue, I'd skip trying acupuncture and/or Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Lotronex. I'd try this before an anti-depressant because I hated the AD side-effects. I'd rather be super-cautious about digestive tract side-effects than have my mind feel mushy all the time.
Anti-depressant. I'd try this last.
I hope some of this helps. Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Quote:
it seems once I was poked and proded, offered all the soothing techniques, prescriptions, fiber, "safe" eating I got worse.
I know what you mean. My symptons of IBS became present after having had a traumatic colonoscopy. I should have never had it. I didn't know how to assess what was going on with my body back in February and most noticable was the change in my BMs. Looking back now, it was and still is my anxiety that's screwing my tummy up. But I know I have a mild case of IBS due to the colonoscopy from hell.
Quote:
but the board made me so scared of eating them because of the "fructose" levels, I gave them up.
Before being diagnosed with IBS, I was eating whatever I want til up to about a week before being diagnosed. After I got diagnosed with IBS, I came on to this board which I will forever be eternally grateful to, but I was and still am scared to death about certain things after reading. For example, the first thing I'd do upon waking up was take a nice long swig of water from my fridge. I'd been doing that since I was a kid. I used to drink way more than the recommended amount. Then I read somewhere here or in the book that drinking cold liquids first thing on an empty stomach is a trigger. Well, since then, I rarely even drink water anymore unless I'm at home. Right now it's 3:40 PM EST and I've yet to drink water.
Though I understand that what works for one doesn't work for another but it does get confusing. I usually have Frenc Boule bread (ingredients are yest, wheat flour, salt and water). My grocer ran out and so I got sliced fresh Kosher bread with the same ingredients. Wouldn't you know it that it gave me D cramps? Like what's that all about? (Maybe it's all in my head and it's me making myself believe that ALL I can have is French Boule bread). Anyway, it's definitely a confusing yet learning process. 
And by the way, how's this for making you feel better: I've been gassy all day (thanks to the Kosher bread) and crampy and I have an appointment for a vaginal sonogram after work! I don't know how I'm going to hold back while I'm spread eagle! 
I hope you feel better. 
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Wendy IBS A thru Z
Taking it one day at a time...
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If you've had your gall bladder removed and you haven't tried taking Questran, try that first.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Sand,
Thank you so much for the patience of writing all of that information, I will not take it lightly. I guess I did read wrong or is was written wrong about the calcium, because I have been using the calcium citract, only 400 per tablet once a day and tried twice a day with a SF, but maybe that has been a cause. I have been 100% diagnosed with IBS through zillions of tests, no celiac, no crohns, no colitis, etc. I have followed Heather's diet, until I get the confusing messages from others, and I do know what one can tolerate another cant. I wanted to try tums, so I will try those again, I love the fruit flavored ones, and since I have lost so much weight and my Mom has osteoporosis I am a prime candidate for it, so I need it for my bones!! I did know the Vitamin D is essential to the absorbption of the calcium, it was the magnesium that scared me whether is caused d or C....
As far as anti-depressents, I have tried Prozac in the past, which was the period of time in my life when I ate pretty much whatever and had very few attacks, but still got them. I have since tried the Prozac and it keeps me up at night which it never did before, and I don't sleep well as it is, so I stopped it. I was on Adapin (doxepin) for 4 1/2 weeks and NEVER slept, so I had to wheen off that that as well. I have a prescription for elavil, which I was told to take at bedtime, but it made my heart race, so of course I stopped that. I have heard a lot of good things on this board about Lexapro, so I have been wanting to talk to my doctor about that one. However, right now with possibly starting a new job, I don't want to be on any kind of medication that will make me poop, sleep, or be hyper.
From what I understand Lotronex is not available in the United States, or at least that is what I have been told. It was taken off the market because of severe adverse reactions.
