New to the group
#233475 - 12/22/05 08:15 PM
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Hello everyone,
I am new here and just want to connect and get support. I have had bowel problems for years which have gotten worse the last ten years. I used to have constipation with gas and bloating. Then ten years ago I developed episodes of diarrhea and vomiting about once monthly with palpitations and shaking. After doing my own research, when doctors didn't help me,(They wanted to send me to a psychiatrist!), I discovered that I am gluten and dairy intolerant and had 4 intestinal infections. Those infections have since been treated and I don't have those attacks anymore(they used to last up to six hours!).
Then last week I have been awakened at night with diarrhea and cramping. I actually was doubled over in pain yesterday until I had a bowel movement. I also get nauseated a lot still. I thought that wasn't a symptom of IBS, but it looks like other people have it as well. I also feel a bit dizzy at times. I now know what they say by the pain of IBS! I have never had this much pain. I have always had gas and bloating and some discomfort but a few times this week I had burning pain as well as the doubling over kind.
Thank goodness I finally found an understanding doctor at Kaiser who sent me to a GI specialist. The doctor I had before wouldn't send me to the specialist. She said "I'm sure you don't have cancer or you would be dead by now". Can you believe it? I had a sigmoidoscopy which was normal although I had a lot of cramping when she put a little air in to visulalize the bowel. She said that happens to people with IBS. I am scheduled for an endoscopy next month since I still get a lot of nausea. I think that I will also ask for a colonoscopy as well to rule out polyps, just in case. Thank goodness everything else has come out normal.
Anyway,thanks for letting me vent.I have felt very alone in this especially the past week with the intense pain. Oh and the GI doc did give me a prescription for Levsin but I haven't taken it yet. I have great friends but I know they don't understand and are tired of hearing me talk about it. Thanks goodness I have a wonderful husband.
I know that you all have experienced this, so forgive me for going on and on. I do have the acacia fiber and the teas and I have totally cut out nuts which do me in. I have been eating a lot of potatoes! Today was better, thank goodness, diarrea, no pain.
Again thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
June
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Hello June,
Welcome to the group. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope you stablize very soon. Thank goodnes you switched doctors, some can be very insensitive, and I think some take it as an insult if you ask for a specialist. Your health should alway come before their egos.
To some people who read my posts, they might think I sound like a broken record when I say - Have you tried using probiotics yet? Primal Defense has helped me a lot in getting stable.
Can your recent cramping & D be caused by too much acacia? From what I've read from other posters, too much too soon might not be too good for you.
I didn't know Levsin was still available. I used to take it a few years ago, but then my doctor prescribed it to me 1 or 2 years ago and the pharmacy said it was discontinued.
Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask about anything.
Take care 
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WELCOME JUNE!
#233497 - 12/23/05 04:21 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Well, you certainly came to the right place. When I first came on Board, I was in your shoes -- fun stuff, eh? -- but I learned so much from these Boards and from Heather's books, I got SOOOOO much better! I've been stable now for over a year.
You need to get the books and follow them religiously. Just check the link above, "Shop for IBS." You can also get them at Barnes & Noble.
You're smart to push for that colonoscopy; it's a must.
I'm a "D" and have suffered all the symptoms you describe. However, I also have diverticulosis, so I've had two outbreaks of diverticulitis to date. The symptoms are like IBS, except they're more violent and you can't stand upright. It takes a course of strong antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Like I said, fun stuff, eh?
Yes, I've heard that folks here have gotten help from Levsin. If you do a "search," you'll find posts about it. Being a "D", my drug of choice is Donnatal, but I take it only when I have an attack. Thankfully, I haven't had to take one in a very long time.
Again, welcome to the Boards. You'll be surprised at how helpful they are. Don't hesitate to ask any question you have; we've heard 'em all!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Welcome!
#233499 - 12/23/05 04:45 AM
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Snorkie
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 1999
Loc: Northern Illinois, USA
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I just wanted to say welcome to the boards. I hope you will find them as great a help as I have. Sometimes, I really do shudder to think what sort of shape I'd be in if I hadn't found this site and Heather's books.
