IBS! any solutions or things that help???

Question

I have IBS-a doctor said so, they want to send me to a gastreonologist to see inside my stomach also as it looks like I m pregnent even after curring you all flour, bread, rice, pasta, cereals, carbonated (fizzy drinks), chewing gum, ANY condiments, sauces, seasonings-eg chilli..etc, and it still looking like I'm pregnent (yes they did a scan, severeal infact). I have had anorexia in the past and though a healthy weight now but they think this is what caused me to now have IBS.

I am not too fussed about the cramps and can live with them (even though I'd rather not!) but am really wound up about the "flatulance", loo problems!! and puffed out stomach. I would do ANYHTING (am cosidering anorexia again am so upset with this)!

Have you had or do you have IBS? Have you found anything to be really helpful? I have tried buscopal and peppermint tea and peppermint oil but to no avail.

I excercise well, eat ok (says a dietition) and weigh ok incaseyou are thinking this may be the cause

Answer 1

IBS is aggravated by stress. SO calming down can help. Relaxing is good. My husband tried peppermint oil and that helps.

Answer 2

You just kind of have to experiment with different foods and eating patterns until you can isolate the causes.

Are you lactose intolerant? Try cutting back on milk and dairy by substituting soy milk. That helped for me a lot. I can eat youghurt but it has to be organic. If I get the generic grocery store cheap stuff, sometimes I have problems.

Also, caffeine can exacerbate the situation. If you don't want to eliminate it completely, I've found tea to be better than coffee.

Pasta sauces -- anything that is very acidic -- can also be a trigger.

Finally, I suggest you take psyllium husks to increase the insoluble fiber in your diet. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it normalizes your system after a couple days of use. I've found this often does the trick rather than taking a bunch of harsh medicines. You can get them in powder form or convenient capsules at most health food stores. They're not too expensive in bulk. They helped me out tremendously.

Stress is also a huge issue. Is this sympomatic of some other lifestyle issues?

It will never completely go away, but you can learn to manage it and reduce its symptoms. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have now been suffering with IBS for 3 years and it is just the matter of accepting that you have it because it will just not go away no matter how many medications you want to take that the doctor will give you they will not work. If you are having a bad day then i seem to take 1 diacalm and it will keep it at ease for a few hours try that. i am also limited to what i can do also as you have to think forward (will they be a toilet there) (what if) it is really best not to think like that we have IBS its not going to magically got away its just the matter of having to cope with it and accept it

Answer 4

A new, very gentle laxative powder has just been released to the general public without a prescription called Miralax. I too suffer with chronic ibs plus I have an extreme allergy to everything with dairy in it. As you can imagine it doesn't leave me with alot of food options once the butter, milk and cheese are omitted. My gastroenterologist set me up with Miralax and it has been working fantastic for me since November.

First of all it is so gentle that doctors prescribe this med for pregnant women and toddlers. No side effects and no sick stomaches you can get with other laxatives. Second, and this is a big one for me, I was terrified of how it would taste being that it comes in powder form because I can't even swallow Nyquil without gagging my tonsils out. Well, I swear to you, this has absolutely no taste whatsoever, dissolves completely and doesn't leave any weird taste in your mouth.

I mix my daily capful in my morning cup of tea (about 8oz.). I will guarantee that this magic elixir will work for you. I'm only 23 and I felt so cheated out of not being able to eat what everyone else was eating as well as how good they felt afterwards. I sympathize, girl. Now go out and pick yourself up a bottle. It'll be the best decision you've ever made. Good luck!

Answer 5

I have IBS, it goes hand in hand with ME which I have severely and the Only thing that works for me is Colofac MR, not the regular stuff, but the MR (Measured Release), twice a day, 20 minutes before a meal, breakfast and dinner is best and it works really well. I noticed the difference immediately and after two weeks, I hadn't got a symptom left. The generic name is Mebeverine Chloride HC, but Colofac MR is a well known drug and your doctor should have no problem prescribing it, unless it conflicts with pregnancy if you are pregnant, but your GP can advise you on this, I don't know. Best of luck, it really is horrible, hope this helps.

Answer 6

I have suffered with this for a few years too. The best thing i have found is called "Acidophillus" and is available from most health food shops. Just take one a day to help reduce symptoms - also regulates toilet habits. Find which food sets it off and avoid. Some recommend high fibre diet but that makes mine worse. Also avoid stress. Use hot water bottle to help relieve painful cramps

Answer 7

My doctor had me eat a high fiber diet and that helped, it's counter intuitive but the point is to clear things quicker Has your Dr tried you on any of the new drugs like Zelnorm. I have had this for years now, I don't remember not having it .I am using a Rx called Dicyclomine they used it years ago for colic in young kids. It settles the gas and it kind of puts you colon in neutral for a while. You take care of yourself, you have an important passenger on board.

Answer 8

oil of peppermint tablets are good, but make sure they are the oil of peppermint not just peppermint tablets ( there is a difference) and even though it sounds silly gripe water( the stuff you give babies when they got a upset tummy) just up the dose to 4 spoonfuls. It really helped my nan with her IBS

Answer 9

Yeah food combining is a good way to eat for IBS.

Here's a link with all the info...