[cal15]

Hi I have suffered with ibs-c since my early 20s i am now 36,and things have just got worse the pain and cramps are presant nearly every day, in the last couple of months i have had a colonospy ( sorry my spelling is terrible) the results of that were ibs,knew that already i also only just found out recently from my gp that they had to stop the test because my bowel kept going into spasms and it was impossible for them to see all of my bowel, the only medication i have been given is fibregel which is horrible and i find it very hard to take,i find that the doctors are't taken me seriously and i don't know how to help myself,any advice anyone can offer would be great.thanks caroline ( and sorry again for the spelling

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[Kathleen M.]

Well if they refuse to prescribe even basic antispasmodics I would insist on finding different doctors.I mean you'd think they'd at least try an antispasmodic if they couldn't complete the colonoscopy like that. Now over the counter you can do peppermint oil (tea, candies with a lot of peppermint oil or capsules)The only problem with some of the antispasmodics (prescription) is they can be bit constipating. Have you tried an osmotic laxative to deal with the constipation, that is usually the place to start. (Miralax or magnesium supplements)Zoloft, of the antidepressants (which also reduce pain from things like IBS) tends to be OK for constipated types as it is the one most likely to cause diarrhea.Amitza is a prescription for chronic constipation and may be an option.However for zoloft and amitza you need a doctor who will write a prescription and if your doctors will not prescribe anything at all you need to find a gastroenterologist that does believe in treating people with IBS when they need it.

 

[cal15]

Hey Kathleen,thanks for your reply,yeah at this stage i just feel as if im being fobbed off like ibs is not a real problem, i tried a laxative the other night and the cramps i had were terrible,did not have any movements till the next day but even then i did not feel any relief my stomach just felf like it was going to explode, i went to a health food shop today and got some fibre in tablet form,not sure if thats a good idea or not what do you think,my doctor is always telling me i need more fibre? its just a horrible thing to have isn't it.i had that test done in october and it was only last week that i found out that they did not finish it,crazy.

caroline

 

[jperryprincess]

Hi Caroline, this is my first day on the site and response on here. I read your letter and I can sympathize with the way the doctor's have handled your situation. Moving to a new state put me on a rat race to find a dr who would handle this with care and compassion. I researched the dr's in the area on google and it's a struggle. I have ibs D. when I would get constipated, activia was the only thing that helped, but then it would kick back the ibs d. I'm curious if activia would help you until the dr's can help you. I'm just thinking out loud if you have tried this already, I just saw your story and I wish I could help you. The best of luck. I saw about the peppermint tea, Mento's are a godsend. I keep them in the house and in my purse always so I can eat. It does help so much.

 

[cal15]

Hey jpthanks so much for your reply,i have just stared in the last couple of days taking the activia anything is worth a try,took myself off back to the doc this morning and asked about antispasmodics and she gave me script for them so hopefully they will help,i felt so rotten last night,just fed up with it,i will get some mento's as well,have you been able to find a doctor in your area,i live in limerick,Ireland and we have only one private hospital so if things don't settle down i am going to try to see a doc there,i was a public patient for the last test i had done and the waiting lists to see doctors are are very long a couple of months at least.I hope your feeling okcaroline

 

[kimis happy]

hi caroline, im also a new user on here from england and iv only just been 'diagnosed' with ibs. i know what you mean with having a dr who sympatises with your situation, luckily mine is very helpful, she started me on an antispasmodic but lately she told me to use fybogel instead. i agree it tastes interesting, but i also just started taking activia and am finding it really helps. one other thing iv found you can do is eating little and often. normally i eat a normal size lunch but for the last week iv eaten a little something every few hours and it really helps. By not putting pressure on the stomach the food seems to filter through much better causing less symptoms. try a combination of activia, eating little and often and the antispasmodics and it might help. i hope this helps, sometimes its nicer to alter your diet than to take drugs. feel better and sorry about my grammer

kim