What to do for IBS?

Question

I was recently diagnosed with IBS (six months ago) and the medication that the doctor gave me does not seem to be working. In fact, it seems to have gotten worse. I feel like I am in pain all the time. This is really taken over my life because I am scred to eat, scared to be out of the house for long periods of time, etc. My husband and I barely even have sex anymore because it causes me a lot of pain (the doctor says that is because of the IBS). To anyone out there who is also suffering from this, do you have any suggestions for how to deal with this?

Answer 1

See a good digestive disease doctor. I suffered for a long time, then had a colonoscopy and he diagnosed microscopic colitis...I've been on a medicine (asacol) for years, along with fiber pills and some imodium. It took a while for everything to settle out, but now I have regularity and almost never any pain or flare-up.
IBS is a real thing, but sometimes it's the easy diagnosis, not the best one.

Answer 2

I have Colitis so I know exactly what you are experiencing at an extreme level! I take something called Salifolk (or 5-ASA) which you should be able to look up on the Internet. However, this will not help reduce the pain from a current outbreak so you may need 1000mg of Tylenol every 4 hours, plus steroids if your IBS develops into Chron's Disease or Colitis. It's a disability that can only be cured by removing the area affected by your IBS at this time, until further research is done and they can find away to cure it without surgery. In some cases, like mine, if it were to flair up too badly and continue without stopping from treatment, you would have to get your entire large intestine removed! I think I'll just die instead if it gets to this point! It's a horrible disease and hopefully you find something to help your condition too!

Answer 3

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be caused by a host of entities.
It can be related to coeliac disease whereby an individual has allergies to certain glutins that are present in a variety of foods such as breads, etc. IBS can also be part of a wider variety of illnesses such as neuroendocrine tumors which present with similar symptoms..diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, but also include flushing, hot flashes.
If you are experiencing dyspyruneia (painful intercourse), that goes beyond "abdominal" pain and may actually be related to a gynecological issue. See your gynecologist and explain this issue, then see a gastroenterologist regarding the abdominal pain.
Do not let this go unchecked.

Answer 4

Im sorry that you are going through such pain and discomfort. I would suggest eating more fiber and or try taking Metamucil. It seem to help me, I havent been diagnosed but I think I have a case of IBS too. Goodluck!

Answer 5

I have the same problem, so I eat lots of raisins and prunes and nuts, it really seems to work. Maybe you should try a colon cleanser. Also, at Walmart, they sell these bottles in the laxative department, you have to drink the whole bottle, but that helps when it gets really bad. Try this web site, the licensed doctors on there will answer your medical questions for free http://www.WebMD.com

Answer 6

What did your doctor give you? Sometimes they give out meds that are more for acid reflux then IBS. I'd ask him to switch, or get a second opinion. You have to change your diet and take appropriate meds. it'll get better. that's how i handled it, and it barely bothers me (but i do have my episodes!)

Answer 7

Sorry to say That I'm in the same boat. I laterally found that nothing works, so I got my DR to give me a script of Hydrocodne. I take them as needed. I hope you don't have to resort to that level, but Im just telling you what works for me.

Answer 8

TRY THIS ..IT WORKS FOR ME
TAKE DRY JELLO PUT IT IN A GLASS THEN ADD WATER THEN DRINK ..THIS DOES HELP PEOPLE WITH "IBS" I KNOW CAUSE I HAVE IT ..TRY THIS REMEDY 3 TIMES A DAY FOR A WEEK ..EAT WHEAT BREAD ..EAT WHITE RICE ..HIGH FIBER DIET