Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diets

Question by : Question about Gastro Symptoms?
Im an almost 26 year old male that has been suffering from depression and anxiety since 22-23 due to the loss of sister and father and was prescribed the medication Celexa which is an anti-depressant. I noticed in 2010 while I was stressed prior to my father’s passing I had an increase in bowe movements. It seemed as though for months the frequency from my regular once a day or once every other day changed to 2 or 3 times daily for months. In January of 2011 my general doctor diagnosed me as having Irritable Bowel Syndrome considering I was only 25 and had no family history of colon or colorectal cancer-just my sister who had Ovarian Cancer. He did no diagnostic testing I showed him a picture of a stool sample and he immediately said its spastic colon(IBS)-I also noticed diarreah when under heavy stress or emotional stress which I live in a very streasful environment. I was mot losong weight or anemic and did not have bloody stools just sticky foul smelling stools and flatulence and a poor diet with 2 years of a sedentary lifestyle mixed with anxiety. In January I started having panic attacks and anxiety attacks-I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder with agoraphobia and Anxiety and hypochondria. I suffered for a year and in Feb of 2011 was prescribed tranquilizers , 20 mg of Valium after trying Ativan which caused a lot of side effects. After this my
Bowel habits went back to normal frequency-stil messy but normal frequency. I began tapering down the Valium an it was rough. Made it down to 13.5 mg and have been holding since August of 2011 and in and out of work after panic attacks-but episodes where I would feel energy in my legs and lightheaded and dizzy and feel like I was going to lose control of my
body. So in January of 2012 I complaines to my GP a chronic complaint of chest muscle tenderness which had been going on since February of 2011. The doctor forwarded me
to a rheumatologist for evaluation. Upon a comprehensive blood analysis and urine colection over 24 hours and urinalysis-(I also had Chronic Fatigue issues) there was a little bit if protein in my urinalysis and my bloodwork was completely normal including CBCs to check for cancerous type activity all came back normal-only thing was I was normal but borderline high in a phosphate protein that is an auto-immunity that can cause clots if it becomes high but they said it was at a normal level ans then my vitamin D score was extremely deficient-7.53 when it should be 35-50 or even 100. I told them I didnt get out much for sunlight or natural Vitamin D and didnt drink a lot of dairy like milk. Combined with a bad diet I think that caused the deficiency. Anyways, the rheumy prescribed me 50,000 UI of Vitamin D for once per week for 8 weeks. Week 1 I felt great. Week 2, gastrointestinal discomfort started. It started as gas pains and flaulence an then week 3 before dosing I conplained about an onset of constipation and straining to go to the bathroom and the rheumy told me
To stop. Now I’ve read that Vitamin D can cause constipation-and I took a lot-100,000 UI over 2 week period but after ceasing the Vitamin D for over a month I have a
Constant feeling of full bowel, passed one flat stool and a bloody stool, have rotating diarreah and constipation, abdominal cramping, gas pains, flatulence, back pain, knee pain-basically all the symptoms of colon or colorectal cancer which is terrifying me. My GP insists that its IBS and with the lack of anemia and normal blood counts and having a normal lower abdominal CT Scan which would pick up colon or abdominal tumors or cancer that I’m just having a bad reaction to the Vitamin D and potentially may have a fissure or something in a bad place in my rectum where it may be causing the sensation to go. Im gonna get a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy to be safe but am I over reacting? Do my doctors sound correct? This stuff didnt start until after the Vitamin D but it seems chronic now. Any thoughts? My Gastroenterologist said to relax and with no anemia and normal CBC and CT Scan hes gonna do a scope and check for Chrons or tears or fissures but I’m still paranoid. Anyone with similar problems or have any input? Im still regular with bowel movemts but stools are small and pale colored. Im also still on Valium-someone please give some feedback it is much appreciated!

Best answer:

Answer by Bill
I think I’d agree with your doctors. I would not suspect colon cancer and the upper and lower scopes should confirm that and also rule out any type of ulcers. Regarding the Vitamin D. Although constipation can be a side effect; once you stopped taking it the side effects should have disappeared shortly thereafter. My personal opinion would be to continue the Vitamin D. I think the benefits outweigh the possible side effect. It could be beneficial with your chronic fatigue issues.
BTW, Although all folks are different regarding effeciveness of antidepressants, I have found that Celexa (citalopram) has been the best I’ve found for me.

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