My IBS thread...

[MarkT]

Feel free to post here too about IBS issues-

I started out with IBS as a child, at the age of 5. I had several accidents going to kindergarten and would have to go home to clean up. It all slowed down for a very long time, from the age of 15 - maybe 36 or 37. Then it came back with a vengeance it seems. Today, I'm going on 3 1/2 years of not being able to lead a normal life due to it. I have to plan things minute by minute at times.
I have been told that it was everything from, "in my head" to take this sugar pill to make it go away. Been treated like a kid mostly at the doctors office until I found a GI doctor who happens to specialize in IBS. Most of the doctors I have been to have suggested "alternative" methods and I've tried them all with no relief. Finally after extensive testing my GI doc put me on Lotronex, finally I went from 3 seconds notice of when I had to go until the time I went to 20 seconds notice from knowing until I did. Hey, I'll take any relief I can get at this point.
A lot I do know, fiber makes it worse and I have food allergies. Mostly corn of any type, like syrup all the way to sweet corn on the cob. Anything with corn tears me up. With the exception of alcohol, I can drink, beer or whiskey and no problems but 1 teaspoon of creamed corn and I'm on the toilet in seconds. I went from a job where I made a high 5 figure salary to nothing at all. Like 5 figures is a lot- but at least I had a job and I made more than most college graduates my own age. I was a high school drop out and went back to get a GED or General Equailvency Degree. Being the honest person I am, one year my wife and I made $125,000, not too shabby for a guy like me and my wife who has a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics. So, I figured we were doing alright for the money we made. I'll never live in a mansion on the hill, but I'm comfortable and happy in my little home.
The IBS has stripped my self worth away, what man is happy at home sitting on his duff while his wife goes to work? You have to remember, I come from the old school and worked my tail off to make it this far. I hate sitting around and doing hobby stuff, but it makes a little money which is better than nothing. At least I'm attempting to do all I can to make money for my family.
You all know more about me now that about anyone else does, but that's okay. At least I have a place to come to and people understand and don't judge me.

I guess I should have put it like... "HI, My name is Norm and I have just joined my friends at CHEER'S!!!!!!!"

For those who remembers the tv show-

[WildChild]

Mark, Look into Prolotherapy. I was reading up on it the other day and apparently in many cases it can help with IBS.

[MarkT]

WC, I had PRP therapy on many joints and it has helped, but still need hydrocodone for the pain.

This IBS, is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Men aren't supposed to get it and Lotronex isn't supposed to work for men, yet it does for me. There might be help for me yet as the Lotronex might have found my feminine side- ya think? Do I, Moi, has a feminine side? Maybe there is hope for me yet, yes-no? (whining) I TRRYYYYY!!!!!!!

[WildChild]

PRP therapy is not prolotherapy. I don't know why it would help IBS but they say it can.

[MarkT]

PRP therapy is not prolotherapy. I don't know why it would help IBS but they say it can.

I find that odd, I mean, that it would help IBS since it's made to help with joint pain. I'm not doubting your word at all and I'm up for anything that could potentially help me. Well, us guys do have our limits ya know. I'll have to ask my doc about it and see if it's an option for me. I feel like it's going to be another day of painkillers, I went sooo long without them, 7 days and now have to take one, I hate this. Sorry... but wiping has become so painful that hydrocodone doesn't help very much and my joints feel like they are going to explode from the weather changing so much. It's just my usual life...

[MarkT]

Docs took me off of hydrocodone and put me on Ultram. Been on it for 2 days, I'm pretty sure I can put up with the pain in order to avoid the side effects. I slept all day today, (Father's Day), and missed out on a fun day with my son. There has to be a painkiller out there that works without putting my head in a fog and allows me to participate in daily life. This feeling really sucks~

[MarkT]

Docs think I also have Lupus or MS or Fibromyalgia. I'll know one week from today when I go see the Neurologist next Sunday. Yes, his office is open 7 days a week. He's open 7 days a week so he can help more people, he's a very caring man. I'm sure the money is pretty good too!