IBS

I am a 23 year old law student.  Two years ago I was diagnosed with IBS.  My symptoms consist of chronic pain in my lower right abdomen, painful gas, constipation, and painful bowel movements.  My question is in regards to my chances of forming polyps on my intestinal walls, and if it is in any way related to IBS.
  Two of my uncles and one of my cousins have suffered for years with abdominal pain.  About 5 years ago, one of my uncles had surgery to remove large polyps from his intestines.  Not much later, another uncle and cousin had similar operations.  I have discussed my problems with them and find that the pain they suffered in their early 20's to 30's matches mine in intensity.  My pain is always there but I do have better and worse days throughout the months.  Are polyps hereditary and if so what steps should I be taking to prevent them, if possible, or to detect them early?
  I also have another question unrelated to polyps--- My doctor told me to eat a high fiber diet and to take citrecel daily.  I can take the citrecel without bother but a high fiber diet causes more pain.  What do you suggest?
  My last question is in regards to my gallbladder.  I have a familial history of gallbladder problems.  Most of my aunts and uncles and my grandmother have all had theirs removed.  I recently met a woman who had been diagnosed with IBS in her early 20's and then had her gallbladder removed when she was 28.  She is now 30 and has not suffered any symptoms of IBS since the removal of her gallbladder.  Are these related or mere coincidence?  
  I'm sorry to ask so many questions but am trying to get my IBS under control.  Thank you very much for your response!

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Allison,
IBS is not inherited.  There is, however, an increased incidence of colon polyps in those who have multiple family members with polyps.  If your uncles and cousin who had large colon polyps were on the same side of the family, then you should discuss with your gastroenterologist the benefits of coonoscopy to verify that you dio not have polyps.  The reason why this is necessary is th efinding that large colon polyps have th epotential for malignant change.

The high fiber diet can cause abdominal distentiojn, pain and gas.  In my experience, most individuals develop a tolerance to the fiber effects as their stool become soft and easier to pass.

IBS and gall bladder problems are both very common.  It is not unusual for individuals to have both conditionss.  Only your doctor can determine if you rsymptoms represent IBS or gall bladder disease

[Someone With IBS]

Allison,
You say that you have been diagnosed (2 years ago) with IBS.  May I ask what test you had to determine that?  IBS is usually diagnosed once ALL other conditions have been ruled out.  With the type of symptoms you have it would have been totally appropriate for your doctor to perform either a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Either of these procedures would allow the doctor to see part or all of your colon and rule out if polyps were the cause of your pain.  Personally, I would not be happy with a diagnosis of IBS if all of the proper tests had not be performed.
Christine

[Rob]

I had IBS symptoms after treatment for GERD using Prilosec.   Symptoms included: noises, pain, cloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements.   Even after halting the medication the symptoms continued.   I found relief by taking acidophulus supplements and increasing the fiber in my diet.   Alternative therapies worked for me.   Check Dr. Weils page at www.drweil.com and search for IBS supplements.  Best wishes.

[Steff]

Hiya,
I also have IBS, and have just recently been diagnosed with AS(Ankylosing Spondylitis), which is a rheumatoid arthritis disease, affecting the spine, and joints,
and have been taking Non Steroid Anti-inflammatories.
I am 33, and had some sort of attack yesterday, severe abdominal
pain, not able to stand, lay or breathe properly. I have had that type of pain before, but never this bad. It did pass after about 30 mins or so, but is still tender today.  Never thought much about it before, but my urine is quite dark usually too.  
My pain is in my upper stomache, lots of gurgling noises too...
is this typical?  Thanks :)
Cheers,
Steph

[shelley marcy]

Hi,  Just thought I'd write since we have some similarities.  I have a form of Colitis called Collagenous Colitis...symptoms are generally the same as with IBS but with a few more added.  I too have Ankylosing Spondylitis which I'm told by my Rhuematologist is associated with forms of Colitis.

