women suffering diarrhea - page twenty-five
The tale of...Pat
I first began to notice an increase in defecation around June of 2006, never true diarrhea in which I'd have to find a bathroom in seconds, but rather a frequency (sometimes up to seven or eight times at the extreme), and a change in consistency (fair amounts of mucus, sometimes only a mucus plug). I had ceased taking Wellbutrin XL a few months before that, and that medication was for depression, not IBS, and I did not feel the need for it any longer.
However, another factor that may have been causative, or in combination with the former, was a regimen of antibiotics in the winter of 2006 and 2007. I have had frequent use of large doses of antibiotics, as far back as the 1980's when I was in a pilot program that used large doses of doxycycline as a possible treatment for PMS. I entered that program in my early 40's, and I had experienced PMS and dysmenorrhea for most of the time I menstruated. The dysmenorrhea more or less ceased while I was on the birth control pill, and the PMS may have in fact started when I switched to the copper 7 IUD for a few years.
At any rate, it was a problem for several years, and as is the wont of the medical establishment when dealing with any problem of a chronic, and as yet relieved by known medical treatments, condition affecting females, the psychological issue arises (they're hysterical, unstable, overly emotional, ad nauseum).
I was getting more concerned about the frequency of bowel movements, so I went to the internist, because I also had some minor upper stomach pain on occasion. I told her that my Mom had had an ulcer which eventually required surgery, and that I had read that the H-pylori bacterium might be implicated. She said there was a test for that, which came back positive, and I took the Prev-Pac treatment.
Around that same time I had a slight but persistent pain above my right eye which I consulted a neurologist for. His series of blood tests showed a B-12 deficiency in October 2006. By the way I am presently 66 years old and this stuff started about two years ago. Ironically, that September of 2006 I had completed my annual comprehensive physical with my Internist, when several blood tests were taken, but none were specified for the examination of B-12 levels. Unless one presents with a specific problem and engages the correct medical specialist, certain medical tests are not done. So, I'm treated with Prev-Pac in October 2006, then in November 2006 I get another nasty respiratory infection, which I get antibiotics for.
Then in late December 2006 and into January 2007 I had Lyme's disease, which I got large doses of doxycycline for. I still have IBS, which really rears its ugly head in severity in October 2007. Enter my GI doctor. He started with a treatment of Xifaxin, 200mg three times a day, for 10 days. That was from mid-November 2007 until after Thanksgiving. This stuff worked like magic. I could go to the bathroom once a day, no pain, just normal. That was followed by 14 days of OTC probiotics, and that's when the IBS symptoms returned.
So, next came Flagyl for 10 days, then Xifaxin for 10 days but only 200mg once per day; then Donnatal two times per day, 200mg, I think, combined with Nortriptyline 10mg to 20mg, at bedtime. Last visit, GI recommended Zoloft because I might be depressed. Well, Zoloft causes more frequent BMs, but Wellbutrin doesn't. I stopped all the last prescribed regimen and requested Xifaxin again, and called my internist for a Wellbutrin RX after being refused the Xifaxin by my GI - both refused my request.
I'm scheduled for removal of a cyst on my right kidney that might be a renal cell carcinoma, found when I was doing an MRI for a lower spine problem, so they don't want to prescribe anything. So, I'm left with solving this dilemma on my own. I started Pepto-bismol two or three days ago, and I also take Metamucil. Well, I have no churning, less stomach pain, and the frequent BMs are gone, replaced by a somewhat normal BM with some pebble-like, stone-type stuff also, once today. Why should Pepto, a traveller's diarrhea OTC prep, work, as did the Xifaxin at 600mg, if indeed there isn't some adverse bacteria, as yet unknown by the medical community, or something akin to that?
Right now, I'm hoping that this will tide me over until I find a GI specializing in IBS, after I recuperate from impending surgery. I think I'll see the light on all of this, but not until a while from now. I wish all who suffer from this the very best chance of relief from the symptoms of IBS, and hope of the eventual discovery of the cause or causes of this lifestyle changing 'syndrome'. Good luck to all of us!
