wendy jill
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 1:54 am Post subject: dialysis & IBS
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Hello again - been quite a while since I posted.<
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>Desperately need your advice. <
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>Jill was doing wonderfully, until her digestive system slowed down. The pancreatic digestive enzymes worked for several months (she has reduced pancreatic function), now nothing seems to help.<
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>She is in agony all of the time with terrible cramping, gas, bloating, etc.<
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>At dialysis, they let her CO2 bicarb rise to 29, which "opened the door" for intestinal bacteria.<
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>She's taking Cipro, & just started zelnorm. Her gastro said if that didn't work he could TAKE OUT HER COLON!<
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>She is only 44, & dialysis is bad enough, but I'm afraid if we don't find help, the digestive disorder will kill her.<
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>Thank you - any advice on meds, diet, etc. is welcome.<
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>Wendy
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IBS Also
Joined: 31 Oct 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 2:11 am Post subject: What to do
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I also have IBS and I know the pain your sister is going through. I don't know if this is possible in your sisters case but thought I would give you the chance to consider it. My IBS comes on also as a result of stress. I have found taking 1 Tylenol 3 relaxes me enough that the pain goes away.
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wendy jill
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 2:48 am Post subject: dialysis & IBS
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Thank you !<
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>So far, nothing seems to control the pain somewhat is 1/2 ambien.<
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>We hope the zelnorm will do something. From reading, there is a molecule called seratonin that "triggers" the
ain & gut to start the digestion process, i.e., move things along.<
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>Zelnorm is the only digestive drug on market with seratonin, but it's also found in prozac.<
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>We have our fingers crossed.<
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>Right now, it's not just food, it's anything, water, that triggers the bloating & pain.<
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>Wendy
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 5:50 am Post subject: Me too!!!
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Had colonoscopy about 4 yrs. ago because things were not "normal" and they couldn't find anything wrong. I've had some problems so long that they were normal for me, but as the doc. said not normal at all; you have IBS.<
>The recommendations for dealing with it don't jibe with being a dialsyis pt. as I'm sure Jill knows by now.<
>Some of the meds. they give us cause problems. The diet is a nightmare for us. I've always loved dairy but couldn't have a lot of it because it caused upsets. Now I can't have the extra dairy anyway so I decided to use the non dairy products. Low and behold, I've been "running", and I'm not referring to jogging!!! Apparently non dairy creamer and topping don't agree with me because when I stopped using them the problem ceased, and returned when I started up again. <
>If Jill figures out how to deal with it please let me know how, and I'll promise to do the same.<
>In Jill's case I would get a second opinion , and perhaps even a third if possible. Taking out one's colon for IBS sounds like a drastic measure as IBS is not even a disease. Tell Jill hi from me! Lin.
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wendy jill
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:28 am Post subject: dialysis & IBS
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Hi Lin!!!<
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>Good to "hear" from you - I've missed being on the board.<
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>Jill will soon be online - it's her Xmas present.<
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>We're going to try something different. I read a lot about hypnotherapy for IBS - called Jill's therapist & she said yes, it works. Her therapist suffers from IBS, & can attest.<
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>Makes sense, since if it's the seratonin that's not "signaling" properly from the
ain to gut, then being able to relax couldn't hurt.<
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>Probably making it too simple, but makes sense, if you're stressed, in pain, things shut down & go "off track". <
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>I'll tell Jill hi for you <
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>Wendy
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patient
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:12 am Post subject: Welcome back Wendy and Jill
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What's this about CO2 bicarb going to 29? Do you mean on her labs? My tx bicarb is 38. What causes IBS? Did you get Jill into a better unit? What state are you in?
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wendy jill
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:51 am Post subject: dialysis & IBS
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1) CO2 Bicarb - Jill is very thin, (86 lbs @ 5'5"), & we've found that her CO2 bicarb in the dialysate must stay at 28/29; otherwise it throws off her body's pH, & she is then gets bacteria overgrowth in her intestines.<
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>(2) She is in a MUCH BETTER unit - they actually notice when she's not feeling well & work with her to get to the bottom of it - what a concept!<
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>(3) IBS - I've learned many things can cause IBS - in Jill's case her bout with pancreatitis a few years ago damaged her pancreas & it doesn't produce all of the enzymes needed to digest food. <
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>This slowed her "system" down, & that, & restricted fluid, causes her digestive system to work at a snails pace.<
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>The Zelnorm is starting to work - helping to restore the "signals" between the
ain & her gut - seeing slow but definite improvement. This, plus really pushing fiber, seems to be helping.<
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>(4) We are in North Carolina - & in the Raleigh area, out of 3 units, have found one that's good.<
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>Wendy
