Here's my IBS-C story: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/topic/158555-what-do-you-think-caused-my-ibs-c-and-redundant-colon/
Basically, I've developed IBS-C, redundant colon, slow transit constipation and rectal prolapse 2 years ago and I had surgery for my rectal prolapse 1 year ago.
Before the diagnosis, I went to the doctor about
my abdominal pain and constipation and he prescribed me an antispasmodic medication(Buscopan Forte) which eventually lead to Impacted colon because it didn't treat my constipation. And while I was on Buscopan Forte, I drank a carbonated drink at work. And as soon as I drank the carbonated drink, my lower colon inflated continuously for 5 minutes and it was extremely painful and I really thought it was going to explode. Thankfully after 5 minutes, the inflation stopped. I wonder if my redundant colon was caused from this incident?
Anyway, my IBS-C and rectal prolapse was cured after the rectal surgery and my gastroenteritis was treated with Nexium(PPIs) for 6 months. I'm currently only suffering from slow transit constipation, mild bloating after eating certain food, noisy stomach after eating and occasional reflux.
But I've also noticed that I've been feeling very sluggish after the surgery especially after eating a meal. I probably already felt sluggish when I had developed gastric problems but I probably didn't notice it because the rectal prolapse itself was already extremely debilitating. So I went to the doctor to check for thyroid disorder, anaemia and celiac disease. And my S-Thyroid function test(free T4 and TSH), iron studies and celiac results came back normal.
Because I feel sluggish almost all day, I'm dependent on energy from caffeine to function every day. Back in high school, I didn't need any caffeine and I was able to function without it. But now, I feel too sluggish to focus if I don’t consume caffeine during the day. I feel so sluggish that I don't even have any energy to focus on video games. I’m not sure if this is related, but I don’t get the butterflies in the stomach anymore which is supposed to be a sensation of blood flow and adrenaline in the stomach.
Another issue I'm having is that my sleep cycle is messed up and I just can’t sleep and wake up early no matter what I do. 4 years ago, I didn't have any problem waking up at 8:30 am. But now even if I exercise, sleep early or avoid caffeine, I cannot wake up naturally until 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. I have managed to wake up early a few times but my sleep cycle always goes back to sleeping late and waking up late. So no matter what I do, my sleep cycle always goes back to falling asleep between 2:00 am - 4:00 am and waking up between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Is this a symptom of delayed sleep phase disorder? Unfortunately, avoiding caffeine didn't fix my delayed sleep cycle and I still fall asleep and wake up late.
Since I've been treating my sluggishness with caffeine, I've tried going caffeine free for 2 weeks to see if I still felt sluggish without it. The withdrawal headache and lethargy went away within the 5th day. But even after 14 days, I still felt sluggish all day especially after eating a meal which makes me feel sleepy. For example, I usually feel most refreshed after waking up in the morning. But as soon as I eat an oatmeal, I start feeling sluggish and sleepy for the next hour. Some food makes me feel more sluggish over others. Which is why I always go back to drinking coffee to prevent the sluggishness and sleepiness, especially after eating.
Also, last week, I was working for 12 hours straight and I didn’t have anytime to eat/drink anything else to eat besides cheese cake with whipped cream, lemonade soda and water. I didn’t get any stomach pain but after I had an bowel movement, my stool was bright red. Could this be a symptom of diverticulosis? But even if my bright red stool was caused from sugary foods, I don’t eat or drink sugary food/drinks anymore so I’m not too worried about
it.
So in conclusion, I need caffeine to not feel sluggish and sleepy all day and I have difficulty sleeping and waking up early. I've ruled out thyroid disorder, anaemia and celiac disease. what else should I get tested for? And what do you think is causing my sluggishness and delayed sleep cycle?
I haven’t had transit studies to officially get diagnosed for slow transit colon. But my gastroenterologist told me after the colonoscopy that I have a slow transit colon which was unusually long and floppy like an old person’s colon. Although my stools are often hard and round because of my slow transit colon, it doesn’t cause me to get constipated and it just takes a little longer than normal to pass the stool. So is there any point on having transit studies to get officially diagnosed with slow transit?
Is it possible that the reason why I’m feeling sluggish especially after eating a meal is because my colon has become weaker/damaged(probably from fecal impaction or excessive inflation) and it's requiring more energy to digest food which is causing me to feel sluggish and sleepy? Or could I have a adrenal insufficiency that’s causing me to feel sluggish because I don’t get the butterflies in the stomach anymore?
Post Edited (Heinstein) : 8/14/2014 2:22:09 AM (GMT-6)