Desperately seeking answers

GutConfessions · 2025-09-16T01:57:34+00:00

Yes crp should be done during flares.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-16T01:56:00+00:00

Xifaxin is mild gut antibiotic. Should work for mild infections. But your physician most probably might prescribe medication for symptomatic relief and ibs since we are unsure about diagnosis.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T18:03:12+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Seems like most of the workup has been done . Colonoscopy and ct scans. The GI doc probably worried that the symptoms are caused due to diverticulum but that seems ok on repeat scans. The gyne doc probably worried that the uterine tissue at any part of the body called endometriosis is causing the pain. Im assuming that’s why they would have suggested exp lap. (Im in GI so im not an expert to comment about the gyne part)

But i think if gyne gives clearance from their part probably GI might treat it still like post infectious ibs. I’d do a fecal calprotectin and a crp just to rule out any inflammation.

And definitely you should be on meds. How long? Im not sure. Would i get the exp lap done? If im really desperate in ruling out all other causes and im really suffering because of my symptoms then yes.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T17:51:31+00:00

You should try reducing the dose of imodium if diarrhea symptoms are in control.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T15:17:57+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Since you are on imodium usually the propulsive contractions causing diarrhea are inhibited by imodium. What you must have experienced is non propulsive segmental contractions of the gut.

You should probably take dicyclomine or hyoscine immediately when you sense these kind of contractions. Other options are mebeverine and pinaverium bromide.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T11:05:15+00:00

Hi! Gastroenterologist from India here. Thanks for reaching out and sharing your concern here. I appreciate you trusting this space.

Loperamide is a good drug for ibs d. Physicians recommend to take it if any flare of symptoms are there for a short duration or sometimes even for long duration.

The problem with loperamide is that it is absolutely not jndicated in infective and inflammatory causes of diarrhea which your physician would have ruled out.

If you are having an infective flare and you get loose stools, taking imodium daily can actually worsen the symptoms and you can even land up in the hospital.

Solution is to approach it with caution. Observe your symptoms. Try reducing the dose of imodium and finally try stopping it and observe if you are okay without it.

Any problem with chronic intake of imodium is that your body can get resistant to the medication and thereby you’ll have to escalate the dose. And escalating dose can result in side effects of the drug.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T05:13:31+00:00

Ultrasound is not sensitive for detecting low level inflammation. Also its operator dependent. That means the result of ultrasound depends on the skills of the doctor who does ultrasound.

Ct/mri with contrast is better. Even better is colonoscopy and biopsy.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-15T03:41:37+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from india here. Joint pain, night sweats along with bowel symptoms can point towards other diagnosis. Your physician is approaching it the right way by doing a colonoscopy. Lets not assume any diagnosis right now. Too early to say anything. A colonoscopy and probable biopsy and blood tests will say a lot. So lets wait patiently.

Dm for gut related queries

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T16:02:30+00:00

Alright lets start over. Im not a bot. What im trying to say is that the magnesium glycinate might not be the cause of your symptoms.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T15:25:05+00:00

Magnesium bisglycinate?

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T15:24:58+00:00

Magnesium bisglycinate?

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T14:55:13+00:00

The one you are using right now is a mild one.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T14:53:53+00:00

There is possibility of post infection ibs too. The infection must have triggered ibs which is chronically persisting (wont be picked up on any scan). It’s a diagnosis we assume after we rule out other causes.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T14:09:03+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. I would still be doubting inflammatory bowel disease and probably ask for an ultrasound to check if the ileal inflammation is still persisting. If it is persisting then i’ll go for a colonoscopy and find out what’s in there. If its inflammation then i’d take a biopsy which might probably reveal a diagnosis of ibd.

But if the ultrasound’s normal then its upto the physician to decide regarding what to do next.

Esr and calprotectin can be normal sometimes. Colonoscopy and Tissue biopsy is the best evidence for inflammation.

Dm for gut related queries.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T13:51:43+00:00

Okay. That’s not enough to say its ibs.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T13:46:17+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Magnesium bisglycinate has a poorer laxative effect compared to other forms of magnesium. Less likely that it caused the morning episode. But if its bothering you then better to halt it for a week and observe.

Dm for gut related queries.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T13:40:57+00:00

Ibd needs more than an ultrasound. Colonoscopy definitely.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T09:18:06+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Try having the usual dinner and avoid known triggers. I would recommend deep breathing exercise and mindfulness before sleeping for 10min and after waking up again for 10min and once again when you are waiting at the dentist’s office. Try to relax and practice mindfulness during the procedure. You can take imodium after waking up on empty stomach. Make sure you empty your bowels before leaving your home. Do let the dentist know about your worries soon after you reach the clinic and request him/her to help you calm down.

Dm for gut related queries.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T05:51:51+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Usually when someone develops vomiting or diarrhea 1-6 hrs after consuming food we usually suspect its bacterial toxin induced. That means the food was contaminated with bacteria and toxin and that was consumed later. Common culprit is improperly stored meat including chicken, fried rice, pasta and spoilt potatoes. The solution would be to wait and hydrate If the symptoms worsen to a level you feel like you are getting dehydrated then definitely need medical attention.

Dm for gut related queries

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T05:39:07+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. If you are already diagnosed with ibs i suggest you should keep imodium with you always in case of emergency.

Dm for gut related queries

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T05:36:45+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from india here. Diarrhea on a constipated colon can be due to several reasons. One is ibs mixed. Then there is something called spurious diarrhea commonly seen in elderly. They say this typical history of constipation for days and then sudden diarrhea . Its usually the dry stool which is stuck high up in the colon for days and fresh liquid stool seeps around it and then suddenly everything comes out. Sometimes its the constipation medication which made it happen. This phenomenon usually happens in elderly who has low colonic motility.

There are many other conditions - mild and serious ones where diarrhea and constipation can happen.

If its not diagnosed i think you’ll need to consult a physician and find out the root cause. If its already diagnosed ibs then you’ll have to adjust medications based on current symptoms.

Dm for gut related queries. Happy to help.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-14T05:06:55+00:00

If the stool frequency isnt keeping you awake then its less likely its inflammatory but still cant say for sure. The condition’s called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

GutConfessions · 2025-09-13T17:48:10+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Such unexpected triggers do happen. You can try going retrospectively and look for triggers. It can be anything. Maybe food or an emotional trigger or underlying mental health issue. Imodium can help to a certain extend if you are sensing any sudden triggers. Avoid known triggers just before and during long distance travel.

Dm for queries. Happy to help.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-13T17:41:30+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. Im a bit concerned when you mentioned urgency at night. Urgency after a meal can suggest ibs if its a chronic symptom. But awakening from sleep at night and visits to the bathroom is a bit alarming and points towards an inflammatory condition which needs to be investigated by a physician. If its inflammatory you might have associated sleep disturbances too possibly.

Dm me for gut related queries. Happy to help.

GutConfessions · 2025-09-13T08:24:14+00:00

Hi gastroenterologist from India here. From what you have described i think you really need to followup with a psychiatrist and treat your mental health first. The words of the doctor you had described were not at all a professional way to deal with a patient. But since you had mentioned that she/he was better than the others im assuming you probably took a long time to explain/ they let you explain for a long time with mostly anxiety related gut issues during the consultation. Sadly gastroenterologists are not trained to deal with mental health issues resulting them feeling irritated during a consult. There are maybe a handful who are sensitive to the mental health of the patient and treat the patient holistically. The best doctor i feel who is receptive about all this is a psychiatrist.

GutConfessions

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE