[Guest]

I have not been diagnosed with IBS but I have had a very queasy and weak stomach for the past year. I have been extremely bad this past month suffering from severs panic attacks (for the first time), anxiety (which i have always had but have never been on medicine for), nausea every day of my life, vomiting about 3 times a week, diarrhea almost every morning, and have develpoed what seems to be this fear of eating or anxiety to eat b/c i feel like my stomach will throw it right back up. My doctor told me it was a stomach virus when i had this for 2 weeks. I got better and was extremely well for 2 weeks, with a huge appetite and no anxiety. But here i am again, a wreck. I saw my doctor again and all she has done is prescribedme xanax, pepcid, dioclyemine, phenigran, and i am scared to be on all this medicine. soemtimes i think it is doing more bad than good. I have an appt today with a psychologist and an upper gi scheduled tomorrow. Am i causing this myself or is it something physical???? Soemtimes I feel it could be either or. Do i need to be on medicine for the anxiety or medicine for relilef of all these awful things that are wreaking havoc on my system. I am 5'5" and 100lbs...i haev lost 10 lbs this past month so i can not afford to havet h is happen to me every month. Is stopped taking BC b/c i thought that was making me so nauseaous and now i fell even worse. My family is supportive, my boyfreind is pretty much sick of hearing me say i am sick every day and now i feel myself tumbling downward into depression b/c i feel i will never be normal again and noone has told me what is wrong with me!!!!!!I need advice!

 

[Guest]

Hi there and welcome to the board. First of all, take a deep breath and calm yourself down. You are not alone and it is not in your head. I believe you are really sick and so do alot of other people here. Some say IBS causes stress, and others say that their stress causes the IBS. It's kind of like the "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" controversy. For the D you should try getting the Caltrate +D that everyone raves about on here. It really works to help slow down and even stop the D. Next, you should try some herbal teas for relaxation. Camomile and peppermint are two that are used by people here alot. Check out some other posts here. You will learn alot and don't be afraid to ask questions. We are all here to help one another. Take care and good luck with your appointments.

------------------"A merry heart does good, like medicine."

 

[Blair]

Try changing your diet. I don't think its all in your head. Have you been checked for parasites?

 

[Missycat]

Hi - you're definitely not alone. I agree with Lynn - the stress exacerbates your symptoms, which causes you more stress, which....... well, you know. The calcium carbonate and/or calcium citrate has helped many of us control our D, and I think once that starts working, you start worrying less.Keep us posted on how you're doing. Good luck!------------------"We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are."-----Oprah WinfreyMissycat

 

[Guest]

blair:what makes you think i might have a parasite...yes the thought has crossed my mind but how would i find out? doctor?

 

[Guest]

So sorry to hear that your symptoms are hitting you so hard!! The panic attacks/anxiety alone are terrible to deal with and we know that it makes the IBS symptoms much worse. I think you're doing the smart thing by going to a specialist (gastro doc) and letting him run some tests. The upper GI is a good place to start and sometimes just the reassurance that there's nothing wrong helps calm you down. I feel the same way as you as far as all the medications your doctor prescribed. I feel it's better to start out with one at a time to see what works, what has side effects, etc. Sometimes taking so many new things at the same time can make you worse.Be sure to watch what you eat! Eliminate dairy or switch to lactose free dairy and see if your stomach feels a little better. Stay away from anything that is hard to digest. Be sure to keep up with some kind of exercise - it helps both physically and mentally.We're hear for you -- let us know how you do! Christine

 

[Guest]

Hi and welcome, gsPlease do not despair! We have all suffered in some way with not knowing what is happening to us. Your first step should be having the tests to rule out any problems other than IBS. Many parasites ( like Giardia) can be picked up in foreign countries and restaurants. The test for those is done with a stool culture and test for ova and parasites. If all the tests are negative-and your doctor diagnoses you with IBS- there are a multitude of people on this board who have many good suggestions. I had despaired of ever feeling better until I came across this BB and saw the posting on Caltrate Plus. It has been almost two months and I am doing so much better. With my doctor's help and the friends on this board- I have my life back. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. You are not alone!!wpmom

 

[Guest]

Ok, just have to throw in my 2 cents.

Parasites like Giardia can also be picked up in bad water. Make sure if they test with a stool culture that they have you give 3 DIFFERENT samples (this is supposed to be standard practice). It can some times be missed with just one sample. I know! Hand in there! And I'm sure as for stress it was the Chicken that came first.

 

[Guest]

I dont know if i'm replying to an old post here.. but just wanted to mention.. I am on Dicyclomine right now and it does help, and i'm not experiencing side effects. I was scared to take it too at first but I finally gave in after a really bad attack. Sorry, just wanted to share------------------

 

[Guest]

It does sound like you've gotten some sort of parasite since this is hitting you so bad. And you can get them in the states as well as in other politically challenged countries. And that runs the whole gamut.

I hope you hold off on taking all those meds. Call a health /nutrition store and ask them if they have any recommendations but do have your Dr. run two or three stool samples over time. Good luck. I have IBS to a degree and I swear it causes anxiety [This message has been edited by Ken (edited 04-28-99).]

 

[Guest]

Hi GS and welcome to this board of good folks who truly understand and feel what you're going through.I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling so horrible and unfortunately I can relate all too well. I went through the exact same thing about 2 years ago when my IBS took off to new heights and our only difference is that I alternated between C and D. Had constant nausea and vomiting too. I agree with all the advice offered by everyone...have 3 stool samples done and the upper GI to start. Are you going to a Gastro Specialist, if not do so. I have a couple of questions....what are you eating? Are you still eating like you used to before all this started or have you gone to a more bland diet? Did you notice any correlation between what you ate and these attacks? Have you tried keeping a food diary, writing down what you've eaten and rating how you feel? Have you noticed that the symptoms are worse before your period?Always remember...this is NOT in your head and you are sick and you're on the right track in finding out what is causing all this pain. Good luck on you're tests and always remember that we're here for ya.Karen

 

[Guest]

karen:thank you for responding to me! Believe me i do not even want normal foods. im eating rice, potatoes, vegetables, bananas and lots of fluids. im on my way now to have the upper GI. I am still only seeing my normal physician who does not seem to be of much help. I am so surprised how how the consensus seems to think i have a parasite and i will definitley try and get on that today and call my doctor. (who probably thinks at this point that i am neurotic). Its so nice to have people to talk to who understand every hour of the day......by the way im changing my username to Z-Girl so when i give the update look for that name!!on my way to drink the chalky stuff......