Hi all,
I've posted on here since September since getting a chronic anal fissure that is on the mend...but I've taken a turn for the worse with gastrointestinal symptoms.
I'm desperate for some help. Please excuse the lengthy post - I so greatly appreciate your taking the time to read.
I was diagnosed with ibs about 5 years ago, biggest issue was cramping after eating which was relieved with a bowel movement. FODMAP diet and mezavant allowed me to get my ibs under control - things were pretty good.
Then I was diagnosed with a chronic anal fissure in September - I have never been in such hellish pain. I had a colonoscopy (all clear!) in late November and began to improve shortly after, avoiding surgery. I still have burning after a bm especially when standing and the sphincter muscle is tight, but the fissures are completely healed, I haven't had any bleeding or sharp bm pain for over a month.
Soon after my colonoscopy, I began developing lots of gas and some diarrhea - I would belch every second for an hour or two during the day. The gas would then subside. I was taking miralax and Metamucil - I thought the symptoms were due to that, so I stopped both.
Since the beginning of December this has only become worse - I belch or pass gass all day, almost every second, explosively. I have severe stomach cramps and pain that have sent me to the ER twice. I have very bad diarrhea everyday. This is making it even more difficult for the sphincter to relax, I'm petrified I will get another fissure. I also often see strings of white or brown "mucous" when I have a bowel movement. When I look to see if this is an identifiable worm or something, it looks like what some have called "ropeworm" which as far as I can tell is not actually ever been shown to be anything besides mucous - still, very strange for me.
Ova and parasite and other stool tests have all been negative - but I suspect a parasite or giardia. On my suspicions, my doctor prescribed me flagyl for a 10 day course (I'm on the 5tg day and no improvement). I cannot get in to see a gastroenterologist despite the fact that I am already a patient. The emergency room sends me home with buscopan and tells me to see a gastro.
My diet consists of gluten free bread, bananas, a little peanut butter, maybe some oats. I've been diagnosed with ibs in the past and these have always been safe foods for me. I've never had these symptoms to this degree with ibs, especially the diarrhea.
Anybody have a similar experience? I need some help - I've lost my job, had to quit school in the middle of master's degree, have gone from extremely fit (working out 6 days a week, weightlifting and running - I was a personal trainer) to sitting on the couch or in bed all day because I'm in so much pain. This has also caused a break up between my boyfriend of three years and I.
And to emphasize - I had gas before from ibs that bothered me, but this is an INCREDIBLE amount of gas, it's inhuman! I have no idea what to do anymore, and I've been suicidal for weeks
Thank you so much for reading, any advice is so so welcome