E-mail Pat: pacads[at]optonline.net
The tale of...Alecia
I've had IBS for as long as I can remember, so let's say 30 years, as I am now 30 and was basically born with GI problems. I suffered through constipation in childhood (was hospitalized for it at one point) as well as diarrhea (hospitalized for that and accused, at the age of 10, of being anorexic...though at fault were the doctors that had me on four tablespoons of mineral oil each day).
My problems, as I got older, caused hemorrhoids (I had to have surgery...can definitely say you should get banding and have them treated as opposed to leaving them and having them go necrotic like I did!) and other problems. As I've matured the constipation is less frequent - I can go a week without going, but it always resolves in diarrhea now.
I've got two children, and I suffered wicked constipation through my first pregnancy (and a blocked bowel from iron pills) and experienced pre-term labor as a result (though I did carry to term). With the second pregnancy I had diarrhea the whole time...I spent two hours on the toilet the day before my second boy was born and had a brutal bout again two days after he was born.
My youngest always wanted to be with me, so even in the middle of the night we'd be found in the bathroom with him in his bouncy chair or bassinette (or, when the urge was instant, in a pile of towels thrown onto the floor to keep him comfy). I'm lucky that my hubby is quite understanding. He has never really suffered anything like this, but he was on high-dose antibiotics once so did have one day where it was like having IBS.
My most recent symptoms are severe pain across my back at the bottom of the ribs, which is followed by brutal diarrhea within the hour. I get bloating, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas (hubby never farts...I'm a total fart factory and it is rarely controllable), heartburn...all that good stuff.
So now the embarrassing part...For my 30th birthday hubby decided to get me a gift certificate for a fine dining restaurant. We got a sitter (thank goodness for grandparents!) and headed out for a 5pm dinner. It was a wonderful place. Had my gingerale, then we had a bruschetta appetizer. It was great! I ordered a small steak, mushrooms, roasted potatoes and veggies.
I got about a quarter of the way through the meal when the nausea hit. I made a quick run to the bathroom (I thought if I stood up for a few minutes it might pass). Made it back to the table after five minutes (the place was not busy so it was very obvious where I was). Ate a couple more bites, and then the pain started. Told hubby quietly what was going on and that we needed to get home ASAP. Waiter came and we asked to have them box up the leftovers as well as dessert. Unfortunately I then had to make a run again.
I spent 20 minutes in the bathroom (wow...those fine dining places have amazing bathrooms! The weird thing was that the toilet kept flushing on auto-flush every minute or so). When I finally made it back to the table hubby was sitting there with our boxed-up food and we paid and left. They kept looking at me and I found out after that they'd asked hubby if I was OK and if the food was making me sick! He said he told them I'd been feeling unwell all day.
So my big birthday dinner, which cost us over $100 (for two people who don't drink that is a huge bill...especially when only one of us can work full-time!) turned into an embarrassing experience and I'm mortified. I made it the 10-minute drive home and went again...then ate dessert and was fine the rest of the day.
I hate my IBS! It factors into everything to the point that I always make sure we've got extra kid diapers in the car and a garbage bag and roll of toilet paper in case I have an accident! Hubby really wants to go camping and I'm afraid to because of being too far from the bathroom.
E-mail: alecia.freeman[at]gmail.com
The tale of...Liz
I am a 25 year-old woman who has been suffering from IBS-D and sometimes C for about one year now. I just about cried when I came across this website, because it is really comforting to read other people's stories and know that I am not alone out there, which I feel like I am a lot. I think the most frustrating thing for me is that no-one seems to understand. I get the "Well, why aren't you going to your doctor?" comments all the time...and I do go to my doctor, I have been to my doctor about five times due to this, and I am finally seeing a specialist next week.
My story begins on an airplane ride home from the Dominican Republic. Now, I am aware of the fact that the food and water down in the Caribbean can cause diarrhea in many people, especially upon their return home, but this was my first real attack. We had just landed in Boston and everyone was standing in the aisle waiting to get off the plane, when all of a sudden I got these severe abdominal cramps that I had never felt before.
There was no way I was going to make it, so I told the stewardess to please move people out of the aisle so I could get to the bathroom. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life, these planes are small, and since everyone saw me run to the bathroom I'm sure many of them heard what was going on. I had severe diarrhea, and when it finally stopped I walked out to an empty plane with just the pilot waiting for me; absolutely mortifying.
