Wellness

[highmaintenancejan]

I'm so tired of having it. I've had it 7 years and nothing has gotten rid of it. Anyone else?
It keeps me worn out. You have 3 to 10 "Bm's" a day. I've been on pesto bismol and oral budesonide.

[highmaintenancejan]

PeptoBismol

[kismet]

I take Florastor twice a day and use Imodium when needed.  Have this problem after major surgery.  Certain foods will make it worse.  It's different for everyone but keep a diary to see if there are.  Welcome to the "I know where every restroom is in every store".  Mine has gotten better as I've aged.  I don't know what state you live in but some you can get some type of paper and any store has to let you use the restroom even if they normally don't.  Have you seen a specialist?

[granddi]

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@highmaintenancejan wrote:
PeptoBismol

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Pepto has side effects. One that alarmed me was hearing loss. 

[highmaintenancejan]

@kismet YES, I've been seeing a Gastrointestinal doctor for years. @granddi, no wonder I'm losing my hearing. I'm 79.

[granddi]

@highmaintenancejan I don't know any answers. I had food poisoning 3 years ago. Most people get better but I did not. My diagnosis is IBS-D. It's just a diagnosis that means "we really don't know why you are sick and we don't really know what will help you."

I have seen 3 GI docs, 3 Primary Care. I have tried everything and I mean everything. I have had poop tests. colonoscopy and all kinds of blood work. I have literally 40-50 types of magic supplements including hand fulls of probiotics. I have taken Xifaxin the $1000.00 gut antibiotic. I have done all the food things: caffiene, fermented foods, dairy, food elimination. Like you, pepto, and imodium. I rejected the bile sequestriant bc warning for patients over age 50!

I've has SIBO breath tests, Gluten sensitivity and

Also add meditation and cognitative behavioral therapy to the list. 

I have searched for the possible fecal transplant but no success. 

I am willing to private pay outside the "guidelines" approved by insurance. 

I also understand that IBS-D is not micro colitis. After 3 years of multiple watery poops per day and at least 6 different docs, I thought about what else I could do. First thing I did was stop ALL probiotics. Within 2 days I had normal poop for the first time in 3 years. I have been great for the last 3 months. Will it last? I don't know. 

It's just one person's story. 

[highmaintenancejan]

@granddi, I've done almost all of that. I would love to have a normal formed stool. Not in 7 years. Micro Colitis is an auto immune disease. Of which, I have many. I just want a miracle cure. It is exhausting.

[kismet]

My problems came from having part of my small intestine out and a valve that is not working.  I don't recycle my bile and it drops into my lower intestines.  Had the surgery in 1970.  This has been my life but at one time it was bad, had to quit my job.  I did have C-Diff after having knee implants and had it for months.  I was at the point of having a fecal transplant.  I hadn't taken Imodium while on antibiotics.  The doctor said to take the imodium while taking the antibiotic and that worked.  Guess the antibiotic was going through me too fast to do any good.  I take the Florastor because of it.  Never want that again. 

This takes over your life and people don't understand when you cancel something at the last minute.  I say if they have what I have they would understand.  Years ago my doctor gave me Colestid powder to take off label.  It did work but I was getting a lot of joint pain and felt terrible.  I just took several imodiums a day and if I had to go somewhere I didn't eat or ate a safe food.  If you have a bad day eat some bananas.  They always made me feel better, sometimes I would feel lightheaded.  Stress has a lot to do with it also.  I went for biofeedback and that helped.  As I've aged it seems to get better.  I think there are a lot of things that doctors don't know and we fall into that.  I've been with the same specialist for over 35 years and he retired.  Never will find another doctor like him. 

[KathyM23]

@highmaintenancejan   I have ulterative coitis and I take Mesalamine 4 tabs once a day forever.  Maybe a different med for you?  Have normal BM now.  Before med, was constant.  It's been 7 years for me also.

[AngelPuppy1]

@highmaintenancejan 

Ihave never heard of this conditon but I certainly have sympathy and empathy for you!  I wish I could tell you something to help you but I sadly do not know of anything.  I kind of have the oppositie problem.  IBS/Chronic Condition.  Have undergone so many tests and taken so many things.  I am now on a medication - horrendously expensive I might add - to make me go - and it is not a pleasant medication - I will just say that.  So, as you wrote, it is difficult and I often feel like it just takes over my life!  You would think that in this day and age they could come up with decent solutions! I truly hope that you can find something to help you.  I wish you all the best.