[mray]

I was diagnosed with IBS a couple months ago, but in retrospect have had symptoms my whole life. Ive been going to our family dr for several years now. I saw him this last week on a really bad flare up- he completely dismissed me. He told me my stomach issues were bc of some sort of emotional issues I was having- I am otherwise very happy in my life, I dont feel depressed or anxious thanks to the antidepressants he perscribed me when I was first diagnosed with IBS, but now he is trying to up the antidpressants, add another one, and send me to counseling. Im so confused. I know IBS has links to stress, but I exercise regularly and do a pretty good job of handling my stress level. He has given me nothing for the stomach pain. I hurt all the time and am missing a lot of work and social events because of it. Im at my witts end here. I burst into tears in his office at how he made me feel. Has anyone else had this sort of problem? Im going to see another doctor, that is for sure, but Im scared now of being not taken seriously and dismissed again. I just need some support and know Im not alone.

 

[kev15]

I have been dealing with doctors like yours for 10 years now. The worst thing is that most of my doctors are gi doctors and should be taking my chronic condition much more serious (since this is their field). I have gone through 40-50 different types of pills with little to no help. I am a teacher and have missed more days then I have sick days for. I can't function. Today alone I have had sereve cramps and have been to the bathroom every 5-10 minutes (15 times so far). Luckily its Saturday. But I do understand what you are going through. I do suggest trying out another doctor. If you don't have a gi doctor, demand that your family doctor send you to one. My life is confined to severe stomach cramps and living in the bathroom. I struggle to get to work every morning without stopping somewhere to go to the bathroom (and my school is only 5 minutes away). This is no way to live! I have also been put on antidepressants even though I am not depressed at all. I am on lexpro (anti-anexity) but it doesn't help. Don't give up! I try not to dwell on the future, but just trying to get through today. One last thing. Its funny how doctors tell us not to stress, but if they went through one day in our shoes they would be basket cases.

 

[Guest]

My stomach issues were written off throughout my teen years. they said it was stress, yet noone put me on medication for anything.When i was 19 my THERAPIST of all people who isn't a doctor said I was eating too many acidic things... I had a few words for her and quit seeing her shortly after bc she wasn't doing me any good anyhow.. BUT getting back to topicwell finally 2 months ago after being diagnosed with diabetes and put on metformin I went in for my checkup and told the doctor of every embarrassing detail, that I had been going through since I've turned 18, then the additional embarrassment thats gone on since metformin and here I am now with meds...antispasmodic medication, it makes me feel SO much better. Somehow i think i should be going for tests though, but I bet thats later.Try anti-diarrheal pills over the counter is the best I can say. For me it made it...bearable before I was given any medications.You're definitely not alone. The pain alone is enough to drive a sane person mad. The embarrassment of accidents waiting to happen dampens a persons confidence pride and even independence.Medication has made me able to deal with the problem a little bit more easily, but At times I still have flare ups.I still resort to my long grain rice heating pad which I'll always say works better than a regular heating pad as long as it isn't nuked in the microwave for too long.

 

[Gmonkey]

Doctors dont seem to get it.IBS causes stress. Funny how being backed up for a week and shitting blood stresses you out !!!!!!If stress caused IBS then most people in the world would have IBS.Stress can make someone with IBS have worse symptoms but anything else is just crazy docs clutching at straws.

 

[Pinkfrog26]

Hi there i know exactly how you feel and i get so angry and frustrated about it. I have lived with ocd since i was 18 and had therapy after therapy then after years of hard work i got into uni (my dream) but before that started got swine flu and was ill for over 8 weeks, after that i was ill all the time with constant dizziness and nausea aswell as a bad stomach sometimes. The docs had no clue what was wrong and i had loads of blood test but nothing. Then i researched and found i may have coeliacs or an autoimmune illness and cut out all gluten, i was better after a week and actually made it to the first day of uni YAY. Then i kept getting symptoms back and some weird ones like pins and needles in head, they then said i had ibs and to eat fibre (thats it) and gave me pills ( which didn't work). I kept going back then they said it was anxiety ( which i know all too well about and never ever have i experienced these weird episodes) but they wouldn't listen. I have struggled through and completed my first year at uni doing my illustration that i love but still get ill every week and i can't bare to go back to the docs again but went this week and now i have kidney stones or a kidney infection (even though the test was clear lol) and was on antibiotics. Anywho its like getting water from a stone but i will keep on fighting and try to eventually find out the root cause or causes for this.Sorry for rant but am feeling quite fed up this week as ive been sick and dizzy lol (old record)hope you find the answers and tell me he he xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[overitnow]

