[missiek]

I am sorry I haven't been around much lately. Approximately 3 months ago my health started going downhill. I was having a lot of problems with my bowels and so ended up having a colonoscopy. They didn't see anything and said I most likely had "IBS". They only thing they recommended was to lower stress, eat more fiber, and take probiotics.

Of course I was happy it wasn't something like the 'C' word, but since there isn't anything they can do for me, it is a bit depressing when I have bad days.

Like yesterday I felt sick to my stomach after eating anything....many trips to the potty (TMI) and my abdomen is actually very tender. Noel hopped up on me when I was laying on the couch and her little paw landed on my lower abdomen and I flew off the couch because it hurt!

My Mom is also in the process of moving near me so I can help take care of her (she had Multiple Sclerosis and is wheelchair-bound).

Suffice it to say, that has put my show schedule on hold. Perhaps indefinetly. I am very sad to say that I don't know if I can continue showing. I do have a show to go to this weekend and I am waiting to see how I feel before I go.

I contacted Dian (my breeder) and told her everything and asked if perhaps we could rework her contract and refund some monies and make her a pet instead. :-( Is that totally rude of me to ask?

At least I will still have my precious fluffs, but won't have the stress of showing....as right now its just seems all too much on my plate to deal with my health, my Mom, and traveling to show.

Thanks for letting me vent....

 

[missie]

Sorry you are feeling badly. Ask for a CT scan. My Mom had similar issues and the colonoscopy did not show anything. The scan did and it was easily corrected.

 

[Silkmalteselover]

Kelly So sorry to hear about your health issues.. and hope you can get some good help soon.

 

[njdrake]

I'm so sorry you're having health issues. I hope you get things figured out soon so you'll feel better.
Let us know how you're doing.
:grouphug:

 

[CeeCee's Mom]

This sounds like you are really down about your diagnosis. I have two friends that have this. I read where they are now doing breath test for this and some IBS have been treated with antibiotics because they show germs in the intestines. They say through your doctor, if you do not live near one of the testing hospitals, can order a test through the mail. This is a new way of looking at IBS. I will put up the following link.....good luck~~~

SIBO Breath Test

 

[missiek]

Thanks everyone, and thanks Dianne for the link! I am a bit down. But I am grateful that its not something worse. There are plenty of other things I could have that would be much more unbearable! I am reading "The Maker's Diet" trying to eat more healthy and help my IBS. The author almost died from Crohn's disease, so at least my problems aren't that bad.

I was just exhausted yesterday and a bit down and that is my main problem. The problem I have with going out of town for shows is what if I have another bad episode? I was supposed to drive to my Mom's last weekend to help her pack to prepare for her move this next weekend. I was 20 minutes into the drive and my stomach started bothering me so much that I had to pull over. I sat for awhile in a gas station and didn't feel any better. so I had to turn around and go home. I napped until 2 or so! I am just afraid of something like that happening at a show. I don't think I would be able to show the dogs feeling like that.

 

[The A Team]

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. If the doctor can get your health under control, maybe you can just put the shows on hold for a bit. You can still practice when you are feeling well.

 

[bellasmummy]

aw i am sorry to hear this, i also suffer from IBS and gosh i know what a nightmare it is. May i just say though that when your swapping your diet around (i was also told LOADS of fibre) i found after years of following a very high fibre diet (that the dr told me to do) that it makes me 100 times worse. At first no dr would believe me but my new dr told me that thats often the case with people with IBS! You might not find this is the case with you but just thought id mention as i wish someone had told me this years ago - it would have saved a lot of pain and back then a lot of weeks in hospital xxxx

 

[Nikki's Mom]

So sorry you aren't feeling well. Being sick can definitely be depressing.

Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes might help with IBS. I've known others with it, who saw good results using them.

Hope this helps.

Hugs to you.

 

[Matilda's mommy]

what a bummer, I hope this new diet you will be trying works for you. I'd just put showing your dogs on hold for a time, don't give up. What a wonderful daughter you are to help your mom, she will be so grateful to you. just a thought do you think stress adds to your issues with IBS?

 

[Tina]

It isn't fun when you don't feel good. Hope you will soon.

 

[mss]

Is it possible that gluten might be the culprit? A former co-worker had lots of difficulties until she was diagnosed with that. I can't remember the medical term for it -- anyway, a gluten-free diet supposedly made all the difference!

ETA: The term I was looking for is "celiac disease." An article I found said persons with IBS are 4 times as likely to have gluten intolerance as non-IBS-sufferers. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Could Be Tied to Gluten Issues

 

[Snowbody]

Kelly - I'm so sorry that you're feeling so rotten. Just thought I'd pass this on. I used to have terrible bouts with what I called my stomach but I'm sure it was my abdomen. I would be doubled over in pain, nearly crying, nearly fainting at times and lived life worrying about my next attack. Spent an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. :blush: Never even heard of IBS back then. Well I suddenly realized that I had eaten onion in tuna salad before one of the bouts. I decided to cut onion out of my diet...none raw or cooked. It was like a miracle. My life changed. I have not had those kinds of pains happening in years. Onions are very common in foods and in restaurants but I make sure to steer clear and I use garlic to flavor things. For some reason shallots are fine too. Anyway thought I'd share and hope you feel better. Take care of yourself first. The showing can always come later.:grouphug:

 

[Nikki's Mom]

Is it possible that gluten might be the culprit? A former co-worker had lots of difficulties until she was diagnosed with that. I can't remember the medical term for it -- anyway, a gluten-free diet supposedly made all the difference!

ETA: The term I was looking for is "celiac disease." An article I found said persons with IBS are 4 times as likely to have gluten intolerance as non-IBS-sufferers. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Could Be Tied to Gluten Issues

This is very true. I have celiac disease and am on a few forums. Many people there had IBS, which disappeared after they cut out gluten.

 

[Maidto2Maltese]

My hubby has a history of gasto problems. He had colonoscopy which did reveal polyps and he has diverticulosis as well.
But neither seemed to be related to the upper gastro problems.Problems seemed to flare up, not a daily occurance. Another 'possible was that he was lactose intolerant but the ommissions didn't seem to make a difference and when he returned to his dairies that he loves, it didn't cause any problems.
He had an endoscopy and found he had H-pilori in his stomach and I think included the upper portion of his small intestine. He had antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and it helped a lot.
Hope you and your Dr do further investigation rule out issues in the stomach/ upper intestional area such as the h-pilori. Any problems related to gall bladder?
Maybe see an nutritionist to help with a diet to keep things under control.

My sister had IBS and for the most part managed it Ok.. but when a flare up.. it was just awful for her!

Hope you find some relief!

 

[maggieh]

Hugs to you my dear!

 

[Miss_Annie]

*hugs* I hope you get to feeling better and find a solution soon!

 

[bellaratamaltese]

oh no1 I'm so sorry to hear this. Not fun though, I know. I bet Malayah is really disappointed about not showing anymore But health comes first and I know how frustrating this must be for you.

Hope things start looking up!

 

[maltlovereileen]

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. If the doctor can get your health under control, maybe you can just put the shows on hold for a bit. You can still practice when you are feeling well.

I also am sorry to hear you have been feeling unwell and having a rough time... but, yes, maybe just wait and see if you can get things under control/back to feeling like yourself again before you stress about what to do wrt showing, etc. Would be a shame if you changed a contract only to find you were able to control your symptoms with diet/whatnot and really wanted to get back to it... baby steps, baby steps... ((((((hugs))))))) xoxox

 

[lovesophie]

I'm sorry you're going through some health problems. I hope you start feeling better soon. :grouphug: