please answer bfet59

[bfet59]

The results are back to stool kit and indicates IBS.  The gastro doc says other health probs I have my be
coming in on this horrible IBS episode.  Finally is calming down last 2 days.  But still I have no energy.
Because I had diarrhea for almost 3 weeks??  I also have osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and
a bulging disc.  Have COPD that flairs a couple times a year usually ending in acute bronchitis. Please
read other post with tab about problems continuing after work in visit to gastro doctor.  Even though my
IBS is calming down.  I just feel wasted.  No energy.  Have been out on FMLA.....do I go back to work,
seek other answers, go back to family doctor? What?  I still feel like I have bands around my ribs.  My
right side and back is sore.  Been trying to do things around the house to build myself back up, but
lower back and tailbone get so sore I have to sit down and get up and try again in a few minutes.
Please advise or at least say you understand......anything......Thanks, Betty

[ggreg]

I made a little typing mistake in the third paragraph.  After the phrase "gastro until Nov)," I should have written "and TELL your doc how the antibiotics..."   I left out the word "tell" and that may have been confusing.

[ggreg]

Hon, I'm no expert, but I am your age and have many similar problems as yours with my back and guts.  In my case, IBS was caused by a drug I was on, and when I went off it, my diarrhea (half dozen times daily for six months) settled down.  I'm assuming one of your regular medicines did not bring on this attack of diarrhea for you.  If you surmize that happened, quit those drugs forthwith.

Now, you've been treated recently with antibiotics for infection, which I think I gather those did not help you.  Also, you've had diverticulitis, where they removed some pockets several years ago.  If your tendency to have diverticulitis has shown itself again, and you get an abscess going or other rather serious complications of diverticulitis, you can get this explosive diarrhea that you've got.  If this is indeed your situation, you're supposed to be in the hospital and on I.V.s and special diet and rest.

Therefore, I think you should set up an emergency squeeze-in appointment with your regular doc (since you can't get in to see the gastro until Nov), and your doc how the antibiotics did not help, you're still in diapers, and since you had diverticulitis before, perhaps this is a complication of that, and ask him surely you should be in the hospital.  If you can't visit him or he disagrees with a diverticulitis attack, then you could go to the ER whilst having an attack, and they can quickly determine if your diverticulitis is flaring up big-time, in which case THEY will admit you and treat you properly.

Also, if I were you, I'd go ahead and take your arthritis medicines.  I mean, your indigestion couldn't possibly get any worse than it already is!  That way, at least you won't have to deal with your degenerative disk disease pain right now.  Drink some milk with those pills.  Also, you should be drinking some nutrient shakes and plenty of water in the meantime, and noodle soup is good for you and easy to digest.

That's what I think anyway.  But I don't think you should hang around and wait and see if this gets better... you've already done that and the diarrhea comes back with a vengeance.  This points to a real bad infection, abscess, or possible disintegration of bowel tissues.  If you have a little fever or chills with all this, you HAVE to either see your doc today or go on over to the ER.  Better safe than sorry.  I hope this helps you and I wish you well.        

[bfet59]

I am sorry in the way I worded that.  Nothing showed in my stool study and the
technician concurred with the gastro doctor that he felt it was just an acute IBS
episode.  In my original post "probs after work in with appt with gastro doc." I
explained that I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2003 when the original
diagnosis of IBS was found.  He cut 2 pockets out and biopsied as well no cancer.
And it was pockets not polyps.  The reason I haven't been to my ortho doctor about
my back where my bulging disc is (the area where I fasten my bra) is it bulges to
the front of my chest.  He told me at that time surgery was a last resort as it would
be through the ribcage and chest.  That type surgery involves a long recoup time
and a lot of pain.  Pain from my bulging disc was not an issue when this IBS
episode started but it is bothering me now because I can't take my arthritis meds
because it would further inflame the abdominal cavity at this point.  Unless the
GI doc calls back today and gives me the ok or offers another solution in that
direction.

[mammo]

A stool kit will not show IBS.  This is done by your GI doctor through your symptoms and
ruling out other physical problems.  Your bulging disk may be playing a big role in a lot of your back and tailbone problems.  If you haven't had it checked recently, you should do so.