I'm new, scared and frustrated...I would really appreciate your advice!!!
#170009 - 04/14/05 10:19 PM
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fedup
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 10
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Where do I begin. Well, first I am 26 years old. About 2 years ago I graduated from college with my Master's and started a new job as a social worker. About 4 months into my new job, I started having stomach pains and "D" after lunch. At first, I thought it would pass, but it started to get worse. Because I am always on the road, in meetings, in court, etc..I stopped eating lunch during the day due to my fear of having to use the bathroom. By the time I would get home (after not eating all day), I would be so hungry that I would stuff myself, Of course, the next morning I would have sever morning pains. As time passed, my "D" would not only happen if I ate during the day, but would happen if I ate out anywhere (i.e. friends' house, restaurant, movies, etc.), so I eventually stopped eating out all together. So let's fast forward to now...
It has been about 1 year and a half since this has all started. I haven't eaten lunch during the day at work for about one year and I haven't eaten out (restaurant, party, movie, etc.) for about 8 months. My social life has ended. My boyfriend is miserable and I am starting to lose my friends.
I had been seeing regular doctor regularly for this prpblem. She automatically diagnosed me with IBS and said was no big deal because she has it too. She recommended I change my diet and excersise. It still didn't work. She prescribed bentyl, but that stopped working as well. I started to get severe abdominal cramping and constipation. So now, I have IBS A. I don't know which pain is worse "C" or "D?"
When I went back for help, she (my PCP) told me that all she could recommend is that I QUIT MY JOB or I would continue to suffer. I asked if I could be referred to a specialist and she said it wasn't necessary, because it was "just IBS."
I finally decided to switch doctors and on my first visit, my new doctor (a man- go figure) was much more sympathetic and automatically referred me to a GI specialist. He was pretty upset that I had been seeing my last doctor for a year about the same problem and she had not referred me. He went on to tell me that PCPs have only a basic knowledge of stomach problems and aren't experts, so he would prefer to consult with a specialist.
The GI doctor has mailed me a letter and is recommending that I schedule a colonoscopy and EGD.
I am pretty scared...any advice about these procedures? Also, how do you all cope with the loss of your social life?
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Hi there, hold on we have all been through this and after changing our diet we have got better. IBS is just a change in lifestyle and getting yourself organized on what you eat. Please dont leave your job. Did your doctor tell you what you should not eat? Most of us dont take milk and its products. You should also write down what you eat daily and see what happens. Read thoroughly what Heather has written and follow those recipes. Write regularly on the board and you will be able to come to some conclusion as to what is OK for you and what is not. Praying that you feel better soon. Jenny
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Sounds like you've got a good doc now, so that's the major step done! I went to 3 docs before I found one that would take me seriously...one actually said that 15 BMs a day and permanent dehydration was my new "normal"! 
Check out JillSklar's tips for surviving the colonoscopy prep here . Preparation (for the prep) is key. The procedure itself is a breeze! 
You do NOT need to leave your job. Get "IBS: The First Year", start on the diet and get a SFS. It WILL get better.
And once you've learnt what not to eat and how to eat, then going out becomes alot more possible!
ALso, I recommend a low daily dose of Immodium as a preventative. I'm A too and took one tablet everymorning for a few months. Casey does/did 1/2 a tablet. Really helped me carry on working and socialising!
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