Doing something wrong?
#49321 - 03/10/04 12:16 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hiya,
My name is Stephanie and I'm 21 years old. I have had tummy troubles since I was very young and was told I had IBS years ago, and given no treatment and got better on my own. Recently, I got sick again and have been diagnosed once more (this time in the UK, I am originally from Canada) and was this time given tablets. When it got bad enough, I turned to eating for IBS and strictly followed all the rules - I cut out all the bad stuff! I bought the Acadia Fibre! For some reason, though, I just kept on being sick (predominantly with diarhea and stomach cramping and nausea) so out of sheer frustration, I went off the diet and was suddenly better. Now I make my meals based around soluble fiber and still avoid most known triggers but am sick again... I just don't know where to turn. Do I NOT have IBS? My doctor tells me I definitely have it, though I have not had all the GI tests since 1992, when I had parasites in my belly. I followed to rules in "The First Year" book to a tee, even just copied days of recipes from there and was still very ill. I am at a breaking point, my life feels at a standstill because I thought I had found my saviour and I must still be doing something wrong... Does anyone have any idea what is going on? I will take any suggestions, I feel quite desperate.
Thank you for listening to me whine!
-Steph.
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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I feel your pain not knowing what is wrong with you is the worst feeling. I think you need to redo the tests including a colonoscopy. I had to go to two different GI specialist before I was tested. I also have the same symptoms but I have IBS. My gallbladder has sludge in it so I was told and when your gallbladder doesn't work properly you get diarrhea. So also ask for an x-ray of your gallbladder. Your pain could be you gallbladder spasming. Also you can be a celiac so ask your doctor to test you for that. You may also still have the parasites in you so get that checked again. Don't lose hope being stressed and depressed makes your symptoms worse believe me i know. It is hard but hang in there. Please keep us posted. Hope everything goes well.
Edited by Slymac (03/10/04 12:42 PM)
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Have you ever been tested for food allegries? Because a lot of soluble fiber foods contain wheat, and if they seem to be bothering you that much maybe you have a wheat allergy. It would certainly be worth looking into. I hope you find some relief soon!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Steph, don't give up! And it's okay to whine here, we all do!! I don't have an easy answer for you, but I know that different things work for different people. It is important to get a correct diagnosis in case something else is going on, perhaps in addition to IBS if not instead of.
If I were in your shoes, the following approach would work for me:
Meds: Antispasmodic (Bentyl in the US), antigas (Phazyme in the US), antidiarheal (Imodium in the US), antacid (Mylanta in the US), antiemetic (Dramamine in the US).
Food: Two days of nothing but white rice, white bread, plain pasta, and lots of water.
Fiber: Metamucil agrees with me, not with others.
Other: Heating pad on tummy. Curling up in a ball and sucking my thumb!! Rocking back and for and crying for my mommy!
You think I'm kidding???
If you can get through two days with no D, then start adding things back to get to a healthier diet.
Just one woman's recipe -- take what you like and leave the rest.
Feel better soon. Oh, and hug a teddy bear! Or a kitty cat if you have one.
And if you think that's too many meds, look at it this way -- diabetics need insulin, pneumonia needs penicillin and we need tummy meds. This is a medical condition, not a moral weakness!
Keep coming back and let us know how you're doing.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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In order for a proper diagnosis, you MUST have all the tests done. (They're a pain, but we all get through them). I would go back and insist on seeing a GI for further testing. Have you been tested for celiac? This is often missed or sometimes they get a false negative. Try celiac.com for more info.
I'm so sorry you're at your wits end. Have you tried going back to square one? I like "what to eat when you can't eat anything" section of the IBS guidelines on this site. Try eating soluble fiber for a day or two, with tons of peppermint tea. Then slowly add insolubles back in. This may help. web page Here's the link.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Get tested. I have a friend who was sick like me, well actually worse for 1 1/2 yrs and skin and bones. After several doctors telling her IBS, something wrong with her pancreas, etc she got tested for parasites and found out she had two kinds of bugs from being in Mexico & other travels  .
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I hope I am replying in the right place to my own message here, I am still new!
Thank you to everyone for suggestions, I guess I just needed to hear from more than my friend that I should get tested. I admit I just don't to do it because I have developed a rectal fissure (which I am told in linked to my tummy troubles) and even though I have had Botox to treat it, it's still bloody painful and the thought of anything putting anything up there.... YIKES! I'm also scared to do it because I'm in the UK, not in my own home so I have no family here to cry to!
I will definitely look into the wheat allergy thing because I was on strictly rice and white breads and peppermint tea for about a week and was still getting attacks.
Going to call my GP over here today and try to sort something out, thanks so much for the support ('cause I tell ya, I really needed it... especially being so far from home!) and I will keep you updated.
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Stephanie
#49420 - 03/11/04 03:22 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Hey there?
Where in the UK are you? I live in Reading, Berkshire (soon moving to Newbury) and I work in London, but I come from Hampshire. I'm 23 (just!).
Where did you get tested here? What doc are you seeing? What meds are you on? Sorry to be Ms Gestapo, but I hate the idea of you being over here ill without your support network  ! You really need to have the tests again as your symptoms have changed and you were tested so long ago. Can you use the BUPA (private medical) system we have over here with your insurance?
If you want to talk, sent me an email - it should be on my "page". Just click on my piccie.
Good luck!
Linz
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