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