How I was Treated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic incurable illness affecting the function of the digestive system. I was first diagnosed with IBS in 2001. My symptoms included bloating, gas, stomach and intestinal cramping, nausea, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. I was no longer able to digest wheat or dairy. I first saw my general practitioner who ordered blood and stool tests. All of my blood and stool tests came back normal. There was no sign of parasites, infection, or intestinal bleeding. My doctor prescribed phenobarbital, an antispasmodic drug to treat the abdominal cramps and diarrhea. I was referred me to a gastrointestinal specialist for further evaluation.

My gastrointestinal specialist tested me for celiac sprue, an illness where the body does not digest wheat gluten. The results were negative for celiac, so I kept my diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. The doctor ordered a barium enema x-ray in order to examine my colon. In this procedure a radioactive element, barium, is introduced into the colon through the rectum for a short time while x-rays are taken. The barium allows for the doctors to see details of the colon in the x-rays. The barium is then removed from the colon. The barium enema x-ray was really unpleasant. I fasted for a day before the procedure and took a laxative the morning of the x-ray. I went into the hospital and dressed in a hospital gown. I was not required to remove my genitalia piercings. The nurse with me was very kind and very comforting, but she did need to give me an enema with barium. The fluid was cold and gray. It irritated my already sensitive colon, but the nurse was careful to work slowly and not cause me much pain. I was given the choice to watch the monitor and see what my colon looked like, but I didn't find that idea appealing. After the procedure I was able to eat and return to work.