I will get calcium tomorrow, only got dressed today at 3p.m. recovering from my attack last night. My husband went to see his family doctor today and was explaining the reaction I had with my hands freezing up and getting numb and tingling and he had a name for it and he said it sounded like when my colon goes into spasm it is trying to function properly and by doing so it is exhausting other parts of my body of it's oxygen and blood supply. Now, with that information I would think I could find a vascular doctor that could make sense of that!! I have been to the cleveland clinic, my opinion they suck. I had test and tests and more tests, sent me home with the adapin (doxepin) and after 4 1/2 weeks of not tolerating it I called there 4 times and left messages with actual nurses and NO ONE has called me back. How does that sound for such an excellent hospital? I was shocked. My husband's neurologist said he would see me, but has to wait until he gets my records from there, so maybe he could put the blood/oxygen thing together. I was told before that when I have passed out on the toilet from the pain being so bad, to have a brown bag and breathe into it, but I couldn't even make it to the bathroom last night, after the arms went so did my legs feet and butt, I couldn't walk, let alone sit on a toilet. I have had to crap laying on the floor before... sad huh?
Several have mentioned the hypnosis tapes, I can't afford them right now, but would love to get them. I'm not working, my husband has MS and just has his entire sigmoid colon removed (lucky guy) just kidding, along with a very severe bladder/colon attachment that was secreating bowel into his bladder, he is lucky to be alive!! So funds are tight. I've checked the side effect of the lorazepam and it does not say anthing aobut abdominal cramping, so I will keep that when needed. I'm just still confused that when the last GI specialist said that if the prescription medication I take for colon spasm doesn't work, if I take one when it is happening it is not colon spasm, then why in the heck do I get relief after I have diarrheaded myself to death, doctor!!!!!
I also want to check into the nautropathic remedies also. I am desperate, I was absolutely serious last night when I told him I wanted a colestomy. I think I could live with the diarrhea, but not the ungodly, inhumane, gut-wrenching-labor pain, numbness, tingling, nausea, etc. effects as well.
Thank you again!!
Cheryl
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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Still have my gallbladder, they say it's good......I say take it if it'll make me better!!1
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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Girl,
Good luck with the vaginal exam, I would worn them ahead of time. I did when I had an appointment, I told them I was in the middle of an IBS attack and they were very sympathetic!! And yes, you can drink water. I too was scared to drink anything cold ever again, but I drink 3-4 bottles of water a day room temperature. I mix my acacia in it and it's never cold and I have no problem with that, but since reading that cold water post, I have never had cold water again!! I like your comment, one day at a time.....
Thanks!!
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I don't think fructose is a problem unless you have a fructose intolerance. Too much fructose, like anything, can cause problems, but I wouldn't start eliminating whole groups of fruit. For me, the best thing has just been to follow Heather's advice 100% and try to get over my own silly fears. I've never been a big fruit eater and there are some fruits that give me a lot of gas, but they don't necessarily make my IBS worse.
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So sorry you're still having to deal with all this pain. I don't have much to add since the others seem to have been so helpful and are very knowledgeable. I do have to admit I was surprised to hear you were taking calcium citrate since my understanding, according to Heather's book, is that calcium carbonate is better for IBS-D. From all the contrary comments I see on the IBS boards (I'm sure I've been at fault too), I just follow Heather's advice and eating guidelines.
Big hugs! I'm so sorry your last GI doctor was such a jerk. Sheesh! Just from what I know about you from these boards, I would never consider you a patient who's just shopping for drugs!  That makes me so mad! Have you even ever tried painkillers instead of anti-spasmodics for your IBS pain? Again, hugs, hugs, hugs! I hope you get some answers and some real help for your IBS soon.
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Maria! Maria!,
No I have not tried painkillers and I have had someone suggest that before, like vicodin or something? I really just thought the lorazepam would have kicked in last night, wanted to take the whole bottle. Yes,I guess I mis-read or mis-undedrstood the whole calcium thing, even though it was not a lot and has not been for long, maybe that has been part of my problem. I am going to get new calcium tomorrow and will introduce it slowly when/if I become stable....hoping and praying here!! Have you tried pain killers, what kind? Thank you so much for the hugs, no I'm trying to decide on a safe dinner....maybe just some toast again... Some doctor's are realy jerks!!!
