zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884 
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Post by zella on Nov 20, 2014 6:37:36 GMT
So I've had irritable bowel symptoms my entire life. I had a colonoscopy six years ago that was normal, and a negative occult blood test (hidden blood in stool) just a few months ago
Over the last 2-3 months my symptoms have been getting worse. Pain isn't usually a huge problem for me; I get pain prior to having diarrhea, then it usually eases off over the next hour or so. Now I am having pain almost constantly, all over my abdomen. It's crampy, sometimes colicky.
I suffer a lot with nausea, usually 1-3 days a week, but now it is daily, bad enough to require medicating.
I have episodes where I feel constipated even though my gut is cramping like crazy; but then within an hour or so I have explosive diarrhea. Again, diarrhea is normal for me, but not this frequently and it just feels different.
I gave up meat over a year ago. I have given up most dairy (I eat a little in baked goods, but nothing else). I have no "safe" foods at the moment. I get sick when I eat, but I also get sick when I don't eat.
After having a wretched evening at the mall with four bathroom visits, I now am home, in some pain, and I just passed a stool-sized amount of mucus with blood around, and possibly in, it. SORRY, I told you this was TMI. I pass small amounts frequently, but never anything like this.
I've sent a message to my doctor. Any advice? Please don't say fiber; it makes me sick when me gut is in good shape, let alone now! If you've experienced something like this, what was the outcome for you? I'm just so tired of feeling ill.
I should also say that I had my gallbladder removed many years ago, and my appendix too.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:47:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 6:39:35 GMT
I have nothing to add, but I am hoping you have a better day tomorrow and can get in to see your doctor asap! Hugs!
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Post by gemini_jen on Nov 20, 2014 6:58:45 GMT
I have severe Crohns and frequently have symptoms you mentioned. Unfortunately I still haven't found the remission cure (after 3+ years). I've tried diets, acupuncture, even MMJ to no help. I'm currently on Humira and Imuran. Just had an endoscopy and colonoscopy yesterday to try and figure out what's going on, as my inflammatory markers continue to rise. Sorry you're going through this - I wouldn't wish it upon anyone!  |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Nov 20, 2014 13:40:26 GMT
I am no expert have you tried gluten free diet? I have a friend who suffered from IBS and eventually did a total elimination diet and found it was gluten intolerance.
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Post by bingcherry on Nov 20, 2014 19:38:27 GMT
I would also try eliminating gluten from your diet. A few years ago I had very similar problems. My GI doctor said it was either IBS or celiac/gluten sensitivity. I went gluten free and about 99% of my stomach issues resolved.
Good luck.
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Post by wallyagain on Nov 20, 2014 20:15:03 GMT
DH also had IBS, suffered for years. He went gluten free and it's mostly gone. There are still a few things that bug him, too much dairy for example. But for the most part, he's fine.
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Post by pmk on Nov 20, 2014 20:16:26 GMT
I am no expert have you tried gluten free diet? I have a friend who suffered from IBS and eventually did a total elimination diet and found it was gluten intolerance. Gluten definitely affects me far more than anything else. I had test after test to diagnose what was happening and IBS was they eventual conclusion. Gluten containing items definitely cause me pain and when I have a flare up (like yours) I have to eliminate as much as possible. I can slowly reintroduce them at times but can't eat much otherwise it's another flare up. Too much fruit and veg can cause me some pain but not as much. Do you take any sort of anti-spasmodic? I find them invaluable and can up the dose when I need to and lessen the pain. Fibre doesn't help me at all and actually causes more problems so I can sympathise - my doctor said it would help initially but I very quickly realised it definitely didn't!! |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Nov 20, 2014 21:37:40 GMT
Advice for the current incident is limited to see your doctor. A clean colonoscopy does not rule out a host of other issues.
I've had life long lactose intolerance, but have always known that I had issues with certain other foods. A few bites of watermelon can send me running to find a bathroom. Onions and garlic have always been a problem for me. I just attributed it to my "sensitive stomach." Many foods give me enough gas to change my pants size significantly. It's amazing how a pair of pants can be too tight one day and too big the next.
