Posted 4/18/2011 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Five years ago I was diagnosed with IBS, but have been enduring the condition much longer - about 18 years. When it first started, I was in elementary school. I stopped gaining weight at age 12, and pretty much completely lost my appetite. It wasn't until I was around 19, being prescribed an antidepressant with a weight gain side effect, did my appetite and weight start to become more in the healthy range.
Recently (about 5 months ago) I wasn't on any psychiatric drug, and my appetite plummeted yet again. I felt extreme hunger pains, but for the life of me could not eat. Desperate, I asked my doctor to prescribe me Megace, which worked like a charm. Now I'm back on the antidepressant and off the Megace. Does anyone else with IBS have similar symptoms? The only thing I can attribute this lack of appetite to is IBS. But then again, why would the Megace work since the problem still exists? Same with the antidepressant - it enables me to eat, but my flare ups continue. Any theories as to what's happening?
Maybe this will be more familiar territory: the colonoscopy.
Many of you seem to have been through this procedure, but was it -solely- related to IBS? I've had this condition for so long, and if it was anything more serious than IBS, it would have shown itself, right? I went to a new GI last month because the pain has become unbearable, although the intensity probably hasn't changed, rather, my pain tolerance is being challenged. I also wanted more comprehensive answers than just verbalizing my symptoms and the doctor saying, "Oh yes, you have IBS." So basically, do you think the colonoscopy is worth going through?
Thanks for reading.