Tag Archives: IBS
Quick Belly Update
“Belly” means my entire digestive tract, by the way. I just think it sounds less gross to say “belly” than it does to say “intestines.”
My belly is still causing major issues. Yesterday was a pill day and I ended up having some pretty bad issues. I was really gassy and then got pretty sick later. From how things looked, it looks as though my digestive system is suddenly moving things way too fast; which is how it feels too. Hopefully, it’ll slow back down because I don’t want to end up malnourished. That wasn’t fun and I ended up completely exhausted and unable to do stuff around the house I really wanted to do.
Today, I woke up in TONS of pain. My belly is incredibly cramped and I keep getting more severe pain that comes and goes… so I can tell the pain is related to stuff moving on through. Not fun. It hasn’t really gotten too much better throughout the course of the day. Nausea has improved, at least, but the pain is pretty bad. But with the nausea doing better, I was able to eat a regular meal (we had Panera Bread for lunch). Hopefully that will get a good deal of nutrients into my system before my next pill day tomorrow (I’m also hoping my next pill day goes much better).
I haven’t taken my probiotic because it can cause diarrhea too, and I don’t need two medications doing that. However, I’m starting to wonder if it might help with nutrient retention and speed up the “getting used to the medication” process…
While I don’t feel completely like death, I am attempting my homework. So back to catching up I go…!
‘K Belly, You Can Stop Now…
I hate throwing up, almost to a phobic level. I do pretty much anything to avoid it. When I’ve gotten sick enough that I’m pretty much begging my body to throw up just to get a little relief, it’s a good sign that I’m pretty awful. Tonight is like that.
We had blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs for dinner (a favorite). Normally, I’ll eat my share of the eggs (I love eggs) and 4 muffins (they’re smallish)… After eating my share of the eggs and two muffins tonight, I had that sort incredibly full feeling that just aches. Usually, that feeling goes away again in about an hour or two. Nope. Five hours later and I still feel so crazy full I can’t stand it. I just want to throw up so I can not feel like this anymore – it’s making me nauseous and cranky. I realize one of the possible Linzess side effects is feeling overly full very quickly and staying that way. This feeling better not stick around or I’ll be losing weight in a very unhealthy manner… Ugh.
I really wish my belly would just get with the program and stop panicking over this new medication.
The Calm Was a Lie
Yesterday, I thought I was doing a little better. I was excited because I ate 1.5 burritos for dinner (homemade, so not gigantic). I have only had a handful of “real” meals the last few weeks, eating mostly just buttered rice or noodles or drinking Ensure. Unfortunately, either my body hated the burritos or it really is having a hard time with this new medication. I took it this morning like you’re supposed to (30 minutes before your first meal, on an empty stomach)… And after just a few moments my stomach was crampy, gassy, and painful. Not sure if it’s simple because I woke up more and noticed it, or if it’s the medication.
Either way, I’m definitely missing my first class because sitting up has been pretty brutal. Hopefully I can get to my second class.
Stomach is a Tiny Bit Better, but That’s It.
Today was not a pill day, so I don’t know if that has to do with it. However, I’m still feeling awful. I have Pilates today, and I really need to get my [allergy] shots… but I have absolutely NO energy. My alarm went off at 8:30a because I forgot what time I had Pilates (last night, my brain said it was at 10a, but it’s not until 12:30p), but I didn’t have the energy to get myself out of bed until after 11a. I’m still incredibly nauseous and feel like I’m on the verge of throwing up. So far, the two blueberry muffins I had for breakfast are staying down. I hope the Pepsi I’m drinking will help (carbonation calms my stomach, yes it’s weird) with both the nausea and the energy level. Luckily, the other portion of my stomach problems seem to have resolved. I’m hoping they stay that way, but I doubt I’ll know until I eat more. I was actually running a low fever last night, which is on the list of Linzess side effects, but I don’t know if it’s just a side effect of if it means I’ve picked up a bug. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.
Stomach Issues
I wrote this whole post and then my stupid phone erased it, so here we go again:
It appears that the Linzess side effects have appeared. My GI has me taking one pill every other day (as opposed to daily) because my system is so hyper-responsive, and he didn’t want me to swing to severe diarrhea. Apparently, my system is still a little too responsive. At least, I think it’s from the Linzess.
I had to leave school in between my classes today (which means I had to miss my second class again). Click here to find out why
Body, WTF Are You Doing?!
Seriously, WTF is going on? I am at a loss. I really haven’t pushed myself that hard and I’m miserable. I don’t get it.
I Had a Great Day, and Then…
… It was gone.
Now I’m writhing around in bed trying desperately to find a position for some relief while also trying to move agonizingly slowly because I don’t want to shake my stomach up and vomit. Don’t know what happened, but suddenly the urge to vomit appeared and it won’t go away, even with Zofran. Dan thinks I ate too many allergens. I don’t think that’s the whole picture, but all I do know is I feel awful.
I don’t want to vomit because last time I started I needed to go to the ER to stop… But I also kind of want to so I might feel better. What would be really nice would be the ability to remove my stomach until it calmed down. Oh, and sleep would be fantastic.
Tips for Supporting a Chronic Partner
Last night I stumbled upon a post on Pinterest that made me cry. It made me cry because it is fantastic, so it was tears due to a display of true love. It was written by a guy who has been married to his wife for almost 14 years, and his wife suffers from chronic pain. He gets it. He gets it in a way I never thought anyone other than the sufferer could get it. The article gave me a lot of hope: It just takes time and patience but the two of us (Dan and me) will learn to conquer this together.
23 Tips For Men – On Supporting A Partner With Chronic Pain
The article isn’t just for spouses. Really, it isn’t. It has perfect tips for any support person. It works the same if the roles are reversed (husband has chronic pain), if it’s a parent/child relationship (either direction), if you’re the best friend of a single friend, etc. Anyone that has to take a primary, or even secondary, caretaker role can benefit from reading this article.
Finals Begin Today
My first final is in an hour… And my intestines are spasming badly. I took my antispasmodic before I left the house, but I didn’t bring it with me…
I really hope they calm down before my exam. I’m not all that nervous, I’m pretty good at exams. I did well on my midterm, and I’ve done well on everything else. I’m at school with tons of time, and I am mentally reviewing info for the essay questions.
Finding Life's Silver Sun 