IBS-D and nausea is ruining my life!!!

Okay, here's the deal. Back about five years ago, I started having some severely bad stomach issues. And honestly, I chalked it up to a bad hot dog I ate because I NEVER get sick to my stomach. And the hot dog was less than fresh. But after a week, the stomach issues didn't subside. After countless doctor visits, my GI finally said "it's your gallbladder" and promptly removed it. Granted, this did take care of the stomach problems for a while but now I had a new problem. GERD. But I dealt with it because my mother explained that this is just what happens with not having a gallbladder. I thought that was all I had to worry about--GERD. I was wrong. about a year to a year and a half post-op, my stomach problems that had plagued me before surgery came back in full swing. Heavy bouts of diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. Ugh, not again. So, here we go back to the doctor. He puts me on Phenergan for the nausea (at the time, it was a life saver even though it made me loopier than a loopty loop), Levsin/Levbid for the diarrhea, and Aciphex for the heartburn. This treatment seemed to be working. Well, I got sick with what seemed to be a stomach virus and I just went to my local MEA (Central Mississippi's version of Urgent Care) and when she was pressing on my stomach, I had a very sharp pain in my lower right abdomen. She promptly sent me to the local hospital with appendicitis. Great, another surgery. I had my appendix removed. Again, the stomach problems subsided. (Keep in mind, between the gallbladder and appendix surgery, I had not one but THREE endo's and colon's all coming back negative for ANYTHING, not even GERD) My stomach problems came back once again. But this time, the closest doctor was my gyno and when I told him about it, he said he wanted to test for Endometriosis. Huh? Are ya kidding me?? No...he wasn't. I had surgery AGAIN and had five lesions removed. This time, my stomach didn't wait its normal three months to come back. It came back as soon as the constipation wore off from the pain meds I was taking for post-op pain. I contacted my GI again and he said "It has to be your IBS acting up. Here, let me put you on more crap that doesn't work" Okay, he didn't say it like that but that's how I interpreted it. So, I was put on Donnatal and Lomotil. This time, NOTHING for the nausea. But the Donnatal and Lomotil worked wonders for my diarrhea. But, as all good things, the relief came to an end. And it never did help my nausea which is what is killing me now.

Okay, I said all of that to get to my current situation. I'm 25. I'm healthy. I'm a vegan (not by choice, considering everything makes me sick). I work out. My GI has done endo's, colon's, surgeries, etc. and all he's been able to come up with is IBS-D, chronic nausea, gastritis, and a sympathetic pat on the back. Here's my thing. I WANT THE PAIN TO STOP! I want the nausea to stop. I want the diarrhea to stop. I've been suffering from this for five years and honestly, it feels like a lifetime of pain. I am doubled over at times. He claims I don't have Celiac yet EVERYTHING I eat that contains gluten makes me violently ill. He claims I'm not lactose intolerant yet everything that has diary in it makes me violently ill.

Currently, I'm taking Imodium for diarrhea and motion sickness tablets for nausea (both otc because my doctor has flat out stopped prescribing me meds even though it is clear that I need them). Tomorrow, I am going to Walmart and picking up some ginger tablets because I was creeping around other topics similar to this that I am posting and they have all said that ginger is great for relieving nausea. Plus ginger would be better because the motion sickness tabs make me very sleepy. It's basically dramamine in Walmart brand. I'm also taking omoprazole (sp?) for the heartburn.

Should I go to a different GI since this one is refusing to give me meds and because with all of the very expensive tests he's run, he can only come up with three diagnosis that a three year old could pinpoint? I am in so much pain. I just want relief!

A second opinion never hurts.. going through alot of the same issues myself.. good luck

OMG!!! I know what a drag all that is! Ginger helped me tho I used the fresh grated in tea & it really helped the nausea but it always seem to come back though I did an IBS Kit recommended by an Osteopath that had an IBS Formula (Homeopathic liquid) and a probiotic with prebiotic called Healthy Bowel Support (with some other stuff in the kit). After 90 days I really haven't had any symptoms...am keeping my fingers crossed!
I also think a 2nd (or 3rd!) opinion never hurts!

