howdy
#225554 - 11/16/05 07:01 PM
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JonnaP
Reged: 11/03/05
Posts: 55
Loc: Kentucky
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I've been lurking around here for a few weeks, so I figured I'd introduce myself... and this seems the most appropriate forum to do so.
I'm Jonna, or Grace (a nickname I've had since... oh god, high school). Editor of a weekly newspaper, married, no kids but we do have four "fur babies." Well, three pets and one moose-dog  .
Had my first major bout with IBS just over a year ago (after I got married), went through all the tests, and all that was found was an infection in the colon. Was finally diagnosed with IBS-D at the beginning of the month after the D came back (after a summer of MUCHO stress - being named editor, not having a reporter, husband getting nailed by a car while he was on his motorcycle... nah, I wasn't exerpiencing stress, noooooooooooo).
I have the wonderful side show effect of bleeding when I'm stressed. Fortunately (for me anyway), my doctor has another patient who bleeds when she's stressed, but has IBS. And, turns out during our last conversation in which she diagnosed me... she suspected IBS last year, but had to make sure.
I had already kinda figured it out, thanks in part to this website. I've ALWAYS had problems with dairy, fatty foods, and artificial sweeteners. In the last few years, I discovered I can't drink alocohol anymore without having an attack before the end of the night, and just a few weeks before my diagnosis, I discovered my beloved coffee (I am a journalist afterall) was causing attacks. I bought Eating for IBS, figuring if I didn't have IBS, I at least had another cookbook in my arsenal (and my GOD do I adore the Jok Soup!).
My wonderful employees made me brownies for Boss' Day, but they were sugar free brownies, and I had one and a half down the hatch before I realized they just didn't quite taste right. My poor gut was off kilter for quite some time, until I found the BTC diet... and wow, I was back to relative normality in just a couple of days.
Anyway, that's my path here in a nutshell.
So, howdy.
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Jonna, IBS-D
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Welcome to the Boards! You came to the right place.
I'm also an IBS-D. No blood though, thank God. Just the usual cramping, "D", nausea, and occasional vomiting. Great fun, eh?
Didja have a colonoscopy? Also, do you have another medical issue goin' on, as most of us do? With me, it's diverticulosis, which was discovered by the colonoscopy. I have had two diverticulitis attacks in the past but have been attack-free for about 2 years now.
Interesting that you can't tolerate alcohol or coffee. I went without both for several years, but had a real problem with the coffee cravings. I tried all the substitutes, but nothing satisfied me. Finally, when I got myself stable, I discovered I can tolerate decaf in small doses. What a wonderful discovery, eh!?
Anyway, welcome to the site. You'll find lots of great support here. I learned a LOT more about IBS here than from any of my doctors! I think you will too.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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See, I only rarely get/got the nausea and never had the vomiting. My IBS, I think, is relatively mild...
But yeah, I had the colonoscopy last year. They found nothing but a pretty hefty infection in the colon, which the doctor said was likely caused by a month straight of some pretty rough D. The blood is really rare, and since my stress level has dropped dramatically, I don't have it.
When my attacks got real bad this year (which sent me to the doctor again and she diagnosed me with IBS), the doc said since I'd already "been to the altar" (I love her sense of humor), and nothing was found in any of the tests they did... I got the grand diagnosis. But most of my symptoms fit what I'd already been reading.
As far as other illnesses? We'll see. I've got HSV-2 (unrelated though). I do know I sometimes get depressed, and I do definitely get the fatigue (I've had one hella busy day and need a major nap).
I certainly am happy I've got a doctor who listens (and who has prior experience with IBS). But most of what I've learned about it I've read (much of it here).
Happy to be here and meet some new folks as well!
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Jonna, IBS-D
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Hi, nice to meet you! I'm glad that you have a doctor who can relate to IBS. I have not had that, unfortunately. I do not think that any doctor should be able to go into gastroenterology unless they have at least one 'bout of IBS, just so they know it's NOT in our heads!!!!!!!!!
Just my personal opinion.......it's very frustrating for my doctor to look at me and tell me that I'm fine....I'm healthy, all the tests are normal, go home and eat...
Then why am I still living in so much pain????
Well, I finally got his attention this morning when I cancelled my gall bladder hida scan appt AGAIN. He really wants to get this done so he ordered me in a couple more prescriptions for my stomach, so I will stop waking up in the middle of the night with acid reflux. But, he's doing it for "him", really.....so, he can get this test run.
Anywhoooo.......thanks for reading. It's one of those days.....
Good Luck and keep us posted on how you're doing!!
Michelle 
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I think I'm quite lucky. In general, she listens to her patients - I know there are doctors out there who don't. We get along quite well. I think it helps that she already has at least one other patient with IBS (poor gal's had FIVE colonoscopies. OY!).
She told me last time she'd been thinking since I first came in that it was IBS, but of course we had to rule everything else out first. She figured I'd come to the same conclusion even if I didn't have to come back in. True that, I had kinda figured it out already.
I want to keep her forever though. She's a hoot. 
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Jonna, IBS-D
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~~~Lisa~~~
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Nice to meet you, I'm Nel! I'm a D too and have allll the triggers you mentioned too! It sounds like you have a good handle on reading your body, which is going to help make you a proactive patient.
I just recently gave up caffeine; having worked for a newspaper office myself it was no small thing (my coffee intake was measured in POTS at the time, LOL!).
Good luck finding what works for you! This is a great site, full of caring people who have great advice... They're a great shoulder to cry on too, and good for a joke and a smile as well.  Welcome!
~nelly~
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Re: howdy
#225818 - 11/17/05 04:09 PM
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Shell Marr
Reged: 08/04/03
Posts: 14959
Loc: Seattle, WA USA
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Howdy Partner Jonna!! Welcome....
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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