IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

[Kathy]

Anyone dealing with IBS? I can go for months without any problems and then I'll have a few weeks dealing with this. So far its not enough bother to head to the doctor for a special appointment...but changing my diet helps.

Anyone else?

[lalarainbow]

Hi,
I have IBS along with IC.. I take a little Metamucil and it usually keeps things stable. But out of the blue I will have a day that it will really bother me and I don't always know what caused it..For me it is usually IBS/d. I have high chlesterol and high blood pressure so it is hard follow a diet that is ok and not aggrevating anything
~~Pam~~

[gemsab]

OMG, Kathy, I was going to post about this today as well. I had a bad attack last night that comes out of the blue every so often. I do take Metamucil nightly and have Levsin on hand when I have bowel spasms like I did last night. I had to leave Curves before my workout was completed. I cannot seem to pinpont any foods that trigger it but I know anxiety adds to the diarhea. I was taking Lexapro for awhile when the sypmtoms were unbearable but have weaned myslef off of it for now. It is just something we have to live with but it is not fun when it happens. :hug: s to all of you who suffer from it.

Emily

[Lexy143]

I've been dealing with it for most of my life it seems but it's never been too horrible. I found a lot of info at www.ibsgroup.org That's where I found that Magnesium is good for IBS-C, it's helped me a bunch. Good luck :)

[YellowRoseTex]

I have IBS also. I used to have IBS constipation, but than it turned to diarrhea. There are certain foods that will set it off and stress is bad also. I have found alot of relief thru accupuncture.

[crunchies0313]

I have tried to fix my diet, and nothing helps. For me its not on and off, its weekly. But I am just so used to it. I have never tried accupunture, but yoga to help relax and calm myself down, sometimes relieve a lot of pain. I'm glad to know that I am not weird, and that it happens a lot more than I thought!

[sphinx]

I have it. I have the constiaption type, so it is a constant battle! I eat lots of fiber, take citrucel and magnesium, and for a while took zelnorm. I used to have a problem where I'd be constipated for a long time, then if I had a fatty meal, I'd have bad diarrhea that would come on very suddenly. That only happens rarely now-probably because I avoid those types of meals!

[Canadian Girl]

(((Kathy)))) I've dealt with IBS for all of my life (remember dealing with unbelievable bouts of constipation as a wee child). For me, triggers include stress, dietary change, new meds and even the change of season :hmm:

For me, the worse symptom is the bowel spasms I will occasionnally get: they hurt, a lot, and are often accompanied by terrible constipation. However, I'm not on any meds for the IBS. I do watch what I eat and try to manage my stress, since I've learned I can't avoid it altogether.

[gemsab]

Oh, Dany, I am so glad you mentioned change of seasons. That affects me, too especially in the spring. I thought I was the only one who noticed that! As for the spasms..........wow can they hurt!

Emily

[YellowRoseTex]

My body reacts to the change of seasons also. :( I'll finally seem to be on the upswing, than the weather will change, and I deteriorate rapidly. My accupuncturist says that my body is just not strong enough to handle the drastic changes.

[crunchies0313]

Yellowrose... the sad thing is that you live in Texas... changing seasons.. well not so much but the temperature is never stable!!

[BBShopMom]

I have IBS as well as Adenomyosis and they the bad habit of triggering each other! I haven't noticed a change with seasons, just with the time of the month. I also have problems with constipation, spasms and lots of gas. I may check out that IBS group, I haven't really done much of that kind of thing. I've had it for so long that I've just learned to deal. Maybe I'll give the Magneisum a try too!

[BusyGAMom]

I will chime in here too...I have Crohn's Disease, had it since '92. The season bother me too along with various other things like spicy foods, too greasy foods...lo's of stuff. I'm taking Purinethol 100mg a day for it...thing is, that drug is used more for cancer therapy and people who have had organ transplants. Works to keep the swelling down in my intestines and such but makes me come down with every cold known to mankind. Not fun with three boys that bring home who knows what from school! Such a cycle! LOL!