Anyway, throughout the whole time in customs my stomach was "on fire" as I described it to my friends. When I finally got home I had diarrhea all night. The next day I went to my doctor to make sure it wasn't a parasite or food poisoning from my trip. They did a number of tests and everything came out negative.
Ever since then, every time I ate dairy or drank alcohol I would have an attack. So I thought well, maybe I am lactose intolerant, and I am just getting too old to handle liquor. But the symptoms got worse, and I finally decided to see my doctor. She told me to start out by taking fiber pills four times a day. It helped for about two weeks; I felt on top of the world. I had no diarrhea, and had a nice solid healthy BM three times a day. I thought wow, maybe this is finally under control. But after two weeks of bliss, it all came back.
But the problem is, I have no idea when these attacks will come on. I could be driving, at work, walking my dog, at the movies and bam, I get diarrhea. It is awful. It has taken control of my life, because there are some weekends when I can't go out with friends because I am in so much pain, and would rather sit at home alone than go out and risk having an attack in public. It has completely prevented me from having any sort of dating life. The last thing you want is to have an attack on a date...so embarrassing. There are times when I am afraid I will lose my job because I have gone home sick or called out.
I have never tried any medications, but I am willing to try anything that may give me my life back. I am just happy that there is this website where I can share my story and get support!
E-mail Liz: Liz.Leclerc[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Joy
I'm a 27-year-old woman from Essex, and I was diagnosed with IBS four years ago - my boyfriend and I had been on a two-week holiday, and I only went to the loo once, so he insisted I see the doctor. One blood test and rectal examination later I was diagnosed.
Until then, I'd been in denial. Bloating wasn't so predominant (it is now, sadly), I drank and ate 'normal' dairy, spicy foods and fats - the things which trigger an attack now - without really thinking about it. In 2000, I went to Greece and had gastroenteritis for three or four days, and I think it stemmed from that, although I tended towards frequent loo stops during my teens. After that, the fact that I hardly went to the loo is something I can't now believe I ignored!
Now I alternate between IBS-C and D. On the morning of my wedding, I didn't leave the loo. Today, I've made some movements, but they were 'reluctant' to say the least. I suffer right-sided pain and bad wind. The cramps have died down in the last 14 months since I started having Actimel everyday, now I only get them every now and then.
Mentally, this is so challenging. I can't count how many times I've been driving and just need to go to the loo, the times people start a long conversation and all I can think of is how I need to get to the loo. The times I've bought a nice outfit, only to try it on and I look five months pregnant.
I've had at least five doctors since being diagnosed. They have varied - one was extremely knowledgeable and a real help, but the last one upset me the most, saying it was psychological - yes, I've changed jobs, planned a wedding and had a relative die in the last 12 months, but what about the years before that? I came home crying; I wish I had had Sophie's blog to show him.
Love-life - well you all know how sexy you feel when you're constipated and bloated! I've been lucky as my husband is very understanding, he makes my hot water bottles and lends a sympathetic ear. But last night we couldn't got to the pub because I was so bloated from constipation (and therefore uncomfortable), so it has a knock-on effect on our social life.
Other people - dairy's my enemy but people still give me chocolates, my husband buys cheesecake, I'm STILL offered ice-cream as a dessert (I'm not too bad with cheese and yoghurt). My friends have got very used to me moaning, but always question why I'm not drinking (I try to avoid too much alcohol), why I'm not having pudding, and put too much milk in my tea.
Positives - I find exercise helps, four times a week doing running or aerobics. I try to keep relaxed and not to literally tense up my stomach; but I can be on holiday very relaxed and only worrying about where the next ray of sunshine is coming from, and I'm still affected. Linseeds before I go to bed have helped, and I've just started using Regucol so I'll see how that goes.
Anyway, that's far too long a story for anyone to read, but at least I've got it off my chest, and I am so relieved that this website is here for me, and us.
