I was diagnosed last July with IBS and collagenous colitis. This after a year of diarrhea, accompanied by nausea, weight loss, and pain in my body which I have never felt before. I had spots that were so tender to the touch I would literally want to scream. I have been to doctor after doctor and my next followup I am having her check me for fibro. The fatigue is so overwhelming at times that I want to cry, I try and try to fight it but sometimes just lifting my arms is such a chore. I find I am in bed by 4 in the afternoon, and that is because I make myself stay up and active til then. I want to go back to work so badly but I don't even know how that is remotely possible(vet tech is pretty strenous). I have had blood tests for thyroid(all normal)only thing out of whack is my platelet count is up. Which hematologist said is reactive to the IBS. I see my doc next week, does anybody have any thoughts about this possibly being fibro?? I am so sick of not being able to get a definitive diagnosis.
Thanks
Sandra

I am not a doctor, but it sounds like it's possible you have FMS. I have a friend who also suffers from IBS and has fibro. The aching arms are a definite sign as I would not be able to move my arms and function at work if it weren't for the 2 Vicodin I have for breakfast every day. The aches and pains are the worst for me. If I didn't take my medication I would be a complete all over achy mess by noon.

The fatigue is a good sign too, especially when you think you've had a decent night sleep, and are still tired all day.

The only way you will know for sure is to see a Rheumy and get a proper diagnosis.

You may find that having IBS is a god-sent in the long run.

I have had IBS for as long as I can remember, I do not have to tell you how terrible it is, BUT (not Butt) if you have FMS and it progresses to where mine has become, IBS is great to have.

I did not realize it until my gastroentologist told me so. He said that because of the large doses of opiate pain medication I take, a normal person should expect to have a bowel movement once every two or three weeks. It basically slows the gut to a very slow crawl.

I can imagine how unconfortable that would be, but am thankful I only have to imagine it.

Because of my IBS being as bad as it is, the opiates are fighting an uphill battle to slow down the gut. So instead of numerous times on the throne that I spent before these pain meds, I now only have bowel movements once or twice a day. Like a very normal, 'regular' person.

So If you find that you do have FMS and IF the doctors rx you opiate pain medication, hopefully you will be like me and not be plugged up for weeks at a time because of the effect of the opiates on the gut.

Actually, there are a few other medications that would be rx'ed for you that slows the gut, not only opiates, and like I said, IBS may in the long run be a god-sent

Hi and thanks for your replies. I had the IBS so bad I was having diarrhea up to 20-30 times a day. When the body pain got so bad(and they think the ibuprofen triggered the bowel thing)and I had to stop all the ibuprofen my doc finally put me on vicodin for the pain. I don't take it however until the late afternoon as I don't want to be a walking zombie so I tolerate the pain til then, then I take 2 and go to bed. I get up in the morning and just cannot wait to go back to bed, its awful, I have turned 2 jobs down already have an interview today but I know I won't be able to work 10 hour days. I am so frustrated, yes the opiates have slowed down my bowel to the point where some days I need to take a laxative-hows that for ironic??
I tried getting off the vicodin and going back on the ibuprofen but the pain is pretty bad, even 2 vicodin just take the edge off. I guess my primary care doc will probably send me to a rheumatologist as a next step. I have been to GI docs, blood docs and I am tired of all these " i don't knows". Thanks for listening to me vent you all, thanks for the words of wisdom.

Sandra

I have been there with the vicodin, or hydrocodone. The only medication that has ?worked? is Oxycotin and OxyIR for breakthru pain.

I put the ?? on worked because the amount that I take, 120mg a day of the Oxycotin and 3 5mg OxyIR tabs. It brings my pain level from a 9.5 down to a 5 or 6. Which is tolerable.

There is a very slight euphoric effect for a little while, now. But I have been on it for years now and have built a tolerance. I find myself dosing off for a couple hours about 3 hours after taking the oxycotin. But I am able to stay awake all day if I am doing something. But when I sit or lie down I fall asleep.

But there is not a chance in hell that I will ever be able to hold down a job, even part time.

But you need to go to the Rhumy and get dx'ed. Once he got me on the Oxy, I was able to work for awhile but I flared really bad one day and decided to sell my business and go to bed.

But you need to go to the Rhumy and get dx'ed.

I hate to say this but yes it sounds sooo much like FMS you should ask your dr. about zoloft b/c it helps to block the pain an inflamitory which helps also I am also getting ready to start Guainifensin which i hope will help i also take a lot of vitaimens and such will help we are all here for you!!! :bouncing:

Hi tooolgirl, sorry to hear you're having you so much trouble. When you say your platelet count is out of wack do you mean your white blood cell count? If that is what you mean its not from the IBS. IBS doesn't show up any blood tests. What is collagenous colitis? Is it possibly from that?