[abbie0407blue]

I have struggled with this off and on. Mostly mine is brought on by stress. A red meat meal will often do it, too. I avoid most red meat but can't bear to refuse an occasional meal of prime rib. I know I'll pay for it, though.

[4evernbluejeans]

I also have IBS,20 some years now.Really do not take anything for it but at times i wonder what the heck did i do that flared it up!!I take a good b-complex ,extra b-12 along with all my other vitamons (Dh says I keep the vitamin section at the store on my to-do list) Acidophilus supplements are a good choice also and a health magazine suggested adding Flax to your diet.Only suggestions,everyone has their own type of flare-ups...mine is the big D and it does help to know you are not alone!!!

[angelbabe1uk]

I to have IBS
It comes and goes like a few ppls
My dr prescribed me with Colpermin after i had got it from my local boots chemist and tried it beforehand
I don't have to take every day just when it starts to play silly beggers with me and keep making me take the dreaded trip to the loo every 5 minutes
But on saying that sometimes i have to take every day for upto a month and then it suddenly stops weired :confused:

[Ingy4Peace]

I've struggled with some of the syptoms you all have mentioned, but never really considered that I had IBS, but since I abdominal surgery the problems have gotten worse. In addition I've had acid reflux, so trying to find things to eat has been difficult. However, I am now realizing how much stress affects it - both the acid reflux and the IBS symptoms. I refused to believe that my stress level was too high, but when I got a long-awaited assistant in my job, the stress has been relieved greatly and so has my pain. I never show my stress - even to myself but I guess the body lets you know. Thanks to everyone for sharing!

[Duchesslady]

hi everyone

i have had IBS (constipation) since I was about 10 - been in hospital with it - just told to eat plenty of fibre but that just bungs me up even more! i eat lots of fruit and veg which i love anyway but the drs says there is nothing they can do so I live with it.

I have good days and bad days, this day is a bad day and i look about 5 months pregnant!

Anyway, everyone take care and keep taking the tablets! :cool:

Love duchesslady

[pixiehornet]

I was just wondering how your doctors actually diagnosed you with IBS? My general practitioner thinks I have IBS as well but I have never been formally tested or diagnosed for it. I am thinking of going to see a gastrointerologist to get a formal diagnosis. Still I have read that there is no actual diagnostic test for IBS, that the diagnosis usually comes once everything else is ruled out. Please let me know what diagnostic tests your were given and what treatments your doctors recommended. Thanks!
P.H.

[gemsab]

P.H. You are exactly right when you say there is no specific test that says that you have IBS. I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, GB scan and bloodwork. All came back ok except that I had GB stones and then I had my GB taken out. I still had problems and from my symptoms my internist deducted that I had IBS!

[YellowRoseTex]

Pixie,
There is not a specific test to diagnose IBS. It is a process of elimination. Usually your doctor will do several tests to look for other causes for your symptoms. If those tests are inconclusive, than a diagnosis of IBS will usually follow.

I had an endoscopy, colonscopy, ct scan, abdominal ultrasound, small bowel series, and an upper gi.

[basketnut]

:hug: s to all

I too have suffered from IBS for many years. I say this not to scare anyone, but rather so that no one will have to go thru what I did.

My GP treated me for IBS for many years. Every time I would complain about it, he would suggest something new. Did Zelnorm, diet changes, stress meds, etc.

In June of 2004 my abdomen was very swollen and distended. I finally put my foot down and told my GP that I felt that I was dealing with much more than IBS now. He ordered a CT scan and CA125 (bloodwork). I was diagnosed with an advanced stage of ovarian cancer.

My point is, to be persistent with your Dr's. If your IBS symtoms change or get worse, seek medical attention. An ultrasound and CA125 should be performed to rule out any ovarian issues. Ovarian cancer symptoms can be very similar to IBS symptoms.

:hug:s to all and I hope you all find relief from IBS!

[crunchies0313]

Basketnut... WOW! Are you ok? Were they able to treat you? How are you now??

[basketnut]

I had surgery in July of 2004 to remove the ovarian tumor. Chemo was from July to November of 04. Had a second look surgery in December of 04 which was all clear. In December of 05 I began chemo again for a reoccurence. I will be on chemo this time until at least May of this year. Not fun, but doable.

