[Guest]

I have been having problems with my bowels for seven months now. I have had chronic diarhhea, mucus and blood in my stool, severe abdominal cramps, gurgling stomach, excessive weight loss, headaches, constipation at times.I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy in which they found "nothing highly unusual". I have had an ultrasound of the liver, kidneys and gallbladder of which they found nothing wrong. I have had blood tests and stool cultures And.. next week I am having a barium swallow.The doctors have mentioned everything from IBS to Ulcerative Colitis to Celiac Disease but they have yet to diagnose me. I am currently on the drug Asacol for Colitis as they this that there is a very "slight" chance this could be it. I am having the barium swallow to decide if I am a Celiac.I feel rotten. I am too skinny. I have no energy and I am frustrated that the doctors can't find anything. This is not in my mind. I am sick. I live in a very small community and am "dying" to see a specialist because I just don't trust that the doctors here know what they are doing!I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I sure could use some support.Lesley

 

[norbert46]

Lesley, many people here have IBS and have been thru much of what you describe. At present there are no sure fire meds to stop IBS, you just try things until something helps. IBS is a diagnosis when the MD can't find a physical problem. Reading other posts will give you med ideas. If you have had the scope tests and nothing found you will probably not have anything severe. The blood you describe is probably bright red and from anal fissures or hemmorhoids, and as far as MD's, I've only heard of specialists and gastro's doing the scope tests so you are probably getting good medical care, it may not seem that way because you need for the problems to stop. Do what you can to help yourself and try to calm yourself as best as you can, stress and anxiety is a factor for many IBS sufferers. Good luck, Norb

 

[norbert46]

Lesley, many people here have IBS and have been thru much of what you describe. At present there are no sure fire meds to stop IBS, you just try things until something helps. IBS is a diagnosis when the MD can't find a physical problem. Reading other posts will give you med ideas. If you have had the scope tests and nothing found you will probably not have anything severe. The blood you describe is probably bright red and from anal fissures or hemmorhoids, and as far as MD's, I've only heard of specialists and gastro's doing the scope tests so you are probably getting good medical care, it may not seem that way because you need for the problems to stop. Do what you can to help yourself and try to calm yourself as best as you can, stress and anxiety is a factor for many IBS sufferers. Good luck, Norb

 

[GailSusan]

Did they test your blood for thyroid levels and do a celiac panel?

 

[GailSusan]

Did they test your blood for thyroid levels and do a celiac panel?

 

[Guest]

As far as I know they have not done those tests yet, what are you thinking?

 

[Guest]

As far as I know they have not done those tests yet, what are you thinking?

 

[Kathleen M.]

When they did the colonoscopy did they take biopsies?There is a varient of the Inflamatory Bowel Diseases called Microscopic Colitis (or Collagenous Colitis) and since you've got some symptoms more typical of an IBD rather than IBS (the weight loss and the blood) I would think that is something that needs to be checked out.In that case your colon looks OK to the naked eye, but is abnormal when they do a biopsy.Has your stool been checked for parasites or C. diff.? The latter may be the case if this started after taking antibiotics.K.------------------I am a scientific researcher primarily in the area of the environment and the impact of environmental factors on human health, I have no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial, natural, or any other product mentioned by me.My story and what worked for me in greatly easing my IBS: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000015.html

 

[Kathleen M.]

When they did the colonoscopy did they take biopsies?There is a varient of the Inflamatory Bowel Diseases called Microscopic Colitis (or Collagenous Colitis) and since you've got some symptoms more typical of an IBD rather than IBS (the weight loss and the blood) I would think that is something that needs to be checked out.In that case your colon looks OK to the naked eye, but is abnormal when they do a biopsy.Has your stool been checked for parasites or C. diff.? The latter may be the case if this started after taking antibiotics.K.------------------I am a scientific researcher primarily in the area of the environment and the impact of environmental factors on human health, I have no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial, natural, or any other product mentioned by me.My story and what worked for me in greatly easing my IBS: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000015.html

 

[Guest]

they did take biopsies during the colonoscopy which are apparently "normal", I've even had stool samples and they still can not find anything.I've had a bad 3 days, probably the worst i've felt in 7 months.

 

[Guest]

they did take biopsies during the colonoscopy which are apparently "normal", I've even had stool samples and they still can not find anything.I've had a bad 3 days, probably the worst i've felt in 7 months.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Just so you know if you have IBS expect that they won't find anything on the tests.That is one of the hallmarks of the disorder. Things would be alot easier if we had a test that would show that is what you have. Not finding anything on the tests indicates IBS.K.------------------I am a scientific researcher primarily in the area of the environment and the impact of environmental factors on human health, I have no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial, natural, or any other product mentioned by me.My story and what worked for me in greatly easing my IBS: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000015.html

 

[Kathleen M.]

