For Those With IBS... Ugh, Any Suggestions?

[AKL_Megs]

Oh my goodness, my IBS is so bad today I can hardly stand it. Woke up this morning SO bloated. I tried to eat breakfast, but I could eat two bites before I felt uncomfortably full. Ugh.

I've been on vacation for a week, and have been indulging, eating things I wouldn't normally eat, pretty much all day.

I feel really gross and I swear I look 3 months pregnant!!!

I need "relief" if you catch my drift. Anyone here who suffers with intestinal issues have any advice?

 

[rszdtrvl]

Miralax. It is unflavored and works quickly.

I have bouts of IBS and it is what I use. Oh - and if you eat yogurt, the Activia really helps too.

 

[C.Ann]

I take Digestive Advantage Gas Defense Formula (2 a day - per my gastro's orders last year) and it has worked miracles for me! He also suggested that I use Breathe Right strips at night (I'm a "mouth breather without them and it causes the intestines to become filled with air).. He was a godsend after YEARS of suffering!!

I've suggested it to several other people as well - who have had good results - so it might be worth a shot.. What makes the DAGDF work so well is that it eliminates the gas BEFORE it develops - as well as moving along whatever is already there..

I haven't had the typical IBS issues for a year now..

 

[disfan07]

I was actually just diagnosed with IBS today. My dr told me to take peppermint oil. I haven't started it yet but she told me that this is what she usually recommends trying first.

 

[Iott Family]

For immediate relief I second the Miralax suggestion. For long term relief look into something like C.Ann mentioned and add in a good probiotic that has atleast 25 billion cfu's per capsule.

Also, fennel tea is very soothing to the gastro system

 

[vettegirl]

I have been suffering with it for almost 2 years. I eat lots of fiber, drink tons of water,and exercise. Peppermint pills are good too. I find that helps it go away. I have taken every medication under the sun, and even had sugery a in June. I know exactly how you feel, and hope you find what works best for you.

 

[C.Ann]

For long term relief look into something like C.Ann mentioned and add in a good probiotic that has atleast 25 billion cfu's per capsule.

That's what's in there - probiotics.. Prior to a year ago, I had some success with Activia, but then all of a sudden it stopped working.. IBS can be such a pain - literally..

I'm so glad I have mine under control - knock on wood..

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm glad to see this thread! I'm looking at the suggestions. That's for sure.

I'm having digestive issues too. It's been creeping up on me for awhile, but full force last week. I have found that stress and the wrong foods are costly later. I'm working at getting a handle on it.

 

[pat fan]

My gastro guy said a probiotic pill and 2 Fiber Con pills every day and I also drink peppermint tea every night as well because my mom always told me it would settle my stomach.As usual, mom's are right I also keep peppermint candy's in my purse and coat pockets at all times. I use the red & white swirl ones and also Wintergreen lifesavers. Before I was diagnosed I think I spent a small fortune on those lifesavers! Just heard about the peppermint oil on the Dr's show today so I'm going to look for that.

If you are having a "problem" right now, I'd suggest making a cup of peppermint tea (no milk, but some sweetener is ok) and putting a heating pad on. When I'm having a flare up I need an electric pad on my back and a hot rice pack on my stomach. Good luck, these flare-ups are no fun.

 

[Minnie]

For those of you with IBS could you please describe your symptoms? And how you were diagnosed?

I've had horrible stomach pain for almost 4 weeks now - one of those weeks hospitalized for dehydration and pain control - the same week we should have been in WDW

After scopes on both ends, barium tests, and blood work all they've been able to come up with is gastritous and a low white blood cell count.

I'm beyond thankful that all the really scarry stuff has been ruled out with the blood count but still...... they are no closer to diagnosing me now then 4 weeks ago and my doctor is worried that the count keeps going lower

So far I'm on meds to calm the gastritous, stomach cramps, rumbling stomcah, and probiotics. I will finally be able to get into another specialist next week but still wonder where we go from here

I'm already on a no fructose diet (last 2 yrs) and now I'm trying no dairy and no gluten so I'm down to not being able to eat much.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I sooooooo much just want to feel better

 

[pat fan]

It's one of those vague things that when they don't know what else to call it, it's IBS.

Symptoms can include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramps, pain. Sounds like you may have something else going on, but you never know. Dairy can be a real problem, IBS or not. Could you be lactose intolerant? Just keep insisting on being seen. I hate it when a Dr. brushes you off because it's not "serious". Good luck.

