IBS-D/C and GORD/GERD history along with meds concerns

[Kaspinallsgr8]

Today I'm here to give an update to my IBS issues. I suffered with IBS-D for years, beginning around 2002. Most of the time it occurred with just occasional episodes of constipation and interspersed with some 'normal movements'. I couldn't ever figure it's pattern if anything in particular was at issue. I did notice certain foods and stress had a significant impact. Some times I had full-on bowel incontinence. Horrible. After awhile the incontenence became less often but still remained. That was until I was hospitalised with pneumonia in 2016 and given Piperacillin/tazobactam. I had a terrible reaction with a weeping rash on my arm where the drip was placed. The rash appeared in a few other areas and I had some added breathing problems to the pneumonia. The nurse stopped that med and started another, so my allergic reaction symptoms got better. Within a week of this occurrence I began having Constipation symptoms all the time and it had became unbearable. Super painful. Had to take all kinds of meds to help.

Along with these problems I also suffer with GORD/ GERD. I had been put on Pantoprazole since around 2004. No one ever told me that there could be any issue with being on that med long term. The IBS-C problem wouldn't improve any and I started feeling like my bowels weren't ever moving. Nothing but pain. I also felt like my abdomen was swelling and making it difficult for me to move around or even breathe properly. As time went on everything felt like it was getting progressively worse. I also kept testing low on vitamin D but every time I tried to use it my constipation became intolerable again, so I stopped it. I kept asking my GPs about these problems but they had no recourse for me except Docusate Sodium and suppositories. These only helped a little.

Searching the google God I read several articles about the negatives of being on Pantoprazole for such a long period including low magnesium and that scared me into trying to get off that med.

I was expecting to have some long transfer process but no, I was told I could just start the replacement med, Ranitidine 150, one day after quitting Pantoprazole. What I have found up to this point is I have most days with the GORD/GERD controlled. However quite often I have times where I'm getting severe piercing acid pain at area where I have a Duodenal hernia and feels like it goes right through my chest to my back. It makes me feel quite ill for hours.

There is one benefit that changing to the Ranitidine 150 has brought is along with the Docusate Sodium. I am not having total constipation blocks anymore and I'm not feeling like my abdomen is going to explode. I feel like my bowel system is working at least a little bit. Now if it gets slow I add an extra dose of Docusate Sodium and loads of high fibre vegetables and oatmeal and things start moving better within a few days.

I'm going back to the GPs and see what I should do from here on. Not happy with the acid issue now but definitely wasn't happy with the issues surrounding long term Pantoprazole use. Anyone have similar experiences?