Gall Stones, Diarrhea, Stress, IBS, Panc

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Gall Stones, Diarrhea, Stress, IBS, Panc
12
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 3:35pm
Hi,

I am brand new at this....just trying to find someone who is going thru similar symptoms.

I had a baby 8 months ago, and since then my health is falling apart. I've always had high cholesterol and triglycerides (hereditary) but they were controlled with diet and Tricor. I had to stop taking it during my pregnancy and at the end of my pregnancy, I developed a Gall Bladder full of "gravel" which after 2 severe gall bladder attacks I promptly had it removed. I was fine for a while, then my husband left for Iraq for 14 months and I began having severe digestive problems.

It started with diarrhea with mucous up to 40 times a day for 2 months (ouch), I did every test imaginable (from Thyroid to Chrone's) and even had a colonoscopy at 29 yrs old! Nothing came back positive. So, I am stumped. I was put on Sulfasalazine for the diarrhea which has calmed it down, but it is not gone.

Now 6 months after the diarrhea started I still have mild symptoms and now I just learned that my triglyceride level is at 1100 and I am gaining weight like crazy!! My Doc says I may have Pancreatitis now. I am still stressed to the max raising an infant on my own and worrying about my husband.

I am wondering if it is IBS. I was told there isn't a way to truly diagnose that. Is that true? Do anti-anxiety meds help the symptoms of IBS caused by stress?

If there is anyone out there experiencing problems like these after giving birth, or from being under an enormous amount of stress I would love to hear from you?

Thanks,

Krista

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 7:56pm

Hi and Welcome Krista,


I am not sure if I can help or not,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 9:03pm

Hi Krista


Welcome to the board!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 1:07am

Hi Krista - Wren & Lynn have all ready come up with great questions, links & comments.


I have found that anxiety can certainly bring any simmering medical problems to the surface.


I can't remember which of the ladies mentioned diet - but that is something I'd seriously look at. It certainly plays a role in any type of digestive problems and if you're like me - when stressed I don't have the best eating habits which only compounds my health issues.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 7:02pm

Jo

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 10:48pm

was that the light bread

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 9:29pm

The light bread is when you can eat 2 slices for the same calories as 1 slice

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sun, 08-15-2004 - 7:45pm
Thanks so much for your reply. I see the Gastro Doc in 2 days. Hopefully he will give some more insight as to what's going on. I am finding that getting more exercise has been helping latley, although it was tough to do when I felt so bad.

Thanks again,

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sun, 08-15-2004 - 7:49pm
Thanks Lynn,

I see the Gastro specialist agian on the 17th. I did my colonoscopy in April, was very inflamed, but no cancer, ulcers, etc. I am sure stress is causing this. I will certaintly need to find a better way to handle it, then I have been. My regular Doc says that the increase in Triglycerides could definitely be due to stress. I will see what the Gastro Doc says on Tues and go from there.

Thanks :)

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sun, 08-15-2004 - 7:52pm

Good luck on the doc visit and Please let us know how you make out

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sun, 08-15-2004 - 7:54pm
Hi Jo,

Thanks for the link to the journal. I will look into that. I also am a stress eater (anything Carbs). I have just started keeping track of what I am eating. I also get those "phatom GB attacks" on my right side. I also get terrible spasms under my ribs for about 10 minutes every morning at 6am. Wierd.

I see the Gastro on the 17th again. I hope he has some news for me.

Thanks for your input.

Krista

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