Irritable Bowel Support Group

[Nancy for Disney]

btw i had an entire colonscopy last friday completley 100 percent drug free!!! my doc was only going to do a flexor scope- five inches or so, well since it was going so well- not much inflamation he figured welll i may as well do the entire thing!

Congratulations! I have had them without medication before too but not in a good way. The first time my doctor also thought he would be doing a partial one but then decided to do the whole thing. Prior to the procedure the nurse told me that I would be fine without drugs. The whole time I am thinking "I am the biggest wimp ever" and don't say anything because I don't want people to think I am the biggest wimp ever. After a different nurse told me that I did incredibly well for not having in sedation. Now when I go which is every 2-3 yrs I get the works. If I even make the slightest grunt my current doctor will always tell the nurse to give me more. I am always sure to grunt. Going to be getting one tomorrow. Left work early because I couldn't concnetrate. I WANT FOOD!!!!

Imuran has been my savior. My official diagnosis is IBD. I don't think I could function if it wasn't for Imuran. I can eat whatever I want and don't panic if there isn't a bathroom near by. I remember the first vaction without symptoms and it was wonderful. I had problems from the age of 21 until 36 which is when I was put on Imuran after a stay in the hospital because of having such a severe episode. I have only had one episode since.

 

[Cantw8]

so OP let me get this straight... not only do you have IBS but you also tinkle in your pants poor dear

 

[happygirl]

I think I might have this.Self diagnosed.

 

[claudia]

I do not suffer with IBS, but my mom has it and suffered severly with it....I'm sure you all know the horror stories with it and my mom suffers with the D type. She went to an accupuncturist about 2 years ago, went a couple times a week for 2 months and then down to 1 time a week, then to 2 times a month and now will go about every 3-4 months for a treatment. She has never had a problem again....eats anything she wants and nothing bothers/triggers her any longer. She suffered with this for over 40 years, but the accupuncture really cured it for her.

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

I belong to this group (though I am mainly self diagnosed...the dr. said if you think you have it more than likely you do...just mildly).

Worse case was just tonight...I have been a mess all day and had to work the sound boards for a musical.....I went to the restrooms right before...during intermission and BOOOKED it to the restrooms at the end...I hope I didn't run over too many people.

I am so happy to find this thread. I'm 28 and my dr. also told me "if you think you have it you probably do" They had tested me for other things, and everything came out negative. So that is why they are thinking it is this.
My PCP was telling me to try therapy to maybe figure out what triggers my anxiety/stress. Has anyone else done this?

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

poor you!!! i ahte having to go without food and dogin the prep! its god awful!!! 3 yrs ago when i had my first ina long time was my mil's bday actually hers was the next day adn they jsut had to go out for chinese thath ntie when i coudlnt eat it....i was not impressed!!! i had one last september as i ended up with norwalk last spring- awful!!! this one was because i had been flaring a bit. but i recently went through a molar pregnancy so he figures with all the hormones of being pregnant, then m/c'ing then waiting for my hormone levels to drop probably had somethign to do with it. good luck tomorrow!

Congratulations! I have had them without medication before too but not in a good way. The first time my doctor also thought he would be doing a partial one but then decided to do the whole thing. Prior to the procedure the nurse told me that I would be fine without drugs. The whole time I am thinking "I am the biggest wimp ever" and don't say anything because I don't want people to think I am the biggest wimp ever. After a different nurse told me that I did incredibly well for not having in sedation. Now when I go which is every 2-3 yrs I get the works. If I even make the slightest grunt my current doctor will always tell the nurse to give me more. I am always sure to grunt. Going to be getting one tomorrow. Left work early because I couldn't concnetrate. I WANT FOOD!!!!

Imuran has been my savior. My official diagnosis is IBD. I don't think I could function if it wasn't for Imuran. I can eat whatever I want and don't panic if there isn't a bathroom near by. I remember the first vaction without symptoms and it was wonderful. I had problems from the age of 21 until 36 which is when I was put on Imuran after a stay in the hospital because of having such a severe episode. I have only had one episode since.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Do you all find that your symptoms get exponentially worse when you are on your period?

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

yep!!!

Do you all find that your symptoms get exponentially worse when you are on your period?

 

[GrumpySue]

I have suffered many years with chronic C. Activia worked really well then just stopped. So frustrating !! And I agree - vacations mess me up big time.

There is a new product on the market called Align and it has changed my life. I have taken it once a day for the past month and have a bm every single day !! Never in my life have I felt this good. It is a bit expensive (CVS Pharmacy has the cheapest price at $29.99 for a one month supply) but I will pay anything and give up something else to feel this good. I just pray it doesn't stop working ever , I will cry.

 

[ols386]

What is "D" and "C" ??

 

[DVC-Don]

What is "D" and "C" ??

D = Diarrhea
C = Constipation

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Home from the colonoscopy. They changed their drug of choice for sedation. Now instead of being relaxed they knock you out cold. I was told that I would start to feel sleepy in about 15 seconds. I told the doctor that he was right. The next thing I knew I was in recovery. I didn't even feel too loopy. Now if they can just figure out a way to get that stuff you have to drink taste better.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Nancy: Maybe next time you can ask about a Miralax prep? That's what I did last week. 21 doses each spaced about 15-20 minutes apart mixed in with whatever liquid I happened to be drinking. No nasty taste!

