Does anyone out there suffer from IBS?

Question

does any one out there suffer from IBS and all the problems that go with it, what medication do you take or any herbal or alternative medicine you can recommend, do you have to be on a special diet. Does it make you feel tired and low all the time

Answer 1

yes i was diagnosed two years ago, it makes me angry sometimes when i have to watch every thing i eat, what i did was to go on the internet and check out a few sites, i ended up making a list of foods which i can eat that have no repercussions. Basically if you have a reaction to a food put it on your bad list and dont eat again - good luck

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

You know, I don't have IBS. Yet I do have Ulcerative Colitis which is more a disease rather a syndrome. I have to go on a low sugar diet, which actually does make me feel better. IBS does have a lot in common with ulcerative colits. I began taking Asacol, which did make me feel sick and gross. I took a blue pill when they first thought I had IBS, it was okay it just wasnt the greatest. I would suggest you try certain types of diets to see what the best works for you.

Certain foods can trigger a "attack". I have found spicy foods are a big "no". Good luck, and I am sorry to say that it's usually an expirement to have to find what works and doesn't work for YOUR BODY. Alll bodies are different. Good luck!!
:]] and I am sorry you have to deal with this. It's not fun at all.

Answer 4

I work for the Global Healing Center, and I speak to people that have IBS all the time, every day. The following is my understanding:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a condition characterized by:

* Excess gas
* Cramping and abdominal pain
* Painful diarrhea and/or constipation
* Bloating
* Chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, or a combination of both
* Mucus in bowel movements
* An urge to have a bowel movement without success

This condition can be quite difficult to diagnose because there are no indications presented with a standard colon examination.
IBS can be controlled in a number of ways. For many, making simple dietary improvements can decrease the symptoms. By carefully monitoring the foods eaten, a person can determine which foods trigger the contractions.
Try looking at this page, this should help you allot!
http://www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com/ibs.html

I am sending you positive energy, take care and be well!

Answer 5

A lot of people do well on a vegan diet. I'm doing that and cutting out caffeine. IBS can come and go in bouts. You may only have to change your diet so strictly for a while and when your bout is over you can introduce a few things back in moderation. Don't panic that you'll have to change everything you eat forever. Eat a gentle, non-spicy, non-dairy, non-fatty diet for now to let your innards recuperate, then work out what your body needs with a food diary. A good vegetable-based diet does well for most people but you'll be able to have the things you like too - you'll just know not to overdo it.

Answer 6

My husband has IBS and I have ulcerative colitis which in a way is a severe version of IBS. Any way, a bland diet helps or not eatting spicy or fried foods. What triggers it for you might be totally different. Also, stress or wondering where the closest bathroom is can set it off. My Dad and husband take Aloe to help with symptoms. This comes in a liquid form (can be found at Target, WalMart, Sam's club, health stores etc.) or pills. I take pills, Dad liquid. He takes 1 tablespoon a day (which is much less then they say to take) and mixes it in orange juice or lemonade because it can taste bitter. It has helped out a lot. Yes, it can make you tired. There are traditional medications that can help it depends if you are a man or women and what the exact symptoms are.

Answer 7

This is what I did - hope it helps you!

There is something called ionized water. It's high alkaline water that helps balance out your body's pH level, which, when unbalanced, is a major source of disease. It really helps in regularity and colon cleansing. I would suggest to drink at least a gallon of ionized water, if you can find it where you live.

It does make you feel like you don't have much energy because the nutrients from food are going right through you. Try eating a lot of high fiber food, like raw vegetables and whole grains, beans, oats, etc. Try to eat as natural as possible.

Keep a food diary, see what foods seem to be causing what. Otherwise it's the same stuff that experts have been saying for years.. get some exercise, enough sleep, eat healthy. Try meditating on healing your body.

Hope it helps! It works for me :)

Answer 8

I suffered very bad IBS for years, recently I discovered Buscopan IBS reliefe tablets (from a chemist over the counter) and also Motilium 10 now I am very seldomly botherrred with the severe symptoms of IBS and I am in control now

good luck

Answer 9

I find that a few teaspoonfuls of slippery elm (mixed into water) has worked really well for me. I also don't eat wheat at all and this has helped me. It is important to find what works for you.

After doing this and not eating wheat my specialist could not believe how well I was. I have had relapses, but that is because I ate a few things I should be avoiding (I think. Not provable though).

Answer 10

IBS is often misdiagnosed, it could be crones or many other things, I take nexium, a prescription medication often called the purple pill, even though its not given to me for 'IBS' it has changed my life completly in that it has releaved my symptoms, also try immodium.