Just so you know if you have IBS expect that they won't find anything on the tests.That is one of the hallmarks of the disorder. Things would be alot easier if we had a test that would show that is what you have. Not finding anything on the tests indicates IBS.K.------------------I am a scientific researcher primarily in the area of the environment and the impact of environmental factors on human health, I have no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial, natural, or any other product mentioned by me.My story and what worked for me in greatly easing my IBS: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000015.html

 

[Jupiter119]

HiAm sure you don't have u.colitis, especially if you've had all the tests. I suffered the same symptoms as you which got worse from April this year. Was told (after exam in doctors surgery & stool test only)that I had IBS & 'piles'. Knew it was not this as I was reading this board a lot & decided I couldn't possibly have IBS so forced doctor into a hospital exam with a specialist.Anyhow, they found Ulcerative Colitis upon flex' sigmoidoscopy & biopsies. It showed up clearly. If you've had biospsies & they were OK I'm sure you are U.C free.As Kmottus says, collagenous colitis shows up on biopsies but they can't see it when doing the exam'.Did they say you had any sort of inflammation there???I wondered why they'd given you asacol if there's no inflammation. Did you get the chance to ask lots of questions when you got your results? I spent over an hour grilling the specialist & he was really helpful.Hope you get sorted soon & good luck.Take care.

 

[Jupiter119]

HiAm sure you don't have u.colitis, especially if you've had all the tests. I suffered the same symptoms as you which got worse from April this year. Was told (after exam in doctors surgery & stool test only)that I had IBS & 'piles'. Knew it was not this as I was reading this board a lot & decided I couldn't possibly have IBS so forced doctor into a hospital exam with a specialist.Anyhow, they found Ulcerative Colitis upon flex' sigmoidoscopy & biopsies. It showed up clearly. If you've had biospsies & they were OK I'm sure you are U.C free.As Kmottus says, collagenous colitis shows up on biopsies but they can't see it when doing the exam'.Did they say you had any sort of inflammation there???I wondered why they'd given you asacol if there's no inflammation. Did you get the chance to ask lots of questions when you got your results? I spent over an hour grilling the specialist & he was really helpful.Hope you get sorted soon & good luck.Take care.

 

[genny]

I'm in the same boat and I've tons of tests and some 3 times. I've been told everything from IBS to maybe it's related to your gallbladder surgery to nerves/depression, etc. If you find out anything please let me know. I too am loosing weight. so far 51 pounds.

 

[genny]

I'm in the same boat and I've tons of tests and some 3 times. I've been told everything from IBS to maybe it's related to your gallbladder surgery to nerves/depression, etc. If you find out anything please let me know. I too am loosing weight. so far 51 pounds.

 

[norbert46]

Genny, my GB hasn't been removed but according to scans, does have stones. There does seem to be a problem among members after GB surgery. Maybe related to the bile just dumping directly into the guts?? I've always had anxiety as one of my IBS/D triggers. Some people take Questran??? to absorb??? the excess bile and get it out of the system, maybe that would help??? Lesley, there are meds, and therapies(CBT and hypnosis) that you can read about on these BB's that can greatly reduce your suffering. Good luck, Norb

 

[norbert46]

Genny, my GB hasn't been removed but according to scans, does have stones. There does seem to be a problem among members after GB surgery. Maybe related to the bile just dumping directly into the guts?? I've always had anxiety as one of my IBS/D triggers. Some people take Questran??? to absorb??? the excess bile and get it out of the system, maybe that would help??? Lesley, there are meds, and therapies(CBT and hypnosis) that you can read about on these BB's that can greatly reduce your suffering. Good luck, Norb

 

[moldie]

lesleyo, On the slight chance this may be of help to you, I will tell you my experience. First, though, can you tell me about any medications you were on long-term? I was on antibiotics long-term and began having similar symptoms to yours. The side-effect of the one I was on can cause fungal/yeast infections. Many doctors don't believe in candida affecting the bowels, but my allergist, fortunately did. Shame it took me a few years of misery to find this out, no thanks to any GI or GP doc. My allergist put me on Diflucan and a low sugar/no fermented/aged food diet. Within a few months my symptoms gradually reduced remarkably. Some food sensitivities to the additives benzoic and citric acid were also found through double-blinded provocative sublingual testing. This additives produced immediate left lower abdominal pain and bloating, whereas the sugars (especially fruit and dairy sugars) produced gradual bloating.Dr. Lemar Gibbons has written a book about dietary measures that have been helpful for IBS, chrohn's, and ulcerative colitis patients that may also be helpful.I can't say whether or not you have any of these problems, but just thought I would mention it. Good luck to you lesleyo. I hope you find some answers soon.M.