HI! I posted here awhile back b/c I suspected I may have IBS. At the time my
GP wasn't really worried, I am on so many meds that cause constipation and she thought the diareah was a fluke. I was using Colace and things were much better. But I had to stop the stool softners about a month ago b/c I was having blood in my stool only when using them. Since then I have had 3 VERY bad episodes of constipation (almost an hour in the bathroom trying to have a bowl movement after 2-5 days without one) followed almost immediately by diareah (about 15 minutes afterward) Last nioght was the worst I ahve every had. The pain was so bad I was lying on the floor next tot he toilet waiting until I had to go again. So later last night I did some more reading and really decided I am going to have to stop being in denial and really push it with my Doctor. I have had bouts of constipation/diareah combined with terrible stomach cramps and pain for over ten years. They just weren't very frequent so I would just brush it off as a bug of sorts. My Mom took me to see a Doctor as a teenager and he said to just use fiber supplements and stool softners. Back then the pain wasn't as bad though. I am so scared to have a colonoscopy (someone here mentioned it is the only way to get a definate IBS diagnosis) and I am scared of the cost of the test as well (my deductables are very high)
Anyway, I am going to see my GP again when I get back from our trip next week. If she won't help me with this I am going to bring it up when I see my IC specialist. He is very aware of the other health problems that can come with IC and he can refer me to a good GI Doctor.
So, back to my orignal thought, is there anything I can do in the mean time to avoid another painful episode? I had hear there is an IBS diet. Does anyone know exactly what that is? Is there anything over the counter that helps any of you (besides stool softners?) I use a fiber suppliment on a regular basis, but it doesn't seem to do much good. Was the colonoscopy horrible? Do you have to be under general anethseia? (I heard this somewhere, but I am not sure where)
Thanks for you help!
GP wasn't really worried, I am on so many meds that cause constipation and she thought the diareah was a fluke. I was using Colace and things were much better. But I had to stop the stool softners about a month ago b/c I was having blood in my stool only when using them. Since then I have had 3 VERY bad episodes of constipation (almost an hour in the bathroom trying to have a bowl movement after 2-5 days without one) followed almost immediately by diareah (about 15 minutes afterward) Last nioght was the worst I ahve every had. The pain was so bad I was lying on the floor next tot he toilet waiting until I had to go again. So later last night I did some more reading and really decided I am going to have to stop being in denial and really push it with my Doctor. I have had bouts of constipation/diareah combined with terrible stomach cramps and pain for over ten years. They just weren't very frequent so I would just brush it off as a bug of sorts. My Mom took me to see a Doctor as a teenager and he said to just use fiber supplements and stool softners. Back then the pain wasn't as bad though. I am so scared to have a colonoscopy (someone here mentioned it is the only way to get a definate IBS diagnosis) and I am scared of the cost of the test as well (my deductables are very high)
Anyway, I am going to see my GP again when I get back from our trip next week. If she won't help me with this I am going to bring it up when I see my IC specialist. He is very aware of the other health problems that can come with IC and he can refer me to a good GI Doctor.
So, back to my orignal thought, is there anything I can do in the mean time to avoid another painful episode? I had hear there is an IBS diet. Does anyone know exactly what that is? Is there anything over the counter that helps any of you (besides stool softners?) I use a fiber suppliment on a regular basis, but it doesn't seem to do much good. Was the colonoscopy horrible? Do you have to be under general anethseia? (I heard this somewhere, but I am not sure where)
Thanks for you help!

Comment