Here's a short update on what's been going on in my life since I last posted here (which is probably a year ago or so).
I went through biofeedback treatment for my incontinence issues (due to IBS-D and my childhood paralysis condition) last fall but it didn't result in big enough improvements. To make a long story short I ended up having a laparascopic colostomy surgery in the beginning of October '08. I am very happy with the result. I feel so free and the IBS is much better too. In fact as far as "consistency" goes my BM are considered pretty much normal for someone with a colostomy. I have had less pain too. The area which used to cause the most pain problems before was my lower sigmoideum and rectum and since those parts of the bowels are detached now (still in place but disconnected from the rest of the GI system) they don't really cause any problems anymore. I recently had my first post surgery period and the pain associated with that cleared up much faster than before the surgery too. I don't need the loperamide anymore either.
However around the time of the surgery I developed upper digestive issues which got worse after the surgery. (They gave me Ibuprofen, not the best thing to do.) I ended up with a terrible heartburn and nausea even throwing up. Luckily I haven't really felt sick after I got home from the hospital, but I still have problems with heartburn and am on medicine for that.
The hospital stay was pretty much awful but I am glad I had it done.
Because of the paralysis condition I have a bladder dysfunction and before the surgery I used to push the urine out using my abdominal muscles but after the surgery that doesn't really seem to work that well plus you're supposed to be careful with things that increase the intra abdominal pressure, so now I need to do intermittent self catheterization. It's ok most of the time, but lately I've had some issues with the urethra getting irritated. I hope it will heal up well soon and not cause any more problems. Apart from that doing ISC is so much quicker and easier than having to sit for ages pushing and pushing to get the urine out.
I hope all the problems will settle down soon so I can really move on with my life. Of course you can't wait for things to be perfect (then you might end up waiting forever) but I want to feel that things are under control at least.
My fiancé and I have just started planning our wedding for some time in the late winter or early spring '09 and after that we plan to start trying for kids.
Since early 2008 I am no longer on the EFI. I keep experimenting to find the diet that is optimal for me.
Hope everyone is doing ok!
Hugs,
Ulrika
P S A picture of me and my belly and new accessory (I like to call it my belly butt, or belly bottom ) can be found here.
Posts
Long time no see - time for an update
) can be found 
