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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 12/8/2005 5:22 AM (GMT -7)
Ok, well seeing as how i haven't been to a doctor yet, i decided to do some internet research to see if i could find out what's going on.  Alright, i'm a 21 yr old male and i've been having some stomach problems lately.  Also for about 4 months are so i've had some stool leakage i'm guessing.  It's really light and not enough to show up on my undergarmets.  The thing about it is when i go to the bathroom i almost have to strain.  It's usually thin and i feel like i don't fully get it all out.  It's not much at all.  It feels like it's all gathered at the end, but just won't come out.  I've also experienced some cramping, but not anything that really hurt, just a funny feeling.  It kinda feels like i drank water and then ran a few laps, but it doesn't hurt or bother me at all.  I've never had any real pain.  Also, sometime after i eat i feel really bloated, yet not long after i eat i get a hungry feeling.  I haven't changed my diet or anything like that so i'm not sure.  Not too sure and it's kinda starting to worry me because a friend of my parents had a son-in-law who was in his 40's that died this past week of stomach cancer.  He found out only a month or so ago.  He was having problems with constipation, which i really am not constipated, i just don't feel like when i go that i am releaving myself fully.  Does anyoen thing this could be IBS or something more serious?
Posted 12/8/2005 6:32 AM (GMT -7)
Hi sxt_003,
I think that you definitely do need to see a doctor. Your symptoms sound like they could possibly be IBS but you need to make sure. It probably wouldn't do you any good to treat your symptoms for one thing but it turned out to be something else. The feeling that you are not completely evacuated is called tenesmus. This is sometimes in IBS however there are other disorders that its common in too. Is your stool leakage due to urgency or is it happening without you knowing that it would happen? These are things you need to discuss with your doctor. I would suggest that you see a GI specialist if you can however I know how some insurance companies can be. I don't want to scare you into thinking it may be something else, however the only way to have a true diagnosis and be treated properly is to see a doc.
Posted 12/8/2005 8:54 AM (GMT -7)
Hi sxt,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
We can imagine how concerned you must be. Digestive trouble is hard to digest (pun intended). Like dbab said, you should probably get in to see a doc. Ultimately you want to be diagnosed by a Gastroenterologist (GI). Because intestinal issues are difficult to diagnose you will probably be asked LOADS of questions and go through many tests. They want to rule out anything serious and that what you have is "just IBS." Be honest when speaking to the doc(s), don't be embarrassed, they have heard it all. But please, don't put off seeing a doc. It is so important, especially for peace of mind.
Take care.
Posted 12/8/2005 8:33 PM (GMT -7)
eyes  i there, just joined yesterday after doing some research on the net.  I am a fourty something female who was diagnosed with GERD about three year ago and took the medicatin Protonix for the indigestion for three years but stopped about a year ago after the symptons of burning and pain the chest went away.  However,within the past three months I started getting a pain in my left side and it moves to under my left rib cage and around to the left side of my back.  This annoying pain comes and goes.  It also makes me kinda fatigued and put me in a really bad mood and stresses me out because there's nothing I can do to alleviate the pain or discomfort.  At times I hear loud noises comming from my stomach, like when you are hungry and your tummy growls. I also get a feeling of bloating and the sensation of a "nervous stomach"   I'm  scared about what it could be especially after reading articles on stomach cancer and stuff like that.  My doctor referred me to a gastroentrologist so I will be getting a colonoscopy soon.  If anyone is experiencing the same symptoms please let me know how you are dealing with it and if you have gotten a diagnosis.  I am uncomfortable and scared. 

                                                                      Tullie

                                      

Post Edited (Tullie) : 12/8/2005 8:40:14 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/8/2005 9:09 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Tullie,
Welcome to Healing Well :)
Your symptoms sound like gas pains and they can be really uncomfortable and at times really painful. Gas and bloating are some pretty hallmark signs of IBS. Although IBS can be a nuisance and sometimes dibilatating disorder, fortunately it does not cause other diseases nor make you more susceptable to other diseases (including cancer). Your left side is where your colon starts to end (your colon starts at your lower right side, hooks up like a horseshoe onto the left side where it ends in the middle at your rectum and finally your anus). This lower left side is known as the sigmoid colon and is very common area for the pains. Please let us know how your scope goes and keep posting!
Posted 12/9/2005 9:38 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Tullie,
I would like to add my welcome. :-)
Dbab is right, you do sound like you are having gas pains. Are you having D (diarrhea) and/or C (constipation)? Gas, bloating, abdominal pain and C & D are classic IBS symptoms.
I get gas pain a lot. Sometimes with flatulance, sometimes without. At these times I like to drink tea (Calm (Tazo) or mint) and take a couple Gas-X. Usually that combination, along with a trip or 2 to the bathroom, will help relieve the pain/discomfort.
Good luck with the scope! Please come back and give us an update.
Posted 12/13/2005 3:03 PM (GMT -7)
Ok, well i called to get an appointment but the closest time i can get in is Dec. 27th!  I don't want to have to wait that long so i am going to call around. 

