[MoeB]

I'm a 39 yr old woman6 weeks ago i started feeling ill... you all know the symptoms (diarrhea for days, then constipation for days, bloating, nausea, cramping/abdominal pain...first visit to dr - he gave me Miralax and something for nausea (right before Christmas)second dr visit - he said whatever it was was "working it's way out" (because I had had a good day the day before my appt)luckily he did prescribe an ultrasound if my symptoms did not go away in another weekhad an ultrasound a week later and they found a slightly enlarged spleen - which did not explain my symptoms.but upon that U.S. result - he referred me to a GI specialistI had my first gastroscopy and colonscopy ever (YUCK) - they found I have a spastic colon (which online says is IBS - true?)I have a CT Scan scheduled for this weekI'm reading all I can to understand how to manage symptoms... I'm overwhelmed when i look at suggested EAT and DO NOT EAT lists...(can't imagine living "normally" only eating rice, oatmeal, potatoes, flour tortillas, carrots, pretty much starches and low fat white meat chicken, and the few insoluble items my body will tolerate)I have a family - husband and 2 children... how do I learn to cook stuff we can all eat? (or should I say stuff they will eat so I can continue to cook 1 meal instead of 2 or 3 per mealtime)Is it out of line for me to ask my Dr. for help - like a prescription for a nutritionist/dietitian's help? How do I ask?i understand stress is a huge trigger (and personally I wonder if it's what brought this out in my case - 2009 was the most stressful year of my whole life) Do any REAL mom's have suggestions how to control stress (work outside home, children, tasks in the home, relationships, etc., etc., etc.) on a budget...I'll keep reading... maybe i'll find answers to these questions... but I'd love help since I'm feeling overwhelmed and lack all the time I wish I had to study all I canPS: I'm on 2 medications... Dicyclomine (Bentyl) and Chlordiazepoxide/Clidinium (Librax)I've read the papers that came with them, but I'd love help understanding what they are really for in layman's termsand if these are temporary (until I can get my IBS under control) or if these are life long

 

[Gmonkey]

What are your ongoing symptoms now?Basically i have days when i look for information about what causes IBS and days when i look for fellow sufferers tips on how to deal with the symptoms. How to deal with symptoms is far less frustrating!!!!My tip for stress is to lie down in a dark room play some relaxing music. (I know this is hard to find time to do when you have a family).Its good that you cook the meals. That way you are in control of what you are cooking. Stay away from lots of salt and lots of sugar.If you have IBS though it may be a case of managing symptoms.Its a great thing you have found this forum. I have had a lot of comfort and ideas from here.There is always someone somewhere who would love to have our problems. Thats what I cling on to.Good luck. x

 

[OC Debbie]

A nutritionist may be able to help you out. I was only eating cereal, toast and a little chicken and potatoes for about a year. Everything else seemed to make my symptoms worse. I'm working with a nutritionist now and she's helped me find more foods I can eat and hopefully it'll get better. I've been on Librax for 10 years and although it's not working as well I refuse to increase my dosage.....only taking two a day... because it is so addictive and I think it has actually ended up hurting more than helping after taking it for so long. My IBS-C has only given me bad problems in the last year. Up until then I was living a normal life except for the limitiations my GERD put on me and constantly trying to find the best way to help my constipation. If the Librax helps you, I would use it. I've agreed to try alot of things this past year that I would never have done before because I just wanted to feel better. I don't have children at home and my husband gets whatever he wants, so I don't have that added pressure of having to cook and take care of a family. I know that must be very hard. Good luck. I hope you find your answers.

 

[theresa d]

Hi my name is theresa and i suffer from IBS-C severely. someone told me that Zelnorm is available somewhere without a prescription, does anybody know where?