There's a reason people recommend eliminating gluten even without celiacs disease. For many, it's really not the gluten but the fructans (a type of sugar) in wheat. I strongly believe that a great number of people with IBS and a great number of the non-celiac gluten sensitive folks really have fructose malabsorption. NOTE that this is different from the hereditary fructose intolerance which is an inborn error of metabolism. Fructose malabsorption used to be called dietary fructose intolerance, but there's been a move away from that term to further separate it from the much more serious issue. Do a search for fructose malabsorption and read about FODMAPs. Actually, pmk, the poster above me, is even describing it in her post when she mentions that fruits and veggies bother her in excess as well. When you learn about FODMAPs, you learn which fruits and vegetables are safe, which ones are never safe and which ones may be safe in low amounts. It makes a HUGE difference. I cannot say I am fully under control because I do not follow a low-FODMAP diet religiously. But, I am SOOO much better and now I know when to expect an issue because I've eaten something that will cause symptoms.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 20, 2014 21:48:05 GMT
I have ulcerative colitis, which it sounds like your doctor has ruled out. I have found that I am generally in remission while pregnant or nursing, which obviously is not the solution people generally are looking for. Otherwise I limit dairy, raw vegetables, really spicy food, sugar, hard alcohol, and fizzy drinks. I do have all of those things in small amounts, but I find that if I have them in larger amounts or frequently, I get symptoms.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Nov 20, 2014 23:24:36 GMT
I have severe Crohn's Disease and have had many of the same symptoms as you're having. In my opinion you need to see a good Gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy.
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Post by gavinsmom on Nov 21, 2014 0:15:25 GMT
Gall bladder? Food allergy?
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Post by pmk on Nov 21, 2014 7:15:11 GMT
Advice for the current incident is limited to see your doctor. A clean colonoscopy does not rule out a host of other issues. I've had life long lactose intolerance, but have always known that I had issues with certain other foods. A few bites of watermelon can send me running to find a bathroom. Onions and garlic have always been a problem for me. I just attributed it to my "sensitive stomach." Many foods give me enough gas to change my pants size significantly. It's amazing how a pair of pants can be too tight one day and too big the next. There's a reason people recommend eliminating gluten even without celiacs disease. For many, it's really not the gluten but the fructans (a type of sugar) in wheat. I strongly believe that a great number of people with IBS and a great number of the non-celiac gluten sensitive folks really have fructose malabsorption. NOTE that this is different from the hereditary fructose intolerance which is an inborn error of metabolism. Fructose malabsorption used to be called dietary fructose intolerance, but there's been a move away from that term to further separate it from the much more serious issue. Do a search for fructose malabsorption and read about FODMAPs. Actually, pmk, the poster above me, is even describing it in her post when she mentions that fruits and veggies bother her in excess as well. When you learn about FODMAPs, you learn which fruits and vegetables are safe, which ones are never safe and which ones may be safe in low amounts. It makes a HUGE difference. I cannot say I am fully under control because I do not follow a low-FODMAP diet religiously. But, I am SOOO much better and now I know when to expect an issue because I've eaten something that will cause symptoms. Thanks Melissa - I'm off to do some research! I have to be very careful with quantity which is frustrating if I'm on WW and can eat fruit for free! OP I hope you get some answers soon and feel better. |
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M in Carolina
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Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on Nov 21, 2014 10:16:16 GMT
Zella, I know you've been really stressed the past few months with what happened with your sister--I'm sure I'm not the only pea that would love an update--as well as your daughter's physical issues.
I know I have many more symptoms when my darling dh is really suffering than when I'm sick myself.
I definitely think it's time for a new colonoscopy. If you have any pain on the high left and middle of your abdomen--might feel like a gallbladder attack--you might want to ask your doctor to check your bilirubin and liver enzymes. I have chronic pancreatitis, and when that is flaring, there are NO foods that I can safely eat. Horrible pain, horrible cramping, awfulness. I have to be hospitalized when I can't drink clear fluids because of the pain.
In my 20s, I had a couple of colonoscopies and was diagnosed with IBD. Last year I had the scary bowlful of red blood horridness, plus much more bile from my tiny little bile duct tree and lots of swelling/cramping. My primary thinks I have colitis and wants me to see a GI specialist and get a definite diagnosis so I can start Humira or whatever.
Before I do that, I'm still seeing specialists for my MS diagnosis. All these doctors are hard to get into, and dh also needs to see specialists, so we triage everything.
Please, remember to take care of yourself. You can't help your family the best if you don't take care of yourself well. I'm learning that lesson and am much easier on myself than I used to be.
Wonders of wonders the house didn't collapse around up in a horder's episode scariness if I didn't clean everything every week. Life goes on. My health is more important than running the vacuum in rooms we never use this week.
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Post by heltr on Nov 21, 2014 11:47:01 GMT
Have you tried eliminating FODMAP foods? - foods that contain these small carbohydrates are particularly bad for people with IBS You can read about it here - in Australia it is now the recommended treatment for IBS by the medical council www.aboutibs.org/site/treatment/low-fodmap-diet/might be worth a try as you sound miserable |
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