Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | specifically for JULES but also for anyone else interested in what my new gastro had to say - Possible new diagnosis for my IBS symptoms.

Hey Jules or for anyone else reading this post,

I was so glad to read your post. I went to a Neuro gastrointerologist on the insistence of my OB/GYN. My OB told me that he is one of the few Gastrointerologists that is actually a NEURO gastro. He actually works on the NERVES of the gut. The center of all of our dysfunction. This particular gastro also gave me the "no, it is not all in your head" speech. He also said that seratonin levels play a big part in our IBS symptoms. He tested my actual intentines with a brand new revolutionary machine called an EEG (or something like that). He told me that the contraction pattern was indicative of insulin sensitivity. I am still trying to understand this, but it had something to do with the fact that my hormones are out of whack, causing my body to not process sugar correctly, increasing seratonin levels and in turn causeing my severe gastro problems. This sounds possible as my IBS started the day after I had my baby suggesting a hormonal connection.

He told me that he is actually going to treat the PROBLEM not just the SYMPTOMS. His name is Dr. John Mathias out of Houston, Texas and works at the Texas Women's Hospital. He has done EXTENSIVE research on this and has been well published. This is supposed to be a revolutionary finding on IBS. He has put me on a diet that is actually the opposite of the IBS diet. It is actually a diet for diabetics - low carbohydrates (which turn into sugar in your system) and high protein and low glycemic carbohydrates (that do not effect insulin rates) like certain vegetables. He said that anti-spasmotics were worthless and has put me on Klonopin, an anti-seizure type drug to stop the contractions in my intestines. This drug is supposed to help with the actual nerve that controls the contractions. He also put me on another medicine called cyproheptadine. This is usually used as an antihistamine, but also helps with the seratonin levels and hormones.
He said that if I did not seek tretment, my condition would eventually lead to endometriosis, fibromyalgia, or diabetes later. He said that this is why there is such a strong connection between IBS and fibro and endo.

Like I said, I am brand new to this diagnosis and I am certain I have not explained this new diagnosis or the medications very well at all. And because it is soooo radically different from what I have heard I am still extremely cautious about it. I have another appointment with him on the seventh of next month to go over his findings once again and to get a better understanding of his diagnosis and the medications I am on.

Now, this is NOT to say that this diagnosis and treatment is right for everyone who has IBS and that Heather's diet is wrong. I AM IN NO WAY SAYING THIS. Please do not misunderstand me. IBS is a diagnosis when nothing else is found. But in reality, there are so many other things that may cause IBS-like symptoms that have not been discovered as of yet. This is JUST what my doctor said and could only be specific to me or other women with hormonal problems that have caused this strange biological/hormonal/seratonin/gastro imbalance. I would love to help anyone else out who was told they have IBS but may in fact have this problem. I am actually still not convinced this is it, but I know that all of the women that took part in his published studies have been greatly helped or even put into remission, including one of his nurses, as long as they keep their sugars low by sticking to the diet.

Ok, the point to this post. I would really love to hear what kind of medications your doctor will put you on. They may in fact be the same as mine? My personal email is available if you would like to discuss this further. As I said, I am still very confused about this new diagnosis, and aside from the diet issues, our doctors are pretty much stating the same conclusions. Please, please, please keep me posted and for anyone else who may have read this post, any comment would be greatly appreciated.

confused and frustrated

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Dana

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