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Suffering with ibs for 6 years

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samuel85869
samuel85869

Hello I’m new on here ive been battling constipation and stomach issues for along time it all started with my bowls not working properly.

To cut a long story short for 3 years I was back and forth from the GP they said I had ibs and kept giving me so many pills i knew in my head that something wasn’t a 100% right I booked a final doctors appointment after endless google searches and looking up symptoms I thought I’d found something everything started with my back every so often I would suffer in so much pain couldn’t walk sometimes.so I pushed hard at the doctors to be referred to see a specialist as I was loosing feeling in my lower back and it was now more painful than ever the dr told I wasting everyone’s time and if they referred me to a specialist I’d be wasting there time too I didn’t get angry I pulled out of my bag a massive book and showed the doctor all symptoms I was going through she responded this is all in your head I responded I know my body any something isn’t right and I’m not leaving until you referred me to a specialist at this point I thought I wouldn’t succeed but she said ok I will push you through to two specialists one to do with bowl and the other being Physiotherapy but I’m telling you now it’s ibs.

I attended Physiotherapy straight away they found a lump at the bottom of my spine and told me the out come of what they thought it might be but to really know they had to send me for an MRI scan.

Which I had and the result was a slipped disc at the bottom of my back I was then referred to hospital to see another specialist and give the option of spinal injections or surgery.they then prescribed me a pain killer called amitriptyline in the mean time I was on so many tablets at this point not just pain killers but laxitives to help me go to the toilet.

I was told that this was a pain killer and a antidepressant tablet at this point I thought if I could tackle one problem I’d try it.it took 2 weeks to kick in and my bowels starting working better I wasn’t going every day but it was a start over time it got better and the bloating stopped and the acid reflux I have since been moved to another tablet called noratriptline and bam all the problems have come back I’m now in the process of going back to the other tablet as that had a better result.

I wanted to say it’s hard when you know there’s something wrong with your bossy and everyone tells you it’s in your head but I really pushed hard to find I had something else going on as well that the doctors were not prepared to listen to me about.but the key I think is relaxing the mussels and mind that plays a massive part in ibs.

I hope this may help someone else but I know what works for one doesn’t always work for everyone.but amitriptyline gave me my life back and improved a lot more.

sorry for the long message.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 samuel85869

    Posted

    I have a back injury and IBS.  Initially my IBS aggravated the injury.  Now it doesn’t since I am largely in remisssion.I only take Buscopan and painkillers now and again.   I find these are far more helpful than antidepressants because they work quicker and are much milder with no nasty side effects. When I saw all the posdible problems with antidepressants, it really put me right off taking them.   I would rather not have to wait two weeks for them to work and in the meantime go through feeling toxic on them.
    • Angel91
      Angel91 pippa58442

      Posted

      The issue is many painkillers cause or worsen constipation, which would not help the poster. More than that, any chronic pain condition can cause depression.

      I'm sure the doctors weighed up the best options for the poster based on their conditions, medical history and current medications.

      The potential side effects of any medication is worth thinking about before you take them. But in this case it seems to be doing a good job. The Amitriptyline anyway.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Angel91

      Posted

      I have sensitivities to strong medications and some of these anti depressants cause constipation and diarrhoea as well which would not suit my IBS.   I have had bad IBS flare ups and my first one lasted three and a half months.  I ddn’t experience depression with the pain.  I mainly felt very frightened because no one could diagnose me,   I have had episodes of depression in the past for different reasons.  However, they have been shortlived  and I simply waited the episode out   For me that has been the best way of dealing with it. I am not a fan of medication unless I really need it.

      I have had neuralgia as well due to a medical mistake and my doctor tried to get me on anti depressants. However, for me, hot weather helps the neuralgia more so I decided not to take them.

      However, I do understand everyone is different.

  • christine_51821
    christine_51821 samuel85869

    Posted

    I've had bowel problems but I have stenosis of the lumbar lower back .

    Makes my legs feel week and and numb.i had asked once to try amitriptyline doc said no .went for review last week and mentioned amitriptyline again and this doc gave it me .it's early days yet but legs feel a little better only took it a week 10mg.

    Fingers crossed.

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