women suffering diarrhea - page six
The tale of...Ruth
Problems with my bowel didn't start till I was pregnant with my second child two years or more ago. It started with bouts of constipation followed by really painful and upsetting severe diarrhea during the nights, being pregnant, the stomach spasms would always feel like contractions, as I had had them before!
My doctor prescribed Lactulose, by the third time of constipation I was convinced I had something seriously wrong, bowel cancer or something, I had myself convinced. The Lactulose tasted awful, and gave me terrible wind - I'd go to bed for hours until the pain went away.
I hoped it would go away after the birth, it was happening every four weeks or so. It didn't, things got worse, my husband slipped two discs at work, and couldn't go back, so no income. I had just given birth, and already had a little monkey running around, plus an old problem involving my arm came back, causing a lot of pain.
I went for my post-natal check up at six weeks and broke down in front of my doctor, I couldn't cope, I was supposed to be so happy, but I was permanently at the toilet, stomach spasms were the worst, running to the toilet for nothing, I'd go to the toilet on a bad day 30 or 40 times. I don't know how bad that is in comparison with other people but it tires you out!! I got all the tests for IBS done, and was prescribed Mebeverine.
My arm is now sorting itself out, husband still sick with back nearly two years on, no money!! Two toddlers, builders building downstairs bathroom. I try to eat at least one meal with veg a day, but I still can't seem to find a balance to keep me from having terrible bouts. I am really thankful for weeks without too much worry and pain, but I am really stressed which brings it on, it's one of my triggers!!
Thank-you to those of you who took the time to read the stories in this site, many people who don't have it don't understand, but then most of them are selfish, and only interested in themselves. I don't think anyone who tells you 'you'll have to snap out of it' is actually worth speaking to, and I am a really nice person, so it means a lot when I think this. I try not to let it 'rule my life' I have so much more to worry about.
The tale of...Tay
Back in my mid-20's I suddenly developed a very painful and frustrating 'episode'. I became constipated, which alternated with 'the trots', my intestinal tract would howl and spasm...and the ache! Oh Lord!
It finally got to the point where I was convinced I was dying. My mind would flick through all the possibilities, most primarily...cancer. Finally I went to the doc who after much poking, prodding and careful listening said...'you have IBS'. (I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.)
I kept pointing to my left side and saying...I have a dull ache here. And about an inch below my belly button over here on the left, it really hurts. He just shrugged and replied...'That's what they all say.'
Still not certain he was right I continued on...'I have huge amounts of gas. I belch a hundred times a day. I can't wear anything tight around my waist, I feel gas bubbles bursting in my colon, if I lay on my left side at night, within seconds my intestinal track begins to spasm...heck, even my back aches sometimes. 'Yep', he said, 'it's IBS.'
After a lot of talking, he finally convinced me I wasn't dying (that was the good news). The bad news was that this was a very difficult 'chronic illness' to treat and I would never truly be free of it.
At the start he gave me several different forms of medications. None helped (most were anti-spasmodic), although over time it did 'go back to sleep'. I then began to experience 'flare-ups' about every two years. And I'm having one now.
This episode started back at the beginning of February (it's now the end of April). I had no warning...just woke up one morning and BOOM there it was (the howling bowels, the constipation, the intestinal contractions.) In fact, right now, as I'm sitting here writing this, I'm on a med called Hyoscyamine although it's not doing any good. My left side aches and I have soreness just below my belly button...(sigh).
My husband, who has become familiar with this problem is trying to be helpful, but unfortunately, those who do not walk in our shoes fail to understand just how difficult it is to live with. He tells me...'Stop thinking about and it will go away. The more stressed you are the worse it becomes, so relax...' I ask you, how can I, when I feel this pain every moment of the day? It's relentless, isn't it?
Anyhow it's now been three months since this all began again and frankly it's starting to depress me. I can't help but think...'There has to be something truly wrong...a blockage, cancer...inflammation'. And yes, I've talked with my doc and he's repeated the same things he's said a hundred times before. 'Be patient...it will go away eventually and then you'll be fine again.' Yes, I know...but when is EVENTUALLY?
Every time I bend over I belch. If I happen to sit cross-legged or curl up on my side, I instantly begin to spasm and my muscles contract. I feel like every muscle in my lower stomach is suffering from tendonitis because it's constantly being pushed and pulled...and I'm supposed to forget about it?
I have yet to find a drug that really seems to ease the discomfort. Occasionally I do use Valium and truthfully that seems to help the most. Not only does it relieve the painful spasms, but it also decreases my anxiety level. But...there's also a 'sticking point' to that drug. It's addictive and do I really want to take that kind of drug long-term? No, I really don't.
Anyway, for those of you who are suffering like I am, please know I understand. There are days like today, where I would give anything to climb out of my skin and run away. Yes, I know eventually it will ease up and then I can 'live' again, but until that time life can be a living hell.
The tale of...Rachel
Oh gosh, where do I start? I was diagnosed with endometriosis a few months ago. Shortly before that I had problems with horrible frequent urination (interstitial cystitis - IC) and now have pretty much been told that I have irritable bowel syndrome (have had these stomach problems for years now).
After doing some reading, I learned that when a woman has endometriosis it is common that these other problems (IBS and IC) go hand and hand. So I'm the "lucky" gal who has all three of these problems, talk about PAIN!!!
I feel like I can't eat anything! I visited the emergency room once on Christmas Eve because of waking up at about 4am with this unbearable pain. The pain was so intense, I could barely walk and was ready to fall over. The doctors found nothing and just passed it off as just some type of viral infection. Since I was dehydrated, all they really did for me was stick me with IVs and give me some kind of antibiotic for nausea. They sent me home and told me to drink a lot of fluids.
I found that Thai foods HATE my body, especially anything with curry in it! I also think coconut milk sends me straight to the porcelain throne. The strange thing is that almost all of the foods that are listed as "bad" for irritable bowel syndrome, I don't eat anyway. I actually eat very well (being a runner, I watch what I eat), I never put caffeine in my body (I hate coffee), don't eat meat, don't eat fatty foods, no fried foods, etc... However, I still get horrible bouts of IBS.
The tale of...Pankaj
I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome about a year ago. Two years ago, I acquired Typhoid, and from then on my digestive system has driven me nuts. Add to that, my blood pressure has really gone down, it is 90/60 right now. I feel dizzy most of the time. I am 26 years old. It is tough to get by each day. Recently I got a job but had to leave it just after one day. I am very weak. Currently I am on Librax. I am also going to yoga classes.
The best thing about yoga is it helps to keep your mind on track and after a session, you really feel light, like you are on top of the world. But again in the afternoons, mostly, there is indigestion, occasional diarrhea, pain, etc. But it is not daily. Doctors say "Oh, don't worry, it's all in your head". Hey, but I guess they will change the way they think when they get IBS.
I have tried ayurvedic medicines too with slight relief. If anyone's got suggestions to increase blood pressure and resolve this IBS and has some of the same symptoms, please mail me.
E-mail Pankaj: simplynp[at]yahoo.com