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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No, I haven't tried painkillers either. I'm like you, a bit hesitant when it comes to trying new meds. However, I had a horrible lupus flare this morning and I was in excruciating pain for five hours, so I can kind of sympathize with your IBS attack. It's so horrible to be in that kind of pain -- you can't think right, you can't move. It just hurt all over! I didn't know what to do, but I'm thinking about asking for something for those days where the pain just won't ease up. My doctor had given me a presciption for low-dose vicodin, but I never used it and now they've expired. I know some people on here have discussed taking painkillers before, like Vicodin and Codeine, and that's how I knew to ask my doctor. Ibuprofen just makes my IBS symptoms worse, and Tylenol doesn't even touch the lupus pain. I think the lorazepam works on spasms, but yeah it doesn't do much for pain. My doctor said it just helps you "cope" or deal with the pain better, but it's not going to stop it.
Do you have some chicken broth? Maybe a nice, hot cup of broth, along with some toast, will give you some strength back and not be too hard on your digestive tract.
Edited by Maria!Maria! (10/01/07 03:59 PM)
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It sounds like you're having a terrible time and I wish I had more to suggest. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. It seems like sometimes everything just goes wrong at once. I'm shocked to hear about the Cleveland Clinic - my endocrinologist thinks the world of it. I guess it's good to know the story but bad that they didn't help you at all.
Quote:
From what I understand Lotronex is not available in the United States, or at least that is what I have been told. It was taken off the market because of severe adverse reactions.
It was taken off the market several years ago because some patients taking it died. After patients who had done well on it protested, the FDA re-approved it but doctors who wanted to prescribe it had to agree to abide by various conditions.
As I said, my GI guy thinks it's safe as long as the patient is attentive. According to him (this conversation took place about 3 years ago) the people who died while taking it were elderly (I'm not sure how he defines that), became constipated, and did not stop taking Lotronex when that happened.
Lotronex is certainly a "big" drug and care is needed when taking it, but if I couldn't get my IBS-D under control any other way I'd give it a try. You can read what the maker has to say here:
web page
I take lorazepam as needed for anxiety (I'm having a bit of a miserable spell myself although not nearly as bad as what you're dealing with) and I find it quite helpful for that. I'm not entirely sure but I think it may be mildly constipating for me which would be a good thing if it works the same way for you.
I never got much relief from the anti-spasmodics I was on. Once Heather's approach started working for me they helped with that last little bit of upset but when I was suffering from full-blown IBS-D using an anti-spasmodic (or Imodium) to stop it was like using a traffic cone to stop a freight train.
I'm really sorry the ADs you've tried haven't worked for you. Maybe Lexapro will do the trick once you get a chance to try it.
I do hope you find something that helps. Good luck with your possible new job.
Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Hi,
If I'm not mistaken Syl has been diagnosed as a fructose malabsorber, and being the information guru that she is, it's suggested as something else to possibly consider.
But if you loved eating apples, or whatever, and gave them up because of the boards, I think maybe you need to step back and re-read the original diet advice. It's easy to read all these rules and individual advice and think we all need to apply them but it's so tough already, so just see how you feel. If eating an apple with peanut butter makes you happy, get amongst it (gently!) unless you can actually pinpoint that it causes you problems.. and then maybe it's the peanut butter!!
Fructose itself is not listed as a trigger. I think it's important not to impose new restrictions if you don't feel you benefit from doing so, physically or mentally I mean too.
Personally I eat one piece of fruit a day, but I love apples, so I usually make mine an apple!
