Life of an IBD sufferer? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

JesseA · 08-28-2007, 11:34 PM

Hi, initially i was posting in colon cancer forum (As i always assume the worst) but im not so sure thats what I have now.

Whats it like , the life of an IBD/IBS sufferer?

What does my story sound like?.. (Yes i am actively going to the dr currently, this is not a self-diagnosis thread, will be undergoing a flexible sigmoidoscopy in about 3 weeks)

Im not sick all of the time, I can go weeks without one symptom and feel completely normal. Then it hits!! Abdominal pain/uncomortableness, sometimes frequent BMs, and just an all around "BLAH!" feeling. I also have seen blood mixed in the stool on 2 occasions, but a fecal occult blood stool test the drs issued me came back negative.I think it was blood anyway, the watr turned slightly red, but I dont think the drs were too concerned since their tests for blood came back negative so to them, blood was never "conirmed". (I understand blood in stool is a contradiction of IBS, which is also why my drs are not just passing this off as IBS but trying to rule out more serious issus)

Normally what tends to happen is im fine throughout the day but every morning I would have ab pain and then slight diarrhea/or constipation and the pain was relieved with the BM. But these last few weeks the morning pain has stopped, and it seems to hit at random times during certain days. (But again, this isnt a daily thing, i go for WEEKS without symptoms)

What is going on with me? I feel fine most of the time, but when "it" hits it can last days. Sometimes the stool is runny, other times im constipated. Sometimes it comes with a nauseating feeling but i never vomit. Is this an IBD/IBS or am i dying of cancer? I also have gas.

It seems these symptoms go dormant but then ill have days where they seem to "flare up". usually when im experiencing symptoms i can still do everyday things, but it gets me down in the dumps and all i want to do is sleep it away. When the symptoms come i also , at times, have a loss of appetite, but not every time.

Also, about 4 days ago I had previously been showing no symptoms for weeks, i had a bowl of chili and went to bed. the next morning I had a BM and the stool was tinted orange and or the next few BMs it still looked a bit orange. I hope it was not blood. I am experiencing symptoms now and its not fun, im not in pain but its uncomfortable and gross. I tried to make a BM and couldnt, i feel constipated.

With an IBD/IBS is it normal to feel "blah" and just want to sleep til your symptoms go away? I think part of my wanting to "sleep it off" is that i am worrisome that this may be serious. But im capable of getting up and getting things done, I just plain dont feel like it - too worried.

Im young, the drs dont think I have cancer but want to rule it out. They think I have an IBD/IBS. Do you think so?

What could this be? Does it sound like your story? what were you diagnosed with?

Why do my symptoms come and go. I can go weeks being normal, then sick for up to 4 days. No fever though that im aware of. Just abdominal discomort (usually in the lower left area), BMs (loose and/or constipation) and a "blah" feeling.. once in awhile all of this is accompanied by loss of appetite. I have not kept a chart on anything but I did notice the last few times i went into symptoms I had eaten Pizza, BBQ chicken, and this last time I had had a bowl of Chili. Its really odd and im wondering if this sounds like symptoms of an IBD sufferer or someone who is dying?

bellyblues · 08-30-2007, 10:04 PM

There is a big difference between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The two are not related.

If you are asking about the latter, your symptoms could be related to IBS. The frequency of symptoms varies from person to person however most of us experience daily discomfort and pain. It sounds as though you could be reacting to specific foods which might indicate a food allergy of some type. Or perhaps just a sensitive tummy that can't take fried, spicy, or bean dishes. I can tell you that if I ate anything from that list, I would probably have to be rushed to the hospital! Even folks with steady stomachs might have trouble with that menu!

Sigmoidoscopy is a good test for things like hemorroids or anal fissures. I don't think it will yield any information for you about your pain. Since your doc said the fecal occult test came back negative, he might be looking for hemorroids as the source of the blood. But if you want a more thorough diagnosis for your pain and the D, you would need to undergo a colonoscopy. I am sure your doc will recommend if he thinks it necessary.

JesseA · 08-30-2007, 11:29 PM

Hi, yes i know IBD and IBS are different things, im not sure what I have and think it may be IBD OR IBS.

Dr doesnt think a colonoscopy is neccesarry at this point. I go in soon for the sigmoidoscopy.

With IBD or IBS is it normal to feel sick for like a week? Im on day 5 of pain and feeling kind of lethargic. Pain is relieved with a BM but comes back when I eat

Nassau one · 08-31-2007, 05:54 AM

Hi Jesse, I had to search for your post and see that this has been worrying you for some time. None of us can say for sure what is causing your problems but as your doctor has suggested a sigmoidoscopy, that is probably the first step to confirming you have IBS. Let us know how it goes.

Love,

bellyblues · 08-31-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesseA

Hi, yes i know IBD and IBS are different things, im not sure what I have and think it may be IBD OR IBS.

Dr doesnt think a colonoscopy is neccesarry at this point. I go in soon for the sigmoidoscopy.

With IBD or IBS is it normal to feel sick for like a week? Im on day 5 of pain and feeling kind of lethargic. Pain is relieved with a BM but comes back when I eat

If doc expects either IBD (most definately would need a colonoscopy) or IBS (best way to diagnose would be colonoscopy) I really don't understand why he would order a sigmoid. You might want to ask what he is looking for with this test.

For IBS sufferer's it is normal to feel icky for days at a time. It is also normal to get some temporary relief from a BM, only to have the pain return.

While IBD and IBS share some symptoms, the former also includes a great deal of bleeding which requires a different form of treatment. I would be very thorough in questioning my doc about which one he is trying to diagnose.