Justaguy
07-21-2003, 11:02 AM
I'm a 17 year old guy who's having digestive problems, i'm having irregular BMs that are sometimes huge Ubend blocker types that make you sore, but just lately i've been getting watery diarrhea type BMs that never seem to be finished, i'll strain but nothing will come, i'll clean up (with some annoyance that there still seems to be more 'in there' but it's not substantial enough to come out) then 5 mins later i'll need to go again, i think standing up and walking round sort of "dislodges" more maybe.
Also I'm having problems with eating much food, my stomach feels swollen and very full when I've not had all that much, maybe a third what i used to eat at mealtimes. This does worsen considerably at times of anxiety or exitement (to the point of vomiting) but it's still a problem in normal life.
The bowel problems are getting in the way of my plans, I'll spend up to 3 hours being in and out of the bathroom sometimes and i'm going to be starting college next year which i have to be up early for and don't want to ruin.
I know you're going to say go to the doctor and get it checked out but I want to exhaust all other methods first because frankly doctors scare and embarass the hell out of me.
[This message has been edited by Justaguy (edited 07-21-2003).]
Also I'm having problems with eating much food, my stomach feels swollen and very full when I've not had all that much, maybe a third what i used to eat at mealtimes. This does worsen considerably at times of anxiety or exitement (to the point of vomiting) but it's still a problem in normal life.
The bowel problems are getting in the way of my plans, I'll spend up to 3 hours being in and out of the bathroom sometimes and i'm going to be starting college next year which i have to be up early for and don't want to ruin.
I know you're going to say go to the doctor and get it checked out but I want to exhaust all other methods first because frankly doctors scare and embarass the hell out of me.
[This message has been edited by Justaguy (edited 07-21-2003).]
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Katie G
07-21-2003, 12:12 PM
Hi there. As expected, I will say you really should see your doctor because a change in bowel habits warrants a doctor visit. I understand your embarrassment and discomfort discussing bodily functions with another person, but believe me, they've heard it all. Find a GI doctor if you don't want to go to a regular GP. If you think things are bad now, they will not get any better with the stress of starting college. Try sitting in a long lecture when the urge hits and the bathroom is at the far end of the hall - wouldn't you like to take care of things now instead of avoiding going to the doctor? I'm not being mean, just realistic; I truly am sympathetic to your problem, but avoidance is not going to make it go away.
One thing you could try in the meantime is increasing your fiber intake. Like Metamucil - I like the wafers (not the powder - uggh!) and try to eat 2 packages a day. Watch your diet and increase the natural fiber too via fruits/veggies and whole grains. Try to cut down or avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fatty, greasy stuff too. If dietary changes don't help, you definitely need to see the doctor because you're going to cause more digestive distress with increased anxiety.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G
One thing you could try in the meantime is increasing your fiber intake. Like Metamucil - I like the wafers (not the powder - uggh!) and try to eat 2 packages a day. Watch your diet and increase the natural fiber too via fruits/veggies and whole grains. Try to cut down or avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fatty, greasy stuff too. If dietary changes don't help, you definitely need to see the doctor because you're going to cause more digestive distress with increased anxiety.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G
Justaguy
07-21-2003, 12:45 PM
Thanks for the advice, as you were no doubt composing the reply i was having a conversation with a friend of mine who has gluten allergy. She says what i have sounds a lot like her allergy, I'm probably going to end up going to the docs but the prospect of an endoscopy is something i'm dreading :s
cattys
07-23-2003, 12:03 AM
Since this problem does effect your everyday life you should go get it checked.
I have IBS and get some of the symtoms your speaken of. When I get under stress I am constantly in the bathroom. I get bloated alot and at times feel the need to still have a bm even after I already did so.
I also get to the point where at times I feel so sick to my stomach I think I will vomit but this goes away usually after I have a bm. Go to the dr. to get your own piece of mind and to hopefully get some kind of treatment to help your symtoms.
Best of luck.
:)
I have IBS and get some of the symtoms your speaken of. When I get under stress I am constantly in the bathroom. I get bloated alot and at times feel the need to still have a bm even after I already did so.
I also get to the point where at times I feel so sick to my stomach I think I will vomit but this goes away usually after I have a bm. Go to the dr. to get your own piece of mind and to hopefully get some kind of treatment to help your symtoms.
Best of luck.
:)
qsph21
07-24-2003, 04:58 AM
You've said that you've had the diarrhea and the tenesmus (you said it would feel like there was more, but you can't get it to come out), but have you had any pain besides the soreness from straining? Just curious, because the information could be useful to us and to a doctor if you do go (better to know the answers to their questions without having to think a lot).
Also, you say that doctors scare and embarass you...well the phobia isn't something I can really help comfort you about, but the embarassment? That's silly. Think about what they do...they deal with sick people. They're professionals, and trust me they don't laugh or look down on people because of what they're in for. Anyway, most doctors have several thousand different patients in just a year, and you can liken that maybe to your high school where if you flunk a test or something, the teacher usually doesn't know/care who you are (unless you go to a small school...) Oh well, just trying to help.
Also, you say that doctors scare and embarass you...well the phobia isn't something I can really help comfort you about, but the embarassment? That's silly. Think about what they do...they deal with sick people. They're professionals, and trust me they don't laugh or look down on people because of what they're in for. Anyway, most doctors have several thousand different patients in just a year, and you can liken that maybe to your high school where if you flunk a test or something, the teacher usually doesn't know/care who you are (unless you go to a small school...) Oh well, just trying to help.