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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/5/2014 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
I have had cramping issues along with diarrhea and constipation on and off since I was an infant (according to my parents; now in my 30s) that usually lasts for a day or two and then goes away. It was painful, but usually just went away and then I returned to my normal life.

about two months ago, I began having the usual symptoms. The symptoms lasted longer than usual so I went to the doctor with intestinal cramping and constipation. The doctor gave me Miralax to empty out my bowels in the hopes that I would return to normal. This worked a little, but the problems recurred after that. The cramping is sometimes excruciatingly painful and lasts several (anywhere from two to eight) hours. I was then prescribed dyclamine for the cramps, which helps only a little. I am now on narcotic pain killers to cope with some of the pain. I am concerned because this has been going on for almost two months with little improvement. Most of the pain is concentrated in the large intestine and colon areas. There are also large amounts of undigested food present in stool.

I have had blood work done and everything thus far seems to be fine: thyroid, white blood cells, liver, kidneys, etc. I am supposed to be meeting with the gastrointestinal department this week. My thought is IBS as at least three of my immediate family members have been diagnosed. I am not seeking medical advice about what treatment to pursue, just if any one had a similar experience or any ideas about what might be going on.
Posted 5/7/2014 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I think everyone that has been diagnosed with IBS go thru the same things....it's the nature of the beast. And it sounds like you might be dealing with this beast unfortunately.

Btw, what mg are you taking of the dicyclomine?
Posted 5/7/2014 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
I am taking 10mg of dicylcomine three time a day.
Posted 5/7/2014 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
If that is only helping marginally, you can ask your doc if you can increase to 20mgs every 6 hours. I also take this med when needed and depends on how bad I cramp. If it's bad 10mg might as well be a tic tac. But 20mgs helps greatly.
Posted 6/5/2014 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
I had a CT scan earlier this week that showed diverticulosis. Absent any other observable conditions in the bowel, my doctor is ready to diagnose IBS.
Posted 6/14/2014 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've been having the similar problems but have had very lose stools with undigest food (lots of it). I've also have had extremely loud stomach notices that lasts almost 24/7 with strange croaking noises coming up throat. I've had all work done (stool, blood, abdominal xray + ct scan) and nothing showed up.
Posted 6/14/2014 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
If you are having loose stools with undigested food, you are probably passing digested food through your intestines too quickly. My doctor started me on a strict diet including lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, spices, diary, and acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, and onions. I also started on Levsin (0.125mg), Prilosec, and semithicone since my doctor also thinks I have acid reflux disease and gerd on top of IBS and diverticulosis. This seems to be making improvements so far.

Post Edited (bokaba) : 6/14/2014 6:01:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/17/2014 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Just wondering, have they done colonoscopy and/or endoscopy on you? Those are two really valuable tests that give lots of information about what's going on inside.

Also, I assume you are aware that the narcotics are most likely making your constipation worse. They are known to cause some pretty bad constipation.

I've had chronic constipation for basically my entire life (I'm 36). Mine is due to nerve damage from a birth defect. So, I can understand a little bit how you feel. Things for me have gotten much worse over the past 6-8 months, so I do not "go" at all unless I drink the bowel prep stuff used for colonoscopy along with taking a couple doses of miralax, another OTC laxative, and Rx Linzess. (I'm in the process of having tests done to figure out what will be removed in a surgery to create a permanent ostomy.)(My case is kinda complicated and very uncommon, so do not think this will happen to you or something.)

Anyway, I know all about the cramping, pain, etc. I hope that you are able to get some relief soon. The GI doc should be able to do some more testing to rule out any other diseases, etc. and will hopefully come up with a treatment plan that you can live with long term if necessary.

Keep us posted and good luck!
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