New here and confused
#142885 - 01/26/05 09:05 AM
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Hello all,
I am new here, so please bear with me. I have been suffering from painful cramps, bloating and diarhea for over 4 months. My family doctor thought I had ulcerative colitis (because of the bleeding) and she sent me to a gastroenterologist last month (Dec). He did an urgent colonoscopy before Christmas, but he wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I saw him this week, I don't have colitis or crohn's, he's still not sure what's wrong with me. He said IBS symptoms had to be there for about a year before they'd diagnose me with IBS. He thinks I may have had some kind of viral infection and even though the infection is gone, it has affected my intestines/stomach and that's what is causing all my problems. I guess he thinks the virus is manifesting itself as IBS. He's treating me with prescription Immodium right now, seems to be helping slightly, but he said I didn't need to restrict my diet. After reading this website and knowing that certain foods cause me intense and excruiciating pain I beg to differ with him. Has anyone else had IBS because of a "viral infection"? I don't know of anyone else in my family with IBS, so I'm curious as to how this would have happened. I miss having my spinach salads every day, I used to eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies before all this started in October, now I can't even imagine having a salad and not having to run to the bathroom for days after. I will be adopting the dietary guidelines to see if that helps. Thanks in advance to everyone.
Holly
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Darn doctors!
#142895 - 01/26/05 09:20 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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What nonsense - I was diagnosed before a year was up...and I got to see one of the best GI docs in this country so I think he knew what he was talking about!
My IBS developed after a bacterial infection. It's called an "insult to your gut" - a common cause of IBS - and can be anything from an infection to surgery.
Changing your diet will really help, even if it isn't chronic IBS. This diet is amazing for IBS - it's made SUCH a difference to me. ALso, a SFS will help.
What Immodium dose are you on? I took one tablet a day for a few months and it helped me to stabilise.
Btw, you might get more responses if you post any IBS or diet queries on the "Eating for IBS" board. This one's really for non-IBS stuff.
Good luck and welcome! At least you've foun this place - I didn't find it until a few months after I was diagnosed.
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Thanks so much. I am just frustrated that the specialist would tell me not to change my diet. I do have a follow up with him in 4 weeks. I'll follow the diet and see how it goes. Thanks again
Holly
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Hi and welcome!! Sorry you had to look for this, but it's a great place with a lot of people who are very supportive. It's a good thing your colonoscopy ruled out the "bigger" stuff. So, yes, follow this diet. It can only help!!
My GI put me on Citrucel (2 tabs at bedtime with just a little water for the D) and Nulev (an anti-spasmodic that I only take when needed). Both these things helped. I take the SFS (Citrucel) everyday without fail and watch the diet closely and symptoms (diarrhea and queasy uncomfortable abdomen) improved and feel stable more & more every day. I don't take the anti-spasmodic very often, maybe 2 nights a week. But more can be said for the diet! It helps!!
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Debby 
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Debby
"Live to Ride. Ride to Live."
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I was diagnosed in well under a year! Once the tests all come back negative, what other option is there? You don't have diarreah ALL the time normally! I'm sorry to hear your doctor is wanting you to wait. I think you will notice improvement using the information you will find here. My mother-in-law is having the same problems, and I can't even get her to go to the doctor! You have a good start! Sorry you aren't well!
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God is Faithful!
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