Do You Have Ibs?

[lloppyllama]

I am wondering how many people here have IBS or other related issues. I am struggling with that type of thing right now.

Thanks,

Mary

[cardiactec]

I was initially told, WAY WAY back, that I had IBS when my biggest issue of all (which still remains my biggest issue) was nausea but finally, two years ago, after having a nuclear gastric emptying study, they found the real culprit to my nausea being gastroparesis. I have not been tested for lower GI/dysmotility issues, but I think I probably have dysmotility problems throughout my whole GI system and not just my stomach.

[Ernie]

Hi,

I was told I have IBS but I believe I have other GI problems as well.

[Sunfish]

hi mary -

i voted "other" as none of the other options really do justice to my GI situation. i have severe GI dysmotility from my stomach on down....essentially everything except my esophagus/ swallowing is affected. my stomach is completely paralyzed (aka severe gastroparesis) to the point that it's attached to a drainage tube (g tube) 24/7 to drain bile, saliva, etc b/c otherwise i throw it all up. (the drain also allows me to "eat" liquids but that's not why i have it.) i have GERD as well, largely as a result of the gastroparesis (though it was one of the first things that presented itself as far as symptoms are concerned, many years back now.) my small & large intestines are also seriously affected but not the degree that my stomach, though that's all relative. my intestines aren't able to process tube feeding but on most days at least, they are able to handle my medications, which i have to put in via my J tube. on bad days, however, or if it's too much volume (i.e. if i try to do tube feeding on a consistent basis), what i put in to my J tube, which is in my small intestines, actually backs up so that it comes out of my stomach. the dysmotility of my small intestines is technically diagnosed as intestinal pseudo-obstruction, meaning that they behave/ function similarly to if there was a physical obstruction blocking them even when there isn't. the pseudo-obstruction is very painful.

as for my large intestines, they're far from normal as well, and there's been some discussion of my having them removed entirely, though it's nothing that's being actively pursued at the moment. i actually alternate between constipation & diarrhea, but not in an on again off again way. it happens in periods of many months, i.e. i'll have nothing but diarrhea for 8 months, then will switch to being constipated for another decently long period of time. this is with no changes to my "diet" b/c i can't eat anything i don't really understand it, but several of my doctors have explained to me that my diarrhea, when i'm having it, is actually a byproduct of the severity of the lack of motility in my colon rather than the more typical etiology of diarrhea, i.e. intestines moving too fast.

i realize that may be far more than what you were looking for, but that's th scoop as far as my GI issues are concerned. all of it is believed to be a a direct result of my systemic autonomic neuropathy. while the severity of my issues may be a rarity, it is very common for all different varieties & severities of dyasautonomia to have some type of GI dysmotility as part of the picture; ISB is one of the diagnostic terms that may be given.

as a it of an FYI, be aware that, while most all GI docs (& even many PCPs/ internists) can sufficiently treat garden variety IBS, as a general rule they are NOT equipped to handle more severe &/or complex motility disorders. so if anyone reading this is having trouble to the point of frequent vomiting, losing a lot of weight, etc. and/ or you simply don't feel that the severity of your GI issues is being treated appropriately, you many need to seek out a motility specialist.

that's all folks...

melissa

[jump]

I also was mis-diagnosed as having IBS several times before it was finally agreed that I don't have IBS but some other GI problem, probably related to dysaut.

My doc explained that with IBS I would see a real pattern to my symptoms -- eg, certain foods, high stress, etc. would trigger certain symptoms. Instead I have IBS-like symptoms with no apparent connection to what I eat or when, and then tend to get worse when my POTS symptoms get worse.

jump

[Guest tearose]

I have "periodic gastroparesis".