Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | I'm new, scared and frustrated...I would really appreciate your advice!!!

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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