Seeking advice
#172139 - 04/21/05 08:51 AM
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Wen4
Reged: 04/19/05
Posts: 4
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I posted this a few days ago, but since I did it so early in the morning it kind of got lost:
Hi Everyone,
I have been reading Heather's newletter for months, as well as some of the posts on this board. I'm not sure which forum this question belongs on, but decided on this one.
When I was 22 ( I just turned 40) my doc diagnosed me with IBS. My symptoms were trouble passing a bm and bloating in sigmoid colon. The bloating resolved after a year or so, but the bathroom difficulty stayed a part of my life. I just accepted the fact that I needed half hour in the bathroom, suppositories and psyllium.
For the most part the IBS was managed. But now it has gotten increasingly difficult to go to the bathroom. Starting about nine months ago my bathroom time has stretched into 45mins to an hour two or three times a day (because it's not successful). The suppositories don't work well, although nothing starts happening with out them, ( it has been this way for over 10 years), and I switched from psyllium to Citricel. Miralax didn't help because my stool is already soft and unformed. My old GI doc thought it didn't sound like IBS (no pain, doesn't seem to matter what I eat). Had a barium enema and a marker study which were normal and a defogram (sp), which showed moderate prolapse. The prolapse, especially the enterocele, is certainly contributing to the problem, but I (and my new GI doc) do not think it is the only thing going on. I am really scared to have surgery to fix the prolapse because you can't strain or lift for a couple months after, and I'm afraid I won't be able to pass any stool. I would like to find out everything that is going on before I go to surgery for the prolapse.
My new doc thinks that some people can have IBS without pain and bloating, the only symptom being difficuly having a bm. I have searched and searched the internet about the problem I have but cannot find anything that sounds likely. I'm trying Zelnorm and it isn't making much difference (passing more stool, but still using suppositories and enemas), but it is giving me bad trapped gas. This is day 7 on this med, and I understand that it my take a month for the side effects to go away, but even if it works it doesn't sound like a fix.
Do any of you have any ideas for me? thank you so much!!
--Wen
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I'm sorry, I don't know anything about the prolapse issue you are asking about.
I do know that a few years ago, I also had to rely on OTC laxatives for a BM. My dr put me on miralax and it works very well for me. I know you said you tried it but how long did you give it? You really need to take it on an empty tummy, like first thing in the am and it can take up to a week to see good results. Personally, Zelnorm wasn't a good solution for me as I build up a resistance to it very quickly and it stops working all together but I do know we have a couple of girls on the board that do like it.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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You just have to search for them sometimes! 
general question
Just click on the above link
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Welcome
#172161 - 04/21/05 09:31 AM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hi there,
I just wanted to welcome you to the boards and to say that I hope you find some really helpful information here.
Unfortunately, I don't really have any advice because your symptoms are not like mine at all and I am not really an expert on the other types of IBS.
I think that some people do have IBS without pain.. I do get pain, but it is not my most problematic symptom. Do you get any pain with your trapped wind? Have you tried taking something like GasX or something? Fennel tea is also good for this.
For the rest, I'm not really sure... I just wanted to post to you so you didn't feel neglected or anything!  I hope my post bumps this up and someone else who knows more than me can help you!
Cheers,
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Hi Steph,
Thanks for answering again. The gas from the Zelnorm is diminishing, but I had hoped it would work better than it does for me. I'll keep taking it though. Usually the gas doesn't cause pain, only pressure, and then it is only in the lower left side. I used to have alot of pressure when I was taking alot of psyllium, but since switching to Citrucel, that symptom has most gone.
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Thanks for responding. The Miralax made me very gassy. I guess it is supposed to draw water to the gut, but my stools are already very mushy. Also, it was still hard to pass stool on the Miralax. I didn't use it beyond a couple weeks because it wasn't making stooling any easier but was giving me the gas and indigestion.
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