[aphex]

Hello, I thought I'd finally sign up, as over the last 10 years I've put up with IBS, had extremely bad episodes, and then times when its been dormant, and I've been too busy on enjoying my life away from it to spend my time continuing to tackle it. Well now I'm determined to find a solution/compromise.I got IBS D when I was 15 and sitting my GCSEs, and a lot of other incredibly stressful things were happening at home. During that time the symptoms were terrible, I often would sit on the toilet for up to an hour, often not even going at all. The pain would then reside and then I'd stand up and it would be back. That went on until my exams were over and things were stable at home. But the IBS stayed. During that time I had blood tests, and saw a couple of specialists who told me I have IBS and Gilbert's Syndrome, basically my body cannot get rid of dead blood cells properly sometimes, and I get jaundice now and again. It's more or less totally harmless, and I dont notice it.My IBS however has a real grip on my life. My main symptoms are D caused most effectively my waking up early/not getting enough sleep and fatty foods. As you imagine, I try to eliminate this as much as possible.I use imodium, but often find that this constipates me. This is absolutely fine by me, when I have Imodium I can function, but often feel sick, tired, and get a really, really dry mouth which I think may be causing my gums to bleed. Another problem is that when I take imodium, eventually the effectiveness wears off and I have to go worse than I would without any medication. It's like my body overcompensates because I'm not going to the toilet, and then when I do it's really bad D, and I have to take more Imodium. It also makes have an itchy back passage. The problem I have is that it masks the problem.At the moment I'm on day 23 of Mike's tapes, and it's been going ok so far. They definitely make me feel less stressed, but I'm not sure about the IBS. The first week or two there was no difference, in fact I was really bad regardless. I realised this was because I had taken Wheat out of my diet (Easy to do when you live in Japan

and once I brought wheat back in, and started eating pasta I felt better, and had more energy. From day 15-20 (or thereabouts) I really thought I'd turned a corner, and didn't have any squirmish feelings, and it was without any Imodium too. I was also drinking Yakult in the morning, and a Banana for breakfast. Then yesterday I went back to work after Golden Week (Bank Holiday in Japan), woke at 8.30 and had really bad D twice. Took an imodium, went to work and had bad D again before my first lesson, took another imodium, and got through the day feeling drained and tired.I'll continue with the tapes, and the Yakult, which I felt was doing some good.I just thought I'd check in and say hello/see if anyone has a similar story in terms of symptoms, and what helped them. Thanks.Also, big apologies to the Admin. I sent an email saying that my login wasn't working. I'd like to blame that on the IBS too, but the likelihood is that I'm a bit of an idiot, and forgot to use my email address, and not my username.

 

[Kathleen M.]

IBS-diarrhea is often triggered by waking up because the colon has a burst of activity at that time. Lack of sleep and fatty foods are also common triggers for IBSers.If you constipate yourself too much that will trigger diarrhea to "flush out" the backed up stool.It can take awhile for the hypnotherapy to work (some people need to go through the whole thing a couple of times to get a big difference in symptoms) so be patient with it.

 

[aphex]

Ah, I would use Imodium in moderation if I could, but usually one Imodium is enough to have me totally blocked up for a couple of days. Which I dont mind, like I say, but it masks what's going on when I eat certain foods, until it flushes out.It was disappointing because I set 10 days aside in Golden Week where I had no meds, just Yakult, I ate well and listened to Mike's tapes. It was going really well until yesterday. I know relapses are common in this time, though.

 

[Kathleen M.]

You might check the Calcium thread in the diarrhea forum (pinned at the top).That might be enough to firm the stools up without blocking you up for a couple of days which sets you up for another bout of diarrhea. Finding a middle ground may do you some good.

 

[aphex]

Thanks, I'll try that after giving the Yakult more of a chance. It seems to do some good work aside from that episode.

 

[cookies4marilyn]

Hi - Just to let you know I did reply to you regarding your query on the hypno forum. But I also wanted to add, that when you do the IBS Audio Program it is actually helpful not to read about or post about your IBS symptoms. This is because the program is working to take your subconscious mind away from IBS thoughts and motility patterns. As a moderator here, I know I delayed my progress for that very reason - this isnt to say you cant post or read now and then, but to log in daily and to type and read does really delay progress a bit - I know for myself there was a fine line between coming here for some info and TLC and letting the sessions do their work - but it is a process as far as addressing the IBS symptoms - especially the motility patterns - so be patient with it and keep at it whether you see progress or not - it is subtle and it is a journey - some see results early on, others need to repeat the program, but most do see improvement!All the best to you - the calcium may be very helpful - I know for myself the immodium had a hit or miss record - my IBS -D was pretty intense - you can read my saga/journey below for some encouragement and hope - but of course, in view of my suggestion above - no need to! And please do not hesitate to ask any further questions - we are all here to help.