E-mail Joy: jpsmiley[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Lisa
I started suffering from IBS five years ago, brought on by stress from a nasty divorce. I've been to my doctor, well several, and no joy. I was told to take Imodium for the rest of my life. Stomach cramps generally mean get to the loo now and quick. Very embarrassing. Bloating and cramps that hurt like hell. I hate food and basically eat salad, meat, fish and veg. Very boring.
I panic if I go out for a meal. I've just split up with my boyfriend of three years, and I think he found the whole situation tiresome and restrictive at times. Funnily enough it's my boss who advised me to look on the web whilst at work, and see if there was some sort of advice group. My IBS seems to rule my life and it really isn't fun.
The tale of...Adrienne
I am a diarrhea-IBS sufferer and have been since the age of 13. I am now 25 and I am still dealing with the constant chronic pain, attacks, urgency, embarrassment and inconvenience. Over the last five to seven years it has progressively gotten way worse than it ever had been before. Now there are virtually no foods I can eat that won't trigger attacks, besides non-fat yogurt and non-fat chicken noodle soup.
It took me two years to even tell my husband about my condition because I was so embarrassed. I think it explained a lot to him though, considering the frequent stops (even alongside the road) to go to the bathroom, when I would try to conceal the pain and embarrassment by saying "I just have a small bladder" or having to cancel appointments or miss work due to 'the flu'.
Only my immediate family knew about my condition growing up, because I didn't want to be made fun of or treated differently by my friends, teachers or coaches. I have been in and out of the hospital several times due to severe stomach and intestinal spasms that have lasted up to a week and a half. I've been around the mill with several doctors over the years and have even had my gallbladder removed due to misdiagnosis.
I have to say when I found this website and was reading the "suffering tales" today I was brought to tears. I didn't realize how many other people out there are suffering and dealing with the same constant pain and agony that I am. I have not met even one other person who had IBS my entire life.
Even though I have been to many doctors and even specialists, their compassion and relation to this condition seems to be almost non-existent and I have found that I have lost my faith in them. Every one of them says "We're going to get this worked out, we're going to make this better for you and more manageable" and yet none have kept their word.
Things have progressively gotten worse since I had my daughter as well. She is 10 months old and I have found it virtually impossible to go anywhere, the grocery store, appointments, etc with her, without having someone else there, due to these frequent attacks. She is also at that age where she can no longer be contained in a car seat or shopping cart in either a public or private bathroom with me.
I feel awful because even when I am home, I have to take her in and out of the bathroom with me when I have my attacks - up to 30 times a day, I have made several drawers full of her favorite toys to play with so she can be supervised while I am sick, but it is still very hard and embarrassing. Within the last month I have spent a week in the hospital and have been put on heavy oral painkillers so I can stay at home. Since then I have spent several days in bed in tears curled up in a ball taking painkillers, due to these reoccurring spasms.
I have also found out that I may also have Splenic Flexure Syndrome, also know as Hepatic Flexure Syndrome, which if it is the case would explain the huge amount of upper chest and back pain (cramping) that often puts me into the hospital for days at a time. This was not even mentioned by numerous specialists I have been to for these severe spasmodic attacks. There is a direct relationship between this condition and people who suffer from IBS and it can simulate cardiac disease, gallbladder attacks and angina pectoris.
The tale of...Emily
Wow, I love this site! After reading so many IBS tales like my own, I just had to add mine. I'm a 23 year-old female from Michigan. I've been suffering from stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, lactose intolerance, IBS and migraines since I was 14. I've been to every doctor and endured every test. I saw a specialist and she told me the same thing all the other doctors told me: "We don't know what is wrong with you...here's a pamphlet on IBS. Good luck."
I've struggled with my illness for 10 horrible years...but these past two years have been the worst. I had to quit my job last September because the stress of school, home life and work was too much for me. I found myself at 104 pounds and in the hospital hooked up to an IV because I was so dehydrated. I was throwing up from the pain of the spasms during the night, and the pain was so bad some days I couldn't leave my room or the house...thus disrupting my life even more.
Currently I'm on medication that helps calm my gut. It works, but not all the time. I also take fiber/calcium pills at every meal. I've been to a therapist to try to control my stress levels...it didn't really help. I tried yoga, it didn't help either. I get sick almost every week, usually on weekends. My life is hell pretty much once a week.
