Thanks
#48463 - 03/06/04 10:06 AM
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hslib
Reged: 11/23/03
Posts: 55
Loc: VA
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Thanks so much to Sara Sage, Sherr1, and Kree for your advice. In the meantime, it was getting difficult to work without being able to stay out of the bathroom so much, so I've been back to see my Gastroenterologist. Since I've never truly been "tested" to rule out other things, he felt it necessary to run some tests just to be sure something else wasn't brewing. He took blood, and I have to submit another stool sample for testing. Also, on Mon. I am having a lower GI for the small bowel test done. I have already had an ultra sound on my upper left side done the about two months ago. We'll see how things turn out. If the D continues, he wants to do a colonoscopy just to rule out everything. I am dreading this procedure, but I guess if all of this proves that it is definitely IBS, it will give me peace of mind. My husband is so frustrated with the lack of food I can eat and my weight loss, but his mood has actually improved since I am seeing the doctor. Thanks for the advice on the protein powder. Whey was one my brother-in-law suggested and I wasn't sure with IBS that it was ok. Your knowledge of it containing lactose saved me from probably a "bad" experience. I am definitely lactose intolerant!
Thanks again for your help and advice. It's so hard to find people to talk to that are going through the same things. Healthy people really can't relate at all. I worry all the time that people think I am anorexic or just really want to be thin. I'd love to gain about 15 pounds back if I could, and actually have some strength and energy.
Thank you all!!!
hslib
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Re: Thanks
#48484 - 03/06/04 03:27 PM
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Debby
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 460
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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I used to be about 15 pounds underweight and everyone thought I was anorexic. I kept saying NO I JUST DON'T FEEL GOOD AND I CAN'T EAT! Well I did eat, I just skipped meals a lot and ended up losing weight after I gave up all fast foods. It took years but I no longer skip any meals and have a normal weight (I'm sure everyone now thinks my anorexia is cured!  ) After this website I found so many foods to eat that I was worried about or didn't even know about before. I have my staples of foods I live by every day but a good variety too. And sneaking in insoluble fruits and veggies of course because that's what's we can't forget about! My husband used to have days when he would be so frustrated with my stomach issues then I used to panic about my stomach issues because I was always afraid of having to leave early from some place and ruining his good time. But we've come a long way since then and he's so supportive and that in turns makes me feel less anxious about having any stomach problems away from home. And I'm spending more time doing what's best for me than worrying about what anyone else thinks! You are correct, healthy people that can eat anything don't have a clue as to what it's like to have to think about every thing you eat every single day! It's like they just don't get it (well maybe not everyone is like that  ).
Take care and hope you get some answers soon.
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Just a quick note on the colonoscopy - almost everyone on this board has had at least one. You'll be put under and won't feel a thing.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Hi there, hslib!
Don't be afraid of the colonoscopy. I was freaked out about it too, and put it off for years. BIG mistake! When my IBS got so bad I had no choice, I scheduled it as soon as I could so I could get it over with. It turned out to be the most PLEASANT experience ever! They give you drugs to knock you out, and they're the best drugs I've ever had! I had the best sleep, never felt a thing, and woke up feeling marvelous! I was flying high -- I hugged all the nurses and kissed my GI (EW, EW, EW!). The only bad thing about the whole colonoscopy experience is the day before, having to take all that laxative and sitting on the pot all day.
Colonoscopies are far better than sigmoidoscopies because (1) they knock you out, so you feel nothing, whereas with a sigmoidoscopy you're awake! and (2) they go all the way up the colon, not just the lower part (as with a sigmoidoscopy), so that if you should happen to have a polyp or something up high, they'll find it. With a sigmoidoscopy they wouldn't.
My GI requested one for himself because his father died of colon cancer. He was afraid he might have a polyp high up. It turned out he was right -- he did indeed have one! They removed it during the colonoscopy -- just a nice, easy snip snip.
Colonoscopies are recommended for all people over 50, and every five years thereafter. My girlfriend had one at 49 -- she had no IBS symptoms at all, no cramps, no diarrhea, nothing -- she just wanted her age-50-colon-checkup. And she said she'll have another at age 55, and again at 60. Like clockwork, just as we are "supposed" to do at our age.
You're not that old, I'm sure, but my point is that this is such an important thing to have done that we need to get over the fear of it. After my experience, I won't hesitate having it done in 5 more years.
About the weight. I have the opposite problem, I can't lose. But I love chocolate and the recipes here are too good, I can't resist them. To quote my regular doctor, "calories in, calories out." So, based on that theory, if you want to gain weight, make those "calories in" be more than what goes out. A good way to do that is with my chocolate banana frostie. Do you like chocolate? I just posted the recipe in the recipe board the other day. While it contains very little fat, it does contain a lot of calories. There's your "calories in," Girlfriend!
Good luck with those tests, and be sure to keep us posted.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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