Does anyone suffer from IBS? Please!

I have had the day from H.E. double L. I have not been to see a specialist in many months as they just dont know how to help. I am so tired of changing my diet, which seems to irritate the problem. I think I'm going to just start eating spicy, unhealthy foods, for the rest of my life as my tum-tum seems to be the most tamest with. I went a half of a day without eating the other day, and world war 3 set in. Instead of my chicken fried rice with major hot sauce, I had to have a whopper from Burger King. Yep, that's it. The whopper did me in.

Originally Posted by dicknleah

I have had the day from H.E. double L. I have not been to see a specialist in many months as they just dont know how to help. I am so tired of changing my diet, which seems to irritate the problem. I think I'm going to just start eating spicy, unhealthy foods, for the rest of my life as my tum-tum seems to be the most tamest with. I went a half of a day without eating the other day, and world war 3 set in. Instead of my chicken fried rice with major hot sauce, I had to have a whopper from Burger King. Yep, that's it. The whopper did me in.

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My best friend has IBS...I know she takes something for it before meals. But from what I've seen with her, I must say, I can imagine how you feel!!

I have it Leah and this is how I handle it. I eat Kellog's Cracklin Bran dry about 3 cups a day and follow it up with a tall glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teapsoon of honey mixed in the water.

This is after years of tests, pills, special liquids, special diets. And I no longer have to deal with the horrible side effects of having IBS that used to be visited on me daily.

Try Mintec (don't know if that's what it's called in the States) but it's basically pure peppermint oil in a capsule - we prescribe it for our IBS patients and really helps in many cases - particularly with female patients for some reason.

Other than that with IBS I know you said you are sick of changing your diet but that's really what it boils down to unfortunately! You need to steer clear of leafy green vegetables, multigrain breads and seeds, tomatoes (or anything with seeds in it, really) and spicy or fatty foods. I know its not easy but there are lots of alternatives and you should hopefully be able to work out what's best for you!

Also, try to add in a soluble fibre supplement to your diet such as Metamucil, Benefibre or Sorbilax. They can really help with the bloating and gas.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

<snip>... You need to steer clear of leafy green vegetables, multigrain breads and seeds, tomatoes (or anything with seeds in it, really) and spicy or fatty foods... <snip>

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OMG what the heck's left???

I've been diagnosed with IBS (by a specialist, gastroenterologist,) but don't know how much I really believe it. I have noticed that if I'm tense when I eat, or attempt to wolf down a meal, I may have to deal with gas and cramping issues and have to find a bathroom shortly! My PCP has just recently prescribed something (dicyclomine?) for abdominal cramping to be taken on an "as needed" basis that does seem to help. I can, for instance, just about guarantee that fried chicken will "set me off". I haven't gotten a chance to try this for that specifically, but if the burritos are any indication ( ) it will be a definite help!

Originally Posted by RoseHawke

OMG

what the heck's left???

I've been diagnosed with IBS (by a specialist, gastroenterologist,) but don't know how much I really believe it. I have noticed that if I'm tense when I eat, or attempt to wolf down a meal, I may have to deal with gas and cramping issues and have to find a bathroom shortly! My PCP has just recently prescribed something (dicyclomine?) for abdominal cramping to be taken on an "as needed" basis that does seem to help. I can, for instance, just about guarantee that fried chicken will "set me off". I haven't gotten a chance to try this for that specifically, but if the burritos are any indication (

) it will be a definite help!

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I have it and was told to keep FIBER in my diet. I will be fine and suddenly SOMETHING kicks it off and I get such pain!!!!!! I am on the commode with cramps and about to vomit and pass out at the same time. It IS caused by stress but nothing seems to unstress me!

It doesn't seem to leave much, does it?? I have been working in gastroenterology for four years and these are our tried-and-true dietary recommendations HOWEVER having said that it is very different for each individual.

IBS can seem like something that is a bit hard to take seriously but trust me if you have it you will know that it is most certainly a legitimate disease and one that is very difficult to get under control. You absolutely MUST keep fibre in your diet that is crucial - but it is the type of fibre you ingest that makes the difference. INSOLUBLE fibre - ie, seeds, grains, fruit and vegetables etc - are the things that exacerbate IBS. SOLUBLE fibre such as that found in supplements, foods like the ones Hissy suggested, white bread, white rice, white pasta etc are fine. Not all vegetables and fruits are bad, either, you just have to try them and see what's right for you. You can also eat plenty of lean meat, eggs and fish. Lactose can be a problem for many IBS sufferers but may not be for you - having a try at a lactose-free diet for a while might make a difference.

It's tough but really the only way to deal with it is through diet, plenty of water and regular exercise, a soluble fibre supplement and over-the-counter preparations like Buscopan for the crampy pain that comes with it. De-Gas is also good for the gassy bloating (I think these are just charcoal tablets).

i had researched this a while back because my "stomac" is always doing all thats mentioned above... is it normal for a 16 yr old to have this?

