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General health

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Original poster

question about IBS & colonoscopy

22 replies

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 14:36

hi. i am new to this site and i am after information about IBS. i saw a Gastroentologist today and he diagnosed this. i also have to have a colonoscopy in a few weeks time which i am dreading to rule out IBD or crohns disease as it runs in my family.

anyone had a colonoscopy? is it really painful?
anyone with IBS? what sets yours off and what foods/drinks do you avoid?

OP posts:

StrangeTown · 21/12/2006 14:56

Hello - I had this last year. Colonoscopy was fine, had it to rule out Colitis (sp) as my sister has it.

IBS has actually been lot better. I was on Mebeverine for a couple of months, which really helped. I also cut out wheat, meat and dairy for a about a month. This seemed to make a massive difference, kind of kick started my system and I haven't had any really bad bouts of IBS since.

I wasn't that happy with the whole IBS diagnosis and really resisted it, but once I had given my body chance with my diet things have been fine. Good Luck!

StrangeTown · 21/12/2006 14:56

PS I eat completely normally now. I just had a kind of detox when I cut out the wheat etc.

lornaloo · 21/12/2006 14:59

Dp suffers from IBS. Wheat definitly triggers his off. He seems to be ok with meat and veg.

DetentionGrrrl · 21/12/2006 15:06

I have IBS- i found the medication i was given was useless, but that peppermint tea worked wonders (3 cups a day)

Beer, mustard, chillies and excessive wheat sets it off with me. Wine is also a problem now.

While i was pregnant it disappeared totally, but it's creeping back now

LITTLEdonkeyFISH · 21/12/2006 15:27

I have IBS and I take aloe vera liquid every day. Since I started taking it 18 months ago, I haven't had any major attacks.

I had a sigmoid colonoscopy. It's not too bad honestly. Take some nurofen before you go, and try as to relax as much as possible. (As much as you ever can when someone is sticking something up your bottom to have good look around )

olittletownofberolina · 21/12/2006 15:30

I had a colonoscopy for a different problem. The worst part is the clearing out beforehand , tbh. I was sedated for the actual procedure and was basically out of it throughout.

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 18:06

thanks for replying.

to the last poster. why were you sedated through the procedure? do you think i could ask them if i could be knocked out for the procedure? i am a very nervous person and get ill at the thought of a cervical smear test let alone a colonoscopy

OP posts:

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 18:07

another question. the clearing out bit. do i have to be housebound for the whole day before the procedure for obvious reasons?

OP posts:

lulumama · 21/12/2006 18:10

i had a colonoscopy 3 1/2 years ago..with sedation...didn;t feel a thing! i have crohns disease.....under control i am glad to say ! the picolax you get to clear you out seems to affect people differently... i would stay in the house to be on the safe side as can produce explosive results in some people!

podgegl20 · 21/12/2006 18:11

Hello, I had a colonoscopy about 2 months ago. I found the clearing out the day before the worst - I couldn't move far from the toilet all day. The procedure was ok I did have some sedation which I think helped.
If you have sedation it means you're a bit woozy for a while afterwards.
Good luck, it'll be worth it to rule out anything else.

drummumadrumming · 21/12/2006 18:12

hi strawberrydream.. I'm suprised they haven't offered to sedate you! like olittletownofberolina said the worst bit was not eating for the day before and the laxatives they give you work really quickly! don't go out that day...
I get IBS as well and funily enough... too much wheat sets me off...

StrangeTown · 21/12/2006 18:14

Yes, you can have general (I did).
Yes you do need to be housebound and that was definitely the worst part. You basically can't eat for 48 hours - only clear liquid. (I know it wasn't what they meant, but I got drunk for the 1st 24 hours - beer seemed clear enough.)
Then you take some meds which really made me ill (sorry, I'd forgotten about that bit) v sick and on toilet for hours.

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 18:27

thanks very much for your help everyone.
one other very important question. can i drink alcohol with this condition?

OP posts:

kate2006 · 21/12/2006 18:41

Hi
I had a colonoscopy (and a gastrocopy)on Monday. It was fine, I was also dreading it so I was sedated which was great. The worst bit was taking the laxative the night before! The thought of them is definately worse than what happened.
I had them to rule out Colitis as my dr thinks I have IBS. I have tried cutting out wheat and alcohol but it doesn't seem to make any difference with me. I think that with IBS it really depends on the person what the triggers are.
hth

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 20:18

StrangeTown - I was wondering why you couldn't have an epidural for the procedure rather than a general. Do you know if I could ask for this?

OP posts:

lulumama · 21/12/2006 20:19

sedation should be enough.....honestly...

lulumama · 21/12/2006 20:19

sedation should be enough.....honestly...

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 20:22

Thanks. what method of sedation do they use? i have no idea what drugs they use, i have heard of sedation but i was in such a flap i did not listen.

OP posts:

lulumama · 21/12/2006 20:25

it is the sort of sedation that means you do not remember the procedure at all.......! which is great..you will be woozy for about 6- 12 hours after...you shouldn't have a general if you can help it...you won;t remember or feel anything

Original poster

strawberrydream · 21/12/2006 20:43

thanks lulamama for your reply. i suffer with anxiety and take anti-depressants. the gastro told me to continue with the ad's as they help with anxiety disorders and IBS. he said there is some connection with psychological problems and the bowel but i cannot remmeber what he said because i was in one of my anxiety states i just wanted to get the hell out of his office. he was a nice bloke though and told me to find some time for relaxation and to continue with the ad's. you say you have crohns do the ad's help with crohns? i am being checked for crohns.

OP posts:

lulumama · 21/12/2006 20:55

I was taking ADs for a long time, and my crohns ( undiagnosed ) was awful...so i don;k think it helped me....

but IBS can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety and ADs keeping your mood level can help in that respect.

the tension in your body can definitely affect your bowels.

also, if it is IBS or crohns, you will get the appropriate medication prescribed

StrangeTown · 22/12/2006 09:50

Hi Strawberry - I'm really not sure about the general - it was just what the consultant arranged and tbh, I didn't question it too much. Like you I was in a bit of a flap at the time and didn't get all the information/options I probably should have.
When I think back to that time, I really was feeling shocking and thought my life was going to be ruled by food and toilet access! I'm pleased to say that it is nothing like that and after the intital detox and medication I now eat, drink (alcohol included) anything.

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