Good luck
Jodie
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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How progressed is your lupus pupus LOL....I have a friend who is suffering horribly from it. My whole thing with pain killers (codeine) immodium (pooper stopper) is that is it takes me 3 or 4 or more hours to work through the cramping spasm and horrific pain, I want that stuff to come out, sure it's diarrhea, but good lord if it takes that longs to get out of me, how long would it take if I was constipated??? That is why I don't like those stop of pooper stoppers. My husband was given vicodin after his recent surgery and he's pooping fine and it helps with his surgical pain. He was given darvocet for his MS, but he does not like the way they make him feel, and he cuts them into thirds....Have you ever tried Zanaflex, he takes that for his MS muscal spasms and said it works really well. It is not long acting but you can take several throughout the day. The chicken broth does sound tastey, but sometimes after one of those attacks, I have no appetite and as I stated in an earlier post, I only got dressed at 3, went out and did some gardening and put up some halloween decorations, yes it is October 1st, I love halloween. Anyway broth and toast it is......Thanks, hope you feel better also!!
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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Goodness Sand you had plenty to contribute and printed it out for when I go to the doctor and grocery!!! My family doctor wants me to give the librax a little more time, which I am willing to do, unless I keep having attacks like last night, and he said he would recommend a 5th GI doctor. I saw a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, I had posted poroblems I am having months back after my hysterectomy, (which I was also told, my IBS would be better after that) and honestly I have been miserable since because I am no where near pre-menopause, had that checked!! I had it does for this horrible DUB (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) that was happening while on the pill. periods every 2-3 weeks and soaking pads tampons and my clothing, like having diarrhea isn't bad enough. But I am always open to options because I get so confused to when I think back to even 15 years ago and the things I ate and sporadically took my ibs med, took no fiber and was living with an active alcholic, (that is very stressful) and my life was hell, but my belly was tons better.....so confusing. So I will wait a few weeks, God willing and if not try the lexapro or lotrenox Thanks again!!
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I didn't indicate I had a problem with Syl and her fructose intolerance, please don't think I posted that, I just had a question regarding cutting out apples and I understand what works for one may not for another, I just have been unastable for so long that I read anything that is a trigger for anyone and I avoid it....just out of fear
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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It is a matter of learning how much excess fructose you tolerate. The average person can handle 25 or more grams. Others cannot handle 1 gram.
Generally speaking it seems that IBS suffers have difficulty with fermentable, poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates - particularly such things as fructose, lactose, sorbitol and raffinose (found in beans). Heather discusses these sugars in a variety of places on the web site and how they can exacerbate IBS symptoms.
Recent research suggests that the by-products produced by colonic bacteria that ferment these carbohydrates change GI motility. In other words, while these carbohydrates may not directly act as IBS triggers they can act as food for bacteria that can produce an IBS trigger.
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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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Thanks LT. It wasn't bad at all but I'll tell you what. When she started checking my left side by my left ovary, I was in pain. Well, I wouldn't say pain but it was not pleasant and it was the same feeling that I felt when I'm cramping really badly (non menstrual that is). She then turned the monitor around to show me that near my left ovary, was a bunch of gas trapped in that area. I swear that after looking at it for several seconds the damn gas turned into a middle finger and it was flipping me the bird! Anyway, I'll get results of any further findings by Friday.
Are you feeling better? Someone mentioned something about placing a cold compress instead of hot when you're cramping. If so, I recommend the technisheets that are sold on the website. They're great. You can heat them up or freeze 'em. I freeze mine and I always take it with me to work, etc., because being in those hot subway platforms of NY ain't no picnic so I wind up placing the frozen sheet on my wrist or I'll touch it to cool me down.
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Wendy IBS A thru Z
Taking it one day at a time...
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Thanks, Syl, for clarifying this. 
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Re: HUGS!!!
#315953 - 10/02/07 09:18 AM
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Toady
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 1299
Loc: A small city, Northwestern Ontario, Canada
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I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. I really hate to seen anyone suffer!! I have no real advice for you, but I'm sending out lots of hugs and I'll keep you in my prayers.
K2 just posted an awesome link to a story in the Living Room about chronic illness on the ButYouDon'tLookSick site. Check it out, it's a good read.
Take care of you and I hope you can find some answers.
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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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