Yup - it's a REALLY common condition and a lot of people have it.

Having said that it really does need to be diagnosed by a professional - there are a lot of illnesses that exhibit the same presenting symptoms as IBS but are not IBS at all.

I have it and Aloe Vera juice (sold at Wal-Mart) seems to help.

I just mix half aloe juice, half orange juice and drink quick...LOL. It has a funny taste but you get used to it.

Originally Posted by ilovejoelyo

i had researched this a while back because my "stomac" is always doing all thats mentioned above... is it normal for a 16 yr old to have this?

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I was diagnoised with it at age 12 ///

I eat foods rich in souble fiber and yes I do avoid ultra spicey..

I've had it ever since i can remember..I have had 2 colonoscopies done because
they thought it was colitis at first.
Stress will bring on an attack,plus i cannot eat peanuts because they trigger
an attack also.
They are doing research on it but there doesn't seem to be any relief.
If they can send man to the moon,you'd think that they can find something
for IBS.But i drink Metamucil everyday and it does help alot.

I've had it for ten years
Started when I started university in 1995 and ate very unhealthily and drank very large quanities of beer for a year

I take 1 immodium tablet ( 2mg loperamide ) every morning and that helps to an extent

The two key things that trigger an attack for me are

Anything fried
Biscuits and cakes and chocolate

Originally Posted by chelle

But i drink Metamucil everyday and it does help alot.

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This is the remedy that works best for me, too. My Dr. told me that when your stomach starts cramping, if it has something to work against (like fiber), the cramps will calm down.

I've had it for 19 years and have tried everything. For years I used to drive to Canada because you can buy codiene over the counter there. At that time that was the only thing I knew that would controll my diarhee. Recently I started using Advanced Imodium and that seems to work just fine.

I don't have it, but my Nana does. I've seen how lousy it makes her feel!

I have IBS-D, ugh. It's gotten so much better over the years though. I will tell you, www.ibsgroup.org saved my life. It is the most amazing website/support group. They have a wonderful supportive message board where you can get so many questions answered and get so much wonderful advice and support. There was a time when my IBS was so bad that I was on a liquid diet for several months and a bland diet after that for several months. Have you tried a bland diet to rule out your triggers? I can't remember the acronymn, but basically just eat bananas, rice, saltines, applesauce, and other very bland foods (BRAT diet maybe?). Gradually add foods and record every symptom and non-symptom. The makers of Lotronex used to have a great online food and symtom journal- that was a life saver to me, as was Lotronex. Whole grain breads are actually pretty important for most IBS sufferers, whether you have IBS-D, C, G, or both/alternating. You needs lots o' fiber!! Tomatoes were never an issue for me, but red meat was a huge problem.

Go to the IBS Group website!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by dicknleah

I have had the day from H.E. double L. I have not been to see a specialist in many months as they just dont know how to help. I am so tired of changing my diet, which seems to irritate the problem. I think I'm going to just start eating spicy, unhealthy foods, for the rest of my life as my tum-tum seems to be the most tamest with. I went a half of a day without eating the other day, and world war 3 set in. Instead of my chicken fried rice with major hot sauce, I had to have a whopper from Burger King. Yep, that's it. The whopper did me in.

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I have a list of foods I cannot eat and I have to watch my intake of red meat.

Katie

I have it as well.
Mine is bad because diet doesn't help much...excitement of any kind sets me off. So no matter what I eat, if I get worked up over something I am going to have problems. Although eating fast-food grease burgers or Chinese take-out certainly doesn't help.

Stress is a factor in most cases of IBS...you might want to look into stress-reduction techniques like yoga or meditation. Try to eliminate the major negative daily stressors in your life, if you can. I worked in a VERY bad office where I had "attacks" every work day, so bad that they carried into the evening and weekends. Then I transferred to a different office...same job, but a much saner, much more pleasant office. The attacks have been reduced to one or two a month.

Ok...I don't know if I have it or not!

A while ago on here I asked if anyone had endromitriosis, as my doctor thought thats what my tummy pains were ( I get the awfully painful cramps mid cycle) anyway I have seen a gyno now, he said he thinks its not endo but IBS :S but he isn't entirely sure!!

I have been given Mebeverine to take for a month (for IBS) to see if it helps (no I still have them) then after a month I go see my doctor and ask to be put on the contraceptive injection if the Mebeverine hasn't worked, to see if that helps! If it does it's likely endo!
Now I am totally confused! The gyno was going to give me an information sheet about IBS, but guess what the hospital didn't have any! so I have no idea of any diet I should be sticking to, so i'm glad that link has been put up so I can take a look.

I'm still in pain and none the wiser to if I have IBS or Endo and to be honest felt like the hospital was no help, I know he said try the injection if the pills don't work but I feel there could be more support than that!!