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Embarassed because of an IBS flare up - HELP

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 12/16/2006 8:05 AM (GMT -6)
I am new to this board, looking for advice from others who suffer from IBS.

I have chronic diarrhea and recently it has been especially bad -- averaging about 10 times a day in the bathroom.  I was diagnosed with IBS a couple of years ago after finally going to a gastrenologist and having a colonoscopy.

Last night after eating at my husband's Christmas party at his bosses house, I doubled over in pain and ended up in the emergency room.  After an x-ray, the doctor informed me that I was "loaded with gas".  Boy, was I embarrassed.  I seriously thought something was wrong with me, otherwise I would not have let my husband take me to the ER.  Mind you, I am not someone who goes to the doctor, unless I feel REALLY bad.  After pumping me with morphine and giving me a prescription for vidodin, they sent me on my way, informing me that I really should watch my diet.

Has this happened to anyone else?  As I said, I am truly embarrased about the whole thing.  I was in incredible pain.


Thanks for listening and chime in please!! 

mad

Posted 12/16/2006 12:15 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Dede,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
What a horrible experience you had last night, I am so sorry to hear about it. Don't beat yourself up though because it probably happens to more people than you think. I have not experienced an ER trip due to my IBS... BUT, I had a similar one. about 7 years ago all of a sudden I was experiencing severe abdominal pain. Pain so bad I was doubled over and vommiting. I went to the ER and they had no explanation. After a few hours the pain subsided and left me with soreness - I was then discharged. I was so embarrassed and frustrated that the docs were clueless... How was I going to explain this to my friends and family? Later, my OB/GYN told me it was an ovarian cyst that ruptured. You know, sometimes you can put a humorous spin on it to lighten the mood... "Docs said I will be cured if I fart all night long." Or "I thought it was my husband who was full of hot air, guess it's just me." I know that sounds lame, but sometimes it's not so bad to poke fun at yourself in these situations.
So anyway, what did you eat that gave you such trouble? Seems like apples are high up on the list of foods that give us gas cramps and pain. Raw veggies will do it too. Alcohol, caffeine, and carbonation are know culprits as well. Do you carry around Gas-X or Beano? Both can really help you keep the gas at bay.
How are you controlling your D? Do you take Imodium or probiotics or calcium?
How are you feeling today, still in pain?
I hope you start feeling better about this situation soon.....
Posted 12/19/2006 9:25 AM (GMT -6)
Don't feel bad. With all the e.coli and norovirus going around these days, you can't be too careful when you get serious pain and digestive problems. Not to mention that clogged arteries and/or heart attacks sometimes feel like gas pains. When you feel bad enough to go to a doctor, it's best to go and make sure you don't have something worse wrong with you than a severe IBS episode.

And, of course, it wasn't an entirely fruitless journey, seeing how they gave you pain meds so you could rest easy. If you had stayed at home, there's no telling how long you might have stayed in pain.
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