Hi BavarianGirl! I know what you mean about doctors....I have learned to just help myself when it comes to IBS. This BB has been a lifesaver for me, so much great info here! I am currently re-doing my diet in the hopes of getting my IBS under control, and the stories I've been reading here about Caltrate sound very promising!
My Story...Another Victim found!
G
Hi,IBS has found another victim..ME!I been following this webs site now for more than two month and have learned so much. I don't know why it took me so long to write to your guys. I guess I just had to come to terms with this illness on my own. One year ago I gave birth to my son..my dreams finally came true. After a beautyful and eventless pregnancy I encountered a terrible postpardum time. I had panic and anxiety attacks accompanied with diaherria. I never had any problems with my stomach before. I used to think I had a stomach like a bear. I could eat anything.I seeked helped for the panic attacks and was able to overcome them after 5 month. In January 2000 I started with a diet called Herbal Life, which was recommended to me by a friend who lost 50 pounds on it. During this time I experienced little spells of stomach pains and occasionally diaherria. I stopped the diet but still had stomach pains sometimes. After some tensions in my relationship I notices some bowel changes, but nothing major. Than I had some take-out food and things got rolling. I had diaherria, pain and terrible cramps. It never went away. I consultated my doctor and of course I got the same story. There is nothing wrong with me it must be in my head. I was send off with Zoloft and Levsin. I refused to take the medication and started my own research. After a six week waiting period I finally had an appointment with a GI doctor and a colonoscopy. He told me that their was only a slight inflammation in my colon and I was diagnosed with IBS. I started my own research on this subject me. I started with counseling, biofeedback, acupuncture, some changes in my diet and connected spiritually with god. Sometimes I think IBS is my wake-up, call becaus I am changing my life in a positve way. My bowel movements have almost turned back to normal, but I can't resolve the pain and cramps. The pain is always with me. Sometimes I still think something else is wrong with me, as I had to take a lot of antibiotics after my baby was delivered and frequently have problems with yeast infections. But unfortunately no doctor will listen to me. I have not yet tried metamucial but I am currenlty taking caltrate. Thank you for listening, hope to hear back from you!God bless you!
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Hi Bavarian Girl, Have you tried taking a good refrigerated enteric coated probiotic product such as acidophilis? Also lowering your sugar intake as much as possible. This means no cakes, cookies, candy etc., and would also include limiting fruits and dairy. Staying away from fermented and aged foods might be a good idea as well. (Difficult but not impossible, and well worth it for me). Antibiotics ruins your good intestinal balance and this will work at getting it back. It sounds like a classic case to me (I've been there). Because mine went unchecked for so long, an oral antifungal treatment had to be given, although, I wish I would have known about the low sugar diet first without the antifungal to see what would have happened. If you find a lot of bloating and abd. discomfort after drinking fruity beverages and tomato sauces, it might be the additive citric acid. It is a common IBS offender. You may have to read labels. Coffee, and of course citrus fruits contain it naturally. There are many salad drsgs with this additive in as well as light colored sodas. Soda pop also contains the additive benzoic acid which can cause problems for some people too. I mainly drink decaf/herbal tea and filtered water(boring but necessary in my case). I'm not sure what was in the herbal mixture you used, but certain ones may have exacerbated your condition. Fiber is good for bulking up the stool. I use finely ground flax meal found in most healthfood/section/stores. I sprinkle it on any soft food and always follow with fluids. I hope this is helpful and wish you comfort soon Bavarian Girl. I'm sure others will have some suggestions. Congratulations on your baby. M.
Hi Bavarian Girl, i have been delt an odd hand in life too that i am trying to work with.i was told i had a nervous stomach 23 years ago at age 11.there was nothing for it and i would just have to live with it. and so i have ,till now.when i finally saw a GI to find out the reason for my problems,i was told i would be on the wait for the colonoscopy.that is where i am now.it was scheduled for the 24th but by reading how asertive some of these IBS people are on this BB,i called back again and again and it paid off!the sqeaky wheel does get the oil! Now it will be the 14th.Reading this BB helps me feel informed with all the many ways i can help myself and lets me know i am not going through this alone.good luck with helping yourself here. the info here is like an all you can eat buffet that won't leave you regreting you ever came.
G
Hi,Your symptoms don't completely match what's in this thread, but the part about antibiotics caught my attention.Maybe this can help?? http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011407.htmlDo a search on "Un Fatigued" and you will discover she was misdiagnosed with IBS. She had taken a lot of antibiotics and her problem was caused from that. Medications have brought her almost back to normal. JoanieMama[This message has been edited by JoanieMama (edited 08-09-2000).]
G
Hi Bavarian Girl,Hang in there. I too was on antibiotics last year for 5 weeks in that time I also had to take medicine for a yeast infection. I have been taking two Fibercon about an hour or two after dinner. They do tend to absorb some of the vitamins in your diet so its a good idea to take a multi-vitamin with your food. I still had some annoying pain and gassy stomach, sometimes I looked pregnant. I have been following this board for about two weeks. In that time I have changed my diet. What a difference. I now take a probiotic ( only 2 days) a typical breakfast for me is a peeled peach on Cheerios (no milk). About 2 times a week I have an egg on whole wheat toast. I will have a banana before lunch. Lunch is usually a slice or two of bread (no yeast) with humus (sp) spread on it. If I need something sweet, I go for graham crackers. I have stayed away from cheese, ice cream, etc. Supper is usually some kind of meat and I can eat potatoes. My bathroom time has been reduced to about 2 or 3 times in the morning and that's it for the rest of the day. Stay away from junk, look for all natural items, no soda. Smaller meals, eat more often. Good Luck!
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