Not sure what's going on here

[LonelyTraveler]

I have not felt right for the past 3-4 days. I've been having yellowish diarrhea with lots of long stringy mucous (sorry, gross I know), a spastic/burning/sore/sensitive/queasy stomach (feels like someone punched me there sometimes), I feel sleepier than usual much of the time, my eyelids feel very "heavy/droopy" at times and my eyes feel sort of spaced out/buggy, lots of uneasiness/anxiety, left eye is always moist/watering, runny nose, etc. Often, I will sleep just to "escape" the way I feel.

I'm still drinking alcohol (although in moderation) and tried a Naltrexone the other day which seemed to work but produced what I believe were some side effects. I may want to try the newer drug (Campral) at some point. I usually don't get diarrhea (or any of the other symptoms) like this though even when I drink so I'm getting a little bit concerned.

My temperature has been pretty normal over the past 3-4 days even though I am having these problems (96.4 - 98.8). I have been taking my temperature several times a day since this started. Is there a stomach "bug" going around or does this sound like somthing else?.

- Regards and thank's, Lonely Traveler

[sayNOtoanxiety]

I'm not a Dr or anything but I think it sounds like it could be Irritable Bowel. I get this at times as a result of my anxiety. I don't know about the meds you're taking so I don't know if it could be a side effect or not. Checking with your Dr. never hurts though. Hope you get feeling better soon.

[LonelyTraveler]

Hi sayNOtoanxiety

Wow, you may not be a doctor but you sure hit the nail on the head when you suggested that it might be IBS because I actually DO have IBS! . In fact, Irritable Bowel Syndrome runs in my family and my mother has it really bad. The only thing is though that I did'nt think an IBS attack could last this long (3-4 days) or have all of the symptoms I mentioned. Every IBS attack I have ever had has come about a 1/2 hour after a meal and I got excruciatingly painful bloating, cramping, gas and then diarrhea for hours on end. Your also right about anxiety and IBS sort of going hand-in-hand and I even read that somewhere myself so again, you were right on the money!.

PS: I'm taking a Lorazepam (1mg) in the mornings for anxiety along with a Prevacid (30mg for GERD) and then a 10mg Atarax for sleep at night.

- Thank's for responding! - Lonely Traveler

[thelxepeia]

Sounds like IBS. Do you take any SSRIs? Prozac reduced the amount of stomach aches/diarrhea down to once or twice a week (I used to go into shock and sometimes pass out.. so this was good news). Do these stomach aches come out of nowhere or are they seemingly anxiety induced? Mine mostly seemed to come out of nowhere and then anxiety would develop. Ativan helped (it works pretty fast).. I went to a new doctor and he switched up all my meds so I have to see how I deal with my stomach aches now...

[LonelyTraveler]

Hi thelxepeia

Thank's for the reply. No, I don't take any SSRI's at the moment (too many side effects). I also take Ativan and it works great. I also take Atarax for sleep. Also, like you, my IBS attacks seem to come out of nowhere. In fact, I used to think I was bbeing poisoned because 1/2 to 45 minutes after eating a meal, I would be racked with excruciating pain, gas and be running to the toilet with severe diarrhea all evening. Of course, noone was "poisoning" me and I was later diagnosed with IBS and also found out that my mom has it too. It's funny you know, I can eat a tossed salad one day and be just fine but then three days later eat the very same tossed salad from the same head of lettuce, veggies, etc and get IBS. Weird. I also think stress can contribute to IBS.

Thank's again for responding - LT