IBS Medication?

Question

Having being confirmed with IBS recently after suffering for 3 years I was prescribed Colofac. I have also been taking any anti diarreahh tablets to the maximum on a daily basis as well as Buscapan and the occasional pain killer. Is there anything else I can take to stop the misery of constant stomach cramps and bloating not to mention the hours spent sitting on the toilet in absolute agony.

Answer 1

Peppermint oil capsules, my daughter has had this condition for several years and uses them all the time as they work for her. Its like a lot of conditions though, you have to try to find what the 'trigger' foods are and avoid them, and what medications work for you

Its a very real condition and is not just a symptom of something else! If not treated and managed well it can lead to long term problems, while stress doesnt help, its not the primary cause

Answer 2

I had that for a while but it was linked to stress and when my lifestyle changed it sorted itself out. Was never convinced colofac worked for me. But if you are taking anti-diahroea tablets all the time your body will 'forget' what is normal. Seriously consider experimenting with diet in a systematic way, look at your stress levels and try not to rely on the tablets or reduce the dose on days it matters less.

Has your Dr ruled out coeliac disease? I know very little about it but know the 2 can be confused at the diagnostic stage.

Answer 3

I get concentrated peppermint, you can then make the peppermint water like they give you in hospital. That is one of the things that helped me.
I had to work out what foods set me off as well, I found onions were one that upset my bowels I have quite a lot of foods that I have to avoid, but everyone is different.
I find when I am stressed it makes it worse. The other thing which sounds silly but if I rub my stomach it bloats and I look 9 months pregnant. So I don't rub it anymore.

Hope this helps. :)

Answer 4

I was put on Zelnorm after years of suffering. I found that eating an apple a day keeps me regular and i don't suffer the horrible cycle of IBS. No more medication either, TRY IT.

Answer 5

I have IBS and I have had It for years the only thing that works for me is to find out what you cannot eat I found out I was allergic to dairy and a few other things so I try to avoid them and it keeps it mostly under control

Answer 6

i used an all natural supplement called "frequensea" no problems since. you can learn about it at "whyplankton.com" you'll sleep better (i.e. through the night). It helped my bowels settle down. try it it really works for IBS as well as a host of other problems. also try peppermint tea. it's very soothing, and it calms your bowels too. hope this helps.

Answer 7

I never suffered but I knew someone very close for a long time.

The only cure for her was to sort her life out. It was not about drugs or diet. It's was about addressing the real problems in her life.

Answer 8

try a handful of sunflower seeds every day, worked for my mom.It isnt an instant remedy but after a few weeks you should see a difference.

Answer 9

Go and see your doc again, maybe you need a change of medication.

Answer 10

try polos work for me fibre breakfast and plenty of fruit and veg