[moonmist]

start by saying hi new to herei've had awful stomach pains for the past few years first they thought i had endometriosis wasoperation to test for it but it was clear then as i had awful bowel pain and trouble there between diareah and constipation i was checked there i've had lots of different things checked i take painkillers everyday as the pains always there and worse leading up and during my period is so awful and after the cramps still come for a while as badpast few months my left side is more severe and had a black bits in stool a few times -only twice so never told the doctor about that unles it happens againlast time i did see the doctor he said theres nothing more he can do its more than likley a bad dose of ibs and depression i feel so low at the moment i dont know how to deal with all that i go through i cry alot my husband is understanding and that helps so much also have five kids and i feel so weak all the time thats what upsets me the most i think i have no energy to do all i want with them so it upsets me i take relaxant tablets which do help me sleep better at nights so thats good but any advice at all would be great even if i could make afew friends here do i except what the doctor said and learn how to deal with it allis there certain people i can see to talk to to learn to deal with what i go through better?sorry if my post doesnt make sense its hard to pinpoint everything in one message! wish all who read this a merry chrismasplease do reply if only to say hello-it all helpsheather

 

[Kathleen M.]

What kind of pain pills?Antispasmodics (usually used for IBS) or narcotics. Sometimes narcotics eventually backfire and make the pain nerves in the colon a lot more sensitive than they were before you started taking the narcotics.NSAID's (like motrin) can sometimes make people's IBS a lot worse as well.Have they tried putting you on antidepressants. They treat the depression and some of them are quite good at reducing IBS pain if you find the right one. A therapist may be good for both the depression and the dealing with just being sick and tired of being sick and tired.IBS sometimes does well with hypnoisis and some therapists are trained to do that as well. There are also at home CD's that a fair number of people find help the IBS and help them cope. For the depression and energy levels do you get outside to do some light exercise for about 20 minutes every day. Sometimes getting some real sunlight, especially combined with a stroll if you can do it (or just sit outside if you cannot) can sometimes help with mood and energy levels. We got outside time for most of history and our bodies actually do seem to need that.

 

[moonmist]

the doctor had me try lots of the best tablets for ibs ages ago and nothing helpedi'm on co-codamol everyday they do help and tramadol when my monthly comes as its so bad i did try a few different antidepresants for the pain they made it worse the one i'm on now helps as at least i sleep better and not up all night in pain trazazonei love exercise i did boxercise for a while but had to give it up as i couldnt manage it which upset me as i loved it i do get out to take kids to school and back can be tough going at times when i can hardly put one foot infront of the other but i do like to get some fresh air those cds sound good worth a try i must tell my sister that idea she suffers badly also taking this first step here is a help it took me a while to admit to the doctor i feel depressed i'd be nervous going to ask for more help

 

[skdriver67]

Good Morning Heather, and welcome. I can totally relate to your situation because I feel the same way. I am a mother of 6, my oldest is 24 and my youngest is 11. At one time, not long ago, Iwas a super mom. I would wake up super early, take care of the family needs, be at work by 5 am, come home on break to make supper, go back to work and finish at 5pm. Then I would rush home, put the finishing touches on supper, feed the family, do the clean up and then run off to one of the kids' activities or events. Come back put the kids to bed and do laundry and house cleaning...I would then fall asleep from total exhaustion. I LOVED IT...These days I am lucky if I can do a few things around the house. I am even luckier if I can leave the house and go out shopping. It is truly unfortunate that I am not the same person I once was. I am on cymbalta- an antidepressent, it seems to be helping a bit. I also take Bentylol, which is an antispasmotic, it helps more than dicetel and buscopan. I am waiting patiently to see a specialist, unfortunately that is not till June 2010. THIS SITE REALLY HELPS ME, if not physically than it is mentally and emotionally. I keep trying different things to see if anything helps. I haven't been working for a few months but I do have a wonderful family, my husband tries to be understanding, my children help out alot and I have a fantastic friend, who helps me on a daily bases. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and do find a solution to your illness. Take Care, Carol.

 

[moonmist]

thanks carol for your replymy kids are aged from 3 to 13 most are young and dont understand its hard when you feel you should be supermum! just trying to come to terms from all the tests i've had and countless bloodtests that its ibs theres so much to ibs what kind of specialist do i ask for for help ? its hard knowing this is me for life will life get any better? all this is going round in my head so speaking to someone to find out what might help would be agood idea

 

[Diana63]

Hi KathleenCan i purchase the at home CD you mentioned?I have tried Hypnotherapy and CD's before,but feel the need to try something again.I live in Scotland,UK.

 

[claire_louise]

Heather, I really feel for you. I've suffered horrendously for over three years now and I don't know how I'm still going. Today is my birthday and it's the fourth one in a row that's been totally ruined by illness. I've felt so awful that I've just been curled up on the sofa all day. Tomorrow will be another Christmas ruined and, worst of all, I always feel like I'm spoiling it for the rest of the family. Right now I just feel like giving up. I really hope you can find a solution - on the positive side there are literally dozens of medications you can try, it's just a shame that so far nothing has worked for me. I'm taking Mebeverine (not sure what it's called in the US) at the moment, which is an antispasmodic, and that helps moderately with the pain. A hot water bottle or a drink of hot water/herbal tea sometimes helps slightly. Also a lot of people find peppermint capsules helpful, have you tried those?I really hope you can enjoy Christmas - that goes for everyone.Claire x