My IBS has come out of remission

Joy, it never rains, it pours. I’ve been having increasing problems with my bowels over the last few months with my other health issues. I was diagnosed several years ago with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. My IBS then gave me debilitating bowel cramps that would leave me in so much pain, I would become non-verbal, a ball wrapped around my innards in fetal position, in ER, making low primal noises in my throat until the injections they would give me for pain would take over, and I’d realize where I was, and what was going on around me. My sister suffers from Chron’s disease, and her and I agree, bowel pain is the worst pain we’ve ever experienced in our lives. It was worse than her childbirths, it was worth than my appendicitis. So far, thank all the powers that be, I have not had much extreme cramping with this re-flaring up of my IBS. I’m suffering from really bad constipation and bloating and gas. Oh joy. Though I rather be backed up and dependent on medications to help things empty out, and farting up a storm than dealing with those agonizing cramps.  So keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t get cramping symptoms back.

Yesterday at the Doctor he was concerned that with my poor bowel functioning I may not be totally clearning my bowel. So I was prescribed oral Fleet, and today I get to empty out, so to speak. Joy. So I have taken my oral dose of heavy duty laxative, and oodles of water. And I’m having some cramping, but manageable. I’m hoping this well help kick start a bowel regime for me that will be a bit more effective. We’ll see.

Is there anything in my body that -is- working properly right now?

Actually, thankfully my body weight has reached that magic cut off number where my hypertension is controllable by diet and I no longer have to take water pills for it, that’s something. Though it seems these days I’m adding way more medications than I’m taking off. I’ve added amitriptyline to my mix of anti-depressants because it’s known to be helpful in dealing with pain disorders as well. The most difficult side effects for me are going to be it’s constipating effects, like all of the other meds I take, and, that it makes you weight gain/hungry.

I’ve had for the last few weeks my diet on a strictly controlled 1400 calories a day, and feel I will be able to maintain that, so I’m not too worried about it, it will just be emotionally harder to do with the pills telling my brain and body I’m starving, when I’m not. On the other hand, pain for me decreasese appetite, and regardless of the medications I take I seem to have enough pain that it keeps me feeling slightly nauseous and for the most part disinterested in food.

It’s been easier to follow a really clean diet. Salmon, other seafood, fat free or very low fat lean meats, whole grains in variety, whole raw nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low fat dairy products, soy cheese and tofu, edamame, and other goodies, as well as loads of nutritional supplements based on researching inflammatory  illnesses and recommended diets keeping me on track. I feel right now with my joints, the lower I can bring my weight, in a healthy steady slow process, the better. So I log my 1400 calories of perfectly balanced and supplemented diet every day, and I don’t stray.

Somehow having so many things going on with my body that I can’t control, and that are harming me, makes it easier to control the healthy diet aspect right now. I’m desperate for anything that may help and heal. I’d be popping my omega 3 and vitamin and mineral supplements right now with a healthy lunch, if it weren’t for the fact that everything I put in my body is going to be flushed clear out soon anyways, today it’s just liquids until this fleet laxative goes through, and I’ll concentrate later on a clean healthy dinner.

I feel like I’m fighting a cold/flu too, started getting sore throat and congestion yesterday, so I’m avoiding the swimming pool till those symptoms settle down. Hard to know when I get random symptoms whether they are connected to my current health problems, or are a separate illness.

Right now it’s:

Depression, for certain diagnosed and controlled, though I’m at about 70% functioning, it’s what I’m on long term disability for. My depression limits my ability to cope and handle stressors. I can manage via medication and lifestyle. I have permanent changes in mood, but more so in cognition, memory, and ability to manage tasks.

IBS, never goes away, but was in remission for many years, seems to be active again.

Reactive Arthritis/Reiter’s Syndrome, I have been diagnosed with by an internist that doesn’t seem 100% sure one moment to the next. He has also said I may have Fibromyalgia, either instead of, or as well as, the Reiter’s Syndrome. I’m going for a second opinion with a Rheumatologist to get a solid diagnoses of whatever my current severe issue really is. This is the thing that’s really affecting my whole body, causing severe pain, weakness, fatigue, and limiting me the most. However, odds are, whatever it is, I won’t be able to treat it any better or have any more resolution in health care from getting a diagnosis. I don’t know why, but somehow having a name for it, will give me some sense of control/closure around it, helping me to deal and cope, and plan, better.

That’s all from today’s Lemon report.

I’m hungry, when is this laxative going to kick in so I can have some freaking food…