I, too, have a prescription for Levsin. At this point, I'm pretty stable, so I don't take very often at all. However, when was first given the prescription, I took it a couple of times a day. It does indeed help, but it made me very, very tired and very, very thirsty. It was like being on a muscle relaxant like Flexeril. Even so, don't be afraid to try it. But it is the IBS diet that will probably do the most good.
There are LOTS of helpful folks here. Welcome!
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Welcome to the Boards! I think the other posters have covered most of what I would have said, except that if you're now just D (no C), Immodium can be a great help. Some people have used it on a daily basis to help calm things down while they stabilize on Heather's diet.
And I second, third, fourth the comments about how much help Heather's guidelines can be. I was about as D as D gets when I found this site and her books and they've worked miracles for me. I hope they do the same for you.
Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thank you for the warm welcome everyone! I really appreciate it.
My first question is about nausea. Do a lot of people have that as well?
Thank you,
June
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Welcome, June!
#233516 - 12/23/05 07:42 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I'm so glad you found us. This is a great group of very caring paople, and I hope you get some answers here. I'm so sorry you had to go through so much pain. You don't deserve to have your gut wrench when all you've done it try to eat right. I know you're going to get some great support from this site, and I encourage you to post more and let us get to know you!
Me, I'm Nelly, I'm 34 and have had pain-predominant IBS-D for decades. My IBS was very bad in grammer and high school and through trial and error and a bunch of lengthly hospital stays (one was 5 months, and then I spent 2 years recovery in bed), I found my own diet in college to keep myself stable enough to finally graduate. I've had my share of bad doctors who have been very insensitive and made sweeping, hurtful generalizations about my tummy woes and I know how that makes you feel as a trusting patient. Boooo!  
I hear you about comments from the health profession like, "...you would be dead by now"...! Isn't it amazingly awful what health care professionals will tell us? Welcome again to the group and feel free to dive in-- I know osting here has been life-altering for me and I hope it will for you too. 
~nelly~
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Welcome June!
Sorry to hear you're having problems with this IBS thing but trust me, I feel your pain!!! I just had one of those attacks this morning where the cramps were so intense they put me on the floor. I literally could not stand up straight!!!
Oy, it hurts!! Trust me, if it happens to you again, take the levsin!! I haven't taken Levsin in 2 months and the pain was sooo intense this morning, I had to take 2!!! It took about 30 minutes to kick in but I'm finally cramp free at the moment. (I'm sure it will be back soon, though). If I wouldn't have taken that levsin, I would be in bed all day long!! It definitely helps, so BY ALL MEANS.....TAKE IT!! It's good stuff. Doesn't kill the pain immediately, but it helps.
I also get alot of nausea, too. Today, I didn't thank God!! I don't think I would have been able to handle pain like that AND nausea. Anyway, don't know what to tell you about that. I haven't found anything that works very well. Especially Ginger!!! Ginger makes MY nausea worse. I think I'm the only person in the world that can't handle the smell of ginger.....it helps alot of people with nausea!!!!! So, you could give that a try. I take Pepto for nausea. I drink Chamomile, Fennel and Anise tea and they help also.
I am like you about the potatoes!! If you check out the IBS fitness and lifestyle board and look at my menu's for the day, they mostly consist of potatoes cooked various ways. I eat about 6 potatoes everyday. I lost alot of weight and am trying to gain and they help put the pounds on me. I also have GERD and a hiatal hernia so the potatoes help my acid reflux a GREAT DEAL!!!
Good Luck, TAKE THE LEVSIN!!!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Nausea Sucks
#233532 - 12/23/05 09:21 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Yes, I have nausea often -- well, when I have a severe attack that is. Thankfully I haven't had one in a long time. But yes, and if the attack is severe enough, the nausea is followed by the ultimate vomiting.
Ain't this FUN?!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Try slicing a few slices of gingerroot the size of a quarter and steep in a mug of boiling water. Ginger is great for nausea.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Wow! Thanks for writing me back about this. I thought I was really weird because I get nausea a lot. I didn't realize it could be part of IBS. This makes me feel a lot better!
Thank goodness for pepto bismol!
