I should have known that writing an entry about how well I was feeling was just asking for trouble, and trouble is what I got. This past Sunday I had what I can only describe as a super double triple mega crap attack, a gut-wrenching monstrosity of such epic proportions that it may well have been the worst IBS attack I have had in the whole of my life. Here’s what happened.
Got up on Sunday, everything seemed fine. Had breakfast, sat around a bit, checked my emails, a regular day. Went to have a shower. Had been in the shower for a few minutes when I started to get a stomach ache and feel really ill. Had to sit down in the shower, but that didn’t help. Got out of the shower and sat on the bathroom floor for a while.
By this time I was feeling really, really grim. Stomach was killing me, and I was feeling the kind of ill that I have only ever experienced with IBS, a sort of sweaty, shaking, good Lord this does NOT feel good kind of illness.
After perhaps 15 minutes of this I needed the bathroom. Then I went and sat on the bedroom floor, wrapped in my towel still because I felt too ill to get dressed, and just kind of stared at the walls trying to wait things out.
But the pain wasn’t going away, and I still felt grim. After a while needed the bathroom again, went, and then came into the living room, all towelled up still, and sat on the sofa, again to try to wait things out. And this time, thankfully, I did slowly start to feel better, although during all of this time I still felt too ill to get dressed or to even distract myself with the telly or anything else.
The entire attack from start to finish lasted for about two hours, which is perhaps the longest I have ever experienced. Like usual I was extremely grateful just for it to be over, and since then I have been fine.
In some ways this attack was not that mysterious, as it came on the first day of my period, which is a standard trigger for some of the most violent attacks I have had. But I certainly don’t get attacks like this with every period, so just what the hell was going on? IBS really is nuts.
Yep, just when you think you are making progress, everything goes whacko.
Have sinus headache, so hope I make sense. Do a search for: menstrual hormone serotonin ibs
Interesting article at mindbodydigestive dot com on the forwomen page
The following quote is from an AU site: Behavioral Neurotherapy Clinic: IBS – Diagnostic CRITERIA and Prevalence
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Hormonal changes and IBS
* Menstruation is associated with exacerbation of IBS symptoms in the majority of women.
* Pregnancy appears to improve IBS symptoms temporarily for many women.
* Oral estrogen and progesterone supplements do not seem to have any effect on IBS symptom levels.
* Irregular menses have no association with IBS symptom severity
* Hysterectomy or tubal ligation appear to have little effect on IBS severity.
* Endometriosis increases bloating symptoms but not other IBS symptoms.
UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders: National Survey of the Effects of Changes in Female Sex Hormones on Irritable Bowel Symptoms.
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I’m trying to understand how they’re thinking tryptophan will help serotonin levels in ibs patients, but now’s not a good time to try understanding medical studies with this headache. I’ve been taking 5htp here and there, but no tryptophan. I might get some.
Get well soon!
I have IBS,constaption,dermatitis anxeity. I’m seeing a Dr at kaiser who put me on a strick eating plan . The cookbook he recommeds is heavens banquet,Miriam kasin Hospodar. its a middle eatern diet lots of lemon,ginger, hing spices for digestion. This book you can buy on amazon.com for fairly cheap. Its suppose to be vegitarian diet but I still eat meat. Another good book ,womens medicine Nancy Lonsdorf. Its really hard to stick with it but I have seen improvements. No eating leftovers,food oxidizes. Everything is made fresh. no going out to eat. plus i was having pain in my intestines and he put me on 2 tablets triphala. the pain is going away,i don’t know if its the triphala or no alcohol. I did’nt drink much but on weekends ,i would have a few. I think it erratted my intestines. had to face the fact alcohol it out. anxeity,contapation,dermatitis, got bad after a weekend binge of and alcohol. had to get on anti histimines I don’t know if the hi histimines levels caused the anxeity.I have read on the inernet it causes mental issues but the drs say do’nt believe stuff on the internet. The drs think i’m sico. They think this is stress but I don’t think so. I have been doing this for four years. Things are getting much better. I’m taking,triphala probiotics,hormones,vitamins. IBS is hard sometimes.I hope this helps someone. kathy
Yep..that is what happens to me…I start to feel shaky..sweating and ill at my stomach..then it hits..the cramps..pain..sometimes doubles me over..and the need to get to a restroom right at that moment..and then I feel weak as a kitten..sometimes have to find a place to lay down..have had folks tell me I turn white..and look ill…once I have gone to restroom three or four times…harsh elimation too..painful..it is over…I hate this part of my life…been like this since gall bladder removal..wish they had told me..the chances of developing ibs..I don’t think I would have done it..
Just wanted to say, we understand the pain…and the never ending battles of this IBS demon.
Hope you are feeling well and that this doesn’t happen again. Well, let’s be positive, right?
