[WonkyColon]

Hey guys...I'm back. I've been pretty much incapacitated by pain for a couple of weeks. My doctor said that she's done everything she can, and the only other step would be to refer me to a specialist, but she doesn't think it would make a big difference and I can't afford it.Anyway, I'm getting new symptoms left and right since this last major flare-up.For the last couple of days, I've had constant gnawing pain on my left side, radiating to my back. It keeps me from eating or sleeping or even functioning.I'm finally pooping normally (after tons and tons of laxatives), but, when I do poop, the left side pain becomes extremely sharp. I've heard a few IBSers mention pain before or after a BM, but what about during?I'm still not over my colon cancer phobia. It doesn't help that I met someone earlier this week who had it at 28, and was initially misdiagnosed with IBS...

 

[Kathleen M.]

I won't try to talk you out of your cancer fear as anything I say will probably be used to convince yourself you are dying of cancer. Anxiety over fears like that can be like an addiction and it isn't good for you to keep feeding that, but it is so very hard to stop.There is no hard fast rule that says the pain must stop when you sit on the toilet for IBS.I find pain tended to increase until the rectum was empty, so that includes during.Pain goes away after, doesn't mean there can't be pain during.

 

[Diana63]

Believe me i know how incapacitating severe ibs is and i also have chronic fatigue syndrome,i suffer pain when having BM,it can be before,during and after.I have tried everything there is to try and help it and my Doctor has been very good to,but as of yet,i am still searching for anything at all to ease the symptoms.Are you taking anything at all for your ibs?and have you thought about maybe seeing a councellor to talk through your phobia and everything else that is going on with you?

 

[WonkyColon]

Kathleen, you deserve a medal. Thanks for being so understanding and down-to-earth about everything. You hit the nail right on the head when you compare phobia to addiction.Diana, thanks for relating. I do need to see a counselor, but I'm actually moving in a couple of months and thought I'd wait until we're settled in to see one. I also can't afford it (no insurance).I'm currently takingsylliumBusparBentylPeppermint/ginger/fennel oilDigestive enzymesSlippery elmProbiotic complexand Miralax.(All by my doc's recommendation.)

 

[Diana63]

Maybe when you move,you could go over your medicines with your new doctor,its sometimes worthwhile doing that now and again or maybe if you feel there is a combination not working for you.Take care.

 

[Jillywindy]

I notice that yo're not taking any low dose anti-depressants. This would normally be something that your doctor would recommend for the pain and would also help you to sleep better. Not a cure-all though. I was a bit experimental with my diet yesterday as I'd been feeling so good and paid the price for it.I've tried all the things on your list and none really helped. I still take the psyllium and probiotics but I think that the slippery elm made things worse as it is high in carbs.When you are pooping, the whole colon is active which, for us, means pain.Just a suggestion. Is your anxiety over IBS keeping you distracted from other issues in your life that possibly warrant more attention?

 

[WonkyColon]

I won't take antidepressants. I've tried 12 different SSRIs and they have all made me anxious and suicidal.

 

[Kathleen M.]

SSRI's aren't always the best for IBS, but I can understand if you refuse to take any of them even the ones in other classes.Would you consider Buspar? It is still a serotonin drug but it is specifically for anxiety rather than an antidepressant also used for anxiety (it effects a different receptor). It can be used for IBS pain.Usually for IBS pain the best (if they aren't too constipating for people) are the tricyclics and sometimes SNRI's or the in a class by themselves ones like Remeron. But all of those can be constipating.

 

[WonkyColon]

Hey Kathleen... I've already taken SRNIs and Wellbutrin and a couple of tricyclics. None of them really seem to work.I'm on Buspar (that's on my list)... I've been taking it for nearly 2 months and it seems to be making it worse. I'm trying to stick it out for a few more weeks because I want to believe that it will work. It does bring my heart rate down from 108 to 82-- so it's good that I'm taking it for that reason alone. (There's nothing wrong with my heart, I just have tachycardia because of anxiety.)The only thing that seems to reliably work for me is Valium. I've taken it short-term a few times, but I don't want to take it long-term for obvious reasons. I may have to.

I really view it as an absolute LAST resort.