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IBS Support Group

A support group for people with undiagnosed digestive disorders or those ... more

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LilMissMerrySunshine

Joined: 02/27/2010

My Story:

I have always had a "sensitive stomach", but once my daughter was born five years ago, I started having diarrhea. It gradually became 7 days per week, and 2 GI docs ran only basic tests and tried multiple meds, none of which worked. By the time I saw the third GI doc 2.5 years later, I was down to 92 lbs. He found a med that worked, ran every test (CT, endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood work, stool samples), but did not find anything. He diagnosed me with IBS.

I strongly believe IBS is a catch-all diagnosis for when doctors have eliminated everything they know about. I also believe that as the years go by, more diseases will be identified, and eventually IBS will not exist.

In the past six years, I have had multiple medical conditions, all seemingly unrelated. But six months ago, I became extremely ill and ended up in the hospital for 11 days. While there, it was discovered I had a cortisol problem. Unfortunately, my GI doctor blew this off on my follow-up, so I had to wait 3 months to see an endocrinologist. At that time, I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency). AI can cause so many problems, including "IBS".

I am now on replacement steroids for the rest of my life, and I am learning how to control my disease. It is very rare, so there is not a lot of information out there. AI patients have to be extremely pro-active.

I have recently learned I have such a severe vitamin D deficiency, I may have a secondary condition like Celiac. It will be anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months before I know the answer. (Although I have tested negative on blood tests and biopsies, it is still possible I have it.) AI patients are much more likely to develop other auto-immune conditions in their lives, but frankly I would appreciate a chance to get the first disease under control without having to deal with another! We will just have to wait and see.

I still deal with GI issues off and on, and I still see a GI doctor regularly. My hope is to share what I have learned these last five years with others and to provide support as people try to find a diagnosis and/or control their symptoms.

The most important thing I can tell anyone is to listen to your body, push push PUSH, and don't be afraid to get another opinion...or four.

I wish everyone good health!

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Reply: Worried about my Mother

Wow, I realize you are upset about your mom, but I don't think anyone here has...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Worried about my Mother Wow, I realize you are upset about your mom, but I don't think anyone here has...

Reply: Worried about my Mother

So she has had colonoscopies and endoscopies, CT scans, been given...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Worried about my Mother So she has had colonoscopies and endoscopies, CT scans, been given...

Reply: IBS? - Treatments?

Please read the article "Especially for the Newbies" in the tips section so...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:IBS? - Treatments? Please read the article "Especially for the Newbies" in the tips section so...

Reply: Worried about my Mother

Has she seen a GI doctor? If so, what tests have they done? Please see the...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Worried about my Mother Has she seen a GI doctor? If so, what tests have they done? Please see the...

Reply: Medscape: Unsedated Colonoscopy

Last September, in the hospital, I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I had already...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Medscape: Unsedated Colonoscopy Last September, in the hospital, I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I had already...

Slap in the Face

Actually, there are two. One small, and one big. The small one is this: My...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Slap in the Face Actually, there are two. One small, and one big. The small one is this: My...

Reply: Medscape: Unsedated Colonoscopy

Can I change the name of the article? "Unsedated Colonoscopy Better Tolerated...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Medscape: Unsedated Colonoscopy Can I change the name of the article? "Unsedated Colonoscopy Better Tolerated...

A little update...since I've been MIA

Hi everyone! Okay, so I'm feeling better each day. I've started getting out...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:A little update...since I've been MIA Hi everyone! Okay, so I'm feeling better each day. I've started getting out...

Reply: Just a quick post

Oh, I just cannot fall asleep. Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril (which is...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Just a quick post Oh, I just cannot fall asleep. Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril (which is...

Reply: I'm going nuts! (& this is long...)

Thank you Barbara. I actually have a therapist, and I have been seeing him for...

Posted by LilMissMerrySunshine

23 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I'm going nuts! (& this is long...) Thank you Barbara. I actually have a therapist, and I have been seeing him for...

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