7 years sober with health probs

[lpete301]

I am 7 years sober from weekend binging.  I am trying to figure out why after I quit drinking my bowels started acting up.  I have had pain, bloating, constipation, diareah, a lump on the upper right side and more.  I have been checked for gall bladder, liver, bowel diseases, everything!!! But nothing comes back wrong so I get a dx of IBS.  Just recently got Fibromyalgia dx also.  No real treatment that helps my gut.  My hubby says that it seems as if my problems with the bowels started after I quit drinking.  Yes he is thrilled that I have stayed sober, but I dont understand how all this could start after I quit.  What was the alcohol doing to keep me pain free?  My bowels are definately not working properly...they worked fine while I was using.  They were good for a couple of months after I quit, then went down hill. I am tired of being sick and tired. I cannot work, I wake up with abdominal pain from the gas and constipation.  I have asked my docs (family doc, gastro and rhuematologist) about this, but cannot get a answer.  It is as if they are not listening.  Then again I have just mentioned that "while I was drinking I did not have this problem", I have not come out and asked if there is a correlation.  

I guess I just need to know if anyone else is having severe bowel issues since quitting drinking so long ago.  I expected problems when I quit, but  7 years is ridiculous!!

Thanks for all your help,  Linda

[ibizan]

u have good insight dear and so sorry bout the loss of ur folks....that is a stark reminder of what this disease can do to u...and son of a b everything is real and at times very unpleasant but sober is so much better than intoxicated!

[lpete301]

I love the acronym!!!  I have had scopes everywhere, they did find sphincter of oddi dysfunction which was fixed, but nothing with the bowel itself.  They also found severe gastritis which they gave me antacids and sent me on my way.  All the labs, and samples they took came back negative. I am not looking forward to going back to the GI.  I already spent so much time and money to get nowhere.  And now, well, if they dont find anything wrong...it is so frustrating.  I will have to do my best to treat myself at home and buy stock in OTC lax's.  I am giving them (th GI) one last try.  I am sticking with my Rheum and Reg Doc for reg stuff.  But for my gut, I'll deal with it myself.  I also am inclined to believe that these probs were there all the time also.  I definately dont feel quite so left out.  This may be why my dad was not able to stay sober.  He had lots of bowel issues also.  He just did not realize that I was aware.  BTW, He and my mom passed away in their 50's due to complications from drinking.  Too much to get into here, but a big reason why I dont just go back to drinking and make my gut feel better.

Thanks for the advice.  Linda

[ibizan]

i have encountered many ppl over the years who got sober and all these health problems emerged......i think they were there all the time brewing and developing and the drinking masked ones awareness of them......so now here they r........the acronym for SOBER is....Son of a B....Everything Is Real!

[susieq87]

I too got sober and the stomach problems started.  I had an endoscopy and they discovered a peptic ulcer.  Had a colonscopy and I had a mild form of colitis which both of these can't be detected unless a scope is done.  But there is medication.  I don't know your situation but something is causing the pain and problems.

[boogieman]

hello. sounds like you are doing the right thing by going to your physician. you may need a 2nd. opinion if you aren't getting answers and i would definitely ask about a possible correlation with your sobriety. frequently, people who use large quantities of alcohol will find that once they quit there are other conditions that have symptoms (such as pain) that the alcohol was masking. prior to the development of general anesthetics, liquor was used to perform medical procedures because of its analgesic and sedating properties. In addition, opioid painkillers and other medications can also cause the symptoms you describe. there is an interactive symptom checker at the mayo clinic website that may be worth trying out also. whatever the case may be, congrads on your sobriety and best of luck.