Irritable Bowel Syndrome I.B.S.

knewlove · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:34 am Post subject:

I know this is probably worst case scenario but please be careful with IBS girls...

My mom was first diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when she was in her early 20s (the doctor's said it was most likely caused by stress). By the time she was 25 she ended up in a coma for 2 days and had to have stoma surgery. She has had an ileostomy/colostomy bag on her side since.

A stoma is an artificial opening to or from the intestine on the abdominal wall. An Ileostomy is an opening from the small bowel, to allow faeces to leave the body without passing through the large bowel, a Colostomy is an opening from the large bowel, to allow faeces to bypass the anus.

So far I am lucky...no IBS or bowel problems...I have my usual 2 cups of coffee in the morning (don't know whether that's good for me but it keeps me regular). No pain or discomfort so far...knock on wood..(unless I eat too much fruit or fibre) altho IBS isn't hereditary and doctors are (somewhat) more informed about bowel problems today than they were 30 years ago ... but still... keep an eye out please...

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redhead · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject:

Oh your poor mum , I have heard of stoma before but it's always worth knowing that what the doc's diagnoise isn't always correct , I will certainly inform my girls to be wary if IBS gets worse for no apparent reason to get it checked with the doc and not become complacent .

cheekychops · Member User Online: Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 124

ty for that will keep it in mind xxxxxxx

jojo1 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

I think I might have IBS too. I get awful stomach cramps and it feels as if I need to go to the loo but when I get there nothing happens. When I do manage to "go" its very loose and I dont feel as if I have emptied my bowels properly, and I end up off and on the loo quite a few times during the day. My stomach is well swollen up and makes awful embarrassing churning noises.

I have had a CT scan done as I have terminal breast cancer and they want to rule out any connection with that.

I think if there was anything seriously wrong, it will show up on the CT scan.

Serenity · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

I think youre right jo if it were more than IBS it would have shown up, and it sounds like the same sypmtoms, pretty awful it can get at times too. But with the worry of your Breast cancer it's no wonder you have IBS. How do you cope with the cancer? If you don't mind me asking, I understand if you'd rather not talk about it

you sound so brave, have you been diagnosed for a long time?
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jojo1 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

No I dont mind talking about my cancer

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 just after we had moved to this house we are living in now. I remember feeling this lump which seemed quite big but just thought it was a just a bit of fat as it didnt seem to be getting any bigger (just seemed big to start with). Anyway went down the docs who immediately faxed the hospital and I got an appointment the next day. It turned out to be cancer so had a lumpectomy followed by strong chemo and radiotherapy. All seemed ok until two years later when I started getting pains in my leg and after numerous visits to my local GP and eventually an xray which showed "nothing" according to my so called specialist at the hospital, I fell at home and was taken into hospital where they said I had broken my femur due to the spread of the cancer (now in my bones).

Cancer which has spread from breast into another part of the body is incurable and is classed as secondary. I had another session of strong chemo and radiotherapy on my leg after having a hip replacement. I am now going every three weeks to have the drug Herceptin which is supposed to stop is spreading to the soft organs such as the lungs and liver for a while at least. My cancer was very aggressive and hormone related so I am on tablets to stop the production of Oestrogen which fed my particular cancer.

I know I am going to die from this disease but for a while at least it is being kept under control.

Somehow you do keep going and tend to put it to be back of your mind. I have a part time job which helps and also my hobby which is football. Dont get me wrong there are quite a few times when I ache and feel very tired and feel like giving up but I just have a good sleep and get up the next day and concentrate on my job.

Its not as bad as people think.

Serenity · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject:

You sound like you have a good positive mental attitude joanne, and bravo to you. I think being women we do tend to just get on with things, like you say, from the trivial to major, we always keep going. And at the end of the day, theres no use worrying away our time. I'm glad it's under control for you and you are coping with it, and I hope sharing it with others helps too.

In a lot of our health posts and our sharing and caring too, it's been good to talk about our illnesses and share our knowledge with each other. And it's comforting to know others are here to listen too, even if you feel like screaming and shouting and letting some anger out, please feel free to do so lol we dont mind honest *cowers*.....hell, my HRT can handle anything pmsl!
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jojo1 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, and I will keep everyone informed on my progress through this disease.

cheekychops · Member User Online: Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 124

good luck with that , you sound like tou have a postive attitdue which is a good thing to have, its a bout time they found cures for this horrible disease , xx