I guess I'm writing just so that you make sure you truly have just IBS and  not an underlying Colitis as well.

I am unable to take any nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory medicines for the arthritis pain due to the effects they have on my colitis.  They probably help to flare your IBS as well.  I take Methotrexate in the injection form. I give myself a shot once a week.  It is used commonly among Rheumatoid arthritis patients and with good success.  My treatment is still in the beginning stages with the medication so I can't really make a determination for you as to whether or not it's working for me.  My understanding is that Methotrexate is a Chemotherapy drug used for Cancer but in much higher doses then when used for arthritis pain.  It works in the immune system I think to stop the progression of the disease.

Shelley

[Steff]

Hiya Shelley,
If you get a moment..try to check out this Ankylosing Spondylitis
site...www.kickas.org.  There is a forum much the same as this one, with quite a bit of helpful input as well.
Thanks for your reply. :)  Stay well,
Steph

[judi]

I have been diagnosised with IBS right after my gallbladder was removed, when i was 23...Now Ihave Fibromyligia (fibromyalgia). which is a very painful muscle desease...I also have splinter of oddi..in which i have had 4 ERCP's done....about every 3-4 years, Im back sick, I read one medical report after the ERCP, and that Dr stated he didnt think there was anything wrong with me, but did that ercp, to make me feel better, well the right side pai is back, and I refuse to go and have another ERCP. in fear, it isnt nessecary...Fibromyligia (fibromyalgia) has cused so many things, headache, stomach's muscle spams, chest pains, etc..that now I don't know if I should seek medical help. of ignore all everything..I have lost faith in the medical field, all they do is try and give me antidpressants, which make me worse...I dont drink, never took drugs, sure dont want to start now....Is splinter of oddi serious, can it just go away, without the ERCP done, that is not a test i would want anyone to go through....sincerly judi

[Leonard]

I was diagnoised with IBS quite a few years ago. I seem to be bothered with symptoms at certain times of the year as though it  is allergy related. I was wondering if anyone else seems to have that problem?

[Pam]

I was diagnosed with IBS about a year ago.  I seem to be able to keep it under control fairly well with my diet (I can't tolerate rich, fatty foods any longer).  My problem is I have tenderness, to the touch, across most of my abdomen most of the time.  I've had upper GI and colonoscopy and both were completely normal.  I have a relative that was tested for the H. Pylori bacteria and I have some symptoms very similar to hers.  Anybody out there have any suggestions or symptoms of that bacteria?  I also seem to have a chronic gastritis and I was wondering what would help that situation?  Any comments greatly appreciated.

[steve]

Two years ago, I had an endoscopy, upper GI series and a colonoscopy due to my problems with indigestion and frequent diarrhea.   The doctor found nothing but slight irritation and one polyp which he removed.  I was not put on any medication.   Years have passed and I still wake up each day wondering how my stomach is going to react.   It's embarrassing and makes me not want to leave my home.  I'm only 37 years old, have a stressful job, a wife and 2 children.   The doctor told me it was all in my head, but I feel it in my stomach.  Some days/weeks are great and I feel fine.  But, then I pay for it.   I'm glad to know that I'm not alone, but I wish there were a cure!!   I've tried all the over-the-counter medicines and nothing really seems to help.   All the experts say that - "in time" - my symptoms will go away.   Does anyone believe that or know that it's true?

Thanks for reading!

[Hillary]

Does anyone ever have post nasal drip that runs into your stomach and cause diarrhea?  I can't take Sudafed or anything like it that will raise my blood pressure.  Any ideas?

[ed]

PLEASE HELP;
             MY ELEVEN YEAR OLD BOY HAS GERD, IBS,AND IS LACTOSE
INTOLERENT. SOMETIMES HIS STOMACH PAIN IS SO SEVERE HE SCREEMS.

