my doc thinks i may have ibs?

Question

i have eaten veggies for as long as i can remember,but in the past year i have noticed after eating even just a little bit i am in severe pain, and can not get of the loo, has anyone else experianced this? i love veggies but i am now to scared to eat them,my doc has given me peppermint oil capsules,do they work?

Answer 1

Being honest I have never really found them o be much use. Most patients get little benefit and many get severe indigestion. They are however the indicated drug. 50% of patients with IBS get better with high fibre diet. (unfortunately 50% get worse!)

Antispasmodics can often help the cramps.

Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptylline in low dose act as smooth muscle relaxants- I have certainly seen these work.

Some patients benefit from psychotherapy.

Good news at least if the diagnosis is confirmed the condition is not harmful though it can be very annoying.

Answer 2

I have had IBS for many years. Peppermint oil may help with the gas problem. I have had to learn to live with it - avoiding foods that I have discovered make it worse - it isn't all veg - just some. Stress is also a big factor which precipitates the condition - don't know how to stop being stressed! You may get extended periods when the condition is quiescent but I have never found any clear answer.

Answer 3

Yes it sound like ibs. I have had it for 14 years so i sympathise with you. I have the opposite problem tough, if i eat fruit or veg I'm confined to the toilet all day! I have been on peppermint tablets but they gave me a really bad stomach after taking them for a few months. I now take mebeverine tablets instead, which are quite good. But the best thing i found for ibs is acidophilus tablets (friendly bacteria), i buy them from the herbal shop, or if you can tolerate them drink the probiotic yogurts, which contain the same thing . I can't drink them as they make me ill, also the tablets contain more bacteria which is better. Good luck.

Answer 4

Yes, I have IBS but with the constipation (where the stool is hard) symptom most of the time instead of the diarrhea.

I have no experience with peppermint oil but I would recommend getting an opinion from a gastroenterologist (doctor that diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestines) to see if something more than IBS is going on.

Answer 5

Could be is the pain low down and to the front?
Your doc could do more you should have internal check up (not nice but worth it) you may have a physical reason likje me or it may be just one of thoes things. I have lived with ibs for 20 odd years and I have had help from my doc and it most of the time under control. You can live with it but you find that you need to modify your life style. Not hard but worthwhile.
Arthur 65yrs

Answer 6

I have never tried such capsules but was prescribed bucospan last year for my IBS. It works a treat. If you have any triggers, avoid them and you should be okay.
I also buy certain probiotic yogurts which can be expensive but are helpful. It helps too if you have any bloating.

P.S Don't avoid the veg - I love it too!

Answer 7

i went to the docs on monday and he gave me a month's supply of Fybogel (sachets of dietary fibre) to aid digestion and help with the pain factor. i have to say though it only really works if your main problem is constipation as it loosens the stools but diarrhea is an obvious side effect of taking this twice a day. i haven't experienced it yet and hopefully wont but my stomach feels much better today than it has done in years!

Apparently Peppermint does work but it works better when mixed with warm water in its liquid form just one teaspoon in a glass of water should help! my bf cousin suffers with IBS as well and swears by it!

Answer 8

The hospital below may give an alternative diagnosis and treatment options.