Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.
I'm new on this list. Been over on the RA list for a while. Brief synaspis of my chronic disease history:
2002: Diagnosed with RA at age 30. Went on the same treatment that put my mother's advanced RA in full remmission for 20+ years, that was Minocin. Had reasonable success - but not remission.
Fall 2009: Started 1st year teaching position at one of the ten worst schools in my state. Also started taking generic minocin.
Christmas 2009: RA Super flare with every joint involved. Couldn't even dress/shower self. Began popping hydrocodones like candy while waiting for rheumy appointment. Began experiencing severe stomach pain and heart burn.
Spring 2010: Got back on name brand Minocin & added prednisone. RA started to come under control. Stomach churning/nausea/severe heartburn was a constant companion.
Fall 2010: Got scoped down and up. Internist diagnosed upper gastric IBS, scarring of esophagus. Put me on Nexium. Helped with heartburn, never stopped nausea. Learned to live and work feeling like I was going to heave all the time.
Jan 2013: Started paleo diet to lose prednison weight. within 3 weeks all RA and IBS symptoms vanished. Got off all meds.
July 2013: Began reintroducing foods. Began to get flares of either RA or IBS. Started to identify specific triggers of specific symptoms.
Dec 2013: Had full allergy testing - diagnosed with 20+ food allergies. Some minor - some strong. None cause typical allergic response - they either cause IBS flare or RA flares and even specific types of flares. Now I'm prone to developing new ones - had nausea for 3 days this week - Narrowed culprit down to two foods.
So my questions for you all here:
1. How many of you have had full food allergy testing?
2. Of those of you who have had the testing - how many have found their allergic response is their IBS symptoms (and not typical hives/swelling)?
2002: Diagnosed with RA at age 30. Went on the same treatment that put my mother's advanced RA in full remmission for 20+ years, that was Minocin. Had reasonable success - but not remission.
Fall 2009: Started 1st year teaching position at one of the ten worst schools in my state. Also started taking generic minocin.
Christmas 2009: RA Super flare with every joint involved. Couldn't even dress/shower self. Began popping hydrocodones like candy while waiting for rheumy appointment. Began experiencing severe stomach pain and heart burn.
Spring 2010: Got back on name brand Minocin & added prednisone. RA started to come under control. Stomach churning/nausea/severe heartburn was a constant companion.
Fall 2010: Got scoped down and up. Internist diagnosed upper gastric IBS, scarring of esophagus. Put me on Nexium. Helped with heartburn, never stopped nausea. Learned to live and work feeling like I was going to heave all the time.
Jan 2013: Started paleo diet to lose prednison weight. within 3 weeks all RA and IBS symptoms vanished. Got off all meds.
July 2013: Began reintroducing foods. Began to get flares of either RA or IBS. Started to identify specific triggers of specific symptoms.
Dec 2013: Had full allergy testing - diagnosed with 20+ food allergies. Some minor - some strong. None cause typical allergic response - they either cause IBS flare or RA flares and even specific types of flares. Now I'm prone to developing new ones - had nausea for 3 days this week - Narrowed culprit down to two foods.
So my questions for you all here:
1. How many of you have had full food allergy testing?
2. Of those of you who have had the testing - how many have found their allergic response is their IBS symptoms (and not typical hives/swelling)?
2. i was only sensitive to certain things; e.g. garlic, chiken, and so on, but i was only tested for 14...i am however lactose intolerant (i failed the breath test but my colonoscopy revealed that i was right) i also had an upper scope and am on nexium for gerd (it showed inflammation of the esophagus) but anyway the lactose intolerance definitely makes my ibs worse
it was hard to tell if the allergy stuff affected my stomach b/c the ibs is so bad but it very well may have
i'm sorry you're having such a hard time :( it took me years to get a proper diagnosis
I am on a very restricted diet as you can see and I still have problems eating. My symptoms are pain, bloating and trapped gas, constipation mostly but diarrhea if I eat something with fructose in it. I do get nausea occasionally.