This past July, 10 months after aortic valve replacement surgery followed by an erratic heart beat and all the nasty meds that gets one, I developed IBS with diarrhea that put me in the hospital for 5 days. The following 2 months were hell. My gastro doc calls it “post traumatic stress IBS”. My body, he says, is fighting to get back to normal.
Heat is one of my triggers. I hated taking showers the most, I understand how you felt, Sophie, what you went through. It would take me hours to take a simple shower. Washing my hair was a killer too so I would do it in the shower just to get it all done with and out of the way, to go through the suffering once. My IBS is more under control now but gone are the days of jumping out of bed in the morning and taking a quick shower to get a jump start on the day. I now shower before bed so I have all night to recover if I need it.
I am tired of IBS governing my days, my life. Google is my friend and it has lead me to you. “super double triple mega crap attack”, indeed! lol Thank you, Sophie!
I’m so happy I found this website! I’m a 25 year old who has been oh-so-happily suffering from IBS for as long as I can remember.
I can remember many many instances of having attacks such as the one you described, but unfortunatly, these were not ones that I had at home. They’ve happened when I was sitting at work, hoping to make it through the day without an instance of the stinky bathroom syndrome.
My coworkers, and boss, thought I was a slacker for constantly disappearing for half hour at a time, then reappearing for a few minutes, then disappearing again. I was told that I didn’t look well, considering I was as white as the papers on my desk, but after them seeing this happen on a regular basis, I think they began to think it was ‘all in my head’.
The few times it became so bad I had to go home, the cab ride to my place (about half hour) was pure hell.
Having cramps and stabbing pains so bad that I was sure I was going to vomit.
I feel your pain, and I hope that you don’t have to experience one of those severe attacks again!
Janet
NS, Canada
Louise – I hope your doctors have mentioned Questran or Colestid to you. Lots of patients find that they suffer from diarrhea following a gallbladder removal, and these are the two most commonly used medications for it. Lots of people find they really help.
Thanks guys for the support! Things seem to have calmed right down now, IBS is so nuts.
Wow, I somehow missed your post, Louise!
That describes me to a T aswell. I had my gallbladder out when I was 17, and have suffered since (more so then before I had it removed)
I’ll have to check into the medications you just mentioned, Sophie.
This website is so helpful, I just wish I knew about it years ago!
is it really IBS I WAS TOLD I HAD IBS just to find out it is not ibs i have been taking some 6 to 10 pills a day for THE LAST 5 YEARS then the GI doctors told me it was from drinking MILK was Lactose intolerance then i took pills for this then i was watching a tv show on TLC and up popped a show called Mystery Diagnosis so i watched it and the woman started explaining what was going on with her same thing that was going on with myself so i sure started listen even more . when the doctor told her it was not ibs that she had been told for some 12 years of stomach problems it was (Pernicious anemia): Poor vitamin B-12 absorption caused by conditions such as Crohn’s disease, an intestinal parasite infection, surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestine, i went out to drug store and asked for a high vitaman B12 AND I WAS TOLD S.S.S TONIC SO I TRIED IT SURE ENOUGH I NOTICED A BIG DIFFERENCE IN JUST 3 DAYS OF TAKING S.S.S. TONIC SO PLEASE TRY A HIGH VITAMIN B 12 AND SEE MAYBE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THEY NEVER TEST FOR
I’ve had IBS ever since I can remember, I was always a nervous child, and then I would get sick to my stomach after being nervous, mostly in kindergarden through the beginning of highschool. Soon the stomach aches were getting bad (by the time I was in 11th or 12th grade I’d say). Had TONS of tests, and finally was diagnosed with IBS. Not that diagnosis helps much, since every doctor ive gone to has made it only slightly better. Now in college its just something I have learned how to deal with. Its hard, but atleast there are no horrible side effects from IBS aside from horrible pain.
Jess
What help me with the stomach pains (that felt worse than giving birth) was apple pectin try GNC or ahealth store. Lentil (beans) or dry Apricots helped with the constipation the powder fiber just gave me more gas..
what did you eat for breakfast?
Hi Mala – my standard breakfast is rice krispies, skimmed milk, and red bush tea. But I have that every day, always, so I’m not sure that was the problem!
Hi I’m 16. Doctors Told Me They Thought I Had IBS About A Year Ago. But I’ve Had The Worst Stomach Pains For As Long As I Can Remember. They Ruin Everything.
Only Two People Know I Have IBS, My Boyfriend And My Mum, But I Hate Talking About It With Them.
I Dropped Out Of College A Few Months Ago Because The Stress Was Too Much And Since Then I’ve Been Feeling A Little Better, My Diet Is Awefull, Living OfF Rice Krispies, Bacon Buttys And Chocolate, Tho I’ve Never Really Been Fat Or Over Weight.
The Sttomach Pains Have Ruined So Many Things For Me But Recently I’ve Found IBS Is Ruining My Sex Life Too, I’ve Been With My Boyfriend For A Year Now And Half Way Through Are Relationship I Went To The Doctors About Painful Sex, They Said It Was Because Of My IBS. Just Wondering Does Anyone Else Have This Problem??
