Desperate for help but don't know who to ask

[ashers86]

Well I'll try to make my story as short as possible..

Just over 2 years ago, I suddenly fell ill with what I thought was food poisoning. After not being able to eat without explosive diarrhea for 2 weeks though, I waved the flag and got a bunch of tests done.
All stool tests and blood tests showed up normal; and despite the fact that I used to be allergic to milk and still get sick when having it, I'm not Lactose Intolerant.
By the time I was referred to my first GI, it was already written as a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Not a surprise as it's in the family and I have mental health issues as well...

I did everything I could... I tried different supplements, kept a diary, evaluated my diet, and took fiber. I even took up Acidophilus (sp?) for awhile but it didn't seem to help much. I requested a 2nd GI referral when the pain and cramping literally knocked me off my feet - it didn't seem right to me. But again, the 2nd GI wrote it off as IBS and gave me absolutely no advice.

At the very beginning of 2009, I got a GI referral of my own through recommendation. Finally, this 3rd doctor agreed to do a colonoscopy. At this point, I was unable to work due to the complications - the heat of the summer gave me a change from Diarrhea-prominent to completely Constipated. It was so bad that the pain was just always there, and I started to tear and bleed with bowel movements.
Needless to say, the colonoscopy did show internal hemorrhoids (which have never been treated), and tortuous sigmoid. However, once again, I was turned away with just a comment that "perhaps in 5 - 7 years I may feel better".

I just can't take it anymore though.. My life has suffered immensely because of this (had to drop out of college in the beginning and cannot work right now even though I have tried to). Because of the tortuous sigmoid diagnosis, I can now at least pinpoint the agonizing pain in my lower left... but it does still make it painful to have bowel movements. Sometimes even sitting or putting pressure on my left hip will cause for an urge to go. I have been taking stool softeners and laxatives on a daily basis as the last GI told me to, but it still feels like I'm being cut open with a knife when I try to pass stool through. In fact, I often need to lay down after a BM because it tires me out and strains my muscles. I've also noticed that the muscle cramping sometimes transposes to my spine (another untreated health issue despite doctors being aware) where I had slipped a disc many years ago.

Anyways, I know it's a lot to read... But seriously, is there not something that can be done? This tortuous sigmoid is killing me! I can always feel whats going on there. The IBS isn't as bad of an issue as I have linked it to Anxiety and am currently getting help for that. However, why is it that there's nothing that can be done (or so I was told) about the tortuous sigmoid?
I'd honestly rather be on a bag if it means no pain anymore... I can't even move or sleep sometimes because of it.

[mommy20255]

I suffer from IBS & have found an over the counter chewable tablet called EQUALACTIN. If you are constipated it takes the moisture from your bowel & gives it to your stool. If you are having diarrhea it re distributes the moisture & helps form stool. I have taken it before eating certain foods are going to cause an attack & I will not have an attack. I have taken it during an attack & within 30-45 minutes I am normal.
I used to be able to get it at CVS, but it has become very hard to find. If you can't find it ask the pharmacist to order it for you. Even though it is an over the counter med the Pharmacist has to order it.  I stock up on it & keep a couple of boxes in each room.

[Drama_Queen]

Hey,
I have IBS, and I'm not going to lie I've had to go to the hospital before but this sounds like something worse. can I suggest looking away from the bowels, I have issues with my hips, which cause sever pain and adds to my constipation, ends up I had two joints ...it took the doctors six years of inconclusive tests and my mum figured it out reading a ferensic novel, after two ses of x rays they confermed it.
Ends up it added to twisted bowel syndrome and double hip bone on my right hip....

If it is just IBS laxatives will be ur best friend as well as fiber 1, mix it into juice and drink that and lotsa water xoxx

good luck!!

[deestyle1]

I was diagnosed with IBS and was prescribed a drug called Bentyl (sp?). It takes away the cramps. My IBS symptoms come after eating certain foods and being backed up for a few days. The cramping is so bad it does not stop and makes me push so hard with minimal results, if you know what I mean. But then I go and go until there's nothing left and then keep cramping and then bleed and then it feels like knives are passing through. You get the picture.

My doctor told me that if I did not have IBS the Bentyl would not stop the cramping. Since after an hour or 2 the cramping stops after taking it, I assume I have IBS. Although the last time this happened, the Bentyl did not work as well and I cramped for over 2 days. I will never eat eggplant parmesean again!

[tulip77]

Hi ashers86. I just read your post and it sounds like you've been miserable for awhile now. I don't have IBS but I've had gastritis and acid reflux for the past month and at times it felt like a heart attack after I swallowed and so much constant pain that it just takes all your energy away! I went to the GI doctor 3 times in 2 weeks just pestering him to run tests and find answers. I just want to encourage you that someone out there will read this and have something similar I'm sure. Hang in there!! Sometimes you have to do the research online and then tell the doctor what tests you want done. Go online and do key word searches for some of your symptoms - even on this website and see if you can find other people talking about similar symptoms. And if you haven't found a doctor that really seems to listen and be concerned then go to yet another one until you find one that you feel right with.  I will pray for you that your symptoms will completely go away!  One more thought - have you tried a gluten-free diet to see what that does?

[ashers86]

BTW, I'm only 22 years old and feel completely abandoned by all my doctors. I have never been prescribed any IBS-related treatments nor have I even been given any prescriptions for the pain. I do feel as though this is something no one can be bothered to look into (as it took 3 GI's to get a colonoscopy done..) and that I'm sure there's something that can be done but it's being overlooked. I'm looking for any advice or related situations. Thanks!