Is it IBS or something more?

[vanillachiffon04]

Hi, I am a 22 yr old female who has been diagnosed w/ IBS when I was 19. I was experiencing abdominal pain, night sweats, nausea, cramping, bloating, fatigue, vomitting and mucous in my stool. That was going on for 3 yrs before I was diagnosed. I had a colonoscopy which turned out negative and and upper and lower GI exam w/ barium enima, which also came out negative. My doctor told me it was IBS and to just increase the fiber in my diet and watch what makes me flare up. I did that and it did cure the onset symptoms for a few months. Then my insurance was cancelled and after a few months later my symptoms began to flare-up with a vengance. I didnt have insurance so I had to manage it on my own and deal. It would fluctuate from diarrhea to constipation in matter of hours each day and this would happen everyday. Finally a few yrs later I was able to get my insurance back. And now I am dreading to tell my doctor that these symptoms have not gone away but in fact gotten worse. Especially this week, I have had diarrhea for the past 4 days and it has not gone away. Its really now just mucous and slight bleeding and nothing more that comes out. I am afraid if I mention this, they will have me go in for another colonoscopy. I honestly dont want that, having to drink that liquid to prepare yourself is the worst. But I dont know what else to do, this pain is ever increasing and I may ne forced to go tell my Gastroenterologist. Could it be that IBS was not the cause of these symptoms, but infact something else? Can anyone help me or give me some advice? Thanks a lot!

[maze34]

You're discussing IBS and wondering if you have endo. I've dealt with endo. for 17 yrs. I've always had bowel issues and while I've never had a colonoscopy, I'd bet anything it's from the endo. I've told my OB/GYN about my constant gas/bloating and constipation that builds up to a long bout of diahrea. He said it's not gyne related and sent me to my family Dr who did xrays and said "your bloated because your intestines are full, but there's no blockage so eat more fiber& drink more water."

A lot of your symptoms really seem like endo. It's worth one laprocopy to find out! Hope it goes well for you.

[Shebah]

Vanilla... Docotors grow on trees as far as I'm concerned. If the one you are seeing now isn't listening, then you need to find another one. More important, listen to your body. YOU know when something is wrong.

Good luck

[Jaybay]

Time to push for a gyno who will do a laparoscopy and finally look inside to see what's happening.  The surgery is not bad at all, but it is currently the only way to definitively diagnose the presence of endometriosis.  Endo can also cause scar tissue (adhesions) to form, and that is what tends to cause the gastro symptoms to present.  If I were in your shoes, I'd push hard for the surgery.  But that's just me!  :-)

[vanillachiffon04]

Shebah... the diarrhea has stopped a bit but the mucous is still going on with a vengance. I went to the doctor on monday and all he gave me was Clindex and told me to stay away from dairy products and greasy food. The bleeding is still coming out wit the mucous. And its not due to my menstrual cycle...I made sure of that. I need to see another doctor. The ones I see now, dont seem to really care, just wanted to rush me out the door.


Tummyyuck....the 1st GYN i went to also told me that laproscopy was the definitive way of knowing if I indeed have Endometriosis....but when they found the cyst near my right ovary the 2nd GYN told me that they are just going to monitor me and see if it grows...and just pushed me out. When I read the symptoms of Endometriosis, it just makes so much sense, and they even state that some of the symptoms can be mistaken for IBS. I have told all of this to the GYN's but no one is listening.

[tummyyuck]

I too have had problems that have led me to belive that I may have endometreosis. My doctor told me the only way of knowing if you have it is to open you up and look. They usually just try to treat it first with birth controll. My cousin have endo and she had very bad constipation, rectal pain, painful intercourse to name a few. Talk toyou doctor more about that one. Lots of doctors are quick to dismiss things as IBS. Dont let them rush youout the door. If it is IBS there is a book called "eating for IBS". Im reading it now, cant hurt to try.

[Shebah]

I don't have to much time to write at the moment, but I just want you to know that you do not bleed with IBS. You need to tell your doctor and have another colonscopy.

[vanillachiffon04]

thanks Joalbert and Jaybay for your input and response.

Joalbert I will inform my Gastro about Celiac possibilites. Hopefully we can rule everything out, if I must go on a strict diet then so be it, because I can no longer deal with this ever changing symptoms.

Jaybat its funny you should mention endometriosis (and yes you are right I am a female, lol). I went to my GYN for other issues I have been having (examples: increase pain over time during - intercourse, menstrual cycles and bowel movements.) Among other issues as far as not being able to get pregnant for 2 yrs and increase pain on one particular side (right), the 1st GYN i went to said she suspected endometriosis, and order some ultrasounds, pelvic & transvaginal to see if they can detect anything, I read up on Endo and it does solve a lot of the problems I am having both GYN and GI, I also read that ultasounds are not the definitive diagnosis for endo, that they need to do a laproscopy to determine if endo is the cause. I went back for the results and had to see another GYN (in the same clinic) and she said they found no endo tissues, but they did find a cyst on the left hand side about 2.5cm. All she said was they will monitor it and see if it grows but thats it. I dont know what to do. What do you think I should do?

[Jaybay]

Oh you poor thing!  Why do you so dread the colonoscopy?  Yes, the prep is worse than the actual scope, but it shouldn't be so bad as to stop you from pursuing what is happening with your body.  Believe me, there are far worse, painful, and humiliating tests than a colonoscopy.  Perhaps a different gastro doc is in order?  

I'm assuming you're a female?  Have you pursued a possible gynecological problem instead of focusing on strictly gastro problems?  One possibility is endomentriosis  - it can easily cause gastro symptoms, so that may be another angle to pursue.

Hoping and praying that you will not wait and speak to your doctor very soon.  :-)

[Joalbert]

you have to tell your gastro. I've had IBS since i was about 19 too,and I'm 22 now.  My doctor just checked me for Celiac disease, I don't know the results yet, but that can be another possibility. With Celiac you are affected my gluten and soy and oats, it has the same symptoms as IBS, you should mention that to your doctor. If you have only IBS, you really have to be strick about what you eat ,I barely enjoy anything but that helps a little.My biggiest advice   is to talk to your gastro about everything and he'll be able to help you. If you prefer not to do certain tests you tell him.