Ideas/vent/support needed re: symptoms after appy

[onthebit]

My lap appy was 1/8/10. For the 6 months prior to this, I had dry heaving, bloating, constipation, constant feeling of need to defecate, nausea. Constipation was chronic. Dry heaving was intermittent, several times a week. Nausea was intermittent but would stay anywhere from hours up to days when it came. At that time, I was diagnosed with IBS, but I strongly disagreed as symptoms didn't change with food or stress. I felt that the correct source had been found after appy was taken. I was so excited at the prospect of getting my life back!

One week after surgery, my abdomen felt pretty good. Until this week, when the dry heaving resumed, nausea (different than post-op nausea), constipation...all the same symptoms before the operation, only slightly milder. I am disappointed, sad, and frustrated.

I went back to the doctor today and asked about stump appendicitis. She didn't think that could be it because she said in my case, there was no stump left--they had gotten the whole thing. She didn't think it was an infection due to antibiotics after surgery and lack of elevated WBC's. She said to follow up with gastro, which I will do (she's a GYN--appy was a surprise, thought to be a small mass prior to surgery).

I still don't think it's IBS. The fact that my symptoms disappeared after surgery makes me think that, on top of the above reasons.

Has anyone else experienced this, especially with no stump left? I have tried many IBS meds and lifestyle changes before surgery to no avail. I'm willing to try again, but I truly suspect that I may have a subacute infection, but I don't know if that's possible if, as she says, there's nothing left.

Any suggestions/advice/support would be appreciated. I'm so sick of dealing with these symptoms!