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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/16/2006 11:03 AM (GMT 0)

I was just diagnosed with IBS yesterday. I'm 21 yrs. old and all of my life I've dealt with sharp shooting pains in my stomach, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, heart palpatations, "seeing stars"...the list could go on forever but my IBS has been really bad since one severe vomiting episode about a month or two ago that lasted 6 hours (I couldn't even keep sips of water down, and saw spots of blood). My doctor prescribed me bentyl, and told me that I should stop smoking because it makes it worse. If anything, I have noticed that a cigarette may give me a slight heartburn feeling, but it does help me go to the bathroom if I'm constipated. Anyone else? Also, I've heard that doctors don't really know much about IBS and was wondering if I should go have some other tests done to rule out any other possibilities?

                                            confused

Posted 3/16/2006 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bianchi,
Hello and Welcome to Healing Well :)
What kind of doctor diagnosed you and were there any tests done? If you had a GI, he/she probably automatically covered all other possibilities because IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. If you don't have signs/symptoms of anything else going on, they will dx you with IBS. It sounds like you may have GERD too, did the doctor bring this up? The tests usually done when you have symptoms of IBS usually start with stool tests (to test for blood/parasites), and a lower GI (barium enema and/or colonoscopy). These tests can give a better clue as to what is going on however it is not unheard of for a doctor to diagnose you on your symptoms alone if they really don't feel the need for more testing. If you didn't get dx'd by a GI doctor then that would be my first step if you don't feel satisfied with the diagnosis and if you did see a GI, then you may want to get a second opinion.
Take Care
Posted 3/16/2006 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thx for the welcome! I was dx'd by my family doctor. I had made an app. after the vomiting spell and found out that I had a severe UTI (I didn't even know I had...I get them often so I can recognize it pretty easily.) and a severe bladder infection, I couldn't even move sometimes! I had made this last app. as a follow up because I was sure something was still wrong with me, I was C and D on and off and was sure I had hemmies (blood every bm, itching and not feeling like I was done). Bladder infection and uti were gone so she did an exam and sad she couldn't feel anything and no blood, that it was probably fissures. After being dx'd I asked her about getting further tests done and she didn't make it sound like something I would want to go through. She told me to try out the Bentyl for a week or so and give her a call. She also told me to look online for more info and learn about IBS and to stop smoking. Has anyone been told to stop smoking because it aggravates IBS?
Posted 3/16/2006 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Smoking aggrevates a lot of things and I'm sure IBS is no exception. I unfortunately smoke also and have heard IT a million time from my docs. I would like to quit but life brings forth new challenges for me everytime I decide I want to stop which makes it so difficult. I know that UTI and bladder infections can also make IBS symptoms worse since its all in the same area. The vomiting could have made you really dehydrated which in turn could have caused those infections since you weren't able to clear yourself out. If the Bentyl doesn't work you may want to try another antispasmodic. I had to go through a couple before I found one that worked for me. I would also suggest keeping a food diary so you can start identifying the foods that give you the worse symptoms.
Posted 3/17/2006 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
dbab,

I didnt know much about you until now that i have read alot of your posts.

You are a very knowledable,helpfull and enocuraging person

Hats off to you

SP
Posted 3/17/2006 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank your for the words SP... that is very kind.

I have learned so much from experience and I have learned a lot from the people who can understand what I am going through. Having an outlet (this site) and the great people here make it easy to keep coming back. Take Care :)
Posted 3/17/2006 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your help dbab, I have noticed that the bentyl cuts down on the D but I still get C and it doesn't really help the bloating or discomfort in my stomach. I did start tracking what I eat and symptoms I get after eating them. OH BOY...Chocolate and Cheese, my two favorite food groups (hehe) are the devil! Coffee is bad too. Anything with butter on it doesn't really help either. Is there another way to get rid of the symptoms and not the food? I don't think I can live without them! P.S. Can't stop smoking either...way too stressed to! P.S.S. I totally cheated today and had a Big Mac meal... skull ouch...won't do that again.
Posted 3/17/2006 1:38 PM (GMT 0)

Bianchi01 said...
OH BOY...Chocolate and Cheese, my two favorite food groups (hehe) are the devil!

Chocolate and cheese are the worst for me too.  I LOOOOOVE cheese :(

I wish I knew how to eat the foods without trouble, unfortunately for me personally I haven't found the answer.  There are very few days that I can eat those foods and not have problems but I have to be prepared for what lies if I take the chance.  Some people here actually don't have a problem with certain foods if prepared a certain way however have problems if not done right.

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