Hello everyone. It has been quite some time since I have posted, but I thought it was time I did so. I have dealt with IBS since about 1990 and was finally diagnosed in 2000 (IBS-D), when I was at my worst. I found Heather's Eating For IBS book Shortly after the diagnosis. It took years to figure out what foods I could eat and how to adopt a different outlook on life so I wouldn't get stressed out by every little thing...but I came a long way and feel I did it. 2005-7 were some great years, it was almost like I was done with IBS, as long as I kept track of my diet and stress. I may have had 10 or so attacks the entire year...that is as good as being cured in my book:)
But in 2007, something changed. Suddenly I had become very gassy every night after dinner and my stools had changed from being "well formed" to "initially well formed, but mushy at the end". Cleaning up after a BM had become a chore, found one website that referred to it as "million wiper". Eventually this lead to itching. My Dr referred me to a Colo-Rectal surgen (not sure why, gotta love HMOs). He said I had Puritus Ani (sp?) (itchy booty) and Proctitus (inflamation of the colon). He treated me with suppositories and said I was good after a few weeks. The itching and gas continued, about drove me nuts. Went back to see him and he said the same thing as before. More suppositories but got some hydrocortizone cream this time. The itching went away in one day! I was elated. But the gas mushy-end stools continued and the itching came back. I've been back to the specialist several times and am told everything is ok. But it is not.
So this has been my life for the past 2 years. I had to give up all dairy (with the exception of cheese here and there), as it really makes me gassy. Still on the cream, as needed-maybe once a week. Now I am going to make an appt for the gastroenterologist who originally gave me my diagnosis to see what he thinks. I am worried (like when I was doing so bad in 2000) that something is REALLY wrong.
In the mean time, I got a Helpforibs.com newsletter with a story from a man who had bad IBS pains and bad gas. He said the Tummytamer capsules helped him. I figured what the heck, I might as well add it to my arsenal of suppliments I started taking since no one can tell me what is wrong. I am still trying to figure out the right times to take it, but so far it has really cut down on the gas. I have been very pleased.
So I have to wonder if this is just another IBS chapter brought on by recent events like:
-The impending threat of losing my job (gotta love the auto industry right now)
-Stress the 3 kids bring on (why don't they just listen?:)
-Taking classes for my master degree
-Major change in my diet to help combat high cholesterol (I lived on carbs for years because it helped control my IBS attacks- that plus genetics must have screwed up my numbers. Now I have all but given up carbs and eat a lot less)
...or if it is something else.
Just thought I would tell the first part of my story to maybe give some hope to those who feel hopeless...and maybe get some help for the second part of my story that sometimes leaves me feeling hopeless.
With Kindest Regards,
Lardman
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