I really truely am getting freaked out about this because i was searching the net (not something i would recommend when you get stressed out easily) and i noticed that i had some symptoms of stomach cancer! Within the past two days i have kinda been feeling tired, though it could be from working the morning shift at work and staying busy all day long. But i also noticed that alot of the symptoms fit in with IBS and also Ulcers, which in EVERY article i read it said that the syptoms are also found in peptic ulcers.  I've been told by a lot of my friends that they think it's ulcers because i am and always have been a person who worries alot.  Another reason i doubt the stomach cancer is because i'm only 21.  I mean i haven't read anywhere where there was someone with a case that was below 35.  Like i said before a friend of the families son-in-law died two weeks ago from stomach cancer but he was well into his 40's.  Does anyone think that there it could be stomach cancer or am i just worrying myself?

Posted 12/13/2005 9:51 PM (GMT -7)
Hi sxt,
Yes we can drive ourselves crazy with all the info the net provides. I have been there so many times and I also have anxiety disorder so it doesn't make things any better. I know its hard but try to relax. You are very young and although its not unheard of for your age to have major problems, the probability is very low.

If it is a stomach ulcer, the fix on that is pretty easy. If its caused by H-Pylori bacteria, they will prescribe you antibiotics and put you on a PPI (Nexium, Prevacid, etc) for a week or two. Stress doesn't cause ulcers studies have shown as it was believed to be the cause in the past. The cause of stomach ulcers are from H-Pylori bacteria or overuse of NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.)

Anxiety can cause a lot of stomach upset so if you tend to be a worrier, your symptoms are probably just magnified (like I said, I am the same way).

I hope you get some answers soon. Appointments for specialists always are very difficult to get soon. Sometimes I can't get in to see my GI for a month or so.

Good Luck and post how your appointment goes :)
Posted 12/14/2005 7:22 AM (GMT -7)
Usually ulcers are agrivated by spicy foods, or hot or cold foods; also they tend to leave a burning feeling in the abdomen. I have had them since I was about 21 or 22. I am 25 now. Over the past two years my life has gotten much worse; yet over the past 6-8 months things have been a little bit better, and somewhat 'normal' if there is such a thing anymore.

Definately get to the Dr. ASAP, in the mean time you might increase your fiber intake, either with suppliments, or with fruits and veggies that have high fiber. That should at least somewhat help the movements.
Posted 12/15/2005 11:37 AM (GMT -7)
So do u guys think that it's ulcers?  I mean or do u think that it's some sort of cancer? 
Posted 12/15/2005 12:01 PM (GMT -7)
I would say just not to think to much about it right now. You don't know what it is and whatever it is, you can't do anything about it at this moment. I would say just hope for the best!! I will keep you in my thoughts and please let us know what you find out. :)
Posted 12/15/2005 12:02 PM (GMT -7)
Sxt, it's difficult to say what we think you have, because there are a million and one different disorders that can cause the symptoms you are experiencing.  IBS is the most common of those disorders.  Being 21, it is HIGHLY unlikely that any kind of cancer is present, and you really should not be worrying excessively about that possibility.  The anxiety will drive you batty and probably make your symptoms worse!  Your appointment is on the 27th and that's not too far away (many people have to wait several weeks or months for specialist appointments, so you're actually pretty lucky)!  You could speculate all you want about what you have or don't have, but until you see a physician and have a few tests done, it is fruitless to worry yourself! 


Like dbab mentioned, ulcers are not caused by stress; they are caused by a certain type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or can be caused by overuse of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.  So tell your friends to bug off about your gut problems, and go play frisbee with them! :-)

 

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