Anyone have any experience with IBS?

[MickeysMommy]

This might be TMI but with other threads I thought I may be able to ask this. It's a possibility that I have this so I was just wondering if anyone out there did as well. Experiences? Treatments?

 

[bananiem]

The diagnosis of IBS comes after they've done all the tests to rule out anything else. Have you gone through the tests yet? Are you diarrhea or constipation predominate? That will also decide some of the treatments.
One thing for sure is that everybody's treatment is different. What works for one person might send another person into another long bout of trouble. It really is about what your triggers are and trying to control them. PM me if you want to chat or have specific questions.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just went and had a colonoscopy & throat scope yesterday. (Finally)...
That is step one.

They found a polyp and removed it. I am only 41. I am glad I went and did it. Wasn't fun but it was well worth it.

I recommend you seek treatment from a gastroenterologist.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, so I know a bit about it!

What are your symptoms?

Kimya

 

[frndshpcptn]

Have had it for 20 years.

what can I help you with? Mine is set off by stress, high-fat food, garlic, spicy food and not enough sleep....

 

[Calliaz]

I've gotten my IBS under fairly good control. One thing that really helped the diahrrea early on was taking Caltrate Plus. I took at least 2 a day and it helped a lot. I also had to cut out high fructose corn syrup and caffiene (Coke mostly).

 

[Crazy4mandms]

I've had it for about 16 years. PM me if you'd like to chat. I truly sympathize with you! It isn't an easy thing to discuss with others, and I've had people tell me that it is 'all in your head'. Hardly!!

 

[llp479]

I've had it for over 20 years, started in college. I would eat a meal and be doubled over with pain 20 minutes later. Thankfully, my GYN knew exactly what was wrong and was able to help.

What works for some, doesn't work for others. For me, fiber makes things much worse. My biggest advice, find a supportive MD who will work WITH you.

Feel free to PM me. On a positive note, I've had many years with mild symptoms now that I know what my "triggers" are.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I've had it for over 20 years, started in college. I would eat a meal and be doubled over with pain 20 minutes later. Thankfully, my GYN knew exactly what was wrong and was able to help.

What works for some, doesn't work for others. For me, fiber makes things much worse. My biggest advice, find a supportive MD who will work WITH you.

Feel free to PM me. On a positive note, I've had many years with mild symptoms now that I know what my "triggers" are.

May I ask what some of your triggers are?

Kimya

 

[tink38]

I think I might have this, too. My triggers are spicy and rich foods, which I absolutely love. We had omlettes Sunday before going house hunting. My poor DH had to stop at FOUR gas stations. I felt so bad. Thank goodness they were clean! I know, gas stations are gross, but when you are doubled over in pain and you just need to get rid of it, who really gives a rat's tutu?


Monique

 

[MickeysMommy]

My triggers are spicy and rich foods, which I absolutely love.

Some of mine too but with the death of my dad three weeks ago my doctor says that might also be a symptom - stress! She gave me something for my nerves at the moment and wants to see if that helps any before starting tests and other meds.

Thanks for all the replys. It isn't easy to talk about and I didn't know if anyone would want to.

 

[llp479]

May I ask what some of your triggers are?

Kimya

My biggest triggers are stress and hormones. Being on the Pill to keep things "level" has helped. Pepsi also will set me off. I can drink Coke, but seldom do anymore because I can't have caffeine, for another reason, not the IBS. Extremely greasy food will also give me grief.

 

[Tiggeroo]

i'm undergoing alot of evaluation now. I have a good deal of upper abdominal pain, pain inside my ribs, back and hip pain. Considerations are IBS, fibrymalgia, colitis.
I haven't had much luck with the drs. I sometimes have bouts of d or c but these don't seem tied in to the pain.
So far I've had 3 ultrasounds, a ct scan and yesterday a colonoscopy. Next is an upper gi and food allergy/lactose tests. I"m sitting here now with a pain in my left upper abdomen and my back.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Good Luck Tiggeroo

 

[mickeyfan2]

My sister has it.

 

[Tiggeroo]

good luck to you also. I get the impression they are going to run alot of tests on me. If they can't find a problem they will tell me it's IBS. They have tried three different types of IBS drugs with little help.

 

[ead79]

I was diagnosed with IBS back in high school by a pediatric gastroenterologist. He actually didn't do the super invasive tests, as he said that he knew they wouldn't reveal anything specific based on my symptoms. Mine has improved with time as I have learned my triggers. The things that trigger me are garlic, spicy foods, and lots of onions. Avoiding these has helped a lot. The thing that has helped me the most is the birth control pill. My IBS is very tied into my cycle, and regulating that has helped the IBS tremendously. It's sort of funny, but I look at my birth control pills more as IBS pills with a nice side effect of preventing pregnancy. I was also prescribed some pills for stomach cramping that worked wonders. Literally within 1 minute of taking them I felt improvement (pills are Levsin SL). I haven't had to take one in a long time since I began the BCP's, but that helped a lot too.

 

[bananiem]

This website is helpful, especially the message board.
www.aboutibs.org

 

[Christine]

Just be careful about getting the IBS diagnosis without having the tests.

Way back in 1998, I started having diarrhea. I didn't have a lot of pain with it, but every time I put a bite of food in my mouth or drank water, I would run to the bathroom. I went to the doctor and he told me "you have IBS because you are so stressed." And I was stressed. After a few weeks of trying to make changes, taking meds, reducing stress, I was no better and had lost about 10 lbs. I went to another doctor, my GP, and he said "you have IBS." I then went back to the first doctor and I said I don't have IBS, something is wrong with me. It had been 2.5 months at this point and I had now lost over 20 lbs. He said "I don't know what to tell you. It's probably just stress, but I'm going to refer you to a gastroenterologist." I waltzed into the gastro, told him my symptoms, and within 5 minutes he said "I believe you have giardia (a parasite)." I was treated with Flagyl and was better within 5 days!!

My point here is that the doctors are very quick to call things IBS. I think many things ARE IBS, but I wish they'd delve a little deeper before automatically jumping to that conclusion.

 

[Calliaz]

Next is an upper gi and food allergy/lactose tests. I"m sitting here now with a pain in my left upper abdomen and my back.

Are they sure it isn't your gallbladder? That kind of pain is what I experienced when I had gallstones. Also, after I had my gallbladder out, I had a functional disorder of the sphincter of Odi (sp?). It's a mouthful, but it was quite painful and had similar symptoms.