[fedup]

Hi, i'll try to keep this short, just a question really. I have had IBS for 16 years now. It started off with constipation and i went to my doctor who examined my stomach and gave me a rectal examination and she diagnosed IBS. Anyway, over the years i have suffered bouts of C alternating with D, just every now and again. Stress and alcohol seeming to be my main triggers. After having my baby 14 months ago i have found my symptoms have become worse, more D than C. I have also been diagnosed with PND and the doctors that i have spoken to (5 of them) all say that the PND is making my IBS worse. I had some blood tests done, one of which was looking for a marker for bowel cancer, it was fine. Since staring on Citalopram things have become worse, every morning i have to use the bathroom 3/4 times. I've been to the doctor twice this week about it and he says its a side effect of the medication. I asked him about having further tests as on this site everyone seems to have had so many tests, but he does'nt think it necessary. I suffer terribly from anxiety and since the death of my much loved father 2 months ago things have been much worse. I'm becoming almost obsessive about my bowel habits,peering into the toilet for anything that does'nt look quite right. So my question is - is there anyone that has been diagnosed with IBS and not had all the tests done? Sorry this is so long, when i start i don't know when to stop.Tracey.

 

[KellyB23]

Tracey, the first thing i will say to you is please dont worry. Easier said than done i know but let me tell you my story. I have always suffered with constipation, until the birth of my second child, then the d started. Three years ago i lost my mum to lung cancer with secondary brain tumour, since then i have been diagnosed with ibs a (alternating c & d), at times of stress i am ibs d (which is a lot right now), i too peer into the toilet after a bm looking for anything that doesnt look right, i am also obsessed with this condition. Convinced it is something more sinister. I have had blood tests, stools sample, urine tests, and a smear test. Thats it, no intrusive tests. I still dont believe my doctor when he tells me its only ibs, i worry constantly and this makes my smptoms worse. Five weeks ago my doctor gave me prozac, the first week was hell, dashing to the loo every ten minutes, feeling sick, loss of appetite, it was awful, however i got through that first week and now five weeks on i am feeling so much better, my bowel is more or less behaving and i am feeling much better. How long have you been taking the citalopram?? Please give it time for your body to get used to the drug and i am sure you will feel better soon. If you fancy a chat away from the boards please send me an email; angelxxnet###aol.com. Try and keep your chin up. Kelly x

 

[KellyB23]

Tracey, the first thing i will say to you is please dont worry. Easier said than done i know but let me tell you my story. I have always suffered with constipation, until the birth of my second child, then the d started. Three years ago i lost my mum to lung cancer with secondary brain tumour, since then i have been diagnosed with ibs a (alternating c & d), at times of stress i am ibs d (which is a lot right now), i too peer into the toilet after a bm looking for anything that doesnt look right, i am also obsessed with this condition. Convinced it is something more sinister. I have had blood tests, stools sample, urine tests, and a smear test. Thats it, no intrusive tests. I still dont believe my doctor when he tells me its only ibs, i worry constantly and this makes my smptoms worse. Five weeks ago my doctor gave me prozac, the first week was hell, dashing to the loo every ten minutes, feeling sick, loss of appetite, it was awful, however i got through that first week and now five weeks on i am feeling so much better, my bowel is more or less behaving and i am feeling much better. How long have you been taking the citalopram?? Please give it time for your body to get used to the drug and i am sure you will feel better soon. If you fancy a chat away from the boards please send me an email; angelxxnet###aol.com. Try and keep your chin up. Kelly x

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hi HoneyYou are doing really well, having a baby is a great strain on the body let alone with ibs too, if your breast feeding I would go careful with the medication, myself suffered terrible with pnd but I wont go into that,I just know how tought it is and every day is a struggle, my advice to anyone is please get out, socialise dont stay indoors.whilst I was pregnant had D constantly until 4 months preg.You will get better, it will pass, are your family and friends supportive?Try not to analyze your bm, do you work?Wait to hear from youSam x

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hi HoneyYou are doing really well, having a baby is a great strain on the body let alone with ibs too, if your breast feeding I would go careful with the medication, myself suffered terrible with pnd but I wont go into that,I just know how tought it is and every day is a struggle, my advice to anyone is please get out, socialise dont stay indoors.whilst I was pregnant had D constantly until 4 months preg.You will get better, it will pass, are your family and friends supportive?Try not to analyze your bm, do you work?Wait to hear from youSam x

