11 replies to this topic

[Shell13]

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Hi, I'm new to this group, so if I'm posting stuff in the wrong area, let me know, okay? I've had IBS since I was 18, I'm now 38. My IBS was always tolerable (constipation, gas, etc) but all of a sudden about 2 months ago, everything went really bad. I started getting constant abdominal pain, and EVERYTHING I ate seemed to make it worse. Oh and the gas was unbelievable, extremely painful and embarrasing. Then within a few weeks, diarhhea started. I had it straight for 2 weeks, then for a couple more weeks 4-5 days a week. It's calmed down the last week, still it comes out of nowhere with no warning symptoms or anything. I can't go anywhere anymore and I'm extremely discouraged. I'm seeing a gastrointeroligist because I really think it can't be just IBS anymore, 'cause why did all these symptoms that I've never had before just come out of nowhere? I have a colonscopy booked for July and I'm actually hoping it IS something else, 'cause I've tried all the IBS medications and they just made me worse. I tried the FODMAP diet, but taking all it tells me to out of my diet, plus the foods I know trigger symptoms leaves me drinking water, AND THAT'S IT!! I'm so tired and not sure what I'm going to do if it turns out this is just IBS and I have to just live with the pain. It's ruining my life. (I'm not exaggerating) I'd appreciate any suggestions or even support from someone going through the same thing. Thanks.

[BQ]

Try the calcium carbonate supplements or how about givinig a probiotic a good try. If you have already tried one.. try another with different bacterial strains.. as sometimes one type will make no difference but another will!

[Shell13]

Try the calcium carbonate supplements or how about givinig a probiotic a good try. If you have already tried one.. try another with different bacterial strains.. as sometimes one type will make no difference but another will!

[Shell13]

My gastro-doc said probiotics have not really been proven to help IBS, just for stuff like diarrhea after antibiotics and stuff. Even if they did help, they're really expensive.

[Jen37]

I would still try some probitoics. Maybe get that kefir drink if you can tolerate dairy. It has a lot of different strains of probitoics in it. My GI doc says that he truely believes that probitoics help as alot of his patients swear by them. I have been on them for years and they do help. There is also a probitoic called florastor that you can buy at walgreens. It is also suppose to help with diarhea. Just an idea..

My gastro-doc said probiotics have not really been proven to help IBS, just for stuff like diarrhea after antibiotics and stuff. Even if they did help, they're really expensive.

[Shell13]

Thanks, I'll try to see if those are available in Canada.

[BQ]

Shell, Your Dr should know that the probiotic Align, via clinical studies, has been shown to be helpful to IBS patients. Antibitotics are not the only thing that can cause an imbalance of gut bacteria.And he should also know that even severe D can mess with the fine gut bacterial balance.. and a good probiotic can restore a healthful balance.Walmart has it's own much cheaper version of Align... Just read the labels for the main ingredient which is: Bifidobacterium infantis Don't forget to give the Calcium Carbonate a try and or imodium.

[Jen37]

Hi BQ, I was just wondering what brand of calcium carbonate do you take?? Are they chewables like Tums? I am going to try the calcium carb and see if it helps me with my IBS symptonms but not sure which one to get as there are soo many kinds... Thanks in advance for your reply.

Shell, Your Dr should know that the probiotic Align, via clinical studies, has been shown to be helpful to IBS patients. Antibitotics are not the only thing that can cause an imbalance of gut bacteria.And he should also know that even severe D can mess with the fine gut bacterial balance.. and a good probiotic can restore a healthful balance.Walmart has it's own much cheaper version of Align... Just read the labels for the main ingredient which is: Bifidobacterium infantis Don't forget to give the Calcium Carbonate a try and or imodium.

[pip x]

Hi, I'm new to this group, so if I'm posting stuff in the wrong area, let me know, okay? I've had IBS since I was 18, I'm now 38. My IBS was always tolerable (constipation, gas, etc) but all of a sudden about 2 months ago, everything went really bad. I started getting constant abdominal pain, and EVERYTHING I ate seemed to make it worse. Oh and the gas was unbelievable, extremely painful and embarrasing. Then within a few weeks, diarhhea started. I had it straight for 2 weeks, then for a couple more weeks 4-5 days a week. It's calmed down the last week, still it comes out of nowhere with no warning symptoms or anything. I can't go anywhere anymore and I'm extremely discouraged. I'm seeing a gastrointeroligist because I really think it can't be just IBS anymore, 'cause why did all these symptoms that I've never had before just come out of nowhere? I have a colonscopy booked for July and I'm actually hoping it IS something else, 'cause I've tried all the IBS medications and they just made me worse. I tried the FODMAP diet, but taking all it tells me to out of my diet, plus the foods I know trigger symptoms leaves me drinking water, AND THAT'S IT!! I'm so tired and not sure what I'm going to do if it turns out this is just IBS and I have to just live with the pain. It's ruining my life. (I'm not exaggerating) I'd appreciate any suggestions or even support from someone going through the same thing. Thanks.

Hi You sound like me. My IBS started as constipation, stomach pains, gas etc when i was around 18. I also got the odd burst of diareah every now and then. I had a colonoscopy, when i was 26 as i had also managed to get tears in my bowel etc and bled. Nothing was found so i was diagnosed with IBSc. I stayed this way until i was about 40 when it all suddenly changed to more diareah, terrible stomach pains, agonising gas and rectal pains, so bad i was screaming on all fours.I had a barium eneama and again nothing else was found only internal piles. Again IBS diagnosed but this time IBSa. I am 49 now and I can honestly say the only thing that has helped me is the amitriptyline. I think its also called elavil? Its very good at stopping both the stomach pains and the diareah. It does take a good few weeks to feel the benefits and work your way up slowly to the dosage that stops the symptoms, but it does really help me. The only downside is that it does cause constipation, so i need to take something regularly for that, but at least i am not housebound anymore. I have tried to come off it a few times especially when i get so badly constipated and the rectal pains drive me insane, but i only end up back to square 1 with the diarreah and stomach pains. My GP says that i will probably be on them forever now. IBS can and does often change over the years from one type to another. My views are that a lot of it is due to hormonal changes in women which occur around the age of 40. I know exactly what you are going through right now and really hope you find some relief soon.

[BQ]

Jen see the first page of the "Linda's Calcium" thread for the info on Calcium Carbonate. That thread is pinned to the top of the Diarrhea Forum.

[Shell13]

Pip, I appreciate your comments. I think my hormones might have something to do with it,too. I have been on amitriptyline before and unfortunely could not stand the side effects (couldn't get out of bed, zzzzz and also the numbing part of it). My GI is trying his hardest to get me back on antidepressants for my IBS, but I will not give in. Having no feelings is awful, I've been on different antidepressants for 15 years and for me they're all the same. There's got to be another medication that will help, at least that's what I'm hoping for.BQ, how long would I have to take the probiotic before I should see a difference?? Also, will it cause constipation? Right now my D has calmed down some (knock on wood) and I don't want it to go too far the other way. Thanks.

[BQ]

BQ, how long would I have to take the probiotic before I should see a difference?? Also, will it cause constipation? Right now my D has calmed down some (knock on wood) and I don't want it to go too far the other way. Thanks.

Probiotics could take weeks to work.... also you may need to try one with different bacterial strains. If one is not making a difference try another with different strains. I have never read where they caused constipation...You might also want to try taking Digestive Enzymes with your meals. And of course co-locating an anti-gas WITH your meals too might help.