Can we talk about GI issues? *poop warning*

[wambam]

In my non-professional opinion, IBS is a bullshit diagnosis. Doctors need to call your set of symptoms something, so they call it IBS. Ideas for possible things to test: small intestine bacterial overgrowth, food intolerances, candida overgrowth, or low stomach acid.

[Saint Monica]

do you take a probiotic?

have you done a food vs. poo journal ?

[TC]

I think once Crohns/UC have been ruled out, you are primarily left with IBS, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), and food intolerance.

You may or may not get much from your doctor in regards to IBS and SIBO. However, they will likely be willing to refer you for food allergy testing.

There is also something called collagenous/microscopic colitis, which basically means you present as a UC patient minus the blood in the stool and your colon appears normal. This is where I happen to be at with things right now in my own diagnostic process.

I can probably also give you some information about SIBO but there's going to be a lot of woo sounding stuff about it so it's up to you.

ETA : If you are interested in attacking this with diet, look for a dietitian that is familiar with the specific carbohydrate diet, the GAPS diet, and ketogenic diets. Go into it knowing that diet is hit or miss for a lot of folks and it's difficult to understand what dietary changes can be attributed to what results. 

[wambam]

Jul 10, 2014 15:38:41 GMT -5 TC said:

ETA : If you are interested in attacking this with diet, look for a dietitian that is familiar with the specific carbohydrate diet, the GAPS diet, and ketogenic diets. Go into it knowing that diet is hit or miss for a lot of folks and it's difficult to understand what dietary changes can be attributed to what results. 

I agree with this very much. TC is wise.

[trixiedicksnatch]

Do you have your gallbladder still? Have you been checked for endometriosis?

[wambam]

Jul 10, 2014 15:44:49 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

I've been doing the ketogenic diet off and on for a year. I have noticed a difference in diet mostly in terms of cramping and gas. I get super gassy when I eat carbs (TMI lol). Unfortunately the diarrhea is still there. I'll start researching the 2 other diets mentioned.

With this in mind, I'm inclined to pursue the SIBO route first.

[TC]

Jul 10, 2014 15:45:47 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

Jul 10, 2014 15:43:31 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

Do you have your gallbladder still? Have you been checked for endometriosis?

Yes, I have my gallbladder. That is one of my questions on my list for the dr. I haven't been checked for endometriosis but I don't think I have any other symptoms for that.

Endo has some pretty bizarre symptoms and is worth bringing up. It's definitely on my list of "things to rule out this year" now that I'm running out of other stuff.  

[MWOS]

Jul 10, 2014 15:51:01 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

wambam Can you tell me more about that?

TC I don't have painful periods or excessive bleeding. I wonder if endometriosis can be present with only digestive symptoms...

my sister's endo was caught because the Dr doing her colonoscopy noticed that her intestine wasn't as free moving as it should be, like it was tethered. So he sent her to her gyn, who did a lap and confirmed it. She has normal, regular periods.

[wambam]

Jul 10, 2014 15:51:01 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

wambam Can you tell me more about that?

TC I don't have painful periods or excessive bleeding. I wonder if endometriosis can be present with only digestive symptoms...

The sugar/carbs feed the bacteria overgrowth and can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Since you've noticed increased carb intake exacerbates your symptoms SIBO seems logical.

[prettyinpink]

I was diagnosed with IBS three years ago. Mine is related to stress and anxiety and my stomach goes nuts if too much of either is happening in my life. I have meds, but I rarely take them now that I've done therapy and have a much better control on my anxiety.

[bcv513]

You could still have Crohns. Mine was found on a colonoscopy because it's y the end of my small intestine. But they also had me do an MRI with contrast to see if it was anywhere else.

Have you had blood work or given stool sample? Anemia and vitamin deficiencies are hallmarks of crohns. And TMI but inflammation can show in the still sample

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2014 19:59:29 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

bcv513 I haven't done blood work or a stool sample with this doctor. I will ask about that.

@gracie6414 No, my doctor has not suggested an elimination diet. I have only had one appointment with him and his first suggestion was the procedure. I plan to discuss food sensitivities with him at my follow up appointment at the end of the month.

I would find a new doctor.

[wysiwyg]

I understand where you are coming from. I'm in the same place, but mine seem to be hereditary, but no solid dx yet. If you can, maybe you could ask around if your grandparents or their parents had similar issues?

[TC]

Jul 10, 2014 20:01:16 GMT -5 @bigtowlittletoe said:

Jul 10, 2014 19:59:29 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

bcv513 I haven't done blood work or a stool sample with this doctor. I will ask about that.

@gracie6414 No, my doctor has not suggested an elimination diet. I have only had one appointment with him and his first suggestion was the procedure. I plan to discuss food sensitivities with him at my follow up appointment at the end of the month.

I would find a new doctor.

Uh... yeah. There is no reason a colonoscopy and endoscopy should have been the first resort with not even daily diarrhea without blood. This is REALLY alarming, letsgetweird . I would definitely find a new doctor. 

[wysiwyg]

Jul 10, 2014 20:08:09 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Oh and yeast overgrowth can cause leaky gut. But I've found many docs don't think it's a real thing (and talked about a lot more within the holistic community). There is a urine test you can ask for. And there is a basic test you can do at home when you wake up in the morning (spitting into a glass of water). Google will find it. I was pretty convinced that was my problem until 11 days ago

Can I ask what color your poop is? Yellowish means you're not absorbing food properly.

So, what do you do if you fail the spit test? I know my spit does that

[TC]

Jul 10, 2014 20:08:09 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

Jul 10, 2014 20:01:16 GMT -5 @bigtowlittletoe said:

I would find a new doctor.

This is actually the 3rd GI doctor I've seen over the years. This seems to be pretty standard. All have suggested a colonoscopy immediately. I was pretty nervous about having a colonoscopy which is the reason I'm just now getting it done.

It can be really difficult to find the happy medium of doctors who A.) do not automatically jump to biopsies and procedures or B.) do not use relatively unfounded diagnoses such as candida overgrowth and SIBO as a catch all. I definitely empathize with the frustration. Right now, my good ol' MD has been most realistic, helpful, and balanced and I'm sort of falling back to basics with her now. It's okay to shop around until you feel like you are getting what you need.

[TC]

Jul 10, 2014 19:59:29 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

bcv513 I haven't done blood work or a stool sample with this doctor. I will ask about that.

@gracie6414 No, my doctor has not suggested an elimination diet. I have only had one appointment with him and his first suggestion was the procedure. I plan to discuss food sensitivities with him at my follow up appointment at the end of the month.

Please ask for a hsCRP and sed rate if you request bloodwork. This should have been done awhile ago. Not a perfect indicator of anything, but it's definitely helpful information to have.

[craftyone]

This might be in left field, but I had diarrhea for over a year before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Although it normally shows as constipation, I had the opposite. I had an appointment with a GI all setup and wanted to do blood work one last time. With the meds I still will have it if I eat a bunch of fruit, but it is no where the 2 times a day bathroom running I was having.

[bk1]

My DH is having the same problems as you OP.

It has been really frustrating. He has gone through the colonscopy, endoscopy, and has done blood work and a stool sample as well. All he has been told was IBS. We are wondering about food intolerances.

His doctor is an asshole and we won't be going back. As my DH was coming out of sedation from the colonscopy the doctor told me that "He is overreacting and has nothing wrong with him."