1. < Digestive Health

Diagnosed with IBS…could it really be that?

Posted by kendra75 @kendra75, Nov 28 5:14pm

Hi everyone. I would love your opinion. Very long story short: in June 2022 I had bariatric sleeve surgery. 4 months later my life completely changed. It started with extreme constipation, severe abdominal pain, trapped gas. It’s been over 2 years and my life is so bad. I am in constant chronic severe abdominal pain with several symptoms with it. From the morning I open my eyes until going to sleep. Sleep is the only relief I get. No matter what I eat or whether I go to the bathroom or not…I am in severe pain. Every single day for 2 years. I was diagnosed with IBS but I feel like I’m dying. I can’t stress how bad this is. I barely go out, barely go to the store and miss many events. My quality of life is so bad. I have been to many doctors and have had many tests done. All negative. Could it be something other than IBS and the doctors have missed it?

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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Dec 13 7:46pm
In reply to @patriciaannmelt1 "I have IBS-C had a twisted colon found in colonoscopy plus scar tissue build up after..." + (show)
@patriciaannmelt1

I have IBS-C had a twisted colon found in colonoscopy plus scar tissue build up after hernia surgery. They’ve put me on everything to help constipation and nothing works. I’m down to having to take a stimulant once a week now. It’s miserable 24/7. I have no clue what’s next.

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Patriciaannmelt1 - I would not first look to meds for a consitpation/twisted colon fix. I would look to what you eat and drink. Soft, easy to digest, liquidy foods may help you, along with some natural stool softeners like magnesium. Slipperly elm inner bark powder will add slip. Think hot cereal, smoothies and well-cooked soups. Try avoiding dense food like meat and fish and give bread a break. It can take a lot of experimentation. There are a lot of ideas bantered around here. I really think changing what and how much you eat at a time could be a game changer. It has been for me and I have IBS-C and a severely redundant colon. Some others here do to.

REPLY
ebc | @ebc | 11 hours ago
In reply to @cheyne "Hi, I don't accept what is wrong with me, I can't change it but if I..." + (show)
@cheyne

Hi,
I don't accept what is wrong with me, I can't change it but if I accept it then the urge to fight for something better is gone. Because IBS is a catch all term we are mostly unique in our particular symptoms. By definition a cure is unlikely without knowing the disease.
I have struggled for what feels like a lifetime with IBS and have had every symptom and variation of symptoms from not being able to eat anything to some halfway decent days. My worst period was having the stomach so expanded there was no more give in the skin, unable to sit, having to lay down through not being able to bend at the waist. Abdominal pain off the scale at times, mostly uncomfortable all the time. For me going into SIBO bouts is now the worst affect I get. As the digestive system is complete out of control I'm limited in the amount of food/ fluid I can take per day. Go over it and into SIBO yet again. I have now been living on wholewheat bread and cups of tea for 14 months. Limited to a max of 6 slices per day and 7 cups of tea, usually 4 slices with a slice of shaved ham and 6 cups of tea. I will have a small amount of vegitables once a week with grilled chicken or fish. I'm constantly hungery and have to remind myself how difficult life gets eating more than my limit. My Gastrologist agrees with me if I can tolerate it, eat it, which is why the bread. It has little effect on my stomach in moderation. I have been through the Fodmap several times without success. I stick to what I prepare and never eat anything someone else has prepared for fear of eating something that I react to. I am salt free, sugar free, no herbs or spices. The worst part of it all is the simple fixes I'm constantly given that are well ment but useless to me. In 13 years I believe I have tried it all. Had every proceedure going and still nothing to show for it all. Now with Autonomic polyneuropathy controlling the digestive system and the new diagnosis of CSVD there is nothing but just managing each day as best I can. There isn't going to be a fix and certainly few options for treatment, just fumble my way through each day I manage to wake up.
Sadly I can only empathise with you, I can't offer a solution. Surprisingly I do best and come alive when I'm going through a starvation period, no food just cups of tea to keep the kidneys flushed and happy. I'm CKD, T2 diabetic and stumped for diet with each health issue compromising the other health issues.
Cheers

