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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group
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IBS Self Help and Support Group Forums - IBSgroup.org: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS Self Help and Support Group Forums - IBSgroup.org

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subforums

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General Discussion

Use this general forum to ask a question or discuss your symptoms and how you cope with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This forum will help you find answers to commonly asked questions for new members. Post and discuss information that may be helpful to others who suffer from IBS.

  • 56,502 Topics
  • 397,439 Replies
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IBS Diarrhea (IBS-D)

Use this forum to discuss issues related to IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Also Diarrhea Prescription Medications forum.

  • 6,723 Topics
  • 41,432 Replies
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IBS Constipation (IBS-C) and Chronic Constipation

Use this forum to discuss issues related to IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation. Also Constipation Prescription Medications forum.

  • 5,250 Topics
  • 26,998 Replies
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Abdominal Pain

Use this forum to discuss any issues about abdominal pain.

  • 748 Topics
  • 4,280 Replies
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Gas / Flatulence / Bloating / Incontinence / Fecal Body Odor

Use this forum to discuss any issues about gas, flatulence, bloating, incontinence or fecal body odor.

  • 4,154 Topics
  • 27,701 Replies
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Women's Health Issues

This forum is used for support and information for IBS-related women's health issues such as menstruation, hormones, pregnancy, etc..

  • 2,298 Topics
  • 12,521 Replies
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Young Adult's Issues

This forum is used for support and information that are specific to college student's and young adult's IBS-related issues from ages 18-30 years old.

  • 1,614 Topics
  • 10,332 Replies
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Teens and Children's Issues

This forum is used for support and information that are specific to teens aged 13-17 and children's (pediatric) IBS-related issues.

  • 527 Topics
  • 2,670 Replies
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Diet

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that eating prompts symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea (or, sometimes, alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea), and bloating. Making adjustments to your diet may provide relief.

Limit or eliminate foods that may make your symptoms worse, including caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli), foods high in fructose (such as soda pop, and citrus fruits) and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol (often used in sugarless gum and sugarless candy).

Keep a Personal Symptom Journal of what you eat and whether you experience symptoms after eating and discuss this with your physician.

Use this forum to post and talk about food, food triggers, comfort food, nutrition, diet or recipes.

  • 1,375 Topics
  • 6,039 Replies
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hypnotherapy

There is research evidence that IBS symptoms respond favorably to other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy. As IBS is a chronic condition, with an ongoing fluctuating course, these treatments may help the individual to develop skills for managing the condition over the long haul. Many people with IBS also have a co-existing anxiety or depressive disorder, the symptoms of which also benefit from these types of treatments.

  • 2,174 Topics
  • 13,144 Replies
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Prescription Medications

Lotronex:

LOTRONEX® is a medicine only for some women with severe chronic IBS whose main problem is diarrhea and IBS symptoms have not been helped enough by other treatments. Some patients have developed serious bowel side effects while taking LOTRONEX.

Amitiza:

AMITIZA® is the only prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat adults with IBS-C and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in women 18 years of age and older. “Idiopathic” simply means the cause of the constipation is not known and not due to an underlying illness or medication.

Zelnorm:

ZELNORM is no longer approved for IBS-C or chronic constipation. In the U.S. access may be available under a special FDA emergency program. More information on this protocol can be found here.

Antidepressants, Antispasmodics, Antidiarrheals:

Although antidepressants were developed to treat depression, research studies have shown that they can also be effective in reducing pain. Antidepressants are, therefore, effective in treating symptoms of IBS and other functional GI disorders. Patients who have taken antidepressants for their IBS symptoms have reported significant improvement in their abdominal pain and reduction in other IBS symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea or urgency. Antispasmodics and Antidiarrheals are helpful in reducing periodic painful episodes of spasms and diarrhea respectively. Patients who have been taking antidepressants should be aware of the possibility of developing Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome, or SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome, upon rapid stopping or tapering the use of antidepressants.

Antibiotics: Bacterial overgrowth specific

While the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is uncertain, there is some research evidence suggesting that it may be caused by an abnormal growth of bacteria in the small intestine, referred to as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). A specific regiment of antibiotics have been investigated to treat this condition.

Subforums:
  1. Diarrhea Prescription Medications
  2. Constipation Prescription Medications
  • 3,417 Topics
  • 17,143 Replies
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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments

There is no single plan for treating irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is different for everyone. With your physician's help, you can find an individual approach that works best for your symptoms. The treatment is focused on controlling, rather than curing, the symptoms of IBS.

Over-the-counter products may be useful, but be sure to check with your doctor first before taking them.

Probiotics:

Probiotics are dietary supplements which contain beneficial or friendly bacteria or yeasts which may strengthen or exert health benefits to the body’s natural digestive system. Probiotics offer a way to restore the natural balance of your digestive system especially if you suffer from anyone of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency or gas and bloating. Numerous research studies have shown benefits for sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis).

  • 822 Topics
  • 5,267 Replies
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IBS Support Group Meetups

Use this forum to post and talk about, or organize, your local IBS Meetup, Support Group or IBS Community. Post group announcements about upcoming meetings and about special events.

Subforums:
  1. Special Events
  • 332 Topics
  • 1,119 Replies
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IBS News, Media, Research Results, Discussion or Abstracts

Post any IBS news, media, research results, discussion or abstracts to this forum. You may rate topics in this forum.

  • 1,732 Topics
  • 3,059 Replies
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IBS Reporter NewsFeed

Topics are automatically created in this forum from a mix of newsfeeds. Please be aware that we have no control over the quality or factual representation of these postings. Some may be informational, whereas some may be wholly inaccurate. You may rate topics in this forum.

Always research all options and discuss them with your physician before following any specific directive provided in these articles.

Current feeds are: Google, IBS.about.com, Medical News Today, MedicineNet, Pubmed, SmartBrief

  • 7,024 Topics
  • 21 Replies


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