I am a 34 year old female and really relate to every story I have read. The doctors I have seen don’t know what to do with me. I saw the “best” GI Dr. in the area and he said go to the Mayo Clinic. I went 14 days without a bm. I have had to rely on epsom salts to get my gi tract moving. When prescribed the Goletly drink usually used as a prep for a colonoscopy I vomited it all up. When nurses were sent to the house to give me a soap suds enema I retained all the fluid. This is beyond unacceptable. Nearly every time I eat anything (which is VERY healthy) my stomach swells so I look as if I am carrying twins. I have always had some type of GI issue but nothing compares to this. I am a thin woman with a stomach the size of a middle aged end stage alcoholic. I am in terrible pain all the time. I live in pain due to an accident and have a fusion at L4-L5 so I really know pain. This is as bad as spinal pain. The doctors I have seen have said to push laxatives as much as possible. This is not a solution. My partner sleeps next to me and I am humiliated as I lose control of my bowels in the middle of the night. Thankfully she understands and is hoping for proper treatment. I cannot make plans to do anything because I can swell so much I literally need three sizes up from my normal size. This happens sometimes with just water. No one has provided me with any long term solution. I am going to a teaching hospital near me next month as I cannot afford to bring myself physically or financially to the Mayo Clinic. I am totally humiliated and sick all of the time. I want to note that I am a highly motivated positive person. However, this unresolved condition is brining me down. As others have said I am afraid to eat anymore. I am getting to the point where I am eating next to nothing and relying on vitamins to keep me well. If another Dr. implies that stress is the issue I am going to bring my sheets in. I am not very stressed. I am hoping for a solution for all of us. This is so humiliating and disruptive. I send all of you positivity in my meditations. I do want to say that I started taking dandelion root and it helps a bit with the swelling as it is a natural diuretic. It is my highest hopes that this condition gets resolved. I am reaching out to all people suffering in silence. You are not alone. I will make sure to keep everyone apprised of my next visit. Until then best wishes and good luck.
