[MJ]

Hi. I have had IBS-D for over 20 years. Until aprroximately 7 or 8 years ago, I was able to control it with diet alone for the most part. I had to finally go on Elavil...it worked 90% of the time for me, and when I did have flare ups. they were mild. Then, earlier this year, it just quit on me....increasing my dose did nothing. I spent 3 months without any meds, and seemed to be ok most of the time. Then, the D started back with a vengence, whenever I put anything in my mouth! So, off to the doctor I went....he put me on Levsil, which works pretty good, as long as I take one before I put any food in my mouth. (I tried to eat once without taking the pill, and I got the usual major D within 15 minutes!) The thing I don't like about this med is that it dries my mouth out so bad! I was wondering if there was something else I could take instead of Levsil that is not a script. It seems as if all foods are triggers...and, I also note that the D is worse if I am anxious. I have never been on any anti-anxiety meds though.Sorry that this is so long, but I wanted to try to make what I am saying clear...I hope I didn't make you all confused!

Any suggestions, ideas on what I can do?MJ

 

[Kathleen M.]

One non-drug approach that works for some people is Hypnotherapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.CBT got rid of most of my over-response of the colon to eating (it is normal for it to increase in activity each time you eat).www.ibsaudioprogram.com is one set of tapes/CD's that has helped a lot of people here.Since the antispasmodic works, you might try peppermint on the same regime. A cup of peppermint tea or peppermint capsules (Altoids sometimes work for some people as the peppermint ones have a hefty dose of real peppermint oil in them) taken like that antispasmodic 20-30 minutes before a meal.Peppermint can relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach, so may bother people with Heartburn/GERD.K.

 

[Kathleen M.]

One non-drug approach that works for some people is Hypnotherapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.CBT got rid of most of my over-response of the colon to eating (it is normal for it to increase in activity each time you eat).www.ibsaudioprogram.com is one set of tapes/CD's that has helped a lot of people here.Since the antispasmodic works, you might try peppermint on the same regime. A cup of peppermint tea or peppermint capsules (Altoids sometimes work for some people as the peppermint ones have a hefty dose of real peppermint oil in them) taken like that antispasmodic 20-30 minutes before a meal.Peppermint can relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach, so may bother people with Heartburn/GERD.K.

 

[MJ]

Thank you Kath for replying so quickly. I have Peppermint Altoids....how many would I have to take? My dose of Levsin is 0.125 mg.

 

[MJ]

Thank you Kath for replying so quickly. I have Peppermint Altoids....how many would I have to take? My dose of Levsin is 0.125 mg.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Usually I find for me 2-3 Altoids is about as effective as one Levsin.K.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Usually I find for me 2-3 Altoids is about as effective as one Levsin.K.

 

[overitnow]

Here is my experience. 10 years of daily D now followed by 5 years without! http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/u...ic;f=5;t=000509 Good luck with this.Mark

 

[overitnow]

Here is my experience. 10 years of daily D now followed by 5 years without! http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/u...ic;f=5;t=000509 Good luck with this.Mark

 

[eric]

Eating right, stress reduction and education and good sleep habits, are very important.ButCanadian Psychological Association "Evaluation studies have typically shown that psychological treatment led to greater improvement than the usual medical treatment. As well, the psychological therapies have long lasting effects months to years after treatment was completed. Medication treatments, in contrast, tend to cease to have an effect when patients stop taking the medicine. Up to 70-80% of people with IBS have reported significant improvements following psychological treatments. Recent research suggested that the amount of improvement relates in part to the effort and time the individual puts in to develop better ways of coping." http://www.cpa.ca/factsheets/IBS.htm Clinical gut focused hypnotherapy has the highest success rate staistically in IBS to date. But its not well understood well what it is and why and how it works by the general public.www.ibshypnosis.comHypnotherapy for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders By: Peter J. Whorwell, M.D., University Hospital of South Manchester, England http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/hypnosis.html Hypnosis Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome By: Olafur S. Palsson, Psy.D., Research Associate, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/HypnosisPalsson.html This also works on global symptoms, even non gi symptoms and its not totally about stress and anxiety reduction, which are a side effect, but on psycophysiological arousal and body chemistry and how the body works, especially in regards to IBS.The others are CBT as Kmottus pointed out and was helped by on a councious level (ht on a subconious level, where digestion takes place autonomically) and the ones mentioned in the first article.There has been twenty years of research on HT and IBS and its recommeded by the rome experts and bristish society of gastroenterology for severe although it does not have to be cases of IBS.

