[ibsstinks123]

I will be constipated for 3 or 4 days on then (usually after lunch) I will get cramps and have a large BM that often involves D. My new doctor is supposedly the best in the large metro area where I live and she said she my symptoms are pretty typical for an IBS-C patient. Is she right? For years, I would be C and only have cramps and D once a month or so, but now this is a weekly occurence.

 

[Kathleen M.]

That alternating back and forth is really common in IBSers.After being backed up for a few days the body can "over flush" to get that out and that can set you up for the next round of constipation as you get too empty.Often taking an osmotic agent every day so you go more regularly (or fiber if that works for you) will prevent the diarrhea. Taking meds to prevent the diarrhea tends to be counter productive as that tends to over constipated which sets you up for more diarrhea to get that out.After lunch is pretty common as that is one of the times the colon is more active. It is most active around the time you get up and then again after every meal.

 

[ibsstinks123]

Well, I guess it's good to know I'm "normal"! It still stinks, but at least I'm not surprised, usually. The dr. had me on Metamucil for awhile, but I told her I got too bloated so she switched me to Benefiber, which I find easier to take, but I haven't built myself up to the full dosage just yet. She also said to feel free to experiment with various fiber options if I think this isn't working and said to expect the occasional episode, of course. Occasional would be just fine with me!I'm also starting therapy need week at a large, local university's anxiety clinic in their psych. dept. It's a research program with CBT as one of the options, but I don't know if that the group they'll place me or not. I'm really looking forward to addressing the anxiety that's associated with IBS.Btw, what is an osmotic agent? I also take Align, but haven't seen any marked results yet. The dr. told me not to waste my money if it's not working, but I'm going to give it some more time b/c I usually forget to take it a couple of times a week.This dr. has been so good about explaining things to me, but I have forgotten a few things when I'm actually in her office. She said she has so many patients come to her after they've had huge workups done only to say they don't even know what their former doctors were testing for and not understanding what was going on with their bodies. I told her I was glad to live where we do - a place with some of the world's best doctors and hospitals - and while she said we were, indeed, lucky, reminded me that there are good doctors everywhere - you just have to look for them.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Some call them osmotic laxatives.Basically they help hold water in the stool so it is easier to move. Osmosis is the movement of water into/out of things.Some are things sold as laxatives, like miralax. But some people don't need that much just to keep it moving so something like a magnesium oxide dietary supplement (from 200-800 mgs a day, the USRDA minimum is about 400 mgs a day). Some people use a stool softener which is basically the same sort of thing.