irritable bowel syndrome?

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Anyone have experience with IBS patients? My sis has had stomach pain for ages and had the endoscopy, is H pylori negative, and has tried all the acid reducing drugs with no relief, so the doc says it may be IBS. She has no intestinal symptoms, so my question is...can IBS show up as only stomach trouble?

I have a lot of stomach problems, but the doctor will not give dx of IBS even though I have all the symptoms. He says it is GERD, diabetic gastroparesis, and stress. I have problems at least 1-3 times a week with severe abd pain, bloating and diarrhea. I have (this is the only way I can describe it) fermented burping and much problems with gas. I am on Prevacid and reglan. Helps some, but when my stomach hurts, makes me have severe back pain. I feel like I am falling apart. I have an old body and a fairly young mind.

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Specializes in ED staff.

If she has not had a GB U/S and a Hidascan she needs ot have both of those done. I had "stomach" pain for a very long time and was scoped and even had GB U/S with neg results and was told "take your pepcid". I finally isisted on a HIDA scan and it WAS my GB. The answer is there, they just have to dig for it. If those things come back neg and seh is still having pain, look into antidepressants to assist with her stress level (actually the way her body is dealing with stress) soemtimes that helps. Hope she feels better soon, Wendy

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Carafate is apparantly associated with formation of bezoars in the stomach if taken long term.

I dont know if she had a Hida scan, but the doc seems satisfied it is not gallbaldder. I have my doubts. I still think he needs to go down the gallbladder route. Guess I will have to go along to the next appt and put in my .02

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bezoars??? What is that?

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Originally posted by ShandyLynnRN

bezoars??? What is that?

I'd never heard the term either.

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section3/chapter24/24b.htm

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Specializes in ED staff.

Isn't that like hairballs, or a big clump of undigestible stuff with chewed up fingernails etc in it?

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that's disgusting!!

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Maybe the carafate is some kind of plastic. It coats the stomach lining and relieves the irritation, but perhaps after a long time of use, it builds up in an indigestible lump? I am just guessing.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

Human hairballs?!?! :eek:

yack Yack! :imbar

Seriously I have never heard of this before...interesting!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My whole family has mild/moderate IBS. Fortunately, Immodium helps us a lot. Also, we know what we can eat and what we can't. Personally, I need a low/moderate fiber diet, which means NO popcorn and very few high-fiber vegetables. I also can't tolerate caffeine.

My younger brother also has diverticulitis. He ends up in the hospital once or twice a year because he keeps trying to eat popcorn. We have no sympathy for him and give him a hard time about it.

llg

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For diarrhea predominant IBS, NuLev PRN has worked well for me! It is an antispasmodic (like Levsin) that helps with the cramping and urgency issues that go with IBS.

There are other prescription products available, too. For diarrhea predominant -LOTRONEX ( is available again with some restrictions from FDA) ; for constipation predom. -ZELNORM.

These products work specifically at the level of serotonin receptors in the gut only (believed to be the root of the problem)=very effective overall for all symptoms related to IBS.

Hope this helps!

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Originally posted by greer128

Human hairballs?!?! :eek:

yack Yack! :imbar

Seriously I have never heard of this before...interesting!

almost as gross a thought as watching the dissection of a dermoid cyst...
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