 

[eric]

Eating right, stress reduction and education and good sleep habits, are very important.ButCanadian Psychological Association "Evaluation studies have typically shown that psychological treatment led to greater improvement than the usual medical treatment. As well, the psychological therapies have long lasting effects months to years after treatment was completed. Medication treatments, in contrast, tend to cease to have an effect when patients stop taking the medicine. Up to 70-80% of people with IBS have reported significant improvements following psychological treatments. Recent research suggested that the amount of improvement relates in part to the effort and time the individual puts in to develop better ways of coping." http://www.cpa.ca/factsheets/IBS.htm Clinical gut focused hypnotherapy has the highest success rate staistically in IBS to date. But its not well understood well what it is and why and how it works by the general public.www.ibshypnosis.comHypnotherapy for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders By: Peter J. Whorwell, M.D., University Hospital of South Manchester, England http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/hypnosis.html Hypnosis Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome By: Olafur S. Palsson, Psy.D., Research Associate, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/HypnosisPalsson.html This also works on global symptoms, even non gi symptoms and its not totally about stress and anxiety reduction, which are a side effect, but on psycophysiological arousal and body chemistry and how the body works, especially in regards to IBS.The others are CBT as Kmottus pointed out and was helped by on a councious level (ht on a subconious level, where digestion takes place autonomically) and the ones mentioned in the first article.There has been twenty years of research on HT and IBS and its recommeded by the rome experts and bristish society of gastroenterology for severe although it does not have to be cases of IBS.

 

[MJ]

Mark,I read your post on the link you provided. I have a real hard time swallowing meds...have had most of my life..I can't even swallow a small one-a day tab, without choking. Even tylenol caps don't wanna go down. I know that this is anxiety-related. But, I have never been treated for it, other than psychotherapy, which hasn't helped much.Eric,I have been in psychotherapy a number of times in my life, for various crises I was facing at the time. However, my IBS never got any better during these times. I did try hypnosis, but I guess I am not a good subject...could nevr get in the trance. During the past three years, all kinds of things have happened to me, that have made matters worse as far as the IBS goes. I was in therapy for a few months, but wasn't getting anywhere with it. I am at a point now, where I am afraid to eat, and, as a result, have started losing weight, (which I don't need, as I am thin already). The Levsin has stopped the bloating and gurgling, which is a good thing. But, as I said in my original post, my mouth gets so dry, it is uncomfortable, and affects my speech somewhat, and is embarrassing...I am a nurse, and have to interact with my patients (I do home care). So, I usually don't eat before seeing patients, or while I am working. This stuff (IBS) is getting more and more difficult for me to deal with.

 

[MJ]

Mark,I read your post on the link you provided. I have a real hard time swallowing meds...have had most of my life..I can't even swallow a small one-a day tab, without choking. Even tylenol caps don't wanna go down. I know that this is anxiety-related. But, I have never been treated for it, other than psychotherapy, which hasn't helped much.Eric,I have been in psychotherapy a number of times in my life, for various crises I was facing at the time. However, my IBS never got any better during these times. I did try hypnosis, but I guess I am not a good subject...could nevr get in the trance. During the past three years, all kinds of things have happened to me, that have made matters worse as far as the IBS goes. I was in therapy for a few months, but wasn't getting anywhere with it. I am at a point now, where I am afraid to eat, and, as a result, have started losing weight, (which I don't need, as I am thin already). The Levsin has stopped the bloating and gurgling, which is a good thing. But, as I said in my original post, my mouth gets so dry, it is uncomfortable, and affects my speech somewhat, and is embarrassing...I am a nurse, and have to interact with my patients (I do home care). So, I usually don't eat before seeing patients, or while I am working. This stuff (IBS) is getting more and more difficult for me to deal with.

