: Re: IBS

[Guest guest]

Hmn.

That's 2 docs who say otherwise from mine.. he didn't tell me all the

tests.. when I told him I'd been 'scoped, he said that was definitive

enough that he didn't need to do the other tests, unless I just wanted

them.. He also mentioned multiple drugs that he uses to control the

symptoms of IBS.. including scopalamine patches... but he wanted to

try Symax since I told him I'd already been tried on Questran.

BTW, Theresa (Ti).. they d/c'd your med because it was prescribed for

several folks with the constipating form of IBS, and they got bowel

blockages and died. I was worried when I read that (this was prior to

seeing my gastroenterologist), because I thought it sounded perfect

for my troubles.. I'm sorry they took the drug that worked best for

you.. have you tried Symax-SR? It works well for me.. and you know

how miserable I was.

Hugs,

Liane

> >

> > In a message dated 9/25/01 11:12:57 PM, duodenalswitch@y...

writes:

> >

> > << Hate to burst your bubble, but IBS is not at all like

> fibromyalgia..

> >

> > there are specific tests for diagnosis, and specific meds that

work

> to

> >

> > ease the symptoms. >>

> >

> > I've always heard that IBS was rather 'vague' to diagnose in many

> cases as

> > well. It is often diagnosed after other things are totally ruled

> out. I'm

> > sure there are tests which can help the diagnosis -- my spastic

> colon

> > happened to occur during the colonoscopy. However, I think that

if

> a

> > colonoscopy turns up negative, the diagnosis of IBS is mainly

based

> on the

> > negative presence of other diseases, not necessarily a positive

> confirmation

> > of the presence of IBS through testing. Can you tell me what

other

> tests

> > there are? I was told that IBS was a general term used when

> nothing else

> > could be found by my gastroenterologist.

> >

> > I'm sure there are meds that work (they have even found that some

> > anti-anxiety/anti-depressant drugs can work, perhaps by 'calming'

> an

> > overactive nervous system). I was given an anti-spasmodic in

> particular for

> > my colon. But, I know that others can have really vague symptoms

> that are

> > not as easy to diagnose except as a process of elimination.

> >

> > Now, IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) is a collection of ailments

that

> ARE

> > specifically easier to detect. I've read and heard that with IBS

> there *may

> > not* be a specific anatomical fact that points to the IBS and

> therefore it is

> > more difficult to pinpoint. This is especially true if it is

> primarily

> > neurological in nature as opposed to an abdominal defect or

> condition that

> > can be readily seen via testing. I think this may have been what

> was

> > mentioning in his response. There may be a lot more research done

> on IBS

> > that I am unaware of even though I have this condition but from

> what I have

> > researched there isn't a whole lot known about the causes and the

> symptoms

> > are wide and can be rather 'vague' and difficult to

> diagnose/pinpoint. I

> > believe that fibromalygia shares these qualities.

> >

> > all the best,

> >

> > lap ds with gallbladder removal

> > January 25, 2001

> > Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

> >

> > eight months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

> >

> > preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

> > now: 215