I REALLY need all of your help, I can't handle this anymore...
#185620 - 06/10/05 07:59 PM
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21kay
Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 4
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About 1 year and a half ago my IBS symptoms started. I would mostly alternate between C and D, but always experienced bloating and pain. My D usually happened after eating bad foods or eating out. After awhile, I became so afraid of eating out that I would avoid all types of social interaction (i.e. restaurants, parties, etc.) in which food was involved or just would not eat during the outings/events. I took Bentyl for a while, but that stopped helping. Then it became worse and I eventually stopped eating during the day due to my fear that an attack would happen at work (because my job requires that I sit in meetings and/or court for most of the day). I started taking Acidophilus and exercising and that really seemed to help in the evenings, but I continued to avoid eating out and during the day. Some of my health problems started to worsen. I began having increased heart rate, high blood pressure, muscle aches/pains, urinary problems, etc. I was referred to numerous specialists (but never a GI).
After switching to a new PCP(a male, go figure) in April, I was finally referred to a GI. About 6 weeks ago, I had a colonoscopy and EGD which revealed a hyperplastic polyp on the stomach lining and inflammation of the duodenum. The GI informed me that the polyp was not cancerous and that the inflammation was minor and told me to see him in 6 weeks.
After that appt, I decided to stop my birth control, Yasmin, because after re-reading the pamphlet and looking at all of my side effects (i.e. stomach problems, muscle pains, headaches, mood swings, urinary problems, etc.), I thought there may have been a connection. Since stopping the birth control, I have noticed a slight improvement with my stomach and have not had a single case of diarrhea since (for approx 7 weeks now). However, I have been having other horrible symptoms since stopping my bcp (i.e. HAIR LOSS, skin problems, depression, etc.). My hair loss has become so severe since stopping I am losing 200 plus hairs a day which has caused anxiety and ONCE AGAIN stomach problems.
I saw the GI two days ago and he told me that he is leaning towards an IBS diagnosis. He told me that all he was willing to prescribe was Elavil, however, because it is an Anti-Dep. I was concerned about the additional hair loss. I asked about Librax (or some other med with an anti-anxiety component), but he refused. I saw my GYN yesterday to tell her about my problems since I stopped Yasmin. Becuase I was on the BCP for 3 years and stopped 2 months ago, I was not sure if my recent problems (i.e. anxiety, depression, HAIR LOSS, and still NO PERIOD, etc.)were due to the hormonal changes. She said that all of my problems are due to anxiety and have nothing to do with the birth control. However, since being off yasmin, my blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate had decreased significantly. Again, she said I just have anxiety. After a lot of persuasion, she agreed to run hormone tests to check my testosterone and DHEA. But she said that if they were normal, then nothing was wrong and I should "just see a therapist." I cried for almost an hour after my appt and couldn't return to work. Am I really just crazy??? Is this just all in my head? If it is anxiety, wouldn't something like Librax be more appropriate for my IBS and anxiety? PLEASE HELP! No one believes me. This is ruining my life- my job, my relationships with my b/f, friends and family. I don't know what to do...
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Hi there...I am here to tell you it is not all anxiety (though of course anxiety doesn't help) - I lost LOADS of hair coming off the pill (was on it for five years)...it slows down once your cycle starts to resume - don't worry. Its going to be fine. Its very scary...I have quite thin hair and wear it down because of big ears and was so scared, the hair just kept coming out and coming out. Its stopped and returned to normal losses. The same thing happened to my friends. Don't worry.
The pill made me depressed, more anxious then usual, and has made many of my friends feel weird mood wise. The problem with the gynacologist is the she is basing the side effects on scientific studies, you are a unique individual and everything effects different people differently. Especially a sensitive person, like someone with IBS. The pill also creates deficiencies in B vitamins which effect the nervous system hence mood etc, so get yourself on a good multivitamin and get more omega 3 fatty acids in your diet, it will help you a lot. Your body just needs to come back into balance.
The very fact that your D has stopped with stopping the pill (you lucky lucky person, my IBS did not change at all!!) shows how much you were intolerant to the pill in the first place. Celebrate the fact that with every new day you are further and further away from the thing that was destabilising you and further towards stability.
I would encourage you to try natural methods of controlling your anxiety before popping the pills. Yoga, exercise and weights can do wonders for your belly and your moods and raise your self esteem to a great level. Plus, sounds to me like a lot of your anxiety is because of your belly problems, as they ebb away (which it seems like they will because they were mostly due to the pill) your confidence will grow and you will come back to your old self, just a lot wiser and very sympathetic to others with chronic health problems. It is totally normal to get hugely anxious with having IBS, it is life destroying. And because it is so normal, it means that if you get the IBS under control, then the anxiety is under control ie you don't need the pills because there is not a biochemical imbalance sourced anxiety occurring.
Be kind to yourself and remember, us IBS sufferers get to learn a secret about Dr's - they don't know everything! Infact, some of them are complete idiots. So take everything they say with a pinch of salt and educate yourself. Thats the key to winning. And trust your own vibes, if you feel that the pill did this all to you, you are right! It does it to a lot of women. The proof is in the fact that you feel better since going off, not in the double blind medical study that says there is no connection. There is a connection for YOU, and that is all that matters for YOUR life.
Good luck. Oh, and getting skin problems and depression is all part of the hormonal rollercoaster of coming off the pill - enjoy the ride!!!
