Irritable Bowel Support Group

[babytrees]

I am sorry Pom, I don't have any suggestions just . I've never had those anxieties....though I am thinking with this latest round I may get one.

What do you all do to cover/catch the oopsies?? You know the times where you leave a spot on your clothes. I don't usually have an "accident" but maybe once every 6 weeks or so until the last 3 weeks, it has been a daily happening (sometimes multiple times). Now I am trying to limit my trigger foods(the ones I know), make sure I am properly hydrated, treat headaches right away but I can't get rid of the stress so I don't see any easing.

 

[kacaju]

can I join too? I don't have a problem but dh has crohn's. He is also lactose intolerant.
He had a foot and a half of his small intestine removed about 15 years ago and since then he has been doing very well.

 

[Sleepy]

I have been a sufferer of undiagnosed IBS for the last 20 years (since age 19). As the years went by, it got worse and worse. I had the "D" type....a very bad daily case of the "D" type. In fact, I have never had even one episode of "C". I suffered through diets, tests and meds, yogurt and enough fiber till it was coming out of my ears and nothing changed my condition. I was finally diagnosed with IBS 2 months ago and given Bentyl. The only thing that did was partially paralyze my throat. They said my condition was unexplained and the only thing left to pin a label on it was IBS, and that if diet or Bentyl did not work, I would just have to accept that I would have a lifetime of living like this.

I have been having a string of other symptoms, seemingly unrelated to this "IBS". One of which was retaining a very bad amount of water. I was even on a water pill and I was still swollen like a tick and had been for many years. I finally saw a doc who listened to my plight and had sympathy. He prescribed a much stronger different kind of water pill. It has been like a miracle. After 20 years of suffering, I no longer have to run to the bathroom after a meal. I no longer have to run to the bathroom 5-8 times a day. Best part is I have not traded the "D" for "C". I am no longer swollen. It is like I received a whole new body that functions the way it should. I can go to a restaurant and eat without rushing home. I can travel on a plane. I don't have to carry around a trial sized Lysol air freshener with me or search for a location that has a bathroom less traveled. I am probably an expert on bathroom locations where I have lived.

I certainly hope others are able to find out what is causing their problems. This is an awful condition to live with. You are in a constant state of abdominal discomfort, panic, over planning (for a bathroom), and declining invitations to dinner parties at others homes. You are a prisoner. I just hope my miracle cure is not just a temporary thing. I am going on 2 weeks of my new found freedom.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I have lots of "D" issues after my gallbladder was taken out 3 years ago, but I had also had "D" and "C" issues for years before that. I used to be soooooo embarrassed about having to use public bathrooms, but honestly, I'm just about over it now. Heck, "everybody poops" is my motto. And all my friends know "if I have to go, I have to go". You gotta laugh about it or you'll cry.

I do remember having to go on a boat trip w/DH's work people a few years ago, and loading up on Imonium AD before we went because I was so worried I'd have to jump off the boat and run into the bushes in front of DH's co-workers. Not a good way to impress the boss w/your wife in the bushes having diahrea.

Just last week we were on a road trip and I was yelling at DH to find a bathroom NOW. DS5 says "mom's gotta poop again". So I run into a hotel lobby and use their bathroom.

Anyway, I'd like to know more about probotics? I CAN'T STAND yogurt (texture thing w/me). Any other way to take it? I saw some cheese w/it in it one time, but it was pricey.

 

[Feralpeg]

DD has suffered from IBS since she was 11 years old. She is now 21. She has had every test known to the medical community. The only thing they have found is that she has a vitamin D deficiency. It is probably the result of having diarrhea so often.

She eats and must run to the bathroom within ten minutes of eating. This is almost every day, after every meal. She has tried eliminating all of the main trigger type foods. Nothing seems to make much difference.

Most recently she saw an endocrinologist. It was the endo that determined she was low on vitamin D. She has suggested that I take her to the Mayo Clinic to a doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal motility issues. The endo thinks DD's system just works too fast. Unfortunately, that leads to other issues because her body doesn't have time to absorb nutrients from what she eats.

Has anyone else seen a motility specialist?

 

[Pomlover2586]

Marshall- as far as probiotics go try "Align" It's a pill form- one pill a day everyday. Costs about $30 for a 28 day supply....I've been on it for 3 days so i can't tell you how well it works yet- but I can't stand the idea of eating yogurt everyday.....

 

[Cinderella94]

I have UC; what is the difference between IBD and IBS?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is more "serious." That's where you will find ulcers and Crohn's. There is physical evidence of the problem. It seems like IBS basically means your digestive tract hates you but they don't know why. It's a diagnosis of exclusion. It may or may not be treated with meds, it seems like they are still working on that.

I was doing really well after my tests (maybe the prep "reset" things?). It was great! Then yesterday it reared its ugly head. Went out to a Hibachi place for dinner. Eaten food like that before with no problem. Within 10 minutes of leaving I was bloating, had gas (for me it manifests in very embarassing burping/belching), cramps so bad I couldn't stand up, and I could barely even walk. I can't wait for the doctor's appointment, hopefully they can tell me what the results of those tests mean and where to go from here.

