I am in need of help - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

Sick_Mom · 08-04-2003, 09:46 AM

I have been told I have
__ IBS
__ Thyroid - Hashimoto
__ Chronic Fatigue
__ Fibromyalgia

Here is my list of symptoms I live with.........

PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ recurrent flu-like illness
__ recurrent sore throats, red and injected
__ muscle and joint aches with tender and trigger points - up to 18 of them
__ night sweats and fever
__ irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
__ weight change - usually gain
__ heart palpitations
__ rashes and itching
__ frequent urination
__ chest pains (non-cardiac)
__ temporomandibular joint dysfunction (in the jaw)
__ hair loss
__ cold hands and feet
__ dry eyes and mouth
__ severe and debilitating fatigue
__ cronic pain
__ numbness in the limbs, not painful like pins & needles
__ painful hands, legs, feet, neck
__ “growing pains” start in childhood and teens, continue into adulthood
__ widespread body pain during/after physical exertion

COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS:
__ calculation difficulties
__ memory disturbance
__ communication difficulties (problems speaking, confusing words)

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ depression
__ anxiety and panic attacks
__ personality changes, usually for the worse
__ emotional lability (mood swings)

OTHER NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS:
__ sleep disturbances
__ headaches
__ changes in visual acuity
__ numb or tingling feelings
__ burning sensations
__ light headedness
__ feeling 'spaced out'
__ frequent unusual nightmares and disturbing dreams
__ tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
__ severe muscle weakness
__ intolerance to bright lights
__ intolerance to sound
__ alteration of taste, smell, and hearing
__ insomnia
__ inability to achieve stage 4 restorative sleep
__ morning stiffness in the muscles and joints
__ restless leg syndrome
__ muscle spasms
__ muscle quakiness and shivering during/after activity or exercise
__ sleep paralysis (related to stage 4 sleep deprivation)

These are the meds I take..

__ Effexor 75mg 3 x aday
__ Amitriptyline 10mg 1 or 2 pills at night
__ Modulon 200mg 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm
__ Lomotil 2.5mg 4 x aday when need
__ Synthroid .088mg 1 pill a day
__ Advil all day for pain

I am 27 years old married with 3 beautiful girl
and I am going crazy.

6th_sense · 08-04-2003, 10:53 AM

Hi Sick Mom,

I'm sorry about all of the things you go through. I've been through many of those things you describe and it is no walk in the park for sure. It looks like you've got the severest form of IBS. I hope you've read some of the responses on this BBB regarding diet etc... and I hope that some of those ideas help you.

In order to help myself I learned a self-taught variety of meditation, which I will soon try to see if I can teach to others for the purpose of relief from such problems. If you live in Ottawa you may be able to take advantage of this.

Cheers, Raju.

[This message has been edited by 6th_sense (edited 08-04-2003).]

Frustrated1 · 08-05-2003, 08:53 AM

Dear Sick_mom, I can only imagine what you are going through. I can only advise you on the symptoms I have related to IBS

But here are some questions:

1) Have you looked at the pharmacological side effects of each of the drugs you are taking?
2) Relative to the IBS were they able to tell you what might trigger your IBS attacks. For me my main triggers are milk and certain grains. But other items such as sugar, alcohol and other items can be triggers as well. I have been sugggesting this to other persons, but a food diary may help you determine what coiuld be a trigger and determine if you have an allergy. Many of the symptoms you have many people on this board have experienced especially the muscle fatige, joint pain and other problems.
3) The depression and anxiety you feel can enhance your IBS symptoms. The diary can be helpful in giving you a sense of direction, becuase it is very difficult to find one trigger since each person is different.

GOOD LUCK in your search,
Vent on the boards from time to time, it can be helpful

gsilva · 08-05-2003, 09:19 AM

WOW - I thought my IBS alone was bad enough.

I DO believe that your medication is making you worse.

I can highly recommend from personal experience a naturopathic nutritionalist.

CUT OUT WHEAT FIRST (BREAD)AND GREASY FATTY FOOD

You do need oils but essential ones, and that should start your road to recovery.

Good Luck

Sick_Mom · 08-05-2003, 11:46 AM

I am a very healthly eater I do not eat out alot.
When i cook at home I pretty much fried my food in water not oil.
I have kept a food journal to see what will stay and what does not.
I can eat chicken and potatoes one day and be ok
the next week forget it.
I can eat 1 taco from taco bell and be fine??

I go back and fourth from IBS-D and IBS-C

Before I was put on Thyroid meds my levels were fine.
It was the fact they found a few masses on my thyroid.
I had wieght gain with IBS-D ***** was wierd because I pretty much stopped eating food.
As for the nightmares I had them before meds and now that I have meds they are not so offten.
My family DR is very cool she is sending me to a pain clinic in London Ontario.

And now to top it all off my DR has found a lump in my left breast.

These are the meds I take..

Depression & Anxiety
__ Effexor 75mg 3 x aday

To help with pain at night
__ Amitriptyline 10mg 1 or 2 pills at night

IBS
__ Modulon 200mg 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm
__ Lomotil 2.5mg 4 x aday when need

Thyroid
__ Synthroid .088mg 1 pill a day

__ Advil all day for pain

Thanks Sick_Mom