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I have had lower abdominal pain since I was 15. The intensity of it fluctuates. During periods of great stress, it is severe and constant. I also have Complex PTSD, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes Type 2, Migraines, and mild osteoarthritis in my knees. I have tried many food allergy, food sensitivity diets over the years. I have learned and practiced many relaxation exercises. I do not feel like I have control over this at least 50% of the time. Sometimes I can eat anything I want and have no ill effedts. Other times I eat as well as is possible...and still have great pain, tension, bloating, fluctuating bowel movements. I have been told that I have IBS. I have tried to accept this.
I have recently read a new book on women's stomach health and it has led me to ask if there is a missing diagnosis. I am female, 55 years old, in full menopause for 3 years, 5'4", 200 lbs. From age 15 to 50 had various forms of ED-NOS...mostly anorexia binge-purge type. I used all forms of purging. (over exercise, vomiting, enemas, laxatives.) Any input would be appreciated.
I know that my case is "complex" so maybe there are no clear answers. More importantly I am looking for help on how to reduce the flare-ups once they have begun. Thank you.
Gender: Female
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5'4"
What is your weight in pounds?: 200
How old are you?: 55
How long has this been going on?: More than a year
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea
Genitourinary
Musculoskeletal Pain
Neurological
Psychiatric
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): polyps on bladder twice, cystoscopies 4 times. tonsils out at 4 years of age.
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... :
Diabetes
Psychiatric Disorders
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : mould and sulpha based antibiotics...cause very severe gastrointestinal upset and headaches.
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: seriquel 400 mg
Nexium 40 mg
atenolol 50 mg
zanaflex 8 mg
Lyrica 225 mg
Metformin
When was your last menstrual cycle?: I no longer have a menstrual cycle
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never
How can I lessen the intensity of "IBS" flareups when they occur?
Do my symptoms really match up with IBS? Is it possible that there is another condition happenning that is not yet diagnosed?
Would I maybe also have Endometriosis?
_______________________________________________________
First of all let me give you some good references.
THIS is good on Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
THIS is good on Endometriosis.
Past this, and I say this with kindness, your complicated medical history makes it impossible, without the aid of testing and examination, to try and untangle your problems. Your issues simply do not lend themselves to an online discussion. Again, my apologies.
I have had lower abdominal pain since I was 15. The intensity of it fluctuates. During periods of great stress, it is severe and constant. I also have Complex PTSD, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes Type 2, Migraines, and mild osteoarthritis in my knees. I have tried many food allergy, food sensitivity diets over the years. I have learned and practiced many relaxation exercises. I do not feel like I have control over this at least 50% of the time. Sometimes I can eat anything I want and have no ill effedts. Other times I eat as well as is possible...and still have great pain, tension, bloating, fluctuating bowel movements. I have been told that I have IBS. I have tried to accept this.
I have recently read a new book on women's stomach health and it has led me to ask if there is a missing diagnosis. I am female, 55 years old, in full menopause for 3 years, 5'4", 200 lbs. From age 15 to 50 had various forms of ED-NOS...mostly anorexia binge-purge type. I used all forms of purging. (over exercise, vomiting, enemas, laxatives.) Any input would be appreciated.
I know that my case is "complex" so maybe there are no clear answers. More importantly I am looking for help on how to reduce the flare-ups once they have begun. Thank you.
Gender: Female
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5'4"
What is your weight in pounds?: 200
How old are you?: 55
How long has this been going on?: More than a year
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea
Genitourinary
Musculoskeletal Pain
Neurological
Psychiatric
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): polyps on bladder twice, cystoscopies 4 times. tonsils out at 4 years of age.
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... :
Diabetes
Psychiatric Disorders
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : mould and sulpha based antibiotics...cause very severe gastrointestinal upset and headaches.
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: seriquel 400 mg
Nexium 40 mg
atenolol 50 mg
zanaflex 8 mg
Lyrica 225 mg
Metformin
When was your last menstrual cycle?: I no longer have a menstrual cycle
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never
How can I lessen the intensity of "IBS" flareups when they occur?
Do my symptoms really match up with IBS? Is it possible that there is another condition happenning that is not yet diagnosed?
Would I maybe also have Endometriosis?
_______________________________________________________
First of all let me give you some good references.
THIS is good on Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
THIS is good on Endometriosis.
Past this, and I say this with kindness, your complicated medical history makes it impossible, without the aid of testing and examination, to try and untangle your problems. Your issues simply do not lend themselves to an online discussion. Again, my apologies.
2 comments:
Did u ever get tested for Celiac?
Definitely a complicated case as MED DOC -1 has said.
Celiac dis. can give some of these symptoms, but is usually an upper (small intestinal) problem. there are serologic (antibody) blood tests that can be done to rule celiac in or out. ( IgA endomysial antibody and IgAtTG antibody).
Endometriosis is more commonly found in women in the reproductive years, but it can occur in post-menopausal women. A C-T scan might pick this up
but a laparascopic exam under direct vision is the only sure way to spot endometriomas which might be quite small. Uterine fibroids and ovarian problems can cause lower abdominal pain which could be seen on C-T or laparoscopy.
You said you were 'told' you had IBS--was this done just by symptoms or with a lower G.I,
series x-ray, or colonoscopy? It would be good to have one of these done to rule out ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn's disease (similar to colitis).
There are two relatively new medications for severe forms of IBS that need to be administered carefully by a gastro-enterologist---Alosetron and lubiprostone.
With all the emotional and psychological difficulties that can complicate the physical symptons--it would very helpful to continue on with some form of counseling.
Best of Luck!! Keep us posted!
Space Doc
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