6 replies to this topic

[AmericanPatriot]

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So, I've had painful abdominal cramps (IBS) since as early as I can remember, but a lot of IBS stories I read online have to do with people who began getting it later on in life, maybe 20 or later.What's the difference between people who have always had it, and people who suddenly "get" it?

[Kathleen M.]

I don't know of any data that indicates the age when IBS is triggered makes a difference in how severe the IBS is, how you treat it, or how likely it is to go into remission in the 2-5 years of having it range (when it is most likely to fade on its own).There doesn't seem to be a difference between someone that gets it in their teens than someone who gets it at 45. It is most common for it to start in young adulthood (rather than just a problem of the aged)Although I do wonder if people who had great GI tracts that worked well for a few decades before they get IBS may feel a differently about their IBS than people where it has always been a problem.

[refuse to live this way]

I just got PI-IBS at the age of 50 and have been dealing with it for a year now. I believe mine was caused by a couple of antibiotics that I was given for a dental problem and a sinus infection. The antibiotics I was given were Clindamycin and Levaquin. Both of these made me sick within a couple of days of taking them. I have read reviews on WebMD concerning these two antibiotics that others who have taken them have had severe side effects as well. I belive this is what caused my IBS, although after my Doctor's Nurse put me on Floristor, I am finally starting to feel normal again. I literally have been sitting on the couch or laid up in bed other then when I could make it to work (thankfully I have a terrific boss)for the past year. So, I believe that those that contract the condition later in life probably have some infection (that may have been caused by antibiotics like myself)and the body is reacting to the infection. I also believe that these antibiotics not only didn't completely cure the first infection, but caused a secondary infection as well as killed off the good bacteria in my system. I would be interested to know how many other "Older" adults have had similar experiences. I am now scared to death to take any antibiotic. This condition got to the point that I felt I would be better off dead then spending my life as a hermit, strapped to a toilet. I have had all the classic symptoms of IBS but also have been extremely fatigued (which I believe is not an IBS symptom). I hope this has answered your question. Before this happened, I had never been sick in my life other then a cold or flu that lasted a day or two. I have taken off more work in the past year then I have in the 35 years I've been working. I hope I am on the way to a full recovery, but it has been a really bad trip getting here. Best of luck to all of you who are dealing with this. I pray that you all recover eventually. This condition can ruin your life.

[rhonalomey]

I only got IBS when I was 65, I could eat anything before that and never and D or C. Mine was also from antibiotics for a tooth infection. It is very difficult to accept thatthings cant go back to what was. I did have a sinus infection recently and had antibiotics again but no added problems this time.I take mebeverine which I find very good, sometimes colofac but the greatest help was hypnotherapy and CBT.I dont think obsessing about food is a good idea ,small meals often and no high fat seems to work. My doctor thinks food is a very small part of the problm and trying to find the right food mostly doesnt work and it is very frustrating.

[cookies4marilyn]

There doesnt seem to be a difference in the IBS itself, but I do believe that the younger a person begins with IBS, there is the loss of so many things in life, that at least when you get it at an older age, you had your younger IBS-free years. So the wear and tear of chronic illness adds - or diminishes- the overall quality of life if the IBS carries on. I speak with many IBS patients - some are parents of kids who have it, others are older - even had a few 70-90 year olds that had late life onset. Of course, I speak with them with respect to hypnotherapy, which for the most part has helped all of the age groups reduce or eliminate symptoms. For those patients who just were diagnosed, (except one that I know of), hypnotherapy helped in that they did not have to go through the long list of things to try. But most do it after diets, meds and other treatments fail, and this is the treatment that helps overall. For more info, feel free to ask questions and take a peek at the links below which may be helpful.There IS hope!

[AmericanPatriot]

I don't know of any data that indicates the age when IBS is triggered makes a difference in how severe the IBS is, how you treat it, or how likely it is to go into remission in the 2-5 years of having it range (when it is most likely to fade on its own).There doesn't seem to be a difference between someone that gets it in their teens than someone who gets it at 45. It is most common for it to start in young adulthood (rather than just a problem of the aged)Although I do wonder if people who had great GI tracts that worked well for a few decades before they get IBS may feel a differently about their IBS than people where it has always been a problem.

I'm actually a bit envious of people who got it later in life. Whether it's the case or not, it makes me feel like there's no hope for me while there is hope for others who "got" it all of a sudden.It may be silly thinking, and it's not to minimize anyone else's problems AT ALL, it just makes me feel a bit like there's something wrong with me that can't be fixed, whereas others may have a treatable "cause" of their symptoms =/

There doesnt seem to be a difference in the IBS itself, but I do believe that the younger a person begins with IBS, there is the loss of so many things in life, that at least when you get it at an older age, you had your younger IBS-free years. So the wear and tear of chronic illness adds - or diminishes- the overall quality of life if the IBS carries on. I speak with many IBS patients - some are parents of kids who have it, others are older - even had a few 70-90 year olds that had late life onset. Of course, I speak with them with respect to hypnotherapy, which for the most part has helped all of the age groups reduce or eliminate symptoms. For those patients who just were diagnosed, (except one that I know of), hypnotherapy helped in that they did not have to go through the long list of things to try. But most do it after diets, meds and other treatments fail, and this is the treatment that helps overall. For more info, feel free to ask questions and take a peek at the links below which may be helpful.There IS hope!

I believe this may be my next step. I'm just about willing to try anything now.

[cookies4marilyn]

That's how I was - after everything failing for me, I did hypnotherapy as a last resort - one good thing is no side effects. If you need more info, let me know - happy to help. You can also call 877-898-2539 or go to the healthyaudio.com contact page and ask any questions - but I wish you all the best no matter what you do - take care.