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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daliatree,
Thank you so much for your wonderful words of kindness and encouragement. I visit this board frequently when I am in need of desperate advice and support and I am always touched by the wonderful people on this board. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who are struggling with many of the same problems- especially when it seems like I am the only one in my life who has IBS. I guess I am just having a really bad week. This is my first time off of a birth control (off 7 weeks now)- not to mention, one that I have been on for three years. So it made sense to me that my body would be going through major changes. SO when, my FEMALE GYN told me that none of my problems were caused by being on or stopping the pill, it really freaked me out. It really made me believe that it was "all in my head." So of course, the last few days have been hard. I think I will take your advice. This weekend I will go out and look for a yoga tape and I have already started taking a multi-vitamin (GNC's Ultra Mega- it has lots of B vitamins). If my IBS D symptoms return and anxiety continues, then I will call my GI or visit my PCP to see if they would be willing to prescribe me something- possibly a combination pill like Librax. I just don't want to be dependent on something- just something I can take as needed. Anyway, thanks again for all of your advice, ESPECIALLY all of your words of encouragement. Lately, this seems to be the only place I can get the support I need to go on...
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Your wise and comforting words in your reply almost made me cry! I wish I had someone with your knowledge to speak to when I was first diagnosed with IBS. I also heard "it's all in your head" from doctors, specialists, counselors, parents. I used to say, "Maybe the anxiety is in my head, but the physical symptoms I experience every morning are very real. Would you like to come into the bathroom with me?" Ten years later, I know a lot more about IBS and I have a doctor I trust.
Dalitree, your advice is much appreciated!
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Hi, and welcome! 
What a great reply Daliatree really wrote to you! Great advice there!
I'm sorry and angry to hear that your doctors are giving you such a tough time. It's not all in your head! They just don't understand IBS or how birth control may affect an indidividual. IBS is emotionally and phsyically draining, so not knowing when an attack might happen or suffering from the pain from an attack would lead to feelings of anxiety. Each birth control is different, as is each woman who takes it and the way in which it affects the chemical/hormonal balance, any changes could definitely lead to physical and emotional changes. Just because your gyn does not see these side effects in other patients doesn't mean they can't happen to you.
Have you bought or checked out any of Heather's books or looked around the site here? I'd recommend posting on the IBS Diet board if you have any other questions about food, meds, and supplements. Also, it can get slow here on the weekends, so don't feel bad if you don't get very many replies.
Best wishes!
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Thanks Maria! I guess it's good that most people aren't on the boards right now...it means that they are all doing well with their IBS and are out living their lives! I really appreciate the support and advice from all of you, because it always seems to help me a little more each day to make it through. Maybe I'll have some peppermint tea and just try to relax for once...
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Hi,
You have found a great place to share your problems. Usually someone will give you some pretty good advice and there are lots of sympathetic ears here.
I have had IBS for about 10 yrs and am post menopausal. Fortunately,right now I am doing very well. I know it has helped me to keep a food diary, that way the triggers can be pinpointed and you will know what foods or drinks to avoid. Always check labels, that's another thing that helped me. I found out that one of my biggest "D" triggers was sorbitol that was in the sugar-free gum I was chewing and also in my vitamins. I thought I had read the label on the vitamins but I guess I missed it. Eat small amounts....an over-full tummy is not a happy tummy.OTC Immodium and Phazyme have been lifesavers for me.
You mentioned Librax. That's what I'm on because most of my stomach problems are caused by stress. I am just a worry wart so therefore everything stresses me out. As you said you can take as needed. I started with three pills a day, one 30 minutes before each meal. It really helped relax me & my tummy. I am down to one pill a day now. You will have to remember that Librax can be addictive. My doc said that as long as it's helping me I can continue to take it. If I were to go off of it I would have to taper and not go cold turkey. For some reason, and maybe it's the addiction potential, your GI didn't want to give it to you.
I know this is hard to deal with and I'm wishing you luck to get your life back on track.
Barbie
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I guess it was jut wishful thinking or maybe the added anxiety, because of the hair loss, but my stomach problems have started again. For the past few days, I have just felt sick to my stomach and I know a lot if it has to do with the stress I have been having after my recent doctor appts. I am thinking that I may need some type of med to help with this. Because of the anti-anxiety component, I am really thinking that I would like to give LIbrax a try. How to I convince my GI to prescribe it? Or can I get another doctor to prescribe it???
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I have a feeling the GI doc doesn't want to give Librax to you because of the possibility of addiction. Although lots of GI docs do prescribe it and lots of people on the boards are on it. Anyway, my regular GP gives it to me.
Good luck
Barbie
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Oh dear. Stress really does make us lose our hair, not to mention IBS and drugs, i.e. the pill. I've never taken it. I can relate, though re: hair loss/stress/IBS. My hair virtually fell out, 2.5 years ago. Guess what? IT IS MIRACULOUSLY growing back. Why? Because I follow the diet, get B vitamin shots (I have a malabsorption problem), and take anti-anxiety pills and eat gf. I just have a few spots, now. Doesn't hair loss affect your self-esteem? For the longest time, people thought I had Cancer and strangers would stop me in public, etc. Or they'd try to pass on these folk cures involving garlic (bleh!). Seriously stress and IBS and allergies/sensitivities can really cause hairloss. That is so weird, though about the pill. Medications really do impact hormones, hair, skin, etc. I get rashes/eczema all the time. It's embarrassing. But then drugs do show up in hair analysis. You are beautiful, Daliatree, even with less hair than before. I feel vulnerable, though, without my "mop" or "mane." It was really scary and eerie, initially but I decided to just go as natural as possible. There's something about hair. It's like a tree losing its leaves--protection, etc. And it gets really cold without the hair, too! And it just adds to your stress levels. But now, it's growing back, at least for me.
How weird. I thought I'd feel like a freak forever. The anxiety though is still there re: being in public or around even extended family without my hair. Sorry for babbling.
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