It isn't fair, but I deal with it. I guess I'm near to giving up finding some sort of chemical or herbal medication that can help me. I'll just keep on truckin'...cause that is all I can do. To everyone who suffers from this, I feel your pain.
E-mail Emily: havo_dad[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Louise
I'm 28 and have suffered from IBS (although it's taken approx. two years of delightful hospital investigations for someone to suggest it's IBS!) for the past three years. The first pains I experienced were so horrendous I called an ambulance, convinced I was dying, having a miscarriage although I wasn't pregnant, or suffering some terrible disease! Then the embarrassment that by the time the ambulance arrived the pains had gone.
I've had scans, x-rays and large metal cameras shoved up places I never thought they'd go! The pains I experience are indescribable, and believe me I've tried. I pant like a woman in labour, sweat, pace the floor, sit on the loo, feel faint, and on my last attack I was sick. Not very pleasant! This continues for 20 minutes to an hour, when I finally lie in a warm bath feeling totally wiped out with a pounding headache and very sore tummy. I then fall into bed with a hot water bottle to ease the sore discomfort and sleep for hours.
All I want is a tablet that I can take when the pains start that will stop them in their tracks! Alas no such miracle cure, just antispasmodic tablets that don't really seem to be much help! Fingers crossed for the miracle cure though, and for all those people who think it's just 'tummy ache' I'd like to see how you'd cope! And I've not even mentioned the diarrhea...
It really has been a help to read these stories, and to all you IBS sufferers - be strong and always carry toilet paper in your bag!
E-mail Louise: lou_rider[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Jennifer
I am a 21 year-old from Canada and I have been suffering from IBS for almost the last seven years. I first noticed that I was having bathroom irregularities after I reached puberty. When it first started I thought that I was ill because of the constant diarrhea. So far I haven’t experienced anything besides IBS-D. It was very complicated at first to realize that I wasn’t getting any better and that the diarrhea wouldn’t go away.
I was embarrassed being a 14 year-old girl with constant diarrhea. It got to the point where I couldn’t take the pain and embarrassment any further and went to see a doctor. He told me that I had the symptoms of IBS and he did some testing, but he could no longer see me after I turned 18. I didn’t start telling him about my problem until I was 17. That was my mistake.
It is impossible to get a doctor where I live, so I deal with IBS in my own way – no medication and no therapies. I would rather not take any medications for this IBS, for fear that it would get worse. I want to seek hypnotherapy for the mind-body connection aspect of this but this option is far too expensive.
I don’t know what first started this disorder in me, but at the time there was a lot going on. My sister was pregnant, I was just starting high school and was scared to take the city bus to school, and we had just moved to a new area in the city that I didn’t know that well. At the time I was very much stressed and starting my first period, which are factors that could have contributed to the onset of the disorder.
I personally am a very down-to-earth calm person who doesn’t let too many things bother me. I’m very rational and would assume that if my IBS was related to my stress at the time of the onset it would have subsided by now. Unfortunately, the IBS is still as strong as ever and I haven’t a clue why.
Currently I’m in school studying massage therapy, which at times can be stressful. I find it hardest while working in a clinic with clients and being afraid of leaving them for periods of time because I have a sudden abdominal pain. I seem to get all the painful symptoms of IBS whenever I’m writing an exam and I know that I cannot leave the classroom, which is probably the scariest yet.
I do still get embarrassed when I walk out of a washroom stall and have to wash my hands because some people will look at me either sympathetically or they are disgusted. I hope my story has helped someone. I have many humiliating stories I would love to share. I would also like to hear from anyone else.
The tale of...Jill
I am 49 years old and have been an IBS sufferer for some 10 years or more. I have been informed that this is mainly stress-induced but over the last year I only had minor attacks. Before that they were dreadful, and I was even admitted to hospital on one occasion.
Last weekend was the very, very worst. Last Thursday afternoon whilst at works the spasms started. Took a couple of Buscopan but nothing. Took very strong painkillers later but for the first time ever I was continuously sick with it. I spent the whole weekend laying down on the bed as the spasms had pulled every damn muscle in my body and it was painful to walk as the vibration hurt my stomach.
