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HIV Stress caused IBS/ Auto-immune???

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 6/23/2007 4:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Guys,

I've been on the HIV forum & have been sexually active for the past 4 years. because of which HIV & STI related stress seems to have caused IBS....i've been having it on & off, severe at times & patchy at other times...

I've tested for HIV again after  my most recent sexual encounter with a PCR at 28 days & Elisa antibody at 8 weeks post & they have come back negative...

But my IBS conntinues...i know it's stress related, but can this IBS be caused because of some auto immune problem that i may have????  & can this interfere with my HIV tests??? especially the antibody one???

Please forgive me if this post sounds weird, but please somebody give me the facts if i'm wrong or misinformed!!!!

Posted 6/23/2007 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rocky,
Welcome to the IBS board! :-)
IBS can indeed be stress related. It is not too uncommon for anyone to have bowel trouble when they are super stressed out. I have friends that complain about this phenomenon a lot... I tell them "Sucks, huh? Try having that D all the time."  It could be that you just have a nervous stomach. And yes, it could also be an autoimmune disease that is causing you these problems. It could even be a combination of both.
I don't know about autoimmune disease, but IBS cannot interfere with any of your HIV tests. Unless you are on any medication, IBS does not hinder or err anything but your convenience.

We do have at least a couple members on this board with autoimmune diseases... Maybe they'll have some input for you.

All I can suggest at this point is to try some stress relief.
Posted 6/23/2007 6:09 PM (GMT 0)

No i haven't been on any treatment for HIV as on Pep....but yeah i have been on treatment for IBS & dyspepsia.....especially with antacids & proton pumping inhibitors....do any of these interfere with HIV tests?????

Yeah when IBS happens....it does cause a lot of inconvinience!!!

P.S. I have also been on some antidepressants.....do any of these affect the tests???


Posted 6/23/2007 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm... Those are very good questions. I wouldn't think any of those meds would interfere with the HIV test, however, I have no clue. Have you asked on the HIV board?
Posted 6/24/2007 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Your medications would not interfere with an HIV test.  So trust your negative results!  If you are having a lot of HIV anxiety, there's a few things you can do: 1) stop having sex unless you are in a monogamous relationship in which you and your partner have been tested; or 2) use protection (latex condoms) and make sure you know how to use them properly to reduce the risk of breakage.  Above all, this is probably the most important: 3) seek counseling to address your underlying anxiety.  Taking anti-depressants is probably a good first step - how long have you been on them?  They can occasionally help people with IBS, too...
Posted 6/24/2007 8:54 AM (GMT 0)

So if i infer correctly the IBS or it's treatment does not in any way interfere with HIV testing...really good to know Sarita.....

Yeah well i've had IBS on & off for the past 3 years..& yeah for best part of 2 years have been on anti-depressants.....it has helped me to some extant..but the IBS at times is severe, well the wy it is for me in the past week, it's been on & off, Loose stools, ill formed stools & especially a feeling of incomplete evacuation....most of the time!!!

It really sucks..at times when it interferes with work schedules!!!

any suggestions???

Posted 6/24/2007 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

No, having IBS or taking medications for it will not interfere with your HIV test results - you're good to go!

Here are a few remedies that are popular among us diarrheaers: 1) taking probiotic capsules like L. acidophilus, which can be found in the natural/organic goods areas of most grocery stores (usually refrigerated); 2) eating a cup of yogurt with active cultures (such as Dannon Activia, found among the rest of the yogurt); 3) taking a calcium citrate supplement every day; 4) starting slowly on a fiber supplement like Citrucel; 4) avoiding problem foods, which vary among individuals but may include greasy/fatty stuff, lactose-containing foods, cabbage and broccoli, or beans.

I'm having a really rough week with my stomach too.  I had diarrhea like 12 times yesterday and wanted to kick the toilet!  You're not alone.

Posted 6/25/2007 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey My sympathies are with you, IBS is tough to deal with even though it's not a very serious condition pathologically..

My problems mainly lie in the earlier part of day, where from the time i wake up till about 12-1.00pm in the afternoon i've got this feeling of incomplete evacuation......towards the evening it slightly dies down.....

I'm on drugs such as Rabeprazole & Motinorm....that's what these drugs are named here in Asia???? are the names the same where you live???

I've also taken to smoking unfortunately??? does smoking further enhance IBS related inconviniences?

Posted 6/25/2007 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rocky,
Smoking does have a negative affect on IBSers. Tobacco is a GI stimulant, just like alcohol and caffeine. It irritates the lining of the stomach and can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and cramps. If you have IBS-C (constipation) smoking might not be as terrible for the gut (lungs are another issue)... But for IBS-D (diarrhea), smoking will likely make it worse. Tobacco has also been known to cause increased stomach acid and nausea. It is definitely NOT a good idea for IBSers to smoke.

I did a quick Google and I think I found Motinorm to be Buscopan (antispasmodic) and Rabeprazole to be Aciphex (PPI) here in the US.
Posted 7/12/2007 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys how are ya? I am an IBS sufferer. Just was diagnosed about three years ago. None of your medications have to do with IBS. not antidepressants nor HIV drugs, or nothing like that. But IBS can be stress related. I am on the new drug AMITIZA if you all heard of it. They did take ZELNORM off the market because it was causing heart disease. the drug makers want to do more testing. I had cramps in my stomach i was keeling over. I was very constipated, bloated, cramping, couldnt go, feeling full.... now i take amitiza, colace, and metamucil to keep regular. You need to have alot of fiber in your diet. i see a gastroenterologist. and i took some tests. I do have GERD. and i am taking more tests. If you dont like fiber and you dont have enough in your diet, i take the metamucil capsules, and i go regular now. the new pill helps me and the colace over the counter. helps tremendously. IBS is a very bad disease to go through. Some people have it more bad where they go diarrhea, but i think that is more associated with crohns disease but somehow they are connected but very different. i would check on that. Stay away from carbinated sodas, as i know its hard. i drink alot of flavored water now, and stay away from sodas that contain aspartame, they are bad. any questions, give me a hoot.
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