 

[Cinderella94]

Ohhh Hibachi would definitely do it for me if I wasn't on meds!

Thanks for explaining that about IBD and IBS. I wasn't sure of the distinction.
It's weird. To someone who doesn't know, it would sound like IBS is "better". But I'd rather be diagnosed with the more serious one, and then be able to get treated. Know what I mean?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

What's weird is I have had it before (not too long ago) and it did not affect me at all. I've been frustrated because I can literally eat the same thing multiple times and have a totally different reaction. It makes it difficult to know what to eat.

 

[Cinderella94]

What's weird is I have had it before (not too long ago) and it did not affect me at all. I've been frustrated because I can literally eat the same thing multiple times and have a totally different reaction. It makes it difficult to know what to eat.

That definitely sucks. My docs told me (before I left my 17 day hospital stay, during which I was diagnosed with UC-last November) that I would learn what my trigger foods are, but with my meds, no foods have really made a difference. I would think popcorn or spicy foods would cause a problem, but not really.

For IBS people, I'd think eating just bland, carbs-y foods would be okay, but that diet is no fun long term .

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

That definitely sucks. My docs told me (before I left my 17 day hospital stay, during which I was diagnosed with UC-last November) that I would learn what my trigger foods are, but with my meds, no foods have really made a difference. I would think popcorn or spicy foods would cause a problem, but not really.

For IBS people, I'd think eating just bland, carbs-y foods would be okay, but that diet is no fun long term .

I can't eat carby foods in any quantity due to diabetes. I am waiting to find out if it is Celiac (gluten intolerance). If veggies/meat are a trigger, I'm screwed.

 

[Cinderella94]

I can't eat carby foods in any quantity due to diabetes. I am waiting to find out if it is Celiac (gluten intolerance). If veggies/meat are a trigger, I'm screwed.

Ackkk! I'm sure that doesn't help. I hope you (and everyone else here) can figure out SOMETHING that works for you!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks! In the meantime I have concluded that food is the devil (but it tastes so damn good!)

 

[Cinderella94]

Thanks! In the meantime I have concluded that food is the devil (but it tastes so damn good!)

Ain't that the truth!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Marshall- as far as probiotics go try "Align" It's a pill form- one pill a day everyday. Costs about $30 for a 28 day supply....I've been on it for 3 days so i can't tell you how well it works yet- but I can't stand the idea of eating yogurt everyday.....

Thanks so much! Is it over-the-counter?

 

[Pomlover2586]

Yes no RX needed.....I got mine in my local Rite Aide store- but Longs Walgreens etc carry them too

 

[iggbees]

hi all! sorry to bring up such an old topic, but i've finally realized that i think this is what i have!

i've always had problems with my stomach my whole life (from c to d). i've started putting larger amounts of fiber in my diet, which helps a little, but i still have some issues. i have high anxiety and that causes all sorts of problems.

i have an appt with the dr in a week and i think i'm going to ask about the possibility of this when i go. i've complained about these symptoms since i can remember (i even used to be late to school when i was little because of them), but the only thing i've ever been told is to up my fiber. i'm so concerned about colon cancer, i'm only 26, but one of my great aunts passed away from colon cancer (which if caught early is highly treatable!).

the strangest thing about my body is that i can't eat lunch meats because my stomach bloats out and i look pregnant. it's worst with turkey and sometimes ham will do it. i can't ever go out to eat lunch or i'm sick to my stomach the rest of the day at work. has anyone else noticed this about themselves?

 

[pampam]

hi all! sorry to bring up such an old topic, but i've finally realized that i think this is what i have!

i've always had problems with my stomach my whole life (from c to d). i've started putting larger amounts of fiber in my diet, which helps a little, but i still have some issues. i have high anxiety and that causes all sorts of problems.

i have an appt with the dr in a week and i think i'm going to ask about the possibility of this when i go. i've complained about these symptoms since i can remember (i even used to be late to school when i was little because of them), but the only thing i've ever been told is to up my fiber. i'm so concerned about colon cancer, i'm only 26, but one of my great aunts passed away from colon cancer (which if caught early is highly treatable!).

the strangest thing about my body is that i can't eat lunch meats because my stomach bloats out and i look pregnant. it's worst with turkey and sometimes ham will do it. i can't ever go out to eat lunch or i'm sick to my stomach the rest of the day at work. has anyone else noticed this about themselves?

Yes, me too. Every time I ate I had D about 20 minutes afterward. You could almost set your watch by it. Then, with so much D I would end up with C. I tried the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) and it worked wonders. I know it seems like the diet deprived me of so much, but when someone asked me if I missed regular food, I would think of the cramps, accidents, and embarasment and say "No, don't miss it, don't miss it at all". I felt better almost at once and was on the diet about a year and a half. Then I started to very gradually cheat. NowI can eat anything with no upsets. I've cured myself. Actually I should say the SCD cured me.

 

[AnnaS]

pampam,
\
would you mind being more specific with the Specific Carbohydrate diet. Can I find it on the internet if I google it?

Thank you - really interested.