Just had a thought. You go by Minnie, so I'll assume you're a girl. Is everything ok uterus/ovary-wise? I found a part of my problem was I had a HUGE fibroid tumor on my uterus so I had a hysterectomy and I feel a TON better! I was able to keep the ovaries, so I don't have to take hormones. Still have IBS but it's not so bad now. Just a thought.

 

[C.Ann]

For those of you with IBS could you please describe your symptoms? And how you were diagnosed?

I've had horrible stomach pain for almost 4 weeks now - one of those weeks hospitalized for dehydration and pain control - the same week we should have been in WDW

After scopes on both ends, barium tests, and blood work all they've been able to come up with is gastritous and a low white blood cell count.

I'm beyond thankful that all the really scarry stuff has been ruled out with the blood count but still...... they are no closer to diagnosing me now then 4 weeks ago and my doctor is worried that the count keeps going lower

So far I'm on meds to calm the gastritous, stomach cramps, rumbling stomcah, and probiotics. I will finally be able to get into another specialist next week but still wonder where we go from here

I'm already on a no fructose diet (last 2 yrs) and now I'm trying no dairy and no gluten so I'm down to not being able to eat much.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I sooooooo much just want to feel better

Hope this link works - you will find tons of info on this message board..

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=77&jump=Jump+to+Board

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thank all... I am SO not a yogurt fan, so I will look for some REALLY good flavors and try that. Peppermint tea tonight before bed, and I will look for the oil tomorrow.

My stomach is a churning all of a sudden, so I should expect something from the opposite side of the spectrum tomorrow or Saturday, lovely.

 

[disfan07]

They have the peppermint oil pills at whole foods. That's where we got mine. It cost like $15

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

For those of you with IBS could you please describe your symptoms? And how you were diagnosed?

I've had horrible stomach pain for almost 4 weeks now - one of those weeks hospitalized for dehydration and pain control - the same week we should have been in WDW

After scopes on both ends, barium tests, and blood work all they've been able to come up with is gastritous and a low white blood cell count.

I'm beyond thankful that all the really scarry stuff has been ruled out with the blood count but still...... they are no closer to diagnosing me now then 4 weeks ago and my doctor is worried that the count keeps going lower

So far I'm on meds to calm the gastritous, stomach cramps, rumbling stomcah, and probiotics. I will finally be able to get into another specialist next week but still wonder where we go from here

I'm already on a no fructose diet (last 2 yrs) and now I'm trying no dairy and no gluten so I'm down to not being able to eat much.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I sooooooo much just want to feel better

If you have Celiac Disease it will not show up on tests or scopes if you have been eating a gluten free diet.

 

[wdwfan16]

Go to the annoying neighbors house and spend the day on her toilet.

 

[C.Ann]

Are you feeling any better today? Sure hope so!!

There are so many people who suffer from IBS (I started in my early 30's and I'll be 61 soon), you would think someone would have come up with that one "magic" pill by now.. But - it's still "try this, try that, try the other thing"..

Of course stress is a huge factor - and obviously there's plenty of stress to go around for everyone these days..

Anyhow - feel better!

 

[WHIT1]

I have been on the IBS diet for almost 2 yrs now and it works. Its strict starting out , but when you feel as crappy as I did , I didn't mind giving up the food. You can't drink soda, no sugar, fat food until you eat your soluble food first. When you eat that food first, it prepares your digestive system for the food that has fat. Its a slow process coming back to eating normal, but you get to lose wt and inches doing this diet. Whats nice is you get to eat all the pasta, white bread you want cause this is what keeps your bowls from getting in a uproar. Look up the diet online and it names all the food you can eat without pain. I just did this diet and did not have to take no drugs. Now I eat what I want with no pain, bloating and I now can drink my soda, but I do chew alot of peppermint gum.

 

[Jessica14]

I see that this is a bit old, but I was actually searching for it. I have had the worse flare up in about seven years. I'm sure it was due to stress, stress eating, and a D and C I had last week. When I was diagnosed, I was told it was probably endometriosis with a little IBS. That's exactly what it was and once the one was in check (surgery) the other followed.

I'm really concerned about my upcoming trip though and finding decent foods that are not going to kill me. This past week has been horrrible and I would hate for that to happen in WDW! I'll try the peppermint tea though. That works for all kinds of things!
Jessica