Maybe IBS

Hello:

about two years ago I was diagnosed with UC and after a nasty flare finally got it under control with the help of Prednisone. I've been doing well for about two years with some occasional minor problems here and there usually right after I eat something. I thought I was going into another flare and since I never had a colonoscopy my GI scheduled me for one -- he diagnosed the UC with a sigmoid.

I just got the results back from the colonoscopy and he said everything looks good and said I might have IBS -- what's the difference between IBS and IBD?

I take Asacol three times a day and a rowasa enema every other night, but I'm wondering if I should be on something else. Is there a medication that I should be taking for IBS and if so what is it and what have people had results with?

Thanks for your help,

Thanks. Both were very informative.

How about medications? Is there something I should be taking on top of my other meds? Are the meds that I'm on enough -- not that I want any more? Is there a medication that I should talk to my GI about?

Basically, I have a really noisy gut that sounds a lot like the hull of an old ship. Occasional D and some minor cramping that I'd like to get under control. Basically, I'm tired of living my life with an almost constant ache in my gut and worrying about every single thing I eat.

Has anybody found anti-anxiety meds to help? I definitely seem to be worse when I'm worried...

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

Hi to all- Gandolph- that was very kind of you to submit those articles.  I found them helpful.  One of my best friends has UC and has been quite ill for awhile.  She is now on Remicade and thankfully doing better finally.  The only symptoms I have that are reportedly not consistent with IBS are nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss.  Apparently these are not consistent but I think some on this board would disagree.  I've lost considerable amounts of weight during a difficult period.  And I lose my appetite easily. Granted, I don't claim to be as bad off as some- in fact, I'm prob. pretty lucky and I'm grateful. 

Canyonbabe- if you are reading this, thank you for the advice on the ginger pills for nausea. I had actually bought some but was afraid to use them because nothing else was working.  But now I will go ahead. Thanks again for taking the time to let me know!

Cash- Some find anti-anxiety pills helpful.  However, as I'm sure most know, the 'biggies' (Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax) can be habit forming and addictive.  There's nothing wrong with taking them, just make sure you take as presribed! Now, my MD gives me some ativan which after months of agonizing over whether or not to take them, I finally gave in but I take them sparingly.  It only helps with my anxiety- and it alledgedly soothes the digestive system (though I don't know in what dose) somehow.  But I'm not positive on that.  Likewise, some find anti-depressants helpful too.  Some say (see the Effexor thread earlier posted) they help with physical symptoms and others it helps with anxiety and depression which can no doubt compound IBS issues.  As far as physical meds go, others on this website would know more, but there are anti-spasmodics as well as other meds that 'soothe the gut'.  Be assertive with your MD- for a long time, no one offered me anything (of course, I didn't ask either!) and though I take nothing now, I know I have the option.  My biggest thing was diet.  I read the book, 'Eating for IBS' - recommended to me by another fellow IBS'er.  It was very informative and helpful.  Check it out! Good luck to you.  Hope today is a good day for you.