Constant diarrhea

[SJJK]

My 16 yr old daughter has the diarrhea everyday, she has had cat scan, ultrasound, all stools tests done and all are negative.  This has been going on since last July 2002.  Dr. says it is probably IBS.  She also has some stomach pain and he put her on Nexium 1 daily. Has been on this since October 2002.  If she goes off Nexium, she will have stomach pain, but is fine when she is taking it.  Just concerned that we are just covering something up.  Or is IBS normal for a 16 yr old?  Thanks for your help.

[twisten]

Has she had a colonoscopy done? I was told I had IBS for about 20 years and just found out this May that I actually have crohn's disease. Hopefully she can get some help soon.

[SJJK]

Don't know much about crohns disease? What are the symptoms?

[kimbacat]

if she has tried all of the suggestions for easing IBS, then a colonoscopy could go a long way to help figure out the source of her problems.  the 2 most common forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD, not IBS) are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.  common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.  bowel biopsies during a scope can diagnose this, but sometimes it is difficult.

[dowdsm]

I had chronic diarrhea for years too.  Finally diagnosed with Zollinger Ellison syndrome. Basically it's your stomach making too much acid. Could be why the nexium helps. Try upping the dosage to 2 pills a day (morn and night) to see if that helps.  If it does, mention to your doctor.

[SJJK]

Would upping the Nexium help her diarrhea? What is the treatment for Zollinger Ellison syndrome?  Is there certain foods she should be avoiding?  Thanks for your help!

[SJJK]

I don't know of any suggestions to ease the IBS.  Any help is appreciated!

[kimbacat]

there is a lot of info out on the web about IBS, just plug irritable bowel syndrome into your search engine.  one good site that others have recommended is www.ibsgroup.org  there might even be support groups in her area, check with local hospitals about thier community health services.  

take care

[SJJK]

I will check this out, thanks for your help!

[dowdsm]

I have ZES and take 4 prevacids a day--that's the same as nexium.  So far my Dr's have not put me on any special diet (except no alcohol, but you shouldn't have to worry about that). When they put me on the nexium, my diarrhea stopped within 30 hours.  It's worth a try.

Let me know how it goes.