Ow and TMI

[tsaiko]

I have IBS. This means my digestive tract does not work right. Sometimes this means my digestive tract really, really doesn't work right to the point that I am in tremendous pain. I have told various doctors about this and been told that there's not a whole lot that can be done. I just have to wait until things... er... move on through.

Yesterday was one of those days. One of the more annoying symptoms of IBS is the feeling of having to use the bathroom without actually having a bowel movement. I can (and have) gone to the bathroom multiple times in an hour only to have nothing happen. Meanwhile, I will be gassy, bloated, and occasionally experiencing excruciatingly bad cramps. This is in addition to the lovely feeling on constipation.

I can try and force myself to have a bowel movement, but that carries a whole set of really not good risks. One of the risks is tearing and bleeding. Which is what happened yesterday. So not only did it feel like I'd been anally violated by the world's largest, driest poop ever I was also bleeding (not a lot, but still. Blood is not something I want to see on the toilet paper when I wipe my ass).

Today, I had another bowel movement. Bled a little bit more, but not as bad as today. My only hope is that it will get better and heal on it's own. I really, really do not want to have to go to the doctor because my ass is bleeding from a bowel movement. -_-

Sitting is slightly uncomfortable. I have all sorts of sympathy now for the ukes in yaoi manga where there is no lube.

Comments

[feuervogel]

Zelnorm is back on the market. Maybe you can persuade your doctor you let you try it.

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

With my IBS I suffer from both constipation and diarrhea, something both in one day. I did look into it at one point, but don't want to take something that will help with one symptom of IBS while triggering the other. Luckily, a lot of the problems I'm complaining about don't happen too often.

But thank you for the suggestion.

[feuervogel]

Eew, yeah, something that increases motility is definitely a bad idea in mixed-type IBS. You've probably tried fiber, water, and exercise already. (fun fact: fiber can act either as a pro-motility agent or to slow it down (by absorbing water.))

Good luck?

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

*pets* Oh, you poor thing. *pets and praises my fairly normal bodily functions*

Following the line of thinking from above, my uncle actually drinks metamucil everday to harden his BM's, rather than the other way. Um, yay fiber?

I hope you heal up and feel better soon! *hugs*

[aruru.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that must suck like whoa. :\

Hope you feel better soon!

[herongale]

:/ Do you take regular metamucil/fiber supplements? This is a gentle treatment and if you take it daily, even if you are feeling well, it might help the constipation side. You have probably already discussed when and how to use over the counter stool softeners (aka senna), but if you have predominantly constipation based IBD, daily colace (which is a prescription only medicine, I think) might also be useful. Colace can be given both as needed, and as a daily medicine to help keep your stools soft so that you don't have to strain so hard with every BM.

In terms of the area that is already injured, get yourself some vaseline and apply it at least three times a day, and also after every successful bowel movement. Even if there's bleeding, it's okay to slater vaseline over it, and if you wear a menstrual pad (or even one of those light days pads), you should be able to avoid any underwear staining.

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

I do not take regular fiber supplements (what's really, really sad is I have some sitting in my damn kitchen and I keep forgetting to take them -_-). Alas, I have the kind of IBS where I have constipation and diarrhea, sometimes both in the same day. Luckily, this doesn't happen too often. Otherwise my doctor and I would be having a talk because I do not find bleeding from the ass at all comfortable.

Thank you for the advice about the vaseline. I definitely try it. And so far (knocks on wood), I haven't needed to resort to using pads to stop any staining. It wasn't that bad and I'm just a wuss.

[eternalism.livejournal.com]

I have colitis, which is not fun combined with IBS, so sometimes I'll have horrible stomach pain and diarrhoea combined with enough blood to be dripping from my butt into the toilet bowl. Scary as all hell, but at least for me, nothing too serious at the moment. (Though it is a bitch to know that I have to bleed from two holes instead of just one.) I've been throughanal probes to get this diagnosed. Anal probes! O_o (Which sound way freakier than they actually are, if you can get over the fact that there's a medical technician lubing up your anus and poking things inside it.)

[zombiebanana.livejournal.com]

I had bad problems with constipation when I was a kid, about 8-12 years old. I'm not sure what caused it, but I would only have a bowel movement about once a week. Each time, it would be a bit bigger around than your typical summer sausage, and it would take me about 2-3 hours to pass it. Thus, I have a lot of torn tissue there now, and sometimes even the smallest bowel movement will make me bleed. It's not often though.

But I know how you feel. ;< It's hell... Mine just suddenly stopped happening about the time I turned 13, but for those few years, it was torture. Dx I only hope that it gets better for you...I know how awful it is.

[zombiebanana.livejournal.com]

Edit that, it was as big around as one of those really big summer sausages. -_- About 3-4 inches wide. I didn't realize how small a typical summer sausage usually is.

*comforts* Why do such sucky things happen to people so awesome?

[mariko-neko.livejournal.com]

Poor Tsaiko! I would offer comfort foods, but I don't want your insides to hate you. *puts you on To Heal when world works right list, right after the rl friends*