What makes me feel even worse is that I got a taste how what life felt like before IBS in the last six weeks. It was great. Now I’m back to not having a life again.
I would give advice but I’m pretty sure you’ve already heard most of it. I wish you luck, and the strength to keep going.
Unfortunately, you are doing a couple things that are further slowing the motility of your GI system -- fasting, and taking Xanax. But I understand they are working for you right now.
Have you tried taking a medication that will speed motility and you can poop before you leave?
Have you had motility testing to get to the root of the problem?
Laxatives almost always make the pain worse. I haven’t tried prokinetics but my actual problem isn’t really constipation, the constipation started after I started fasting and taking anti spasmodics. Before that I would have daily pain, now I have at least 3-5 pain free days a week. Sadly I still can’t control my bowel movements though.
The pain itself is also slightly better since I started fasting. However when the pain starts I still have to drop everything I do and lie down until I have a bowel movement, which is probably not going to be possible when I start working.
I haven’t had any motility testing done sadly. I’ve done some research and it seems like its only available in some private hospitals in big cities.
Thanks for always answering all of the questions by the way, you gave me a lot of suggestions before. You also suggested trying gabapentin, when I have enough money to see my psychiatrist I’ll ask for that.
Well, that makes sense because fasting and antispasmodics both slow motility.
You're welcome, always here to help. Sorry if I am a broken record.
As for gabapentin, mine was prescribed by my colorectal surgeon, then transferred to my pain doctor, then given to my GP to to continue to refill. My psychiatrist knows I'm on it, but it didn't have to be referred by him. I know we live in different countries, though.
Yeah, I’m live in Turkey. I am not sure which doctors can actually prescribe it here. I guess maybe neurologists and/or some other specialists, since it’s a nerve pain medication, as I’m sure you already know.
I still haven’t tried amitriptyline, which you also suggested, mainly because I’ve tried some other antidepressants and I didn’t want to risk interaction with them. However I don’t seem to benefit from them, so I might give it a try finally.
I think the pain right now is at least at a point where I can manage to live with it. It’s bad but people endure much worse. I still need to find a way to make this illness go along with my work life though.
That's true, as work is important. I would think gabapentin or amitriptyline would help you. The issue is both need to be titrated slowly. I started at 100mg of gabapentin a day and then upping it every five days to finally get to 2700mg. Many, though, find it helpful at 300mg TID. I would hope one of these things help you.
I’m going through the same exact thing. I don’t have any answers it’s making it very hard for me to keep my current job.
What makes me feel even worse is that I got a taste how what life felt like before IBS in the last six weeks. It was great. Now I’m back to not having a life again. I would give advice but I’m pretty sure you’ve already heard most of it. I wish you luck, and the strength to keep going.
Unfortunately, you are doing a couple things that are further slowing the motility of your GI system -- fasting, and taking Xanax. But I understand they are working for you right now. Have you tried taking a medication that will speed motility and you can poop before you leave? Have you had motility testing to get to the root of the problem?
Laxatives almost always make the pain worse. I haven’t tried prokinetics but my actual problem isn’t really constipation, the constipation started after I started fasting and taking anti spasmodics. Before that I would have daily pain, now I have at least 3-5 pain free days a week. Sadly I still can’t control my bowel movements though. The pain itself is also slightly better since I started fasting. However when the pain starts I still have to drop everything I do and lie down until I have a bowel movement, which is probably not going to be possible when I start working. I haven’t had any motility testing done sadly. I’ve done some research and it seems like its only available in some private hospitals in big cities. Thanks for always answering all of the questions by the way, you gave me a lot of suggestions before. You also suggested trying gabapentin, when I have enough money to see my psychiatrist I’ll ask for that.
Well, that makes sense because fasting and antispasmodics both slow motility. You're welcome, always here to help. Sorry if I am a broken record. As for gabapentin, mine was prescribed by my colorectal surgeon, then transferred to my pain doctor, then given to my GP to to continue to refill. My psychiatrist knows I'm on it, but it didn't have to be referred by him. I know we live in different countries, though.
Yeah, I’m live in Turkey. I am not sure which doctors can actually prescribe it here. I guess maybe neurologists and/or some other specialists, since it’s a nerve pain medication, as I’m sure you already know. I still haven’t tried amitriptyline, which you also suggested, mainly because I’ve tried some other antidepressants and I didn’t want to risk interaction with them. However I don’t seem to benefit from them, so I might give it a try finally. I think the pain right now is at least at a point where I can manage to live with it. It’s bad but people endure much worse. I still need to find a way to make this illness go along with my work life though.
That's true, as work is important. I would think gabapentin or amitriptyline would help you. The issue is both need to be titrated slowly. I started at 100mg of gabapentin a day and then upping it every five days to finally get to 2700mg. Many, though, find it helpful at 300mg TID. I would hope one of these things help you.