i have been suffering from I.B.S?

Question

i have had it for 2 years now, and nothing helps, all meds i get dont do anything. i think i have stomach cancer but if i tell my G.P will he shrug me off, my friend was diagnosed with crohns disease when she was 20, why dont the doctors do more tests instead of giving me more pills! im not paranoid but the diarrhea is just getting me down as i have it all the time and i never seen to know when it is going to happen, i mean i have been incontinent also, im only 42.
serious answers only please!!

all the answers so far are fab but even if i have a glass of water in the morning it just goes through my system within 5 minutes, have tried not eating anything throughout the day but i still have diarrrhea

thank you all so much and yes i am going to try various different methods that you guys have given, wish i could give you all 10 points though!

Answer 1

After having chemotherapy and radio therapy tratment for cancer, some of the side affects i was left with were constant bouts of diarrhoea stomach swelling after meals, stomach bubbling sounds and stomach cramps. I tried lots of different medication but none of it worked.My doctor said i would have to learn to live with it.

After years of putting up with it, i read an article in a magazine about food intolerance and food elimination and decided i had nothing to loose, so decided to try it.

I started by eliminating wheat products first ie all cereals that contain wheat, bread, pasta, etc then some pulses ie peas beans lentils etc. Next were vegetables and fruit i.e sprouts cabbage turnip cauliflower oranges, grapefruits etc.

After a short time i started to notice a difference, the diarrhoea lessened the stomach cramps and swelling stopped and the embarrassing noises ceased.

I eventually started to add things back into my diet one at time, and over time learned the things i can eat and the ones i definitely cant eat. And unless i give in to temptation and eat the things i shouldn't then that is the only time i have problems, but it is very rare.

I know you are meant to see a specialist for this kind of thing and not meant to undertake it of your own back. But quite frankly my doctor didn't seem to care and i was desperate.

I know it proberbly sounds like i dont have a variety of food in my diet but thats not true. I have a good diet and don't really miss the things i cant have. Infact my diet is much healthier now than it has ever been.

The things i deffinately cant eat are most foods that contain wheat all beans including baked beans. Most processed foods including tinned soup and spaghetti, packet soup, processed meat and cheese and fast food. Cauliflower, sprouts, turnip, white cabbage, brocolli and beet root.Some dairy products and some products that contain gluten. I also can't eat any cereals apart from rice crispies, corn flakes, coco pops and frosties.

I know it sounds like a lot of messing about and time consuming. But after years of following this procedure i now have a 100% normal life. It may mean never eating some of your favourite foods again, but i would much rather do without certain foods in my life than have the terrible symptons of IBS.

However , if you decide to do this you may want to speak to your doctor who can refer you to a specialist in this field. Good luck, i hope you find relief from this miserable illness.

try these web sites for more information:

www.nutritionandvitality.co.uk

www.yorktest.com

Answer 2

Hi, I have had IBS for 4 years now, since I was 18. I've been to many different doctors and have tried many different types of medicine, but none have helped.

Something you have to remember is that there isn't some magic pill that's going to help you (with this kind of disease). The best way (and the only way) that YOU can control it is to find out what kinds of foods you can and can't eat (keep a food journal), and actually STICK to it. Since this disease deals with the digestive system, the best way for you to control it is through what you put into your body. Second, working out/exercising is also great-it helps to relax those muscles that cause IBS. Since this disease is brought on by stress, be extra careful when you know there is a period when you will get stressed out (example-for me, it's finals time in college), and take care of your body during that time.

Since there is no known cure, the best way is just to keep your body healthy. Every now and then, if I'm having a "bad IBS day," I find that hot peppermint tea can help. Peppermint has been shown to be very soothing to the digestive tract. Also, if you ARE having a bad day, go back to foods that you know you can eat without getting sick-mine are saltine crackers and hot tea. Then, slowly build up to where you can eat normal food again.

I know this disease is frustrating...but hang in there and don't let it get the best of you! The best medicines I've found so far are Imodium AD, watching what I eat, and exercising.

Hope this helps! Good luck.

Answer 3

I have had IBS on and off for about 10 years. I have found that it increases during really stressful periods. Buscapan tablets have worked as they relax the bowel and so recude the cramping pains. I have never been incontinent with it and I think this is the most worrying part of it. You should go back to your doctor and tell him how worried you are. You need further investigations. Don't let him (or her) intimidate you. Tell him exactly what you want sorting.

Answer 4

I have had the same problem since 1985 after my injury. Neurological damage. When I get nervous it becomes more clinical. I can't leave the house. I have a spastic colon. I went to a chiropractor and sometimes the adjustments helped. I also use rescue remedy which helps relax the colon so it is not so spastic.
I have also used it for cats with chronic IBS You can get it in any store selling homeopathy remedies or natural herb and vitamin shop. If you have insurance you might want to check with a neurologist

Answer 5

Did you try Amitriptyline to "slow down your gut"? It might help. Also of course you can take limited amounts of Imodium AD.
Have you been tested for Celiac Sprue disease? Maybe you are allergic to gluten, which is found in wheat products.

Check out I.B.S. and Celiac Sprue on the internet if you haven't already done so.
Are you going to a gastroenterologist? If not, you should.

Answer 6

my partner suffers from I B S it not a illness you are going to get better from. but you can make it easier to live with. have you asked to see someone at the hospital , your gallbladder may have gallstones which will cause pain in your stomach and chest . it did for my partner.my partner had to have his gallbladder removed in the end. also have you tried changeing your diet ,people with I B S find it hard to digest fresh beef or processed beef and fatty foods. our diet is not so bad when you get in to the routine of it. you must eat three times a day ,small but regular meals and you can have pudding as well small ones. also my partner found when pain is bad some chocalate helps ease the pain. our granddaughter has it to and chocalate helps her when its bad.our diet is fish,lamb, pork, mince ,not beefmince, fresh veg or frozen, fresh fruit like golden delishous apples, sweet grapes , plums,oranges and lemons may upset you ,if it does ,you can get vitiman c which has no acid ic in it. from health shops. non spicy food is good, liver and onions , non spicy sausages is nice , all milky puddings are nice, inconinent some times happens to with I BS, because you think you have finish going and you have no , dont worry please it happen to my partner and myself sometimes and l would have thought most of the country if only they would admit it .l am 46 and my partner is 43 , so we know what you mean , getting older is no fun. we hope this has helped you , good luck.

Answer 7

If you have been suffering for this long I can't understand why you haven't been referred to a consultant. Go see your GP and tell him to write an urgent referal to Gastroentrology and get them to do a colonoscopy...this is where they insert an endoscope and have a proper view of exactly what is going on...they also take a biopsy so your mind will be put to rest over the cancer worries. It is your right to see a consultant so please do now leave until you have a referal xx

Answer 8

My son developed Crohns disease when he was 14yrs old.After suffering with constant diahorrea he could hardly walk due to the cyst which had appeared on his anus.His doc referred him to the hospital and he was diagnosed eventually with Crohns. My brother similary had the same symptons but was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and eventually developed Crohns too so demand further investigation.

Answer 9

i get ibs a bit too. i get stomach cramps then the sh*ts. i went to the doc about this and ended up on anti depressants. I think the ibs did calm down but id only try this if your really desperate as there can be some nasty side effects.

Answer 10

You need to make an appointment with a .....
Gastro Intestinal Doctor he can do the necessary testing that you need to find out what exactly is going on and put you on the right meds.