The last time I went in for a colon and an endo the doctor put me on a probiotic. It didn't help. Took the thing for nearly five months with no positive results. And even though I'm on a lactose/gluten free diet (I'm labeled a Gluten-Free Vegan), I still have the bouts of diarrhea and nausea along with the pain. I'm at my wits end. I thought the home-grown treatment was helping but it's not anymore. Honestly, (and I'm not an addict nor am I suggesting anything of the sort) the only thing that helps both the diarrhea and the pain was being on the post-op pain meds that the doctor would prescribe me. I actually felt like a normal person again. But God help anyone suggesting that to a doctor. Automatic labeling of drug-seeking behavior addict. I have heard of IBS-D patients taking very modest doses of codeine and that seems to help the D and the pain. But again, it's very difficult to find a doctor willing to prescribe it without thinking in the back of their mind "she's a drug addict and she's just looking for a fix." Y'know, there are some of us out there that aren't addicts and simply looking for relief. Not a fix. Anyone had or heard of success with taking codeine therapeutically?

If you can ask your dr. or get a second opinion, ask for zofran to help with the nausea. It works wonders and better than the other anti-nausea med you were on. Zofran doesn't make you sleepy or loopy and you are able to get on with your day. (I've tried both). Don't give up your search for health--for years I've been in and out of many drs.-including Cleveland Clinic-trying to find help for my Crohn's with test after test coming back negative. It was just this past week I was back complaining to my colon/rectal surgeon "it's not working" that I feel the light went on in the doc's head and we have a plan in process when I'm ready. Just because one doc is out of ideas (and patience :)) doesn't mean another is. --Just some encouragement because what your going through is no fun.

Doctors sometimes don't have a clue! I get plenty of stomach upset and D from Endo and it isn't just when I have my period, it can be all month long. It is no picnic but it does get better with time, a lot of time!! Is codeine good for Diarrhea? If so, i would think a doctor would offer it or at least something for relief.

Yea, it is pretty sad that those of us who really need help can't and won't get it because of a few who ruin it for everyone. I am a chronic insomniac with anxiety and do you think I could get anything at all to help??? NO... nothing except being told to take Tylenol PM!!! I feel your pain.

Honestly, I wonder if an anti-anxiety med would help with your stomach problems too. If it is at all possible to get anything like that from your regular physician.

Just diagnosed with IBS. Worst problem is nausea. Have no appetite and losing weight. Don't know what to eat. Been on Heathers IBS diet for two weeks. Take on Prilosec and one FiberCon daily. Taking Zofram daily and Atavan if needed for anxiety. Feel better for a few days, then the nausea starts up again. Would digestive enzymes help? How do I get my doctor (GP) to do something besides prescribe drugs? I want to know what causes it so I can stop it. I'm so frustrated! Any advice?

JackieBee, something you are eating is not agreeing with you. I had to figure out that i am not celiac but instead gluten sensitive. If you haven't already, try to cut out wheat and oat products and see what happens. I use to also eat a lot of sugary candy, licorice, starbursts, gum and the sucralose in those caused major nausea and diarrhea as well. It is finding out by elimination basically. Good luck!

amarie is also correct about the ginger root. It helped the nausea a bit but for some reason gave me the worst headache of my life.

Well..I have crohns disease. And I have horrible nausea and pain..and diarrhea that is now incontinent. How lovely! As was suggested,zofran is the bomb for nausea!whoa..it's my BFF!(: and I do take ginger in hot water too. The good thing about zofran is its not mind altering so the docs can hardly throw the drug seeking addict card at you over that one!
I have had pain in various and sundry areas in my body..the gut pain is by far the hardest..hope that helps a bit!

amarie--I love your posts, you say everything I've been feeling these past few years, especially regarding how useless most GI doctors are. In the last 4 years I have seen 8 different GI doctors in LA area and I'm still not much better, except for the fact that I self-diagnosed myself with Bile Acid Malabsorption and am now taking Welcohl to absorb excess bile. However, I still have frequent painful cramping, pain and diarrhea most mornings (possibly long-term damage from the bile??). After hemorrhoid surgery 2 years ago I had some oxycodone, and accidentally discovered that 1/2 tablet of that after breakfast would stop the diarrhea in its tracts--but doctor looks at me like I'm out of my mind to ask for that med so it was never refilled. So instead she gives me "tincture of opium" which sounds worse than the other med and is difficult to find a pharmacy to fill--it does stop the diarrhea pretty well but does nothing for the cramping pain.

I'm seeing my internist next week and wondered if anyone has used Zofran long-term? Does it constipate? Could I take first thing in morning? Also wondering about the controversial drug Lotronex?

Thanks--Ruthie