Since then I have very, very slowly improved but still to date I have not eaten a meal for ages. Too scared and to be honest don't fancy it anyway. I have now managed to take Spasmonal and this is obviously better for me than Buscopan. I am also taking flaxseed oil and vitamin B100 which was recommended to me at the health shop.
I have done all the other stuff, ie: peppermint, Colofac, aloe vera, etc and nothing works. Continuously tired but think this is due to the horrendous pain I was in and the Solpadol I was taking. I think the build up to Xmas etc was what triggered mine but who knows. However, I just pray this weekend will be more pleasant for me and I'm not stuck in a room in awful pain and feeling downright miserable.
E-mail Jill: arsevilla[at]tesco.net
The tale of...Reanna
I have had stomach problems since I was born. My mom said that during all my baby and toddler years I had colic. I'm sure I was born with my problem. But I remember it most when I stopped eating meat when I was around 14. I started getting diarrhea all the time, with such bad stomach cramps I just wanted to lay on my side and cry.
Well I started eating meat again when I was 21 and I still continued to get diarrhea. My mom thought I might be lactose intolerant. So I also stopped eating dairy products for two months and I still had severe diarrhea.
I am now 26 and I still get really severe diarrhea with bad cramps. Sometimes it hurts so bad I can't even sit down for a long time after I go. I hate being at work, as I'm always scared I am going to get diarrhea. I can't go in a public restroom, so I will suffer all night at work and not go to the bathroom and I will hold it no matter how much it hurts. Actually I can't go anywhere except my house or a family member or a VERY close friend's house. So that causes a lot of problems.
And I can also say that I wake up each day thinking GOD I hope this is a normal day for me!! I buy so much Imodium AD I should have stock in the product. I don't take it every time I get diarrhea, but after it's been going on a few days and I want a break then I'll take it. I don't know anybody who has this problem so it has helped me to see other women who have this problem. If anyone has a similar problem please email me and tell me what you're doing to help or stop your condition.
E-mail Reanna: Reanna_8479[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Louise
I have been suffering with IBS for nearly four years. It developed after the birth of my daughter. I can remember clearly sitting in the bathroom three days after labour and I could not go for love nor money! My GP gave me Fybogel and I thought my bowels would return to normal. How wrong was I!!
My daughter was two weeks old and I went food shopping, I ended up having to leave the shopping at the till and race buggy in tow to the toilet!! Since then any form of activity can be a nightmare, I think I know every toilet in my area that has access for buggies. My symptoms are mainly wind, diarrhea (the bubblies as my husband so nicely puts it!) and a feeling that I am never quite finished.
Lately I have started getting really bad pains at night, which I can only associate with labour pains, that send me to the bathroom with severe diarrhea. The only time I have had any relief was when I was pregnant with my second child. Unfortunately the relief was short-lived, and when he was four months old the symptoms came back with a vengeance.
I have tried a number of treatments, to no avail. Firstly it was the good old Fybogel, then Fybogel Mebeverine, Mintec, the IBS Audio Program, hypnotherapy (£180 lighter and no improvement), Omeprazole (for the heartburn, OK, less late-night diarrhea attacks), Valerian (still under experiment, supposed to relieve gut spasms as well as anxiety).
I do not believe that IBS is caused by the mind. Who would want to feel this awful? Who would not be anxious if they felt they were going to crap their knickers in public? IBS has got to be most awful illness. I think IBS sufferers have to keep their sense of humour, that's my coping strategy. I am only 24. I have tried being honest about my condition with friends and family and have received a lot of support. I think if you try to hide it then people can misjudge you.
I have only had one bad response from a supposed friend who said that I make it up and I should get a life and stop being such a hypochondriac. I wanted to kill her. That coming from a girl who has no ambition and sits at home smoking recreational drugs all day! I think she should get a life, not me! The only drugs I take are Imodium, to stop the runs!
My main problem is the wind, as I am never too sure if it is just wind or if I am going to get an attack. Mornings are particularly bad for me. If anybody has any ideas on getting rid of the trapped wind please let me know.
E-mail Louise: louisebling[at]hotmail.com