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A lot of the time doctors are only looking at what's happening right this moment and try to fix it, without thinking ahead. Then the next time they see you they've forgotten about what happened last time. I've found a lot of the time I had to 'remind' the doctor about what's been going on with me.
It was only a few years ago I read about how people with colitis and crohn's tend to have low Vit D levels so I asked to have it checked with my next set of blood tests - lo and behold my results were low.
Thankfully the doctor I have now tends to think more holistically, ask how I'm doing, and look at her notes.
If you haven't had it done in the past, I'd suggest getting your vitamin/mineral levels checked. Along with B12 and iron, calcium and magnesium (they counter balance each other) and Vit D would be some easy ones to test. Also have you had your blood sugar levels checked (your 'that age' comment made me think of it).
Not too many people post on these boards nowadays.View Thread


Btw probiotics are even more important to take while taking antibiotics - just not at the exact same time (take the probiotics a couple hours later).View Thread


When I hear right sided pain my first thought is gallbladder and it's possible that it can be controlled with diet. Here's a page about that: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/gallbladder-diet-foods-for-gallbadder-problems
I wouldn't worry too much about the blood. As it's bright red that means that it's right at the end of your intestines (further up and it would be darker). Also your description sounds like you have a small cut or something similar. It should be checked out to find out exactly where it's coming from and so you can do something to heal it.
When you go to the doctor insist that you get some testing done - after all you have lived with this for over two years, and if it was going to go away on it's own it would have already. Here's a list of gallbladder testing (they usually start with the easier stuff first) http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tests-diagnose-gallbladder-problems
No worries on the length of you post - there's no such thing as Too Much Information (TMI) here.
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How are your eating habits? This site has helped out a lot of people with IBS (you don't need to buy anything from her) http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/View Thread

I happened upon an article that has some decent info about IBS:
Sometimes called "spastic colon," IBS is a functional disorder of the colon that does not involve inflammation. IBS results in chronic painful spasms in the colon that produce cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Pain can move from one location to another, and can occur either occasionally or frequently. Fatty foods, milk products, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeinated and carbonated drinks can trigger symptoms. Eating small meals throughout the day may reduce symptoms.
That right sided pain makes me wonder about your gallbladder...View Thread

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I suspect (and it sounds like you do too) that something else is going on. For starters you've been through "a ton of stress" and that's going to take it's toll on you. Quitting smoking during this is also going to mess with your body. I see a recipe for disaster.
First thing to do is try to limit what you're eating to simple, whole foods. Then start a food diary where you right down *everything* you consume (food, drink, gum, meds, vitamins, etc) and any symptoms you have during the day. Do this for a few weeks and then look back over it to see if you can spot any trigger foods. This is much easier to do when it's all in writing.
Btw when your digestive tract starts going haywire, one of the first things to go is the ability to break down lactose (milk sugar). It's probably worthwhile to give up obvious milk sources for awhile.
Gas tells me that your body isn't digesting food properly. Then you've got diarrhea with some constipation, which shows that your body is trying to regulate itself but keeps swinging too far away from 'normal'. Make sure you keep your fluid levels up as dehydration can be nasty.
Then comes stress reduction - yes I know, much easier said than done. The reality is that stress is going to make everything you're going through that much worse.View Thread

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