[DeDe]

Hello,I had to stay home from work yesterday because the IBS(D) etc was so severe when I got my women's monthly curse on Saturday.I am so depressed that I have to live this way. I am tired of living in my bedroom all of the time. How are other women with the same problem handeling this? I start getting depressed as soon as I look at the calendar and know what I am in for once again.I was on Lotronex for 11 weeks and it gave me my live back. I was able to live like other people do. It helped my husband and myself have a great life even if only for a short time. I have had IBD(D) for over ten years and I keep praying that Lotronex will be made available again(ASAP).DeDe

 

[eric]

Dede, sorry to hear you were having a bad time. If you do a search for this it will bring up a lot of posts. I posted one recently about this and possible things you can do that may help. IBS is effected by hormones.I hope you feel better soon.------------------Moderator of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety and Hypnotherapy forumI work with Mike and the IBS Audio Program. www.ibshealth.com www.ibsaudioprogram.com

 

[JenS]

DeDe, Unfortunately, most of us women on this board suffer with this problem. I finally had to get on an anti-depressant, Zoloft, and continous dose of birth control pills (no periods).

 

[Guest]

DeDe,I understand what you're going through. I was confined to my house from April 2 through May 3 for the D and related IBS symptoms were so awful. Severe depression set in. I am now feeling better and here is what I did, I don't know if any of these things will be helpful to you but here they are. 1. my GI doctor gave me a prescription for Robunul, I took 2 a day, and it wasn't helping so I went up to 3 a day and it stopped the D (important, 3 a day is a high dose and should only be done for a few days)2. found people to talk to about this, family and a therapist. I even became a pest to my father, sister and husband, but they listened and let me lean on them. 3. started Zoloft, and antidepressant. I've been on it now 2 weeks and I think it has started to work, my outlook on life is better. Just the thought of knowing that I'll have it on board while I see my illness through for the time being is reassuring.4. eliminated caffeine. This was tough, I'm a tea person, I was drinking a cup in the morning with 2 teabags which I let steep for 10-15 minutes and then the same at around 2:00. That has made a BIG change. 5. get adequate rest. When I'm tired, telling the family "good night everyone, I'm going to bed" no matter what time it is. Rest is the most rejuvanive process the body has, to let the body repair itself and tell your mind to heal your body while you sleep. 6. listening to meditation tapes that discuss restoring health. I have one that has the sound of ocean waves and it's a hypnosis tape where you envision all the parts of your body repairing themselves. I look forward to this every night and make an effort to consciously "know" and "trust" in God that He can heal this, the power is within. 7. last but not least, prayer, every day.Sorry for rambling on. I hope you get better soon,TH

 

[danik]

I can relate as well. My periods with the IBS-D became so debilitating that I was out for a week every month. A combination of the Depo-Provera Birth control shot to control the periods (you don't cycle much, if at all with the shot) and taking Amitriptyline for the rest seems to have gotten all my symptoms under control. You can read more about my story in the Lotronex page under "an alternative to try", I hope you are able to find an answer as well, if nothing else you know you have support for what you and your family are contending with.I wish you health and happiness.