I have a doctor friend, whose husband even has IBS, and she says researchers and GIs are only interested in cancer. That's where the money is. I'm sure this doesn't apply to every doctor out there; but if she says that, I imagine it is generally true.Mark

 

[searching4answers]

I've had this feeling like my symptoms weren't being taken seriously enough. An intern at a gastroenterologist place was asking all sorts of stupid unrelated questions about my emotional/mental health. You must make them understand that this is not just some upset tummy and symptom that cause be fixed by adding more fiber, exercise, and stress relieving yoga. Really push them for answers, make them see this IS serious! At last resort u might want to try saying, "Look, if you don't have time for another patient just say so so I can find another doctor who will work seriously into finding this." Tell them how you feel. BTW you shouldn't be seeing a regular family doctor for stomach problems. Go to a gastroenterologist. If you need to get a refferal for your insurance just ask the doctor for one.

 

[hedgewire]

Hi Mray and everyone that reads this, I too have felt that my doctor was very dismissive of everything I was saying to him. To put it mildly I was very worried going to the doctor in the first place and to be cast aside so quickly , to me was unbelievable. He diagnosed me with an acid problem in the stomach because all the men including me now, have problems there and abs because what i think is because my mam has it. (does it run in families? Anyone?) My doctor prescribed me with a months supply of Movicol and to take pantium in definitely for the stomach. I have to say abs makes you feel horrible mentally and physical and i wouldn't wish it on my worse enemy. Sometimes when its very bad I think bad things about my health and sure enough it gets worse. Has anybody tried hypnoses? If so how was it? Because I watched a series of embarrassing bodies and a lady had it done.

 

[photobug]

Hi all! I'm new to the message board, but not to IBS. I've been dealing with this for 20+ yrs and it hasn't been until about a year ago has it really started to get better. I went to see a chiropractor for back, neck, and migraine pain (per a friend suggestion - his brother in law actually). He helped my with pain and IBS! He started me on ProBiotics and increased my water intake little by little. Over the past year of his supervision I have improved greatly - had a few set backs (the flu and then 1 month later bad food poisoning). After the food poisoning I had 3 watery BM in 30 minutes every morning before work. I was late many times. I told him this was going on for about 2 months so he suggested corridol silver 3-5 times a day for a week and then 1-3x a day as regular maintenance. It worked within 3 days! We also did some food combining: eating fruit on an empty stomache, which takes 30-45 min to pass into the intestines. Wait that long before eating anything else or the fruit will want to start to digest before any other food and cause gas, etc. I don't follow the food combining to the "rule"... I have some wiggle room. Introducing more water veggies to my meals - and low fat meals has helped a lot. Core exercise and stretching, lots of water, and trying to stay more relaxed. I do have occassional upsets - but nothing compared to before!I don't eat dairy: almond milk, dairy free fat free butter, yogurt, cheese, etc. My husband and 2 teenage sons have NO problem with eating foods so cooking is hard. I do have Lactaid if needed and sometimes I just fix something different for me. I know everyone is a little different with symptoms and food tolerances, but sometimes I can really tell the difference when combining foods the wrong way! It's worth the "google" search. I have peppermint tea, corridol silver, probiotics, fresh fruit without skins, raw nuts(small qty), steamed veggies, low fat meat, salads after meals. Trying not to mix a lot of protien with carbs otherwise = pain, problems. I'm also a very anxious, stressed, stressed, OCD, person. He just suggested I think about trying another natural supplement for relaxation:Min-Tran. After a little reading up on this I think on Monday I'm going to start it. It's a combination of mineral complexes and nutrients that work together as a mild calmative to establish balanced function of the central nervous system. Probably healthier than taking Xanax! I completely believe chiropractors can help you with many health issues before Primary Care Physician or Specialist can, all they want to do is hand you another prescription. Google: Food Matters and Food Combining - it's really been a great path for me so far! There are many many different sites to look at, they all say the same thing pretty much! We need to eat healthier - the way it was intended, not what we've come brain washed into. I'm not a vegan, I still love my chicken, pork, turkey(white meat) and the occasional Beef Steak in small quantities though. Many IBS sufferers are also dairy and fat sensitive. Thanks for letting me just go on and on. I'm sure many of you know this already, but if I helped just one person, then it was worth the read.

