New user
#61142 - 04/14/04 01:12 PM
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muffit
Reged: 04/14/04
Posts: 5
Loc: Fargo, North Dakota
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Hi everyone,
I am a new user to this site. At this time I am unsure if I have IBS or not. I saw the dr. last week and he said he was not sure what was going on. 9 weeks after the birth of my daughter (almost 3years ago) I had my gallbladder out; right after this I started experiencing problems with stomach problems, cramping etc. with fatty foods but it was not everytime I ate them - it varied if and when it would occur. This would only occur once a week to several weeks. Approximately 1 month ago it began to happen daily so I made an appt. with the dr. and he said he was not sure if it would be IBS or Spastic colon as he said it did not reflect the "typical" IBS. My symptoms are: gassy, constipation, then diarrhea, cramping in my lower abdomin but feeling relief from the cramps after elimination but not a feeling of completion. This could occur during a meal to several hours after a meal. He gave me the meds of Metoclopramide to take 30mn before a meal - that was worse -the cramping etc. would take place now before a meal and after. (I stopped those). His next statement was that they are not very good at diagnosing or treating IBS but if this did not work to call him back in a few weeks and he would decide if I needed to go to a gastrointestinal dr. All signs to me are leading to IBS. Has anyone else not got through all the testing and found that diet changes and exercising have helped? I don't want to go through the testing and medical expenses when to me all signs point to IBS.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for listening.
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Re: New user
#61149 - 04/14/04 01:32 PM
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Debby
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 460
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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I think that you should get the tests done. IBS is diagnosed only by ruling out lots of other serious problems. Hopefully your doctor also recommends this but you don't want to miss something if it's not IBS. Do you have health insurance that will help cover the expense?
And welcome to the site. I have found it to be very helpful including getting the support and just knowing you are not alone with what you are going through. This website has tons of IBS info and suggestions of how to change your diet.
Good luck! 
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Re: New user
#61151 - 04/14/04 01:44 PM
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muffit
Reged: 04/14/04
Posts: 5
Loc: Fargo, North Dakota
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I do have health insurance but guess I am also very scared about what tests they are going to do. I have no family history of anything "bad" other than IBS with my grandmother.
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Welcome Muffit!
#61159 - 04/14/04 01:59 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sure does sound like IBS to me. However, you need a colonoscopy to confirm it. I'm surprised your doc hasn't insisted on you seeing a GI to have the procedure done. I know mine sure did -- and when I changed doctors (I moved away from the area), my next doctor did too. I saw two GIs, both of whom insisted on the colonoscopy. I didn't want to have it done because I was afraid of the unknown. I didn't want to hear any horror stories, so I wouldn't let anyone tell me anything. Ignorance is bliss, you know?
I was very foolish. I finally got the procedure done, and it was a piece of cake. I was knocked out the whole time, had the best sleep I've ever had, and when I woke up it was all over and I floated out of the lab in a big cloud of haze; I barely remember anything. Believe me, those were THE BEST drugs EVER!
You really need to rule out everything; it's very important to your health. I've said this in these boards before, but I'll say it again. If Charles Schulz had gone through the procedure early on, he might still be with us today.
You want to know what's wrong with you, I'm sure. And that's the only real way to find out. When you're doubled over with cramps and have severe diarrhea, maybe even vomiting, are you going to be satisfied with your self-diagnosis? In your mind, will you say to yourself, "it's nothing life-threatening, it's just IBS"? Or will you think, "OMG, I have cancer; I'm going to die!" -- all the while sending negative messages to your subconscious mind.
You need the colonoscopy. We're here to support you and help you with the IBS if that's what the final diagnosis is. We're very good at it; this is a fabulous support group.
Keep us posted.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Re: New user
#61161 - 04/14/04 02:03 PM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Welcome to the boards, muffit! I agree, your symptoms certainly sound like IBS, but you definitely need to get some tests done to be sure. It could be one of many other problems with similar symptoms, and without the tests there's no way to know. Have you started following Heather's diet yet? No matter what it is that's bothering you this diet should help. I would recommend looking at the info on this web page, and feel free to ask any questions you might have. Good luck figuring out what's wrong!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Welcome. I believe I read is a particular drug that was mentioned in Heather's book - The first year - that helps some people that have had their gall bladders removed or a particular section of their small intestine. They have IBS like symptoms after the surgery, something like the bile dumping incorrectly. I'll hunt for it and get back to you unless someone else knows the name of it first.
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Questran
Questran (generic name cholestyramine) is a prescription drug used to bind bile acids normally stored in the gallbladder. Questran binds the bile acids in the intestines and prevents them from reaching the colon. If you have diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but your symptoms began after you had your gallbladder or ileum (the last portion of the small intestine) removed, you likely are suffering from a malabsorption of bile acids secreted by the liver. These acids, which are normally stored in the gallbladder, are instead being dumped directly into the small intestines, causing chronic irritation and diarrhea.
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Here we go: web page
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Quote:
My symptoms are: gassy, constipation, then diarrhea, cramping in my lower abdomin but feeling relief from the cramps after elimination but not a feeling of completion.
Uh -- those are my symptoms too. So, yes, it could be IBS, but you MUST rule out all the other stuff that you can rule out. As you know, there's no test for IBS -- the diagnosis is made by eliminating the other options. And those opther options can be extremely serious, especially if not treated. The colonoscopy procedure is really not a big deal, I promise (I just had mine last September).
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