Ibs advice please,

Hi all,
Well here's my story, I've had diarrhoea for every bowel movement for the past 4 months, it seems to have got more frequent as time has gone on.

Sometimes I can't finish my food because I have to run off to the toilet but this isn't all the time.
Lately I've been getting increased pain after food, I've just ate an ice cream and the pain I'm feeling is unbelievable and im pretty sure I'll be darting off to the toilet momentarily.

The doctor has said it's Ibs but no other tests have been ran. I've lost weight and have been passing blood. I'm scheduled for a sigmoidoscopy and the end of the month.

I'm taking immodium just to be able to go to work. I work full time with food and I've rang in I sick so many times with diarrhoea I'm scared I'll get sacked. The stress probably isn't helping.


Diarrhea is ruining my life, I can't go out, I can't go to work I can't eat :/ I've got another appointment with the doctor in a week to tell them my symptoms are getting worse and the tablets (mebeverine) are not making as difference. I think I need time off work also as it's against the law for me to work with food like this.

I really need some advice,

First, please stop eating ice cream. Have you considered any elimination diets? Lactose intolerance is very common and can absolutely give you diarrhea. Try getting rid of lactose for a few days and see how you feel.

The first thing my Gastroenterologist had me stop was coffee. I switched to tea. I knew dairy was beginning to cause problems. That was stopped next. I did have a sigmoidoscopy and the Doctor ruled out celiac disease and also checked for parasites. I am sure your Doctor will be looking for these problems. Have you been on antibiotics? For the record my parasites were not diagnosed and I ended up with colitis. Hope you will get better help.

Hang in there, it does take time to diagnose the problems. Work is really hard when your stomach is causing so much trouble. I do hope your Employer is caring and understanding.

Loring

farcry, eliminating wheat might be something to try, but in my experience you have to be gluten free for a few weeks in order to really assess this. Lactose is different - taking a dairy meal if you're lactose intolerant can result in GI gas and/or diarrhea within 30 minutes.

Read online about what kinds of milk-based foods contain lactose and then try a few days without them. I use lactose-free milk in my breakfast cereal, for example. You can also get lactase tablets at any grocery store or pharmacy, and you can take these before a dairy meal in order to help digest the lactose.

Hi farcry:

You do not need to fear the sigmoidoscopy. I was sedated. I was actually able to see what the Doctor was looking at also. He was quite a nice Gastroenterologist. I told him the line of work he chose was rather gross. He smiled. The prep for Colonoscopy is worse.

I think the Doctor will have to rule out parasites of course. If that would be your problem then every time you have "D" you are ridding of some infection. That is why your Doctor has to help make a decision with you. I am a C. Diff survivor and put my story on the panels. When recovering I told a Doctor that I was still lactose intolerant but I did not use Lactaid. She said it was good as it is best to avoid dairy products. Most grocery stores and health food stores carry Almond Milk and Rice Milk. I use Almond Milk as it has calcium. I am in Canada but I am sure the US is no different. You just have to acquire a taste for it.

You have many suggestions. I do hope you will get help soon. Sorry that your Employer is not sympathetic. Would it help any to provide a Doctor's note to get your Employer to be more flexible until you get proper diagnosis?

I sure wish all the best for you, constant "D" is so horrible.

Loring

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