I try to get the word out as much as I can about IBS symptoms being similar to those of ovarian ca. Only about 1 out of 57 women will be diagnosed with ovarian ca, but usually that diagnosis comes at an advanced stage.

:hug: s

[klisme]

i am sorry you had/are going through that. My sister had stage 2 ovarian cancer. fought 8 months before passing away in 2001.it sad to think that even in 2006 if a woman says something is wrong it is NOT taken TOO serioully untill we fight to be heard.

[crunchies0313]

Well then I feel lucky. I was having severe pain and my dr ran every test... she ended up doing a laproscopy not knowing what she would find. She actually took out my appendix and burned a lot of endemetriosis that I had. She was surprised I had lasted that long with the pain. Im lucky because she didn't hestitate to at least go in and look!

[Mack]

I too have IBS. I just went back to the doc and he put me on Zelnorm and Miralax. This is a never ending battle that I will face the rest of my life. Mack

[klisme]

I got it bad. i can go 2 weeks with no movement then right before my"monthy friend" comes i got the runs. i can eat anything one week the next if i eat something with fat im gone. pork (which i love) is one thing i CANT eat anymore.

[MaggieSt]

I have IBS-D type symptoms ever since I had my gall bladder removed years ago. Sudden, uncontrollable diarrhea; so bad at times I've considered running behind a bush if I couldn't find a toilet in time.

Worst was when we were on vacation at a fancy resort and walked to the far outside of the hotel and there were no doors in that area to get back inside! Luckily someone else who was also looking for a way in used a credit card to jimmy open a lock to the health club and I made a beeline to the rest room!

I've since been put on Cholestyramine which I take once a day, somedays twice, depending on my symptoms. That helps to bind things up and makes my life more managable.

~Maggie

[ester 6" tall]

I have IBS too.

Had all the tests. GI specialist found several polyps in my colon at colonoscopy, took them out, but that didn's solve the issues. Want's to have regular colonoscopies every few years now.

I have had a hysterectomy. Since then, my IBS isn't as bad I guess. My periods always brought on the diarrhea.

Always trying to increase my fruit/veggy/fiber intake. That seems to help somewhat.

[hjhope]

I was diagnosed wiht this in 1996. It was a relief at the time, cos I was scared I had colon cancer (very strong family history), it bothers me a bit sometimes, and worse lately, Love
H

[Renata333]

IBS victim here too...I have lived with the symptoms for years now, and finally at 31 yrs old, i worked up enough courage to tell my doctor of almost 20 years, what i was going through. he prescribed Dicetel (i am in Canada, not sure if approved everywhere else)..should have talked to my m.d. long time ago. I manage it with diet, exercise, and try to manage my stress better...stress is my number one contributor... now that i know what it is, i can better deal with it, the trick was the diagnosis!

[lakesidelady]

I thought I had IBS and it turned out that I had a gall stone that was the size of my whole gallbladder. It was so big the surgeon was passing it around showing it to the other doctors.

[slb]

I too have IBS - diarrhea type. Most days I'm okay, and then bang, for no reason, a bunch of bad ones in a row. I always keep Imodium and Kaopectate in the house. I take Dicetel and Calcium every day. I can't eat dairy, most pork, or deep fried foods. I too find that seasonal changes and high humidity wreak havoc on my system. I work in a college cafeteria, and the school year starts back up again in about 3 weeks. I know that, because of the change in my routine, I will be bad again for a while. Luckily my boss's husband has Chron's disease (not lucky for him), and she understands somewhat what I'm going through.
Question - how do you guys deal with working?

[mezmerized]

Hi Kathy...I also have IBS as a part of all my health problems I was told more intake of fiber and also i have read alot about all of it and its so hard to determine what to eat waht not to eat and it is hard for me to try things if nooneDrs help with that All I do is try not eating fatty foods or I was also told eatting smaller more frequent meals. And the biggest factor is stress I know this is hard but if you could eliminate a lot of that then it might help lol doesnt help me as I have a lot of unneeded stress from my boss since I cant work right now hope this helps