Hi,
I'm writing the following in the hope that other IBS-D sufferers will slowly learn how to mange their symptoms, and persist in trying to lead a more better life.
I'm 27 years of age, and have suffered with IBS since April 2014.
Initially, my symptoms included diarreha, nausea, and mild cramps. I began taking Buscopan and was content. My symptoms subsided and I carried on living a normal lifestyle. This was until last year, when everything came crashing down.
It all began with a uti, I was prescribed with antibiotics, and assumed I'd be better after finishing the course. However, a couple of days after, I began vomiting relentlessly and my bowel movements mimicked the episodes of when I first was diagnosed with IBS. I went back to my GP and they gave me different antibiotics advising me that my body didn't react very well to the first ones. There after, I was constantly bloated, nauseous and having attacks of diarehha.
I carried on visiting my GP but they told me to carry on taking Buscopan. It didn't help in the slightest and at this stage the real panic set in.
A month after the uti, I stopped eating when I was at work in fear of having another attack of diarrehha. My stomach was churning on a daily basis. I'd eat a banana before I went into work and throughout the day sipped on water. This didn't stop the diarrehha however. Imodiums were my saviour for a couple of hours until it happened all over again. On one occasion even after taking imoduim the diarrehha did not stop. I was sat crying, having a mental breakdown in the train station. I felt helpless. The following day I handed in my resignation.
Once I quit work I began having intense pain in my abdomen, it was excruciating. Upon a ultra sound scan, a cyst was discovered on my ovaries. A month later due to the unbearable pain I had it removed.
I was optimistic, finally I had an answer for the nausea, change in bowel movements, and the bloating. Unfortunately, a week after the operation I realised the cyst was not the cause of the pain and diarrehha.
I returned to my GP on several occasions before they arranged an endoscopy (I did have to fight for this). I would like to add even before my operation whenever I visited the GP they never gave me any medication apart from Imodium, peppermint capsules or Buscapon. I was noticing blood in my stools but they told me it was just a part of IBS. They prescribed me with citalopram (because I asked for help due to my panic attacks), after questioning why at such a young age I need it!
After the endoscopy, the results stamped I was a sufferer of IBS, and whilst discussing the report with the GP, he had no advise on how to manage my symptoms. I began crying and pleading with the doctor, upon which he gave me cocodamol to deal with my pain.
I became desperate. I could not leave the house. I had diarrehha everyday and was rapidly losing weight. I knew which foods were my triggers but still this didn't stop me from sitting on the toilet for most of the day. I felt sweaty and clammy and developed a notion things will never get better. I'd cry myself to sleep. "Why me?" I would think.
I am embarrassed to admit I soiled my pants on many occasions.
So, now 6 months later I was leading a meaningless life. Staying at home, no socialising, no holidays and no job. I felt suicidal.
One day, I started planning, mentally how I would end my life, Google held many answers on the "easiest way to die". I settled to jump out of a window and fall to my death, but something was stopping me from carrying it out, and it was my dad. I knew it'll kill him, so after stalling to visit the GP again I made an appointment.
On the way I was in two minds, I was tired of hearing "there's no cure" but at the same time I wanted my life back. When I went in for my appointment I mentally broke down. Everything gushed out, how I was feeling and what having IBS had done to me. I was prescribed with Mebeverine.
That changed everything.
Now, a year later, I'm back at work. I still do have diarrehha but it is nothing compared to before. I finally got my life back.
I just want anybody who's suffering with IBS, depression or anything else to constantly question your GP, push them to do blood tests, scans and do research.
Sorry, this post it quite long but I hope I've helped somebody.