Any tips?

[RAS6 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close RAS6]

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!

[marymove ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close marymove]

You shouldn't be afraid of a colonoscopy. The prep the night before is the only icky part. You have to drink stuff to clean you out. They give you iv sedation, so you will be asleep for the procedure. No pain for me afterwards, just a little sleepy the rest of the day. It was totally painless!!!

[RAS6 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close RAS6]

Thanks Mary!

[Mare ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mare]

I use flax seed oil capsules to help my bowel problems. My uro said that was fine. And it does help me. You may want to speak with your Dr. about trying these. They have had no negatie side effects on my my bladder. Hope thatyou find something that helps soon. Mare

[sacausa ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close sacausa]

I had a colonoscopy when I was only 15! They put me under twilight anesthesia.... and it really wasn't a bad experience at all! In fact, right after I left the hospital, I wanted to go shopping lol but my mom wouldn't let me...

The worst part of the colonoscopy is the the cleansing out part before.... I went on a liquid diet for 3 days and then the night before I had to drink a couple of tablets of dulcolax and then my mom had to give me enemas (I opted for her to do it b/c she's an RN and I'd rather have her do it than a nurse at the hospital)....... the night before, I felt like I was going to die! The stomach cramps were horrible, and having diarrhea for like an entire night..... completely drains all your energy from you (I felt like I was going to pass out!).... anyhoooooooooo, at least it's just one night....... and you'll get a diagnosis in the end.

The ACTUAL colonoscopy is a breeze, though......

[Katrina ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close Katrina]

Now that is is common to be put under for a colonoscopy they are better than they used to be...to me the worse part is after you wake up and still have gas in you.......get it out and things are better.
Prep...I suggest talking to your doctor about the most IC friendly and tollerable prep for you if you are worried...that are suppositories rather than drinks and so on...sometimes avoiding things getting to your bladder can help!

on treating IBS I myself find Beano, Lactaid, antispasmodics, probiotics, peppermint, and charing what things bother me the most so that I can avoid them helpful. Other things like fennel are helpful as is dealing with stress the best you can.
http://icandme.9.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=30 ibs


bran greens kernal corn...is insoluble fiber....which is a huge GI stimulant....so it sends the gastrocolic reflex out of control
triggers spasms, cramps, diarrhea....it can also exacerbate constipation
Other triggers, fat, processed food, dairy, eggs, and acidic things

solubale fiber is the foundation of the ibs diet. outmeal, pasta, rice ptoatoes, tapioca
Be sure your fiber supplement is solubable fiber!
Probiotics are equally helpful alternative treatment for you bowels!!!!!!! (maybe better for some of us)

Hope this helps and your doing well!

[RAS6 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close RAS6]

Thanks everyone!

I appreciate the heads up reguarding prep the night before and looking for IC friendly solutions. Katrina, thanks for letting me know which foods may be "triggers". I tend to eat alot of high fiber bran cereal so that may be my culprit right now if I do in fact have IBS. Anytime I make my favorite corn chowder I tend to have alot of pain and gas as well. It is so sad to have to give up even more food, I am so bored being on the IC diet all this time as it is! But if changing small things in my diet will give me a little relief until I can get a diagnosis, I am willing to do it. I need to check and see if my fiber supplement is soluable. Would I find that on the label? I'll have to check.
Thanks again for the ideas and sharing your colonoscopy experiences. I had general anesthsia before b/c of my hydro and as a teenager to have a cyst removed from a tender spot, so I do know what to expect afterwards. I tend to react well to anesthesia, I feel like myself within a few hours. So now I am not so scared. I am worried about the night before, but I can get through that.

[RAS6 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close RAS6]

Katrina, Thanks for the link to the IBS post. The more I read the more I am sure that is what is going on with me. I am going to find a checklist of symptoms so I can let my Docotr see just how many of the symptoms I have. What really struck me the most was one of the questions reguarding whether your pain is mainly on the left side. That is where all of my pelvic pain started and is where the pain gets the worst when I am having pelvic pain all around. When I think about it more, my pelvic pain and IC flares are very often followed by constipation, diareah, and gas pains. Then the next day I have horrible pelvic pain and spasms. Some days between the baldder/pelvic pain and gas pains I can hardly move. If I do have IBS it would make alot of sense. I know if I do and I don't get it undercontrol, my IC and PFD isn't going to get any better either. So like I said, it's time to really push the issue with my Doctor.
Thanks again!

[Katrina ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close Katrina]

Glad to help! I hope you can get things under control!