 

[CopterNadle]

I was diagnosed with IBS a couple months ago, but in retrospect have had symptoms my whole life. Ive been going to our family dr for several years now. I saw him this last week on a really bad flare up- he completely dismissed me. He told me my stomach issues were bc of some sort of emotional issues I was having- I am otherwise very happy in my life, I dont feel depressed or anxious thanks to the antidepressants he perscribed me when I was first diagnosed with IBS, but now he is trying to up the antidpressants, add another one, and send me to counseling. Im so confused. I know IBS has links to stress, but I exercise regularly and do a pretty good job of handling my stress level. He has given me nothing for the stomach pain. I hurt all the time and am missing a lot of work and social events because of it. Im at my witts end here. I burst into tears in his office at how he made me feel. Has anyone else had this sort of problem? Im going to see another doctor, that is for sure, but Im scared now of being not taken seriously and dismissed again. I just need some support and know Im not alone.

how long have you been into that situation?

 

[Mr. Natural]

Doctors dont seem to get it.IBS causes stress. Funny how being backed up for a week and shitting blood stresses you out !!!!!!If stress caused IBS then most people in the world would have IBS.Stress can make someone with IBS have worse symptoms but anything else is just crazy docs clutching at straws.

Most doctors do not have a clue as to how to treat intestinal ailments and disease and those that get a clue discover that nature has a lot to offer and lead their patients to natural remedies. My sister in law had a thriving medical practice as a gastroenterologist and found that natural remedies relieved many patients and radically changed many lives. When I worked for her, I monitored patient progress and reported back to her. It was such a privilege to laugh and cry tears of joy as her patients recovered their normal lives. Since then, she has moved on from her medical practice and is dedicating her life to finding the best natural remedies and shouting them from the rooftops. I am trying to convince her to start her own blog and if she does I will post it on this forum.

 

[whiteelephant]

Hi am new here I've had 4 different gp's in the last 12 years due to moving house and I've had the feeling from all of them that they are just not interested in my IBS. Not one has ever refered me to a specialist, the original diagnosis came about 12 years ago after a short, unexpected bout of constipation I ended up with an anal fissure, got given fybogel, told it was IBS by the gp and was left to it...since then I've tried to maintain a healthy diet, which has mostly worked. Then I had very bad acid indigestion a few years back and passed out with the pain, had an ogd & biopsy requested by gp (never saw consultant etc) which showed nothing abnormal, was on omeprazole for a while but after tests were clear was told by a very unsympathetic doc to just stick with rennie's and go about my day and dismissed. Managed to get back into a nice routine eventually, no spicy food, nothing fatty, cut back on booze, lots of peppermint tea, gentle exercise etc and plodded along nicely for a year or two, then I changed jobs and now work at a hospital, 2 days in caught a nasty d&v bug that did the rounds and was laid up for a week or so, ever since have been unable to settle into a routine, 3 or 4 gp visits since then, my abdomen repeatedly prodded and poked but nothing actually done about it, just dismissed I felt. Take more fibre, more water, blah blah blah. Constipation started getting *much* worse about 3 months back, the senokot & dulcolax (priorly evil enemy to my bowels!) were not helping and just eventually giving me diarrhoea when took too many just to get some relief, got prescribed movicol finally about 6 weeks ago, after visiting gp again virtually in tears as the pain unbearable and was bleeding rectally every time I went to the toilet, and to boot had awful internal & external piles which were not responding anymore to OTC stuff, got prescribed scheriproct, which has not worked I feel at all - though the blood has stopped, yey. Back to gp last week, more prodding and poking, now finally referred to the colorectal clinic, which don't have an appointment until 28th september. I feel at my wits end at the moment, nothing I do seems to settle my bowels, I seem to be permantly uncomfortable down there, have lost my appetite as everthing seems to upset me, I can't sleep half the time. Struggling to concentrate and feeling pretty miserable about it all, whilst trying to put on a brave face. I've just done night shifts on my rota so couldn't take the movicol as normal, so voila my bowels have gone awol again. Me and my partner are also trying for a baby, somthing we have talked about for a while but the pain is just off putting! The doc has just told me to carry on with the cream and movicol till my hospital appnt, nothing at all given for the IBS side of things, this GP is far more sympathetic than others but I still feel pretty abandoned at times. Sorry for the long post! I feel better for writing things down.