IBS - Almost one year on....

[acgb85]

My name is Amy and I am 27 years old. This is my first ever blog post and whilst I may not be able to offer any useful advice I wanted to share my story. My family have lived through this experience with me and been incredibly patient and supportive but I think it would be good for me to talk to people who are having the same problems.

I first became ill in February 2012. One Sunday afternoon I was experiencing severe back and abdominal pain which was very similar to period pain. It came on very suddenly and couldn't be attributed to any particular incident. I also suffered bloating, every kind of toilet activity you could think of with no definitive pattern and period pains are now worse than ever.

To cut a very long story short this sparked a two month absence from work during which time I saw countless NHS GPS, private gynaecologists, gastroenterologists and a homeopath. I was prescribed medication for the pain including morphine, tramadol and various antibiotics, none of which had an effect on pain. During this time I lost a lot of weight. I was sent for several blood tests to check for digestive diseases (Colitis, Chron’s etc.) which all came back negative. I had MRI's, ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and a laparoscopy to check for Endometriosis. Again, all negative.

One GP I had been seeing throughout the whole episode diagnosed IBS from the very beginning but with the pain being as severe as it was I just couldn’t see how that could be so easily diagnosed.

When I was finally referred to a gastroenterologist he too suggested IBS. After further tests and a lactose free diet trial which had no effect he discharged me with a definitive IBS diagnosis and a prescription for Colofac Mebeverine 200mg to be taken as often as needed. I went back to work and tried to get back into my usual routine. I am currently on 4 tablets a day.

I am learning to keep a track of my triggers; these include bread, processed and spicy foods and above all alcohol. I have reduced my alcohol consumption considerably since February and now a bottle of wine with friends is something I approach with caution. Since being diagnosed I have only gone days at a time when I feel “normal”. My definition of which is pain free, not bloated and full of energy. I used to be a frequent runner but that has had to stop as it is also a trigger. My exercise is now limited to walking or gentler cardio workouts.

I am currently in a lot of pain but trying to carry on regardless. I am putting it down to the slight excess of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but I was so careful not to overdo it and I upped my daily dose of Colofac.

As I type this my symptoms include stomach and back pain which sometimes comes on in strong waves to the point that I have to sit down before I collapse, bloating, and fatigue. So my daily survival kit at the moment is my medication, my hot water bottle and plenty of green tea, which unfortunately only provided very brief respite. Is it normal to be in pain almost every day to the extent that you just try to accept it? I have been back to my doctors to see if there is anything more that they can do but the usual answer is “Buscopan”. (Which I have tried and it wasn’t very effective).

So that’s my story and I think writing this may have helped me get one step closer to accepting my IBS.

[suli]

Hello Amy,

Well the words you wrote would apply to all the people who contribute to this site. Whether it be recent IBS, or people who have suffered all there lives.

My name is Suli, 33. Ive had IBS for going on 20 years. Yes got it young. Lets say life hasnt turned out the way i wanted. school, college, Uni, Social life, sport esp football, work, most curtailed, limited, put on the backburner etc etc. As is the nature of IBS, its symptoms, its unpredicatibilty, its embarrassing effects. And the main thing, the lack of finding a solution and peace with it. Because unlike many other illnesses IBS does not have one quick fix.

You will get a 100 people on here and each one will tell you a 100 different things that worked for them and could work for you. And therein lies your answer. IBS is one huge struggle, struggle to live a life, struggle for people to empathise, struggle for GPs and Hospital Consultants to do something.

BUT...the only person that can make it happen and try find something is You and You alone. Trust me, ive been looking for answers for years no matter what IBS has thrown at me. And there are many things outthere that could help you.

Acceptance is the first brilliant thing you have done. Now its trial and Error, like i said, there are many a thing, that has worked for many, yes some may have not, some may have only got limited success. But to answer your question...pain yes, for me every day, stress, mental physical turmoil with it. But accept it and give in??? No way Pedro, as Rodney used to say to Del Boy.

DO NOT ACCEPT OR GIVE IN TO IT. There are so many things you can try and who knows hopefully you will come across the answer. Others im sure will fill you in on things they have tried. You have tried various things as you say.....but keep looking, keep bugging your doc, herbal health store supplements maybe, acupuncture, Gut Directed Hypnotherapy ( i had this for a few years and has worked wonders for many), The Fodmap diet. And there are still many Meds your GP can prescribe, Dicycloverine, Colpermin. Lots of people live by the probiotic stuff, peppermint capsules, windeze etc etc etc.

I am sure you ll have come across many yourself. What im really trying to say is, its only been a year. Dont give in, you dont have to live in pain, dont give in to it, never accept that.

Hope others can go more indepth and help further with recommendations of successful things theyve tried.

We are all one family on here. So get it off your chest, talking does help.

Stay in touch...hope you find the relief you crave....im sure you will

Good luck

Suli

[denisthemenace]

I sympathise and understand having had IBS for about 30 years now, since my mid twenties. During that time it has fluctuated, but never gone completely, and to be honest I find it more frustrating and distressing the older I get. I just find it very difficult to accept that nothing much works. So sorry not to be able to offer words of encouragement. But like you, I posted a question for the first time on this site today, and the very act of doing it, and reading what other people had to say made me feel better. Somehow it does help to know that other people share similar problems, that this is "normal for me", and although it's a prize pain, it's not going to kill me! Hope you find your solution(s).

Denisthemenace.

[j_phonics]

Hi Amy,

Thank you for sharing your story with us all. I've suffered with IBS on and off now for 9 years, although to be honest yours sounds worse than mine has been so far. I was particularly ill with it in July 2012 and so started to write a blog. I documented my thoughts, illnesses and the different methods I tried. It really helped me begin to come to terms with the fact I might be living like that for years and also allowed me to tell 'someone' exactly what I was thinking and feeling without having to bore friends and family (who understandably had limited sympathy). It helped me feel less isolated too. I also ended up writing it in more of a light hearted way so it made me begin to see things in a more light hearted way too and kept be upbeat. I would suggest writing a blog to anyone dealing with IBS... obviously not all 'treatments' work the same for everyone though!!

Luckily I have found things that work for me and I have the IBS well and truly under control. I hope you find things that help you out... Suli's ideas seem very sensible!

You're more than welcome to view my blog... it's no Shakespeare, I warn you! tummytantrum.wordpress.com/

j_phonics

[PatV]

Hi Amy. I want to suggest physical therapy specializing in abdominal pain. It's amazing. I learned so much about my condition. It's not just one problem, but a combination of problems. I'm so happy because I've found a PT that takes my insurance (oh happy day). Hang in there.