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Hi Cheyne
Just read your input about severe IBS etc. along with all that you endure and suffer…….wanted to pass along this website, if you haven’t already discovered this remarkable lady.
Google: heathers tummycare.com .
She is obviously younger than I, but has become my new hope, having been diagnosed with IBS threes times over the last two decades by different DRs……and in the end they all just unanimously shake their heads and mumble. “Sorry, there is NO cure…..they all suggest diet, foodmap, fiber, less stress, daily exercise, probiotics, peppermint oils, pain relievers, etc,….. you’ll have to find your own level of comfort, yada yada, yada”. I’m 83 , struggling to stay above 97 lbs and still searching.
Basically, Heather also has suffered and still does from IBS; however, as a lay person, she has done prolific research into the subject and shares her experience, recent developments, new treatments and does sells what has helped her and obviously many others who are obviously as clueless as to where to turn when you hit a dead end. She’s written two books on the subject, (one with cooking recipes) and, if desire you can relieve texts. Both can be purchased on Amazon.
In Sum, by following her suggestions from her experiences, offers new coping ways, recpies etc. but above all, a glimmer of hope and it’s always reassuring to know we are not alone.
Hope someone else can benefit…it’s free to check out her website!

REPLY
1 reply
cheyne | @cheyne | 11 hours ago
In reply to @ebc "Hi Cheyne Just read your input about severe IBS etc. along with all that you endure..." + (show)
@ebc

Hi Cheyne
Just read your input about severe IBS etc. along with all that you endure and suffer…….wanted to pass along this website, if you haven’t already discovered this remarkable lady.
Google: heathers tummycare.com .
She is obviously younger than I, but has become my new hope, having been diagnosed with IBS threes times over the last two decades by different DRs……and in the end they all just unanimously shake their heads and mumble. “Sorry, there is NO cure…..they all suggest diet, foodmap, fiber, less stress, daily exercise, probiotics, peppermint oils, pain relievers, etc,….. you’ll have to find your own level of comfort, yada yada, yada”. I’m 83 , struggling to stay above 97 lbs and still searching.
Basically, Heather also has suffered and still does from IBS; however, as a lay person, she has done prolific research into the subject and shares her experience, recent developments, new treatments and does sells what has helped her and obviously many others who are obviously as clueless as to where to turn when you hit a dead end. She’s written two books on the subject, (one with cooking recipes) and, if desire you can relieve texts. Both can be purchased on Amazon.
In Sum, by following her suggestions from her experiences, offers new coping ways, recpies etc. but above all, a glimmer of hope and it’s always reassuring to know we are not alone.
Hope someone else can benefit…it’s free to check out her website!

Jump to this post

Hi,
I have reached the end of my health issues road, so to speak. With ANS being the major factor in my digestive system there is no cure and no treatment available, currently. I don't like accepting it but that is undesputably the situation I'm faced with. Now that most of the specialists have given me the shaky arms in the air treatment it is down to me to manage with what I have learnt and know of my health issues and I have researched and tried many "answers" over the years, not many have been of any benefit in the end. Mainly one day wonders untill the body figures out they are a joke.
Believe it or not I did initially cure the IBS but with subsequencially requiring massive amounts of antibiotics to stay alive I have ended up back at square one. The cure for a severe dose of IBS is not plesant or easy as some have found. It needs to be followed to the letter or you run the risk of making IBS far worse.
I have not been able to replicate what I did to beat the initial IBS despite trying twice more. The only treatmant left is fecaltransfer which under the circumstances would be a total waste of time, money and resources now being controlled with ANS. Having allowed everyone time to try their remedies it is now my way and self managment, throwing away all the medications and staying with Omeprazole and plenty of laxatives to go as fast and far, no pun intended! as I can no matter the inevitable consequences. Two weeks off meds and feeling a whole lot better, no more T2 and BP testings, just ignoring it all for a comfortable life, as long as it lasts. Yes some symptoms are becoming more obvious but I think feeling better as long as I can is the best medicine for me.
I feel I will see 2025 after all.
Cheers

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