[Guest]

I seem to be having a "C" flareup (but I did go yesterday and the day before but not "good"- I really feel very FULL) and the worst part of it is the anxiety about "when will I go". I've been in the pattern of not going for several days and then wham going and going for an hour and filling the bowl till its D. Then it all starts over again. I am so sensitive that I can feel the sh*t in my colon, but it just wont move! Or not far enough! Worrying about it just makes it worse! Believe it or not some years ago I used to keep a little "poop" book (one of those little ones that you get free from Hallmark cards). That way I could look back in it and see that yeah, I've done or not done this before, and reading it would calm me down. I am making myself crazy thinking about it and I can't seem to stop it. I wish I would take my own advice and RELAX. I am nervous that I will be somewhere, like at work and at a very wrong moment I will get that "feeling" and will have to go NOW. At the same time I worry that I will never be able to go again. I am very stressed out. I took Weds and Thurs off from my job (those were the days that I COULD GO). I only work part time and the next time I work is Sun afternoon and I'm all upset that I wont be able to go by then. What I wouldnt give to be like other people who just go about their buisness, don't worry about pooping (they don't have IBS)who actually have a life! I guess I am mad and frustrated and am venting here. I have had IBS for over 20 years and have been much WORSE OFF than I am now. I take 2 fibercons a day which has allowed me to move from having non stop D to being C and D and when I'm "normal" just going alot. Ever since I took Biaxin for a sinus infection last March my IBS has been in an uproar. First I was like the side effects for the new diet drug Zene-something (more BM's, urgent need to have them and inability to control them). With time this calmed down alittle in between bouts of C. It can all be so discouraging sometimes. I wish I had an understanding DR, I feel that my anxiety could easily turn into depression. I apologize for being so graphic and for venting on. You know I was thinking that I can remember many instances in my life and the people in them as well as how my stomach felt at the time. Isnt that sick? I am SO VERY GRATEFUL TO THIS BB and ALL THE PEOPLE ON/IN IT. Thanks for listening

------------------Nancy

 

[Guest]

Nancy,I hope you get the answers you need......------------------LET'S ALL PRAY FOR A CURE TO THIS IBS SOON!BETTIE

 

[K9Mom]

Vent away GoesALot!!! That's what we're here for! It is extremely frustrating to have to make plans for pooping. But, and you know this...freaking yourself out about it will only make it worse....like a self-fulfilled prophecy! Did you see Rose's post regarding the candy bars....try them, who knows, might do the trick! Anytime you feel like you have to unload (heh-heh) we are here for you!! Hang in there!

 

[sickofsick]

Hi Goesalot, boy can I relate to you! anxiety i think is sometimes worse than the pooping. I actually watch people when I'm out at the mall shopping and wonder what its like to feel normal like them. Its been so long since I've had this stupid IBS! I just finished a few days of amoxillian followed by 10 days of Ceftin a really strong antibiotic and even though I've been taking that live bacteria stuff (forget how to spell it) I'm paying the price if you know what I mean. Have you tried asking your Doctor for some kind of antianxiety drug? It can't hurt to try. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon,sickofsick

 

[JeanG]

Hi Goesalot:I understand how you feel. It really is a frustrating way to live.On the very last line of your post you wrote that you wish you had a more understanding doctor. If you don't have a good relationship with your doc maybe it's time to change. I won't stay with a doctor I don't feel comfortable with. Maybe that will relieve some of your anxiety?Hang in there, and vent away any time you need to, ok?

Jean------------------"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Babe Ruth. And I'm also Praying with Bettie for a cure for this NASTY IBS! Jean

 

[Guest]

Thanks so much for everyones responses and encouragement. I dont know what I'd do without this BB

Bettie-Thanks so much for being so sweet and caring to me and all of us. You always have a good word to say and I really appreciate it. As a "Hannukah person" who believes in God I am always praying with you for a cure to this gosh darn IBS

Sickofsick-I have found myself looking at people and wondering if they can you know what like a normal person. Sorry you are having a problem with/from Ceftin. That was the one antibiotic that I could take with little effect on my IBS-it made me burp and irritated my roids and that was it. Unfortunately I became sensitive/allergic to it so I cant take it along with several others. It was a very slow process to get back to "normal" for me from the Biaxin, I still have problems (or I am more aware of things), it just set everything off so to speak, but I wasnt aware of acidopholas at the time. I would love to try the new pill to stop smoking, Zyban, it is an antidepressant, so maybe it would help me in more ways than one as on a good day I can smoke almost a pack of cigarettes over 2 or 3 hours in the am.

Jean-One of the few DR's that I have had in my life who actually validated my IBS has retired , the DR I picked to replace him from his group gave me the Biaxin and said it wouldnt make me sick. Another DR from that group of internists who drained an abscess for me under my breast just didnt get it when she kept telling me that "sometimes we have to put up with the side effects from antibiotics" , I wouldnt mind if the side effects cleared up when I stopped the drug or even a few weeks after, she just didnt seem to get it but I nagged her enough that she put in a wick(drain) and rather than put me on anything I went back for three days as the infection drained.DR's are so quick to give you an RX and send you on your way. Believe me it was worth the hassle of going back several times. The DR actually looses money the more that they see you, they are paid a lump sum by HMO's and health plans per patient per year, so there is a financial incentive not to see you alot and not to refer you to a specialist. My health insurance changes in Jan 2000 to a plan with a choice, $5 visits with a referral (no deductible) and 80% payment (which DR's in Mass must accept as full payment by state law)after a $250 yearly deductible, without a referral. I may revisit my GI specialist at some point in the not so distant future WHENEVER I DECEIDE to go and feel alot more comfortable with this new health plan. It is such a hassle getting a new PCP and you never know what your gonna get, in my experience.

Thanks again everyone! I feel SO MUCH BETTER today, both emotionally and physically, after a few glasses of prune juice last evening, a mounds bar and a good nights sleep I was able to go today and am very encouraged with the results. Some of my poops I could have framed LOL L)Thanks again

------------------Nancy[This message has been edited by GoesAlot (edited 12-11-1999).]

 

[K9Mom]

So glad that you are feeling better!!! Hmmm, let's see what color should you use for the mat to go with those "frames"??

 

[Guest]

SickofSick, I know what you mean. When I look at people, I do wonder what it is like to be normal. But groups like this help me a lot, because one of those people I look at could be one of " us" and they would understand my problem. I have also learned that a lot more people than I thought have anxiety or depression and that really there is no such thing as " normal", only "average" and that doesn't sound very appealing, does it? GoesAlot, if I did not take anti anxiety meds, and I don't take much of them I do NOT know how I could survive. It helps to stop the panic about "when will I go" and then " when will I STOP going!" haha!

You should think about trying some benzo.s like Xanax or Klonopin if you haven't tried it. Also try meditating, and stretching. I stretch a lot and I am finding that stretching along with light weight training REALLY helps me. I also do stairmaster and sit-ups and dance sometimes. The more vigorous the exercise, the more it helps me. If your body is in better shape it can bounce back more quickly from major D and C.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again so very much for all the replies. Today things have been "moving" very well. I am trying not to obscess about possibly having "to much of a good thing" later on this week, but rather to take each day as it comes. I have to work this afternoon, so I'm alittle stressed but once I'm there I'll be ok. Thanks again everyone for listening and for understanding

------------------Nancy