Hi just found this site:
I fully understand what you have just been through.
I have had bowel problems for years; had umteen tests and the cameras ect.. Was told I have IBS-D type and divirulitis. Ok n cure > liked on immodium for years then got nowhere , dr tried me with something else it was useless. IBS took over my life as I was afraid to leave the house . I went to my gp in tears one day and was almost sucidal with it as my life revolved round cramps and the tiolet with the occassional accident and i was unable to go out.
Gp refered my to a dietian and told me to keep a sympton diary! this was a revelation. Fibre coffee nuts seds gluten ect.. are all bad newsas are spicey and very rich foods.
Was able to half my lonitol and went 1 day without any bowel meds for the first time in years.
Today and yesterday for no known reason have been vile and tonight I feel like cancelling our holiday.
I guess only you folk will understand how I feel
I have this, i have the exact same thing as this! thank god i read this, i could definitely have this. I’m going to try adjusting my diet to whatever irritates ibs and see if it works.
my doctors a while ago found gallstones and have been attributing my stomach aches and bowel problems (without doing any tests) just to my gallbladder… and they’re telling me to get it out.
i really am so thankful finding this page.I was diagnosed with IBS after having colonoscopy 2 years ago. I’m 47 and have had series of IBS attacks mostly at the wee hours of the morning. It’s a sudden burst of stabbing pain which often leads my heartbeat to go fast since i felt like dying. DO pray a lot just to let it go away. Moving bowels helped, but once it starts it will for sure go on for a couple of times. I’m taking eldicet as prescribed by my doctor but it gives me dry mouth and a bit of disoriented feeling.
Eating meat helps me to avoid having attacks but sometimes i just can’t help eating meat and that’s when i suffer. Just want to ask if you also are suffering from backpain right after IBS attack since I am having that sort of thing. i hate this feeling, i can’t function well and it makes me feel a lot older than my age. I was also given Zelnorm but i never had it since i think it had side effects. Banana helps eliminate my bowel problems but it also leads to constipation. Anyway, it’s such a relief knowing you guys; not being alone suffering from this syndrome is already a relief.
Jo, try something called Digestive Advantage: IBS. It is at walmart for less than $8, next to the acid relievers. Also try eating one cup of activia yogurt everyday. Try this for a month. I guarantee it helps a little bit. There is also a pill called Align which “supposedly” does the same thing as Activia, but I got hemorrhoids after taking that so I don’t recommend it. Beside it doesn’t taste as good : ). The hemorrhoids may or may not be directly related, I just find it wierd. I’m not a doctor, I have just been to the doctor many times not finding an answer.
And yes I have been in tears with IBS. I have left school, I have almost killed myself, I have prayed to God, I have done countless things. Here is a trick for you: HOT WATER. If your stomach is hurting, GET IN THE SHOWER. I promise it will take it away for a little bit at least. Sit down in the shower if you have to. Just relax in HOT water. Hot water relaxes your bowels and your digestive system, so this is a sure-fire way for your worst times.
I was diagnosed with I.B.S. at the age of 16. I am now 45. From the age of 16 until my early 30′s, I was in the same hell that all of you are going through. My diet mainly consisted of baby food! When I was 33, I finally found a gastroenterologist who was an expert on I.B.S. He suggested Metamucil fiber wafers (NOT the dry powder) and started me on Elavil (the generic is amitriptyline and it works every bit as effectively as the Elavil). I started out with 2 Metamucil wafers a day and only 20 mg of Elavil/Amitriptyline. My I.B.S. symptoms decreased within 3 days after starting this new “regimen” and as I was able to take more wafers a day and more Elavil, my symptoms went away completely. Since I had IBS with diarrhea, I thought that the Metamucil would just make it worse, but it had the opposite effect. My diarrhea went away almost instantly, but never led to any constipation problems for me. The only bad part was that I did gain some weight because I could eat and drink pretty much anything I wanted to with ZERO bad effects. Over the years, I’ve had to up the dosage of both the Metamucil and the Elavil. and am now at 5 Met. wafers and 100 mg of Elavil a day. I’ve been at that dosage for about 5 years now and haven’t had to up my dosage any further. My mother has diverticulitis, and finally after years of my telling her to try Elavil, she did (this was about a year ago). Her symptoms have been relieved beyond her wildest dreams. I strongly urge all of you to discuss this idea with your doctors. It’s worth a try, and you may be able to eat what you want and not have to worry about being near a bathroom. That SUCKED, and I can’t imagine ever having to live that way again. My best luck to all of you.
Hello Sophie, it’s great what you are doing with your blog– while I haven’t been having attacks much these days, I can totally relate to the feeling of just waiting it out, desperately hoping the pain will go away! While heat itself hasn’t been horrible for me, I’ve noticed that humidity really does it–
Best to you–