Pls help me.... My husband suffer IBS now?

Question

I know it's not easy to have this kind of desease, sometimes he tells me that he don't want to live anymore. He has so many things to do that he can't do anymore because of this desease. Our life was so much affected also, we can't do anymore things that should be done in a young couple. Sometimes, I'm thinking that why this desease come to my husband, sometimes we feel depressed of the things that comes to us. I am working while my husband was running a small business, now he can't manage all the time his business because of the disease. So I manage sometimes while working, I'm busy always while my husband is at home. What shall I do, I'm planning to resign from my job and take care of my husband because I'm so petty with him, He is so depressed. Can you help me find the best midicine for this deasease? Pls. help me, this desease ruins our life. And advice me also what to do to stop the depression of my husband.

Answer 1

It sounds like you have let the IBS control your lives, you need to control the IBS and get back to as normal a life as you can. It's not easy I know from experience, but it can be done, I did it.
If you and your husband are dealing with a lot of depression I suggest you speak to your doctor about getting counseling before it destroys you both. Depression can be very debilitating.
Below is a little about some of the treatments available and a website you can go to for more info.

Treatment
Because it's still not clear what causes irritable bowel syndrome, treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms so that you can live your life as fully and normally as possible.
In most cases, you can successfully control mild symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome by learning to manage stress and making changes in your diet and lifestyle. But if your problems are moderate or severe, you may need more help than lifestyle changes alone can offer. Your doctor may suggest:

Fiber supplements. Taking fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) with fluids may help control constipation.
Anti-diarrheal medications. Over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) can help control diarrhea.

Eliminating high-gas foods. If you have significant bloating or are passing significant amounts of gas, your doctor may also ask you to cut out such items as carbonated beverages, salads, raw fruits and vegetables, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Anticholinergic medications. Some people need drugs that affect certain activities of the nervous system (anticholinergics) to relieve painful bowel spasms.

Antidepressant medications. If your symptoms include pain and depression, your doctor may recommend a tricyclic antidepressant or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). These medications help relieve depression as well as inhibit the activity of neurons that control the intestines. For diarrhea and abdominal pain, your doctor may suggest tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline. Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness and constipation. SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or paroxetine (Paxil) may be helpful if you're depressed and have pain and constipation.

Counseling. If antidepressant medications don't work, you may have better results from counseling if stress tends to exacerbate your symptoms.

Answer 2

I have IBS, but it's well controlled. Conventional medicine still does much head scratching over the condition so frankly, if it is IBS I wouldn't take anything your doctor gave you. IBS seems have a number of causes, whether it's food sensitivity, acute stress or drug abuse (all in my case) there are a number of things that can help you feel normal again. Irritable Bowel Syndrome manifests it's self as diarrhoea, constipation, gas, nausea and/or crippling cramps - so the first thing you want to do is get that under control with an 'antispasmodic' treatment. I use peppermint oil capsules. Peppermint reduces the gut spasms, gas and also has antibacterial properties. Look for ENTERIC coated capsules; enteric stops the capsule dissolving before it reaches the small intestine. Be aware that you may have food sensitivities or intolerances - th most common of these are wheat and dairy sensitivities. I no longer consume dairy products and use soya instead: soy milk, soy yoghurt and soy cheese. I also eat dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. As dairy problems are most common, try cutting this back first. You can get advice on alternative diets at your local health food store. Be aware that when you remove a food group from your diet you are also removing certain essential nutrients so be sure to use calcium enriched product and a take a good quality multivitamin. If you are suffering from IBS this will lead to malabsorbtion of vitamins so supplements become even more important. The fact that you are not able to process your food effectively enough to maximise vit/mineral/energy absorption is why you are feeling so low. I also take aloe vera juice 2 times a day, you could take it with every meal. It is very rich in calcium and it also coats and soothes the gut whilst making the gut lining inhospitable to 'bad' bacteria. Be sure to top up your 'good bacteria with a good quality Acidophillus supplement. This will encourage normal bowel behaviour. An alternative health practitioner, sensitive doctor and even health food store personnel can all help you make the right decisions for your body. Just remember that it is your body, you are in control and don't let it make you fell like a victim. Good luck. You can always email me if you want to talk about it further, just edit your question to let me know

Answer 3

Believe me when I say that I know what you are going through. More specifically, I know what your husband is going through. I also have IBS and have had it for about 12 years. In the beginning I was at the same point because I didn't know what I had. It didn't help when I found out that there wasn't any cure for it.