CURRENTLY WE GIVE HIM 10MG LOSEC BEFORE SUPPER AND ALSO HAVE STARTED HIM ON ALOE VERA JUICE AND ACIDOPHILUS HOPING THIS WILL
HEAL HIS STOMACH AND EASE THE PAIN. THIS SEEMS TO HELP A BIT BUT
STILL GETS SEVERE PAIN IN LOWER STOMACH. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN
WATCHING WHAT HE EATS BUT CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT BRINGS ON THE PAIN. SOMETIMES IT 15 TO 30 MINUTES AFTER HE EATS UP TO 2 HOURS
AFTER EATING. THIS PAIN HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND WE HAVE ALL THE TEST THE DOCTORS HAVE RECOMMENDED DONE. ONE DOCTOR SUGGESTED IT IS FROM ANXIETY SO NOW WE HAVE MY 11 YEAR OLD
SEEING A PSHYCHOLOGIST. CAN'T SEEM TO NARROW DOWN THE PROBLEM.
WIFE AND I ARE GOING CRAZY WATCHING OUR SON IN PAIN EVERYDAY AND CAN'T SEEM TO GIVE HIM THE RELIEF WE ARE SOO BADLY LOOKING FOR.

PLEASE HELP!    

[Wendy]

hello,

i have had IBS since i was 13 years old i am now 25.my case was so severe any time i had to leave the house i had to map out all the possible bathrooms to my destination.
now i am a nutrition and exercise science major.
what i have found to help is to delete all soft drinks from the diet especially those with caffine. this also includes tea and coffee.
milk did give me some trouble, for me i started drinking 1%milk or less and it seems to have also helped, you may want to try a milk called sweet aphidofolis milk(not sure of spelling).
eat smaller portions at meal time and if you can handle it try not to drink at meals either.
hope this helps someone if i can help further my email is ***@****

[Jan-Worried Mom]

My daughter, 11 years old tomorrow, was diagnosed by an Emergency Dept. Dr. Monday morning at 3 a.m. with IBS.  I'm not sure whether to beleive him or not.  She started getting sick about 2 weeks ago with fever and upset stomach.  Over the past two weeks, she has had no fever, no upset stomach, no diarrhea, some constipation, and SEVERE stomach pain, just below the belly button and she is very fatigued(sleeps a lot).  I was concerned that it was appendicitis.  A nurse told me to look for rebound pain and pain in the stomach when she stood on her tip-toes.  She was in so much pain, she couldn't stand on her tip-toes, and she was bent over.  I thought for sure it was her appendix (went through this with my other daughter at age 6).  I am so worried about her, and she has missed so much school and I have missed work.  I don't know where to go from here.  She doesn't want to eat or drink much.  She is taking Levcin for the pain, but I am concerned about giving this to her also.  She is seeing her regular physician tomorrow and I am hoping to get her into a pediactric stomach specialist. Please send any advice. Thanks!

[Lanna]

Please help if you can.  My husband has IBS and had both gall stone surgery and kidney stone surgery by the age of 20.  He is 6 feet tall and weighs only 130 lbs.  The IBS is so bad that he simply cannot maintain a healthy body weight.  If he can't be near a bathroom, he simply won't eat (understandably) even if for hours and hours.  I'm very worried that there is an underlying problem which has caused these three diseases which should be rare in a person like him to occur.

Thank you

[aimee]

Hello, I have recently been dignosed with IBS too.  I have acid reflux disease on top of that.  I also wake up everyday wondering how my stomach will be.  Sometimes after eating I will find myself in the bathroom all day.  I am on three different medications at this time.  

Since being on them I feel more tired and now recently am experiencing pain while urinating.  Has anyone else experienced these symptons with IBS?  

I feel for all of you.  Especially for those of you who have experienced this for many years.  I have only had this for so long and already realize how so not fun it is.

I would like to hear any responses anyone might have.

[saurabh3134]

A related discussion, ibs for 2 years was started.