Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:09 am
hi everyone. I'm hoping (praying) you guys can help me. I have been feeling pretty awful for the past month. Day one started with diarrhea and ever since I am bloated and gassy with stomach and back pain. I feel better when i go to the bathroom, but that is definitely all out of whack...I feel generally constipated, but when I do go, it is usually loose and watery. I would feel better for a day and then it would come back. I think it is getting worse...as of this past Friday, I find myself getting severe back pain and stomach pain (along with gas and crazy gurgling noises and sensations) a few hours after I eat. I am trying to get more of a normal eating pattern back, I have barely eaten for the past month b/c it makes me so uncomfortable. I have been sticking with bland type foods...nothing fried or spicy. Anyway, I went to see a gastro on Monday. I explained everything and he thinks it sounds like a "post viral IBS". He started me on Benefiber (1 tablespoon mixed in water at night) and Prilosec twice daily. I am going back tomorrow for an endoscopy to rule out any other issues. He also took blood on Monday to check for celiac disease. Obviously, I have a lot of questions. Since this is post viral, does this mean that this will clear up or does it mean that the virus induced IBS and now I have it forever? Also, can anyone offer me suggestions on how to deal with the pain? I have been drinking a mug of warm apple juice in the morning to help "move things along", and that does seem to help. It's just that when I start eating, all bets are off. Last night, my boyfriend and I tried to do a little Xmas shopping, we were only out for a few hours at most, but by the time we were done I was in a ton of pain. My back and stomach were killing me. It felt a little better to go home and lie down, but I did have to take a Levsin for the pain (which I am trying not to do since my issue seems to be with constipation). I'm trying to stay as calm as possible (not so easy when you feel so crappy for a whole month?) and do my relaxation tape. I was on Celexa for years for my anxiety and have been off now for almost 3 months. I really don't want to go back on, but if it comes down to Celexa or feeling like this...that is a no brainer for me. Anything you guys can tell me would be helpful...thanks so much!