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October 2011 Moms
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Anyone with IBS? Newly diagnosed (TMI warning)

nittanyllamanittanyllama member
in October 2011 Moms

For those of you on mobile site, my post is about being newly diagnosed with IBS and I gave a TMI warning! I feel like I have so many health problems (nothing serious) but I just got an IBS diagnosis today on top of everything else (PCOS, liver tumors, migraines, GERD, anxiety, etc.). Looking for some advice, I guess.

I've been having these episodes, or as I refer to them, "diarrhea attacks". Basically for a few hours I get extreme stomach pain, followed by explosive diarrhea with mucus and blood in it. The episodes only happen every 1-2 months, and usually only last for a few hours. Then I have mild cramps for a day or two where I eat totally bland food, and then I feel better. When I have one of these attacks, the pain is so bad I sweat, shake, and writhe around in pain and sometimes find myself using labor breathing techniques! It's no fun.

 I had tests a few years back after the first time I had a bleeding episode, including a colonoscopy and everything looked normal (no Crohn's or colitis or anything else). I went to a new GI doctor today for the first time and he finally labeled it as IBS (my old doctor never diagnosed anythig). He gave me a prescription for Levsin, a med to put under my tongue next time I have an attack to hopefully help calm the cramps and spasms that are so painful. My dad and brother have this issue too, but doctor said it doesn't sound like Crohn's or colitis because my attacks only last a few hours not days. But, the doctor said he couldn't really explain the blood and mucus.

My questions  -- 1. Does anybody else get blood/mucus with IBS? Is this common? 2. Does anyone want to vent about how crappy (haha) IBS is or what your experiences are? 3. What have you done that has helped? Meds? Diet? Exercise? Something else? Has anyone tried this med Levsin?

Also as a side note: I talked to the new GI doc about my liver tumors and he was really reassuring and said he thinks it will be fine to get pregnant again when I decide to do so. So that is good news Smile


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DS born Oct. '11

TTC #2 with PCOS since Nov. '13

Dx: Low Progesterone (3.3) on 8/12/14

Waiting for RE appointment on 10/28/14

Surprise BFP on cycle 12 -- 10/19/14!

EDD July 1, 2015

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Re: Anyone with IBS? Newly diagnosed (TMI warning)

  • pennysuedogpennysuedog
    MH has Colitis I know you don't have this.  He is on Meds but for him he has trigger foods, such as dairy, caffeine and greasy food.  I'm sorry for your diagnosis, at least with colitis we were suggested to keep a food journal to try to pin point the triggers.
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  • mamaZbomamaZbo member

    Hey, that really sucks, stomach issues are no fun. My whole family on my dads side suffers from the same type of thing, including me. The pain is terrible. I don't take anything for it, and diet changes never really seemed to make a difference. I get, huge TMI warning here, thick muddy like stools that remind me of the consistency of the bottom of a marsh. Sometimes I have mucus as well-gross. I have had a colonoscopy  and an endoscope procedure and all they found was a hiatal hernia and an ulcer.

     My father has bouts where he can't leave the house. My parents had to cancel their trip to Benin for my wedding it was so bad and he was on leave from work for months. He is on Pamine and something else and he says they really help.

    I have tried gluten-free, but it made no difference. I think mine has a lot to do with stress.  Good luck, it sucks when there is no concrete diagnosis. Hopefully the meds will help.


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  • nittanyllamanittanyllama member
    imagemamaZbo:

    Hey, that really sucks, stomach issues are no fun. My whole family on my dads side suffers from the same type of thing, including me. The pain is terrible. I don't take anything for it, and diet changes never really seemed to make a difference. I get, huge TMI warning here, thick muddy like stools that remind me of the consistency of the bottom of a marsh. Sometimes I have mucus as well-gross. I have had a colonoscopy  and an endoscope procedure and all they found was a hiatal hernia and an ulcer.

     My father has bouts where he can't leave the house. My parents had to cancel their trip to Benin for my wedding it was so bad and he was on leave from work for months. He is on Pamine and something else and he says they really help.

    I have tried gluten-free, but it made no difference. I think mine has a lot to do with stress.  Good luck, it sucks when there is no concrete diagnosis. Hopefully the meds will help.


    Thanks for the replies ladies. Zbo, I'm sorry you haven't found much that helps yet. I am stressed out a lot too in general, I didn't mention before but I'm also on meds for anxiety. I bet that plays a big role in it.


    image

    DS born Oct. '11

    TTC #2 with PCOS since Nov. '13

    Dx: Low Progesterone (3.3) on 8/12/14

    Waiting for RE appointment on 10/28/14

    Surprise BFP on cycle 12 -- 10/19/14!

    EDD July 1, 2015

    BabyFetus Ticker
    Report Reply
  • stardust317stardust317 member
    My episodes I can tie in directly with stress. When I was in graduate school and right before my wedding, I felt like I was always blowing up the bathroom. My stools when I leave these attacks usually have mucus with them.
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  • MrsTBirdMrsTBird

    I'm so sorry you're going through all this! I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 16, but I've had problems since I was around 11. Stomach issues run rampant on my dad's side of the family. My dad has Crohn's, my grandma and aunt have colitis and a few cousins are lactose intolerant. I started undergoing tests around the age of 12 (lactose intolerance testing, allergy testing, and loads of bloodwork). The pediatric gastroenterologist thought it was a form of lactose intolerance and had me switch my diet which didn't work. I then experienced blood and mucus in my stool so I underwent testing again but under a new Dr. I had a barium exam and a colonoscopy which ruled out basically everything. I was then diagnosed with IBS.

    Every time I've had blood in the stool since then I've had to undergo testing simply because of my family history. Mucus, however, has been normal. If your Dr isn't too concerned then I wouldn't be either unless symptoms change for the worse. I was also diagnosed with endometriosis at 17 and my OBGYN said my IBS could be a result of the endo. I find that my IBS flares up around my period, when I'm very stressed or when my diet is poor. Have you tried any dietary changes at all? I find that cutting down on caffeine and sugar helps when I go through these week-long bouts.

    Sorry about the novel! But IBS completely sucks! If you need someone to vent to, feel free to PM me. I feel your pain!

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