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IBS and My life
Over the last 40 years I have experienced a variety of IBS symptoms, fortunately none of them life threatening but all painful and at times very debilitating.
From the age of approx 10 yrs old I can recall painful stomach pain and severe cramps
in my bowel and bottom -
My stomach would distend to such a size that I literally looked as if I was 8/9 months pregnant. I would experience pressure both on the bowel and bladder, pressure on my diaphragm caused shortness of breath even making breathing painful. I would always get a feeling in my stomach that I had been scrapped inside with the blade of a knife. Everything felt terribly ‘raw’.
For some reason, at night the symptoms were always worse. I would sit on the toilet
literally for hours at a time. The symptoms would continue for days and weeks, varying
from chronic diarrhoea and the inability to empty my bladder properly along with
a constant feeling of nausea and a ‘raw scrapped’ pain. As I had a variety of symptoms
it was extremely difficult to ascertain exactly what my problem was. I had a laparoscopy
-
I had a variety of medication; I went onto a ‘trial’ drug called Buserilin to stop the menstrual cycle in the hope of reducing the pain. Although this appeared to reduce the pain for a few days there was a continual need increase the dosage. The medication was not suitable to use for a period of more than six months and the symptoms still returned. I then had a year or so of Zolidex subcutaneous injections to suppress the menstrual cycle. Although the cycle stopped, the painful bloating, pressure on the bladder diarrhoea, rawness and nausea continued.
I would have to literally remove my clothing because my stomach and diaphragm area
was so tender that I could not bear any clothing to even touch my skin. I had lots
of time of work and felt extremely stressed and drained with the constant pain. I
took painkillers and anti -
My Gastroenterologist said she could undertake a specific 24 hr motility test -
During 1996 I had a hysterectomy and ovariectomy in the hope of obtaining relief from this pain. My ovaries, which were diseased by endometriosis were removed, at the same time the endo was also scrapped off the bowel. I was warned that following hysterectomy there would be the possibility that bowel motility could worsen.
After approx 3 / 4 weeks the nausea, bladder pressure, raw scrapping feeling, bloating and other painful symptoms returned.
I was prescribed a low dose of Amitriptyline as a ‘muscle’ relaxant to slow down the frenzied and sometimes sporadic reactions of the peristalsis. This did give some relief to the muscle spasms but the pain of the bloating and nausea still continued. Approx 3 / 4 years after my hysterectomy I had an operation to deal with adhesions caused by scar tissue from the op. I hoped once I was ‘unglued’ I would have relief from the pain and discomfort but unfortunately all the usual symptoms returned.
Following a blood test which showed I had Candida, I was referred to a dietician. I was put on a yeast free. Sugar free diet. This did not stop any of the symptoms and at one stage I lost so much weight because everything I ate would pass straight through my system. I weighed 8st 4lb an am 5’ 8’’ and felt constantly weak and drained.
IBS affected my lifestyle and ability to lead a ‘normal’ spontaneous life. My main
concern at all times would have to be -
This year I had a specific food allergy blood test which showed an intolerance of cow’s milk, wheat, mushrooms and bananas!! All things I would normally consume. I radically adjusted my diet and this did help, but only a little. The nausea, pressure to the bladder, bloating and erratic bowel symptoms still persisted. Although I found when I did unknowingly eat a product containing wheat, the pain and symptoms were extremely violent and the effects would continue for days.
The last bout was unrelenting and had persisted continually for eight days and nights.
I had heard and read about a novel treatment that had strong anti-
I did not take my Amitripyline that day or the next and I had no spasms. I would of stopped completely, but it is recommended that the drug be reduced in stages. I am now on one third of my normal dose.
That evening I ate cakes and biscuits -
I had no bloating.
No bladder pressure.
No nausea.
No raw scrapping pain.
Five days later I continue to be 95% symptom free -
Val Baker