The MD thinks I might have IBS...

Hi everyone,

my name is Alex, I'm 22yo and my story goes as follow. Two months ago I started having trouble with my intestine, constant nausea, constipation,tons of gas, and later XTREME cramps/pain. At first I deducted that what I had was probably partial blockage of the intestines. I went to see the doctor about it because it was becoming too much... the nausia was a killer and the cramps made me feel like I was about to die and i was staying near the phone just in case. Whenever I ate it felt like food was getting stuck near my plexus which is a very bad feeling which I think brought the nausea. The doctor prescribed ratio-docusate which helped a bit but not greatly. At least it helped pass the food down but i was still constipated.

Basicly without any medecin  = Eating for a week, food accumulating in my intestin then the weeken, SUPREME CRAMPS and diarrea.

I was told to go back see the doctor and ask to be refered to a gastroenterologist(something along those lines). This time the MD gave me pills that really work wonders.

Bigger pills of RATIO-DOCUSATE SODIUM, Senokot-S...

I shouldn't take this for more then a week but I got a prescription for a long time? What happens if my intestin become dependant?! Is this dangerous? Or is there another drug to counter this?

and the wonder drug: PROTYLOL (has no info about this on the internet)

No more cramps... Its suppose to blur vision and make you kinda sleepy. Doesn't do that to me at all, I feel like I have more energy now. Makes me wana move more. But I wonder? can I take this long terms or is there something it could do?

My dream is crushed seriously, I wanted to join the army but theres no way they'd accept me having to take pills. But I guess it may be my fault all my life I havent eaten well... I've eaten candy like crazy, chips... junk... in huge quantity... I ate pickles like a pregnate lady..(im a man though) as a matter of fact the day or two before I had eating a full jar of pickles. But ever since this started I completely changed my diet, I dont eat any sweets anymore... or any junk for that matters. And for some odd reason I have bad reaction to milk or any milk product for some reason.

I hope whatever's happening is fixable, maybe there's still a chance I can join the army as a combat engineer. Else I'll just have to lead a normal life.

I also noticed something that i hadnt paid attention or talked to the doctor about. I have no more sex drive... like none, maybe once a month(i was never like this, started like a year or two ago)... I'm also losing the hair on my head quickly whenever I brush... it gets full of hair. Also when I drink anything... a few mins after I gotta pee... as soon as its in, it gets out. I wonder what thats about... Low testosterone?

Thanks for listening to my ranting lol.

Regards, Alex.

Post Edited (Aizu) : 10/8/2008 3:34:09 PM (GMT-6)

It doesn't sound like you've had any tests. Have you had blood work, colonoscopy, stool tests? I wouldn't accept an IBS diagnosis without further testing to rule out other causes.

I had a GI tell me I had IBS and he refused to do any testing. I finally found a GI willing to test me and she found a tumor by my IC valve. If it had been diagnosed when I first had trouble, they could have removed just the tumor instead of part of my large and small intestine.

Hair loss and reduced sex drive can also be caused by malabsorbtion. Just because you are constipated most of the time doesn't mean you are absorbing nutrients.

Dagger: I had a blood test which the doctor told me, he'd call me only if i had something that was the first doctor which seemed not to really care about his patients. Second doctor, didn't do many test, but she is about sure that I have IBS... but your right without tests nobody knows that's why I'm going to see a gastroenterologist... He'll do the test hopefully.

Hair loss has been happening before the IBS symptoms. And I don't take any medecine, I've always hated taking medecins since to me, I read it as a weakness to be dependant on something. I really hope its something fixable.

I do however have had ACID Reflux for a long time, I usually only took 1 strong tum and that worked wonders for me but since I've been eating straight for the last 2 months I haven't had any acid attacks.(meds might be helping with that too?)

I'll check out that Miralax, so with that one you don't become dependant on it? I was thinking of trying some of those natural ones aswell: Peppermint, ginger, fennel, aloe vera pills.

Endocrinologist? I'll ask about it.

Before my gastroenterologist.. meeting. I should write down my symptoms? I tend to forget somethign whenever I go to the doctor... might be a good idea... ranting.. lol

Regards,
Alex.

Canyonbabe711
I understand what you mean. Whenever I think about this, I picture myself stuck in the woods for a few weeks without medecins and it makes me feel weak because I need to rely on something to survive. A healthy person would be fine, the hardest part would be finding food and water. I mean I'd survive without it, but I'd suffer, IBS without medecin your fine, but if it was something more extreme like diabetes that requires injections you'd be in deep trouble... Anyway that's how I see it in terms of weakness... maybe its a question of pride? heh

Regards,
Alex.

No, I would say it would be the opposite.