embarrasing problem
#270339 - 06/21/06 08:25 AM
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I have had IBS for 10-12 years and it has gotten worse. I have had a lot of stress in my life over the last 2 years which has not helped. I have tried diets, benefiber, probiotics, etc and things will help for a week or so and then go back to the way they were. My symptoms include sometimes not going at all for a day and then going between 3-5 times, usually in the morning before work or after meals. It's become a matter of urgency when I get the urge to go. Sometimes I barely make it and sometimes have a little streak on my panties. Somtimes when I go it's almost explosive with a lot of gas. My tummy is always rumbling. I have also been told I have hemmrhoids (yrs ago and am not bothered by them) but recently think I have a little bit of a prolapse rectum. I never have any type of bleeding or pain whatsoever and not a lot of mucous or anything, just stool. It's not everytime or necessarily everyday I go, but usually when I go multiple times a day or have the sudden urge to go. I'm sure it's not an infection of any sort, I have maintained a healthy weight and it's not an everyday thing. I'm scared to death, I don't want surgery, I'm only 28! I know a lot of it is related to anxiety, I can almost feel attacks come on, especially in crowded areas when bathrooms aren't readily available. This has taken over my life and I don't know how to stop it and I'm really scared. I'm going to the doctor today so I'll see what he has to say. Some of my stress has gotten better this week; I finished graduate school and passed my certification test so that feels wonderful (after 2 years of preparation). I want to get everything under control before I start a new job and be able to enjoy things like outdoor concerts, hiking and camping with my husband without any worried. Will more fiber and possibly a SSRI help? Can I avoid surgery since the prolapse is not too bad? I'd appreciate any advice or help.
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Hi there
Sorry you're feeling so bad. Interested to hear if you've been to teh doctors yet and what they've said.
Have you tried Heather's diet? You should know that the kind of changes you're trying can take a long time - some of the stable people on here took 1 or 2 years following Heather's diet carefully to get stable. And they all say the dedication was worth it in the end!
Also have you been officially diagnosed with IBS through tests such as an endoscopy and colonoscopy, etc? If not you really do need to do that asap, to rule out more 'serious' problems.
Re all your symptoms, other than the haemohrroids/possible prolapse rectum your symptoms are all typical IBS symptoms, probably IBS-A since your bowel movements alternate between one extreme or the other. As an IBS-D I can fully appreciate how horrible the urgency and the bathroom anxiety is, as well as the constantly rumbling tummy.
Also, are you any any medication at the moment? If you have been officially diagnosed with IBS you should have tried variations of medicines, such as anti-spasmodics or tricyclic anti-depressants. Also, do you use Immodium when you go out? It's a lifesaver for many dozens of us on here, and tens of thousands of people around the world I should imagine! It can be used as both a preventative and be taken once an attack/diarrhoea has started.
The whole thing can be very scary, particularly if you haven't had all the right tests to rule out other potential causes, and that just adds to the stress - a vicious cycyle making you feel worse and worse. I too have had my life taken over completely by my IBS, and have not worked or hardly socialised for around 16 months now.
That leads me on to - have you tried the Hypnotherapy Audio Tapes by Michael Mahoney? I think I'm right in saying he's the world number one IBS-focussed hypnotherapist, and the tapes/cd's (sold from this site or his own) have helped many many people for whom medication and diet had no effect either completely 'cure' their IBS, or significantly lessen it's symptoms - both in frequency and severity. It is particularly helpful in dealing with the anxiety side of things. (I am lucky enough to be in the UK, and within a 90 minute drive of Michael's surgery - I started seeing him in person a couple of weeks ago, and have my second session on Monday).
Hope that's not too much for you to think about! And really hope your doctor helps you out with this. I can't give any advice on the haemorrhoids or prolapsed rectum as I have experienced neither, but I'm sure lots of the others can.
You can beat this! 
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http://ibsblondie13.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for your advice.
I have never had a colonoscopy or any other test than a regular rectal exam and such. I am a nurse practitioner myself and know a lot of the symptoms of Chrohn's, ulcerative colitis and such and am certain I do not have any of these problems. Unfortunately a lot of emphasis is not placed on IBS, even though it's one of the most common problems, in the medical field. Depsite all my knowledge and training, I can't get myself under control! Now I'm scared to death about a potential prolapse, I'm too young for problems like that! I also used to do the sedation for colonoscopies and am scared to death of those too!! Sometimes being a medical provider makes things workse I am going to the doctor this afternoon so I will see what he has to say.
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Do you have any more info on what a prolapse rectum is? Symptoms, tests? I'm curious and would appreciate any info.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
 
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Most of us have had at least one and they are really not that terrible. And even though I have no doubt that you are a knowledgeable nurse pratctitioner, you really should have all of the tests done to confirm a diagnosis. What types of diets have you tried? Have you tried Heather's? It can take a long time to stabilize with IBS so please don't give up on it if you still have symptoms after a couple weeks. Some people take days, others a couple years. Please let us know what your doctor says.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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Can you tell me more about prolapse??? Symptoms? How to be diagnosed?
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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