Gerd, IBS, and Urinary Incontinence secondary to NSAIDS

[flores97]

I am getting ready to file an FDC claim for IBS-C, Gerd, and Incontinence secondary to NSAIDS and wanted to see if anyone has any opinions or suggestions, if i might have missed anything. So here goes. I have been on a high daily dose of NSAIDS to treat my sc systemic lupus for well over seven years. About two years ago, i began having moderate gastro problems, that has worsened to the point that these conditions are almost as bad as the lupus, which leaves me bedridden about a week a month. Every time i go to urgent care for the lupus, i complained of the constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and at times, vomiting. After about a year of these symptoms worsening, i was diagnosed with gerd(i thought i was having a heart attack twice, was admitted for severe chest pain, began vomiting/diarhea both times shortly after), and of course, IBS with constipation predominant. Around the same time frame-2 years ago, i began leaking urine frequently when sneezing, coughing, bending, etc, now i leak continuously and must wear pads. I was told by several VA Docs that the NSAIDS were more than likely responsible for the ibs and gerd. Then i was told that constipation also causes urinary incontinence. I am getting an IMO for all three conditions, from my triple board certified gastroenterologist, as well as submitting all relevant treatment records for past three years, medications side effects lists on the meds i take, some medical articles discussing how NSAIDS can cause/aggravate ibs and gerd, and more articles on how constipation can cause incontinence. I am also submitting the IMO(I will upload copy as soon as its complete), and the doctors resume/certifications. I do wear pads due to incontinence, usually go through three a day unless im bedridden, then its more like five a day. If anyone has suggestions/opinions i would really appreciate the input. I wouldnt have filed fir these conditions, but its to the point i only leave the house for med appts. I have daily abdomial pain, nausea, have trouble swallowing(especially meats), and i vomit if i eat more than small portions of food. The cramping feels like food poisoning, this is with taking omeprazole, pantoprazole?, ondasetron, and ranitidine. Thanks again

[Vync]

15 hours ago, flores97 said:

16 hours ago, pete992 said:

Oops, I didn't mean to insert this quote and not sure how to take it off. Thanks for the info Vync, i too have had GI Cocktails on several occasion's and they do indeed provide some relief, as well as make your mouth go numb, lol. I wasn't aware they can be prescribed and mailed to us? That would be great, I had no idea they could be prescribed. Also thank you for clarifying the "Nonspecific" term, I had no idea what ti make of it and only the one reference to the term was available.

At the top left corner of the quote box, there is a plus box +. If you click it, you can then press delete to remove the quote box. Just be careful because it will also remove any text contained within.

[Vync]

10 hours ago, flores97 said:

Thank you Buck, good advice and I did file an intent to claim on all three conditions. I have been taking the NSAIDS for over seven years daily, but I began suffering from moderate gastro symptoms about two, a little over two years ago. As of six months ago, theyhave gotten pretty bad. The constipation is a huge factor i think in the nausea and incontinence, but its the abdominal cramping that is the worst. Almost like having food poisoning. I have a triple board certified gastroenterologist writing up the IMEs for each condition(he did do an in person exam), im hoping since he is a specialist i wont have too much trouble. I honestly wouldnt have known the NSAIDS were causing so much aggravation to these conditions if i hadnt been told by several VA Urgent Care doctors, so i am grateful for that. I assumed the lupus itself was the culprit, and i would have lost if i filed secondary to the lupus itself. I truly appreciate all of the insight i have been given by everyone here on hadit, and will always be grateful i stumbled across this site!

For constipation, you might want to see if the VA can send you some polyethylene glycol powder. It's basically generic Miralax. It is a very gentle laxative and almost has no flavor at all. A little bit each morning can really help. When it gets really bad, probably the best thing that has worked for me is a relatively new medication called Linzess. It's expensive and I highly doubt the VA will pay for it. I got samples from a private doc. It will get the job done, but cancel all plans for the day.

[flores97]

Thanks so much for the suggestions, Buck, Pete, and Vync! I really appreciate the support. Buck, I have asked my PCP about the choice program, but she kind of skirted around answering me on that. However, she is a good doc, and has ordered plenty of testing over the next few weeks, which will save me some money. I'm paying for the private gastro doctor out of my own funds, and it is pretty steep. Vync, I actually have tried the glycol powder, and you are right, if I take that I pretty much can't leave my house for the day, lol, the odd thing is, sometimes even the powder has no effect at all. Pete, thanks for letting me know how to fix the quote issue, still have no idea what I did. I am hoping the IMEs will be completed soon, I will definitely scan and upload them here to get everyone's opinions. Buck, I believe you had posted a link to a sample IMO/Nexxus letter, I printed that out and supplied it to the Doc as a guide and he said it was fantastic, thank you.

[flores97]

Vync, now I realize you were referring to the Linzess meds. Does it work that well, I have come across that researching meds for IBS-C and it looked very promising. Thanks for sharing that, I will try to contact the distributor and see if they have some samples or programs for people that can't afford to pay full price.Thanks again!

[Vync]

7 hours ago, flores97 said:

Vync, now I realize you were referring to the Linzess meds. Does it work that well, I have come across that researching meds for IBS-C and it looked very promising. Thanks for sharing that, I will try to contact the distributor and see if they have some samples or programs for people that can't afford to pay full price.Thanks again!

Hey Flores,
Yes, that stuff is potent. Some docs prescribe it for daily use, but I personally have no idea how that could even be possible. I only use it for emergency at-home use. Basically, you take one when you wake up and drink a bunch of water. A couple of hours later, the San Andreas fault starts shifting. If you do end up taking this med, make sure you are stocked up on TP and cancel your day.

My doc gave me several sample bottles that had just a couple of pills in each and a discount coupon for the first full dosage that brought the price down to about $25 or $30.

[ArNG11]

Worse than the "go lightly"?  Sound's similar to Mobiprep.  Oh Vync is right find the softest most comfortable tp, your posterior will thank you.  Geesh