Is This IBS? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

07-09-2003, 06:13 PM

I am revisiting the issue of my diagnosis some 9 years ago of IBS. I became sick one night while at work with stomach cramping and diarrhea. I continued to have flare ups with this same sign and symptom so I went to the doctor. My doctor ran a few tests and referred me to a gastrointerologist and they did a colonoscopy. Nothing was found in the colonoscopy and he ruled that I had IBS, the only thing left he could come up with. He prescribed Dicyclomine (Bentyl) and I have taken it on a needed basis since then.

I work a somewhat stressful job and requires me to work 24 hours and 48 hours off. I have had several episodes of gastrointeritis over these 9 years too, which I have never had before. It is like this thing just hit me one night and I have not been the same since. I hate it. It also seems that I have more occurrances while at work usually at night. If I get up in the middle of the night and run a call, I can usually bet that I'll have a flare up and be praying that I do not get another call. I take my medicine and it usually takes about 30 minutes and the cramping feeling goes away, but now I am so gun shy that I still hope for no more calls.
This IBS has left me no option except to leave the field and take an office job (still with the fire service I work for), but now I am having to work in an area that I really do not want to be in. I want so badly to be on a truck running calls and helping people and doing what I have been doing for the last 17 years. Can anyone provide me any suggestions, offer any encouragement, or tell me what I should do? I feel strange about this because I am usually on the other end, but this thing has hit home now and my way of life is being affected and I need some help.

Maybe I should have test redone, more tests and screenings. The medicine seems to work, but I want something to prevent it so I don't have to wait for a flareup to deal with it.

Going Crazy...

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Georgia Medic

Oh yea, one more thing...it is the IBS-D that I have, or think I have.

[This message has been edited by GeorgiaMedic (edited 07-09-2003).]

cattys · 07-09-2003, 07:06 PM

I have IBS and whenever I get nervous or have alot of stress it acts up big time. I currently take a antidepressent for my anxiety and it has helped my IBS symtoms.

Good luck.

07-09-2003, 07:22 PM

If you do not mind, can you tell me the name of the antidepressant you are taking. My doctor gave me a script for Clidinium/CPD (generic for Librax), but I have been afraid to take it. I have never had to take such meds before and reluctant to take it. Thanks for you reply, I appreciate it.

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Georgia Medic

fabsport · 07-11-2003, 06:53 PM

I had attacks of cramping for almost 40 years, so i always had to have a job where the john was nearby. Now i have to take a beta blocker ( Toprol) for high blood pressure and it has prevented any attacks. No cramping, only one BM per day.

ammom1 · 07-13-2003, 11:58 AM

One thing you mentioned that makes me suspicious that you might want to further investigate your condition is the fact that you have had problems at night. Bowel problems during the night is not a symptom of IBS and IBS experts usually use that as one symptom to rule out IBS and investigate for other things.

Has your gall bladder been looked at? And, have you investigated the mind/gut connecton (your are under alot of stress and instead of biting your fingernails your churning your gut?)

Hope today is a good one for you and that you get some answers soon.