Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hello group:

Forgive me for the long post but I just wanted to tell you all about how excited I am to have found this site.

Looking back, I believe I have been slowly developing IBS over the last couple of years. In April of 2000 I had gastric bypass surgery and did well for the first two years; could eat anything I wanted (in moderation) without problems. A few months after surgery however whenever I ate surgery foods or too much fat, I suffered with diarrhea and assumed it was what is known as dumping syndrome. For those of you unfamiliar with dumping syndrome, it's what happens when the lower end of the small intestine (jejunum) fills too quickly with undigested food from the stomach. Some of the symptoms it can cause include nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, cramping, shortness of breath, weakness, sweating and dizziness.

As I said, my problems became progressively worse over the last several years. It got to the point where everything I ate was causing me distress. I suffer not only from diarrhea but extreme bloating and gas. I always wondered how any man would want to be around me

but I found someone who is supportive and it really makes a difference.

I was at my wits end.

My internist first ran tests for parasites and they came back negative. After I continued to complain of problems, he referred me to a gastroenterologist who prescribed first Colestid then Lomotil. Colestid didn't do a thing for me. I later learned that it can cause gas (just what I didn't need!). Lomotil helped some but not near enough to make a difference. When I went back again and told him things weren't working, he just said 'just eat like you first ate following your surgery and everything will be alright' Well, I knew something else was wrong, so I went to allergist thinking I had food allergies. He scheduled me for a food allergy test but it was very expensive and my insurance didn't cover it so I waited. I really didn't think I had food allergies after all, but had what I thought was food intolerances. In the meantime, I got sick and tired from being sick and tired and got a referral to another gastroenterologist.

I prayed I would find an answer to my problems. Shortly after that I came across Heather's website. After reading for about six hours straight, I couldn't believe what I was learning! All I could do was to say to myself finally, other people have the same problems I do. By this time, everything I ate caused me problems. I read everything I could and was amazed to read where Heather said even water could cause distress sometimes. I had just told my boyfriend the same thing a few days before; that even water made me ill.

I started the diet the very next day and ate primary oatmeal, cream of rice and potatoes for three days. I drank fennel tea and took Benefiber. I think I may have taken a bit much fiber because I actually was constipated for the first time in over four years. After two days I was beginning to feel better and after the third day started slowly introducing other soluble fiber back into my diet. I was still shaking my head in amazement at how just a simple change could make a world of difference. I bought both Heather's books and have been reading them for the past two weeks.

Like many of you perhaps, I assumed that lettuce in salads as well as beans and red meats (for the protein) was good for me. Also, perhaps because of the gastric bypass, I have become lactose intolerant. One of my doctors said that was common for patients of this type of surgery. I even did Atkins a year or two ago just to keep my weight in check. I understand now why I was having problems eating all that meat and diary products.

When I saw this fourth (and I hope last doctor) I told him I wanted him to run whatever tests were necessary to find out what was wrong with me. After hearing my story, he said I most likely had IBS but scheduled me for a colonoscopy. Finally, someone who was willing to take my complaints seriously.

Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't overjoyed at having a colonoscopy but I was desperate to find out what is wrong and therefore glad to know that this doctor was willing to take a look to see what, if anything could be ruled out before diagnosing me with IBS.

I'll keep all of you posted after my procedure this Thursday.

Angela
(aka Bunkee
for Bunnie and Keenu; two of my three Chihuahuas)

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