[20721]

Hello. Im a 20 year old female suffering with IBS-Constipation dominant for about 3-4 years now. Just recently I have reached the end of my rope. I have tried every medication, diet change, lifestyle change imaginable. It is seriously RUINING my life. I am a college student. Im miserable. Just this weekend I left the first day at a new job because I was feeling so horrible and full of anxiety because of this illness I couldnt take it.. Also, I had my gallbladder removed about 2 summers ago which I know couldnt have made things better and I suffer from hypothyroidism (on 88mcg synthroid). If anyone has any advice or questions please let me know...

 

[RailFan]

quote:Originally posted by sonicyouth86:Hello. Im a 20 year old female suffering with IBS-Constipation dominant for about 3-4 years now. Just recently I have reached the end of my rope. I have tried every medication, diet change, lifestyle change imaginable. It is seriously RUINING my life. I am a college student. Im miserable. Just this weekend I left the first day at a new job because I was feeling so horrible and full of anxiety because of this illness I couldnt take it.. Also, I had my gallbladder removed about 2 summers ago which I know couldnt have made things better and I suffer from hypothyroidism (on 88mcg synthroid). If anyone has any advice or questions please let me know...

Welcome, sonicyouth! This is a good place to be. I am a semi-regular member of the forum... I drop in from time to time.

I admit that I tend to visit more often when I'm not feeling well than otherwise.Anyway, I can identify with everything you're experiencing, except the gall bladder and the hypothyroidism. (My thyroid is fine... had bloodwork done back in May, and everything checked out normal.) I am very frustrated with my IBS-C, which seems to be getting worse. Like you, I'm at the end of my rope, and nothing is working. You're right... it can really mess up your life! I'm spending a second day at home with a horrendous flare-up of C.I think you'll find this group to be very supportive and nurturing. I know I have. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

 

[22943]

How much water do you drink a day? When I went into this intensive mental therapy program, they changed up my diet for the better and forced me to drink a ton of water and I started becoming more regular. The naturopathic physician there also started me on magnesuim, mine came in a powder form that you just mix with water and drink it, it works as a pretty good laxative and a sleep aid (it's supposed to relax a person).

 

[21731]

Hi Sonic, Welcome!! Like Rail, I think you will find a lot of helpful people and information here, just like Honugirl's.I may not have the answers you're looking for, however, I can relate to your situation on constipation. I still have my gallbladder and like Rail, my thyroid tests came back good as well.I can only give you a few suggestions. First, I would make an appointment to see a good GI doctor. It may be best to have some testing done to see where to look for answers. The first test that the GI may want to perform is a colonoscopy. This test can reveal a lot about your situation. Other tests may be required after the colonoscopy depending on what they find. I've also had the colonoscopy, a defagram, transit study, and an anal monomatry test because I've had problems my entire life with constipation and I'm 43. Like you, I've tried EVERYTHING and anything that did work in the past doesn't work anymore. I agree with Honugirl that drinking water is a good thing. However, I've ALWAYS drank a lot of water (at least a gallon a day) most of my adult life.Currently I'm waiting for my upcoming visit with a colorectal specialist in October to discusss the findings of my transit test and anal monomatry test - the defagram revealed a very large rectocele, one of the reasons the GI referred me to a colorectal specialist.I do know that after 5 days of taking the capsule filled with 24 rings for the transit test, I still had 22 of the 24 rings which indicates that my colon isn't working.I'm hoping for the best but know from talking with several people on this board that surgery my be my only alternative, therefore, until I know the facts, I'd rather not disclose anything that may discourage or frighten you. I can tell you that the people that I've talked with who've had surgery said they would do it all over again - it gave them their life back!!I hope this helps.