 

[fedup]

Hi Kelly and Sam,Thank you both for your prompt replies, i have been feeling so bad lately and don't have anyone to talk to, i have a partner and he does try to support me but i think i must be a bit of a nightmare to live with at times. Nobody can really understand unless they are dealing with the same thing so it really helps me to hear from you. I have 3 other kids aged 20,18 and 13 years and have really struggled this time round, mainly because the baby is a very poor sleeper which results in me only averaging about 5/6 hours per night. I think this has a lot to do with my IBS attacks being so severe. I have been taking the Citalopram for 11 days now and just wish that my stomach would settle a little. I also have no appetite and feel sick for most of the day. As far as the breastfeeding goes i have been assured by my doctor that its ok to take the medication. I was very reluctant to start taking them but i was really struggling to cope, just hope that they work now after all this!! I just started back at work last week after extended maternity leave and feel better for it. I am really trying to not get too worried about all this and your words have reassured me. My doctor said to me when i explained about my constant examination of the toilet that "stool gazing is never productive", that made me laugh! So i'll try to do what i need to do without a backward glance!Thank you both again. I'll let you know if things improve soon. Tracey x

 

[fedup]

Hi Kelly and Sam,Thank you both for your prompt replies, i have been feeling so bad lately and don't have anyone to talk to, i have a partner and he does try to support me but i think i must be a bit of a nightmare to live with at times. Nobody can really understand unless they are dealing with the same thing so it really helps me to hear from you. I have 3 other kids aged 20,18 and 13 years and have really struggled this time round, mainly because the baby is a very poor sleeper which results in me only averaging about 5/6 hours per night. I think this has a lot to do with my IBS attacks being so severe. I have been taking the Citalopram for 11 days now and just wish that my stomach would settle a little. I also have no appetite and feel sick for most of the day. As far as the breastfeeding goes i have been assured by my doctor that its ok to take the medication. I was very reluctant to start taking them but i was really struggling to cope, just hope that they work now after all this!! I just started back at work last week after extended maternity leave and feel better for it. I am really trying to not get too worried about all this and your words have reassured me. My doctor said to me when i explained about my constant examination of the toilet that "stool gazing is never productive", that made me laugh! So i'll try to do what i need to do without a backward glance!Thank you both again. I'll let you know if things improve soon. Tracey x

 

[Guest]

Yes, fedup, I too am a stool gazer. Its a real no-win situation isn't it. You are told to be on the lookout for anything sinister but if you do find something out of the ordinary then you immediately panic, convince yourself that you have all manner of gruesome conditions and in so panicking, make yourself a whole helluva lot worse!! I've had IBS for about 8 years but have now learnt to push IBS into the back seat, rather than the driving seat by basically sorting out other areas of my life = which ain't easy with a small baby. You have an even bigger gap than me, mine are 14, 12 and 5 and its a big shock coping with all the demands of a small baby isn't it. I think its almost more stressful than when its all a novelty thing. Lack of sleep does not help IBS. Have you looked at your diet, a food intolerance expert really helped me manage my IBS and a probiotic has helped with the hideous bunged up feeling from chronic constipation. Strap the babe in his/her pushchair and have a toddle off to the health food shop if there is one in your neck of the woods. I wish you all the very best, there is alot of support from within this board, so keep reading and all the very best from rain-soaked Manchester.Sue

 

[Guest]

Yes, fedup, I too am a stool gazer. Its a real no-win situation isn't it. You are told to be on the lookout for anything sinister but if you do find something out of the ordinary then you immediately panic, convince yourself that you have all manner of gruesome conditions and in so panicking, make yourself a whole helluva lot worse!! I've had IBS for about 8 years but have now learnt to push IBS into the back seat, rather than the driving seat by basically sorting out other areas of my life = which ain't easy with a small baby. You have an even bigger gap than me, mine are 14, 12 and 5 and its a big shock coping with all the demands of a small baby isn't it. I think its almost more stressful than when its all a novelty thing. Lack of sleep does not help IBS. Have you looked at your diet, a food intolerance expert really helped me manage my IBS and a probiotic has helped with the hideous bunged up feeling from chronic constipation. Strap the babe in his/her pushchair and have a toddle off to the health food shop if there is one in your neck of the woods. I wish you all the very best, there is alot of support from within this board, so keep reading and all the very best from rain-soaked Manchester.Sue