I do have Heather's books and am following the diet more closely now. I take the supplements as well. I feel much better today. The other day, just drinking water made me go! I read that happens. Now I know what I've had all this time.
With much gratitude,
June
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Hi Michelle,
Thanks for writing.Wow,I thought I was a total weirdo for having the nausea. I was made to feel badly if I threw up when I was a kid,  (and I threw up a lot with diarrhea when I was nervous), so I guess I still have that shame. Now I think that I've had this all my life in different forms. It is quite a relief to know that I'm not alone. I still want to rule out other stuff since I am going to be 50 next year ,but from what you all have been saying I'm sure its IBS, not something else.
My pain has subsided the last couple of days thank goodness, but I will take the Levsin for sure if I need it!
I too have lost weight and I'm already skinny. I had potatoes for lunch and I'll have more for dinner. Do you have them plain?
Thank you so much for writing. I almost feel like crying with relief to have found this group.
Sincerely,
June
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Lemon Ginger Tea
#233615 - 12/23/05 04:40 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Also, try Stash brand Lemon Ginger Tea. It ROCKS!
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks Bevvy!!!
June
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I know how you feel. I don't know if I would be able to get through this without this group!!
I was the same way when I was a kid. I got yelled at if I threw up so now I have developed a TRUE PHOBIA of vomiting and I have violent panic attacks when I get nauseated. It's horrible!!!! I have to find the cure!!! I could handle IBS if it weren't for the Nausea!!! I was really nauseated today, too. Haven't eaten much.....CRAP!!!
I eat my poatoes as baked wedges, mashed with tofutti cream cheese and tofutti sour cream, most of the time in burritos with green beans. I cannot eat them just plain. Too bland.....I eat SOOO MANY POTATOES!!! It helps with the D AND my GERD sooo much!!
You can email me anytime. My email addy is in my profile.
Feel better soon!!
Take Care!!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I love Twinings Lemon & Ginger Tea. I don't suffer from nausea very often, I just drink it for the taste.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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A bunch of stuff on the internet that says Ginger actually reduces stomach acid and is just as good for reflux as Chamomile and Lemon?? Is this true?? Here's one site that I found it on. I found it on several, actually.
http://www.gmhc.org/health/nutrition/newsletters/winter03.pdf
Check it out and let me know! I could replace my chamomile with Ginger. That doesn't give me a headache.....as long as it doesn't trigger my reflux, I would be good with it!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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levsin
#233639 - 12/23/05 07:42 PM
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hawkeye
Reged: 06/16/03
Posts: 705
Loc: NYC
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Hi Gracie,
Levsin is certainly available (at least in the US) I always get it as a generic : I get the .375mg tablets for which the brand name is actually levbid. But they are both hyosciamine. I think thats the right spelling.
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Hi June,
I work with Kaiser doctors too, and once you get a good one, the system can work really well. It does for me. I had a crappy primary care physician when I started with them - who also wouldn't send me to a specialist. It took awhile, but once I got things lined up with the right doctors, I knew I was getting high quality care for less money than most people do.
Also wanted to mention that you should defenitely get that colonoscopy. (Arn't you just beside yourself with anticipation thinking about it!) But really - my first colonoscopy was done by the crappy primary care doctor. She went up the descending colon and accross and about half way down the ascending colon, saw nothing and called it quits. Several complications and months of agony and damage later - I got to the GI specialist who did another test and diagnosed me with Crohn's - after finding inflamation in my appendix and my illeum. You need to make sure you have a good doctor who won't cut corners! It sounds like you're still having lots of problems and they should be able to find ways to at least start making parts of that better parts of the time and then work from there. Good luck to you.
Min
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Thanks Hawkeye, I'll have to ask the doc about that next time I see him.
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How often can you take the Levbid? It's 3 times the strength of my regular levsin at .125mg.
Thanks!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Hi Min,
Thanks for that information. I had a sigmoidoscopy last month which came up normal. I am having an endoscopy next month and I will ask the GI specialist for a colonoscopy. My mother has diverticulitis and had an abscess in her bowel so I do think its important.
What do you do for the Crohn's? Prednisone?
Thanks, June
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