IBSA - What do I do now?

[jgallinzx]

Hi,

Firstly I will apologise for the long story but will try and give you all the necessary details

I first started experiencing symptoms in February this year with severe lower abdominal pain (to the left side), nausea, bloating, tiredness and constipation alternating with diarrhoea with no set pattern. I went to 4 doctors in the space of the first week because of the constant pain. They took blood tests and STD tests and felt my tummy area. After the blood and STD tests came back clear, all the while in constant pain, they decided that it wasn't just a passing thing and decided to look into it further. I was referred for an abdominal / pelvic scan and to see a Gastro consultant with the view of exploratory cameras. After 4 weeks I was given a scan appointment (both internal and external) which came back clear. All the while the doctor is trying me on Mebeverine, peppermint oil and Fybogel and suggesting one by one that I start narrowing down food - Wheat, bread products etc. Overall we come back with no obvious food/drink triggers with the exception of chocolate and spicy food. I'm guessing that he recommended the most obvious, I have tried a few more myself, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, certain "windy" vegetables and still no joy.

I have since seen a consultant (after 10 weeks might I add - yes 10!!!) who was useless and didn't tell me anything I didn't already know - You have symptoms which, whilst in the minority, can be typical to IBS, no need for further exploration. just be patient and wait. WELL I was pretty cross and asked if he could recommend anything which he said, everyone is different, you should work it out yourself!! I have been back to the GP who has suggested hypnotherapy as a possible help but it's expensive and being on minimum sick pay at work is making things a struggle as it is)

Ok so let me give you a snapshot as to where we are now:-
- I understand that chocolate, spicy things and stress all make it worse, but the pain is always there.
- I have constipation as well as ribbony mucusy diarrhoea which alternate with no pattern or clear logic
- I ALWAYS leave the toilet feeling like I haven't finished.
- I try to eat small regular meals but sometimes I get to the point where I know food will make me feel worse so skip a meal. I have got better at limiting this and making myself eat except when things are at their worst.
- I have bloating (80% of the time), severe abdominal pain (all the time) - which does ease when I have a bowel movement but only very slightly.
- I don't sleep much more than 3-4 interrupted hours a night as the pain wakes me up. All the standard pain reliefs do nothing.
- I am off work as a home care assistant because I am barely coping with myself and family let alone looking after elderly people.
- My partner is very understanding and could not be more perfect. I'm almost at the stage where I begin to wonder if I am imagining things or if I'm goiing mad.
- I am struggling to cope I do mad things like clean the oven when I can't sleep as it focuses my mind elsewhere and away from the whole pain.
- I want to understand, I want my life back, I want to go back to work and most of all I want to know how anyone can possibly be expected to have this much pain and cope with it potentially indefinitely.
- On top of everything else my financial situation is extremely difficult due to me being ill and that in itself is a worry (ie more stress which doesn't help)

I've even thought about medical research to see if I can get any answers that way

Now I will apologise for the rant!! If anyone wants to know more info (as I'm sure I will have forgotten some things) please ask.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Julie

[Boo25]

I'm so sorry to hear of your plight and hope things can be sorted really soon for you.
I have IBS but it wasnt really diagnosed, just assumed after everything else was ruled out - like you. I ended up admitted to hospital as an emergency because the pain was so bad and it was thought to be a burst ovary - but no!
The antispasmodics work to some extent and I now recognise what things can be triggers for me (visiting areas with hard water, very fatty food like burgers, takeaway pizza etc, all green veg, pulses and drinking fizzy drinks with meals) but for me the key times I flare up are when I'm under stress - which you obviously are a great deal.
Whilst the tai chi sounds like a great plan and I also agree that going back to your doc to demand further investigation is essential I also think asking to be referred to a therapist would be a great help.
CBT or talking therapies are often used by the NHS to deal with any number of issues like phobias and stress and I strongly believe, assuming there are no other health problems, that treating your mental outlook has a massive impact on the status of IBS. its no good just being told to control your stress - you have to be helped. If you broke your leg a doc would mend it, you wouldnt be expected to manage by yourself.
Warmest wishes to you and I hope you find some peace very soon

[molliedoll]

Hi Julie,

Reading your story made me cry, because it sounded like my life.  Everything you said, and especially about wanting yr life back and being able to work.  I have been ill for 1 year and 8 months, the doctors kept on telling me it was ibs and to get on with it.  However, i didnt agree with the doctors, as i couldnt see how ibs would make me so ill constantly and how it would make me loose ma appetite.  I asked to get referred to a specialist who deals in gastro, and am now on my second specialist.  He told me i had gastritis, gord, hitaus hernia and ibs ( lol) like i didnt already know that.  However, what he didnt explain to me that these symptoms were serious to the way i was feeling, so i kept on thinking there was an underlying problem.  I can not accept that am so ill thru this, and i keep on writing and telephoning him asking why i cant eat??  I have deterioated over the past month very quickly, where am mostly bed bound.. But i will not give up the fight with him until he turns arounds and says i cant do anything more for you!!!  Plz dont give up the fight either, battle like i did with yr gp, write them letters explaining how u feel, and that u want referred to a gastro specialist.

I hope this helps u in knowing yr not alone.  I struggle day in myself to get my head round about it and although my partner has been fantastic, he really doesnt understand either.  Plz feel free to write to me if u wanna chat and maybe we can help each other thru this terrible time.

Debs x

[randompsi]

Youtube.com has Tai Chi moves. Master the Tai Chi moves and your health will improve. Then use aerobics and clean nonpoisonus tall grass to cure the symptoms. The illness will continue if you still has the same lifestyle so try to borrow Candice-sugar from rubber foods and earn money online. The ones that aren't a scam--that is. I hope it helps.