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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/8/2006 2:32 PM (GMT -8)
Hi everyone...I hope that all of you are having a good weekend.

Just a quick question...With IBS, do you ever see blood in the stool?  Or does the blood typically indicate that an inflammatory process is going on?  I got some of my medical records today, and I noticed that all of the fecal tests were positive for occult blood.  Does anyone have any insight into this?

Thanks so much in advance.

Take good care,

Ali

Posted 7/8/2006 3:34 PM (GMT -8)
Only if you have a bleeding hemmheroid...otherwise bleeding from anywhere in the intestines/rectom lining would be in the catagory of IBD not IBS...same with inflammation, only with IBD not IBS...how were you DX, have you been scoped to rule out IBD, and had blood and stool tests done?

:)
Posted 7/8/2006 4:16 PM (GMT -8)

Thanks so much for replying, pb4.

No, I haven't been scoped or had any cultures done.  For three years, I was involved in a clinical trial at the NIH for endometriosis, and during one of my scheduled visits to see my doctor at NIH last year, I started to get massively sick.  As my doctor was doing an ultrasound of my ovaries, I could feel my GI organs starting to churn.  In one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, I threw up all over my doctor and the ultrasound equipment!  Then, the bad D arrived.  My doctor had to admit me to their hospital for fluids, and stool samples were taken at that time.  That's when the occult blood was noticed.  They wanted to do a full GI work-up, but they wanted to admit me to their hospital for five to six days to do all of the tests.  I deal with horrible hospital anxiety, and I never followed through with the tests.  Now, the trial has ended, and because I do not have health insurance, it is impossible to schedule these tests.  (My local hospital will not schedule anything for me unless I give them cash up front, which I don't have right now.)

Whenever I get sick, I always deal with horrible bouts of nausea and vomiting as well, as my doctor at the NIH can attest to!  I'm not sure if that is seen with IBS too?  I deal with chronic D 24/7, but it flares up really bad about every four to five weeks.  I have to take Lomotil every day in order to function.  I'm now desparate because my symptoms are getting progressively worse and worse.  I don't think that I have hemmies..

Again, thanks for your reply.  I'm stumped about what's causing all of these problems in me.  I'm open for any suggestions or ideas.  I'm going to try the Calcium suggestion...I'm going to the store after I post this to get a bottle of it.  Anyway, take care, and thanks again.

Ali 

Posted 7/8/2006 5:06 PM (GMT -8)
Not good Ali...you have to find a way to get tests done and confirm one way or another so that you know what you're really dealing with...IBS and IBD can be very similar in symptoms, but blood (with the exception of hemmies) is definitely pointing in the direction of IBD...the sooner you know, the sooner you can get proper treatment...I know when cash isn't available it's always easier said then done, but maybe asking friends or fam or using credit (if that's an option for you in the states, I don't know because I'm in canada and reading your story makes me greatful for our healthcare system).

good luck :)

Post Edited (pb4) : 7/8/2006 7:22:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/9/2006 5:57 PM (GMT -8)
I, too, have always had positive fecal occult blood and positive fecal leukocyte tests, even though I haven't been officially diagnosed with anything.  Even the Mayo Clinic couldn't explain that one.  You should definitely have cultures done!

Posted 7/9/2006 6:35 PM (GMT -8)
Oh I hear ya pb4, I too am in Canada, I am not sure what I would do if my medical wasn't covered....But Lovdogs, I am no expert but what you are saying sounds more like IBD to me, don;t you think Pb4???? I have had the whole blood thing and the diarrhea and GI now tells me that I have IBS cause they can never find positive results to conclude IBD (crohn;s )which makes me mad, cause I am always showing thickening and inflammation...makes no sense to me....
CYndi
Best if luck and try and get the tests done......
Posted 7/9/2006 8:33 PM (GMT -8)

Thanks so much for everyone's replies.  I can't tell you how much your replies mean to me.  It's been a tough weekend with all of my medical problems.  For the most part, I try to take everything in stride and be thankful for what I do have.  For example, at least I have a family doctor that tries his best to help me.  But when I have flare-ups of my symptoms, I start to get so frustrated with my insurance situation.  I often get mad at myself for letting my policy lapse five years ago, but I couldn't keep up with the rising premiums.  I was a college student and did not have a job, so I really didn't have any other option at that time.