They do have a prescription medicine out called Zelenorm. I haven't tried it, so I don't know how well it works. It was first marketed to women with IBS, but now they say anyone with stomach ailments can use it.

One of my doctors said that I should try fiber, more specfically Metamucil. I tried the mix (tastes horrible) and then the capsules (didn't do much). I then tried the wafers. The taste is nothing great, but it is much better that the mix. And, it works. Boy, does it work. I take two (they come as 2 wrapped together) every morning, and it has made a world of difference. I rarely have any stomach pains, and (not to get too personal), I am a lot more regular.

I don't know if your husband has tried the Metamucil wafers before, but I highly recommend them. They have completely changed my life. Good luck to the both of you.

Answer 4

IBS is not a disease. It's a functional disorder, which means that the bowel doesn't work as it should.

With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the bowel are extra-sensitive. For example, the muscles may contract too much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves can be overly sensitive to the stretching of the bowel (because of gas, for example). Cramping or pain can result.

IBS has no cure, but you can do things to relieve symptoms. Treatment may involve

diet changes
medicine
stress relief
You may have to try a combination of things to see which works best for you.
IBS does not have to be the end of the world as you know it. Talk to his doctor about treatment options with medications and also for treatment for the depression that he seems to have because of it.

Answer 5

I think he needs to see a therapist for the depression he is having surrounding this. Both my hubby and I have IBS, though not as much to of a dehabilitating degree. We've learned to really watch what we eat, as certain foods can aggravate more than others. There is a also a book and website put out by a woman named Heather Van Vorous. She has suffered from IBS since she was 9 years old. I believe the cookbook is called "Eating for IBS" or something like that. Most of her recipes are quite good, and would be good for you even if you don't suffer from the condition. This does not have to be a life-ending condition.

Answer 6

Has he seen a gastroenterologist? If not, then he ought to be evaluated and have his medications adjusted. Also, he should have his depression addressed. Have him find a support group for IBS and check out Dr. Andrew Weil's book or website for specific therapies for IBS. There is an incredible mind-body connection with IBS that Western medicine often fails to address. You and your husband can get your lives back, but you need to be proactive and open to try things like meditation and relaxation therapy. Good Luck!

Answer 7

They're starting to recommend that people with IBS, or IBS-like symptoms be tested for celiac disease, which is an intolerance to gluten (wheat, rye, barley and oats). A lot of people with celiac were misdiagnosed as having IBS for years. (18 years for me). It takes an average of 11 years for a person with celiac to be diagnosed.

Depression is an extremely common symptom of celiac. I don't think I've met one celiac who isn't at least slightly effected by depression as part of their symptoms.

Here's a webpage by the National Institutes of Health on celiac -
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases...

If that starts sounding familiar here are a couple of message boards for people with celiac and other gluten intolerances.

http://www.glutenfreeforum.com
http://www.celiacforums.com

You can also be intolerant to other common foods and get IBS symptoms. Soy, corn, eggs, yeast, dairy, etc. You may want to think about keeping a food/symptoms journal and see if you can identify the culprit(s).

Since he's got depression along with the IBS symptoms, I'd really look into celiac and come visit those message boards.

I hope he feels better soon.

Nancy

Answer 8

i know how he feels but their is medication that does help,i have had ibs for 3 years.i dont understand the depression part,sounds like their is something else going on with your husband.i would seek out a good internest[sorry cant spell] and also maybe some psychiatric help.good luck to ya