 

["Got Disney"]

Thanks for the input on the Digestion Advantage Gas defence and the Align....I am going to look into them
This for sure is a pain in the A** and yes the pun is intended

Well I checked out the Align but that has 1 billion active ..I take one that my Doc said to take that has 400 Billion and take 2 a day=800 Billion. My stomach must be worse than I thought

 

[AnnaS]

I am also glad I found this thread.

But - my 21 yr. old has been complaining for years of having to run to use the restroom after each meal and sometimes close to not making it. He does not have a problem with constipation though.

I keep telling him it's probably dairy products and all the junk food he eats all times during the day (he works overnight).

I have finally made an appt. for him to see a Gastro doctor for next Friday.

I think I am starting with these symptoms too. After each meal, gas, rumbling noises and the feel that I need to use the restroom too.

I will listen closely to what my son tells the doctor and what the doctor tells him.

I will then take it from there, if I need to see him too or if I should try some of these over the counter products mentioned here.

 

[pampam]

When I was first diagnosed, I did research on the internet. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet was recomended. I checked it out, but it seemed to be too restrictive. I asked him about it, but he said there was no cure for Crohns, only surgury. My Crohns progressed. I knew it was food related because 20 minutes after I ate, I would have an episode. Eveerything bothered me. I just couldn't figure out what foods it was.The doctor was talking surgury, so I thought before I do something so invasive, I'll try the diet. I didn't cheat and followed it religiously, to cure myself. When I went back for a checkup, he was pressing on my belly, asking if it hurt. It didn't . He said "I don't know what you are doing, but keep doing it". I showed him the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gotschall. He said "Yes I've heard of her, but you must realize there is no cure for Crohns. I carried on with my diet, and at my last colonoscopy, he said "There was no Crohns in your large intestine, so it must be in your small intestine. I said "You know I'm on the SCDiet. He said "there is no cure for Crohns. Keep taking your pills." Meanwhile I hadn't taken a pill for a year and a half. While on this diet, my acid reflux disappeared, and my arthritis too. I was on the diet for 2 years. I've been off it for a year and a half, and feel fine. However, my acid reflux, arthritis, and some of the lesser symptoms of Crohns are slowly creeping back into my life. I will be going back on the diet because I feel better on it, and it is a very healthy diet.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i agree!!! nothing worse than drinking that!!!

Home from the colonoscopy. They changed their drug of choice for sedation. Now instead of being relaxed they knock you out cold. I was told that I would start to feel sleepy in about 15 seconds. I told the doctor that he was right. The next thing I knew I was in recovery. I didn't even feel too loopy. Now if they can just figure out a way to get that stuff you have to drink taste better.

 

[PamNC]

Do you all find that your symptoms get exponentially worse when you are on your period?

I have had IBS or 15 years and yes, it definitely gets worse during this time!! It's a ridiculous condition....I have the "D" kind and I can tell you, it can make life a little tricky. I'm laughing at some of the posts, not laughing AT anyone, laughing with you because I feel your pain.

PamNC

 

[ols386]

I have thought for years that I had IBS, but I've never been to the doctor about it. I have to admit, I find it quite embarrassing.

My problem has usually been D, and usually following a meal. Although, I've found that if I stay away from beef and desserts (which I guess are both full of fat), I don't normally have a probem.

During a period of time last year I was dieting, and eating alot of fiber and very little fat, and for the entire time I was eating like that, I didn't have a problem. But if I begin to eat beef, etc., then the problem comes right back.

I've read through this thread and can relate to so many of the situations stated here.....fast-tracking it to the bathroom, and sometimes at the most inconvenient times. I've always made it to the bathroom, but I have nightmares (well, not literally) about the time I DON'T make it in time.

One time I was on the train in Chicago, the one that goes from the airport to downtown Chicago, except that I was going from downtown back to the airport, and one of those times hit me while I was on the train (and it's about a 45 minute ride), and there are NO restrooms......I was panicked.....was sooooo afraid I would't make it, but I did.

 

[Pomlover2586]

Ok so I need some support/encouragement from my fellow IBS sufferer's. Like I've stated before I've been having some real problems with anxiety in cars due to previous experiences where I couldn't make it to a restroom in time and had to "go" on the side of the road

DH and I are looking at taking a trip to DLR in august [our first trip to DLR since my anxiety has started]. I'm really nervous about the drive from the airport to the hotel [via taxi] and back to the airport at the end of the trip. I also had a dream of having an episode on a longer ride [such as POTC or IASW] and now I'm worried about rides too!!!

I keep telling myself I can bring a change of clothes in my carry-on, as well as put a set in the lockers in the parks [though I've never actually messed myself.] And I've also told myself that if it'll make me feel better I can wear a sanitary napkin just in case.

And even after all of this I'm still FREAKING out...........these are the only things stopping me from booking this trip TODAY.......

DH and I could also drive [6 hour drive] because I know that if the worst happens at least it's just DH and myself and not some stranger in the car with us.......but we've done the drive so many times and it's such a long tedious journey even w/o the anxiety.........

I've started to take Align and am hoping that will help settle my stomach over the coming weeks but so far [3 days] no real changes.

Sorry I just needed to unload all of that....and I'm hoping you guys can offer some support and calming ideas....please no flames or jokes about this......it's really ruining parts of my life