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| Sat, 04-02-2005 - 10:22pm |
I'm never good at introductions, but I'll give this a try!
I've been living with IBS for a relatively short time, maybe a year and a half. Of course, IBS makes each day seem a little bit longer, right? Mine is only constipation and seems to be getting worse rather than better. When my doctor diagnosed me, she informed me that I looked 5 months pregnant.
Does anyone else have that problem? My stomach gets terribly distended all the time and it's very discouraging wearing "fat" clothes all the time. My frame is very small and I've been a touch underweight my whole life, so looking down and seeing my belly stretched out as far as a pregnant one (though obviously not the same shape) is a little discouraging.
Sometimes I've managed to get everything out after a few weekends of "elephant dung". Sorry if that's TMI. It doesn't take long before my belly is distended again, so I'm guessing that gas plays a big part in this.
Another thing I should mention is that I am on Zelnorm and take Senokot S laxatives on the weekends, but I never seem to have bowel movements without "help" and in the past few months, I've stopped getting anything at all out of high fibre foods and laxatives.
My GI is a bit of a jerk - I see him for IBS and GERD, so our appointments can be pretty lengthy. I also have anxiety (hopefully this doesn't all make me sound like a hypochondriac) and the GI knows this, but he sets me off a lot. I'm hoping to switch when the only female GI in the area comes off mat. leave. For now, I'm really confused and wish he would do something to help.
That's probably a good lengthy introduction. I look forward to meeting you all!

Hi
Hi and Welcome aboard!
Like Wren said, don't worry about how long your post is, the more info we have the more we can help you out.
Oh my God, he didn't run those tests and Ovarian cancer does run in my family. That's incredibly concerning, you're right about having to change. The guy took over from my family doctor, but he spent a good half hour asking me to explain the symptoms I've been experiencing for both conditions. The part that set of my anxiety was, he'd keep stopping me and saying I should explain it differently. Well, buddy, I'm telling you how it feels to me and how I experience it, so what more do you want?
I knew that there were tests out there for some conditions but had no idea that this could be any of those things you've just mentioned. My next appointment is two weeks away and hopefully he'll do something.
Oh, and I take Zantac for the GERD. My family doctor had me on that before and the GI decided to continue it after diagnosing me.
I'll try the prunes, and thank you so much for the suggestions and warm welcome!
Lindsay.
Hi Lindsey!
You're welcome!