Re: Don't understand!

Posted By BW on March 18, 1999 at 23:23:45:

In Reply to: Don't understand! posted by Pamela on March 10, 1999 at 12:42:31:






I'm confused why "RF" could answer a question about a 13 year old on 1/29 but can't on 3/8?  He's taller than I am and weighs more.  I would just like to know about Levsin, and the use of antianxiety/antidepressants when IBS is involved.  My son was diagnosed by history with IBS Monday.  I guess they felt they had ruled out everything else thru negative blood and stool tests (no blood in stool, either).  He started Levsin Monday.  It's Wed and no relief from the cramping so far.  Does it take a while to work?  He's also trying Metamusil wafers.  The cramping goes on every waking minute but generally does not awaken him at night.  It's worse when he lies down and after he eats.  Moving his bowels helps for about 2 minutes.  What if Levsin doesn't work?  I really believe he needs a colonoscopy, but then what do I know.  He is becoming increasingly stressed and depressed and is particularly "down" on the medical profession as being stupid!!  If you can't answer, who do I contact?  Maternal and child Forum?  Thanks.




Pamela:
I can sympathize with your son's symptoms.
In my case I was diagnosed with colonic inertia. This disease of the
GI tract relates to functional motility. My colon acts like a tube of
toothpaste. Squeeze the tube and some moves forward and backward.
To rule out this disease in your son's case request your GI doctor to order
a radio-opaque marker test. This test involves swallowing a capsule containing
radio-opaque markers which are clearly illuminated on an x-ray of the GI tract.
The test is simple swallow a capsule the night before and then have five
consecutive x-rays of the abdomen. Their prupose is to follow the movement
of the markers through the GI tract. If the functional motility
of your colon is not woking properly then the markers will still be present
in your system after five days.
Good luck.