 

[eric]

Just out of curiousity was the HT gut fouced or just HT. Although some people are not as good of subjects as others, most are though. Some get better at it the more they do it also and understand it.The psycotherapy is effective if its CBT actually for IBS, not just CBT really. They should be teaching you things not just talk therapy, that will not work as well.you might also read this for information. http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/...se=43&lang_id=1 other things to do are PMR and basic stress reductions. also things like yoga, mild excersise etc..This is also a diet site on foods and I have some food info on my site. http://www.ibshealth.com/ibsfoodsinfo.htm www....com also you can get from the pharmacy a synthetic salvia, that may help and it maybe a side effect that can go away of course. tips for treating dry mouth. http://www.dentist.net/drymouth.asp

 

[eric]

Just out of curiousity was the HT gut fouced or just HT. Although some people are not as good of subjects as others, most are though. Some get better at it the more they do it also and understand it.The psycotherapy is effective if its CBT actually for IBS, not just CBT really. They should be teaching you things not just talk therapy, that will not work as well.you might also read this for information. http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/...se=43&lang_id=1 other things to do are PMR and basic stress reductions. also things like yoga, mild excersise etc..This is also a diet site on foods and I have some food info on my site. http://www.ibshealth.com/ibsfoodsinfo.htm www....com also you can get from the pharmacy a synthetic salvia, that may help and it maybe a side effect that can go away of course. tips for treating dry mouth. http://www.dentist.net/drymouth.asp

 

[MJ]

The HT was an attempt to treat my anxiety. My psychologist told me that I am very hypervigilent and just couldn't let go enough to go into a trance. The psychotherapy was CBT, again, for my anxiety.Thank you for the links in your post...there is a lot of info there...I will read all of it. I wish physicians were more informed about IBS, and more supportive. Thank God for people like you!MJ

 

[MJ]

The HT was an attempt to treat my anxiety. My psychologist told me that I am very hypervigilent and just couldn't let go enough to go into a trance. The psychotherapy was CBT, again, for my anxiety.Thank you for the links in your post...there is a lot of info there...I will read all of it. I wish physicians were more informed about IBS, and more supportive. Thank God for people like you!MJ

 

[eric]

Your welcome MJ. I understand what they said, a lot of times once you can calm down the body then the HT and CBT will work. Sometimes meds help to get statrted on this, but often its practice and dedication more then anything.Here is some info on that.Relaxation Resistance"Our widespread inability to relax is rarely acknowledged. " http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Article...tionresist.html Are there times you are relaxed, watching tv or just hanging out doing something you like?For some people's minds and bodies (not conciously) they don't like to be relaxed, because they are tense so much and have anxiety so much, the body is not really throughly use to being relaxed and the brain and body don't like changing easily, so it prefers to stay in the more hyper mode.Also read the changing your thoughts thread, another way to treat this at first and also for IBS are distraction techniques. That thread explains a lot of all this and also what it has to do with IBS and IBS symptoms. http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php...ic;f=1;t=039268

 

[eric]

Your welcome MJ. I understand what they said, a lot of times once you can calm down the body then the HT and CBT will work. Sometimes meds help to get statrted on this, but often its practice and dedication more then anything.Here is some info on that.Relaxation Resistance"Our widespread inability to relax is rarely acknowledged. " http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Article...tionresist.html Are there times you are relaxed, watching tv or just hanging out doing something you like?For some people's minds and bodies (not conciously) they don't like to be relaxed, because they are tense so much and have anxiety so much, the body is not really throughly use to being relaxed and the brain and body don't like changing easily, so it prefers to stay in the more hyper mode.Also read the changing your thoughts thread, another way to treat this at first and also for IBS are distraction techniques. That thread explains a lot of all this and also what it has to do with IBS and IBS symptoms. http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php...ic;f=1;t=039268

 

[eric]

MJ, I noticed you have never been on anti anxiety meds. These may actually help both IBS and the anxiety and pain, through the bodies serotonin pathways. It may also help what I am mentioning above in getting you more relaxed to be able for the other things to take effect. It also does not have to be long term by any means.One to ask your doctor about is Amitriptyline otherwise known as Elavil, which might also help the d as a side effect.I know people are concerned about antidepressants and the side effects here and I am sure you are, but you can stop them after a month if it causes any problems and it may greatly help also, something to consider really. Like I said, you don't really have to take them forever, just to deal with things at first. When the anxiety lifts and you feel better, you will also be able to relax better, have less pain and less d.