I'm going to ask my doctor if he knows of any hospitals in our state that work with uninsured patients.  My local hospital does not.  In addition to the bowel problems, I also have a ureter that has some aggressive endometriosis lesions growing into the lumen.  That needs to be worked up too, so I hope that I can find somewhere that will work with me.  As so many of you understand, I just want an answer to all of this now.  Now, all of my symptoms control my life.

Thanks again so much.  Have a safe week,

Ali

Posted 7/9/2006 9:19 PM (GMT -8)
I think that there are county agencies that can help you. I have yet to see people that need medical care not get it if they pursue it. It is unfortunate that you let it go but you are young and really insurance should not be that high for you now. It will only get higher if you wait. It is a shame you didnt have all this done when you had a chance but your Dr. can probably give you some ideas. My daughter learned the hard way about not having money for insurance and now would never be without it even though there are times that Top Ramen is their main meal. Whatever you do be sure if you do get tests and have to pay that you negotiate the price. They will really take someone without insurance to the cleaners but if you talk to them ahead of time they will usually take what insurance would pay. Just don't take their first offer.

Posted 7/9/2006 9:19 PM (GMT -8)
Yes haljas, that's why I wouldn't completely right off the CD DX if I were you, CD can be pretty sneaky....unless bleeding hemmies are involved, when it comes to the differences between IBS and IBD, bleeding usually points towards some form of IBD.

luvdogs I hope you find relief soon, hang in there!

And don't forget guys, that IBD and IBS can go hand in hand as well, I have CD and IBS and lactose intolerance, as I always say, same crap, different pile!

:)

Posted 7/10/2006 7:05 AM (GMT -8)
Some states have better state-provided health care than others. You should look into whatever medicaid your state provides. Unforunately, even if you did have the money for insurance now, they may not take you because you have a pre-existing condition; at the very least they wouldn't want to cover anything related to it. Although since you have no diagnosis, other than the endometreosis, they might not can say your bowel problem is pre-existing because there's problem listed, despite your symptoms. I think even in TN, which has horrible state-provided health care, if you are turned down for regular insurance, the state has to pick you up, regardless of the money you make. Or now may be the time to go job hunting for a job with insurance. I have heard that in big companies (including retailers) provide health insurance for part-time employees, so it may be worth the effort to take on a second job just to have the insurance.

Vomiting is not a listed symptom of IBS, although some people do have it on occasion because they are in so much pain or they get constipated and it sort of backs up on them. Vomiting, is, however, a symptom of a bad gall bladder. And I believe that it is a symptom of IBD. Bad gall bladders don't make you have blood in your stool, but the excess bile in your stools (yellow and burning), can cause damage to internal hemmroids and cause them to bleed. I was under the impression that occult blood (blood that cannot be seen except with a test) was not considered that alarming because it tended to indicate a bleeding hemmroid or something else minor. If you ever see blood in your stool (red or black), you need to go to the ER immediately, because that is a definite sign of something bad; hemmroids usually don't bleed that much and if they do, they need tending to anyways. ERs are required by law to take in everyone, regardless of insurance. But, of course, you will get stuck with the full bill. But hospitals usually allow you to set up a repayment plan and pay them back slowly a month at a time.

Also call your public health clinic and see what all tests they can perform there. You pay them based on your income and the cost is very, very low. I have been to one to get an immunization before college and it cost me less than $10 versus the $70+ it cost at the hospital clinic.
Posted 7/10/2006 12:09 PM (GMT -8)
Keri,
Occult blood can be caused from anything to hemmroids to cancer or anywhere in the GI tract and should not be misconstrued as minor. Also nausea with or without vomiting can be a symptom of IBS although not a common symptom and is not always caused by pain but IBS itself.
Posted 7/11/2006 10:26 PM (GMT -8)
how about getting funds from your
local church to help u with your finances
tigerpawn
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