QuestionDoctor, I have asked you questions previously to this one. I'm an expert in another area (almost 5 years). I have a problem. About six weeks ago, I went (cold turkey) off of Remeron (only 7.5MG at night, 1/2 a 15MG pill). I had serious withdrawal symptoms (prescribing psychiatric nurse practitioner advised me to "just stop" due to weight gain). I had chills for almost two weeks, tremors, followed by insomnia (since resolved) but the most persistent symptom seems to be diarrhea. My primary care physician is someone I completely trust and have great respect for, but he says (according to the PDR which he brought into the exam room) my symptoms are "atypical". I have had three flares of diverticulitis since June, 2010. Colonoscopy showed no sign of cancer and gastroenterologist AND surgeon both said I can "go either way" in surgery. I choose to avoid it (this is drastic surgery in my opinion) unless it's CLEARLY indicated. Slowly, my bowels have been going back to "normal" but every day, or every other day, I have bouts of diarrhea. My gastroenterologist (very well respected, the Dr. who MY Dr. went to) says I have IBS. My question: IS THIS IBS? I rarely have trouble with constipation but I've never experienced so consistent a problem with diarrhea for this length of time. I can have a normal movement followed by small stool and then diarrhea later on, or just a normal movement. I am closely watching my diet, avoiding dairy, have now cut fiber down substantially and am basically on a low residue diet.
I don't know what to do now. I have begun taking Nystatin (liquid) since I suspect there might be some involvement of Candidiasis. I took it yesterday just once, good result. I will take it again today and twice tomorrow. I am under bind bending and hellish stress: my daughter died 3/2/11, but have substantial psychological support and in other ways am perfectly healthy (blood pressure is consistently 110/70). WHAT DO YOU THINK? I'm tired of this and frankly at the end of my rope with this stupidity. I'm going to Europe (spiritual pilgrimage) in October and I want this to have ended by then. Do you have any suggestions?
AnswerI am having trouble figuring out which problem (if not all) you are asking about.....
I agree with your doc.... usually people don't have problems getting off Remeron, but it certainly sounds like you did.
Re: The divertic.... three full flares of divertic ( I assume they saw diverticulosis on your colonoscopy) really sets you up for continued problems.... If they were bad episodes, I would consider the surgery..... it has changed drastically with the help of laparascopic instruments.
Is this IBS... with the divertic flares, it is hard to simply call this IBS and there are other things to consider such as food intolerances (milk products and others).
I know people talk about the Yeast Connection and nystatin, but I don't put much stock in those theories..... Nystatin won't help.... you may get a little variation in your symptoms but it is not the magic answer you have been looking for.
