[diannamlp]

I get terrible pain from IBS and I am not sure what pain relievers to take that will help it...non-prescription ones. Any suggestions? Thank you for any help.Dianna

 

[Kathleen M.]

Non-prescription, you are pretty much limited to peppermint oil.NSAIDS (motrin and aleve) tend to make IBS worse.Tylenol doesn't tend to work well. Peppermint is an antispasmodic. Try peppermint tea, capsules from the health food store, or even a candy with a lot of peppermint oil like Altoids. I would avoid sugar-free candies if you have a lot of diarrhea as they often has sugar alcohols (names ending in -itol) and that can loosen stools and increase gas.

 

[diannamlp]

I cant stand the taste of peppermint in anything.Makes me throw up .

 

[Kathleen M.]

Capsules may work as you usually only taste the outside of capsule.Other than that you could try tylenol but it usually doesn't help much. Is there some reason you won't take/can't get any prescription medications?If medications are not your thing you could try one of the home hypnotherapy CD's . They do help about 70% of people who use those techniques when they test hypnotherapy.

 

[Diana63]

Can you not see your Doctor and maybe try antispasmodics?As Kathleen said there are not many medicines on the market you can get.

 

[Lookin'foraLife]

Hi Diana,I was in the same position as you are in for a year and a half. Awful abdominal pains 24/7 that wouldn't let me sleep or would wake me with their intensity. I can tell you what helped me, perhaps it might help you too:1- L-Ornithine supplements (OTC from Solgar): 2 500mg before sleep. This helped the pain considerably and still does. If I go off it the pain comes back. I swear by this stuff. Give it about 1-2 weeks to start taking effect.2- Motilium pills, 3 a day half an hour before meals. Besides helping with nausea this actually helped with the remainder of the pain as well.3- Diet of easily digestable foods.I can't stress how much this has made a difference in my life. Without it, I could barely function.If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. GOOD LUCK!

 

[diannamlp]

Thank you all for your advice. I will try these.Hard at times to go to a doctor>>no money,no insurance...hate to make more bills I cant pay.I must owe local hospital for ER service atleast 6000 dollars.I am on a very limited income and not old enough yet for Medicare.And my state social services will not help with medical costs.I am not looking for any "hand-outs" just saying how things are.Dianna

 

[Lookin'foraLife]

Having IBS is difficult, but thankfully not impossible, though it seems that way at first.I hope the suggestions will help you.Any other symptoms besides the pain?I went to many specialists in many fields that cost a fortune and NONE of them helped me in the least. Besides antidepressants they had little to offer.What I found I managed on my own and with the help of this forum.Only the Motilium required a prescription but I understand it's OTC in the UK.So hopefully your medical bills need not be an issue with IBS.

 

[Diana63]

DiannaWhat about maybe trying a hot water bottle for the pain,i know if its that severe it may not work,worth a try though.

 

[diannamlp]

Thank you very much for your advice and understanding. This forum is wonderful,and helps and encourages me alot. I will try a hot water bottle. I would try about anything I can afford to try. Thank you also for your patience with me if I asked any dumb questions. I didnt realize how many people suffer from IBS. Othersymptoms I have is going from d.to c. constantly. Always having mushy,sticky BMS. And another question: does your metabolism have any affect on IBS,or how it works? I have other health problems but this IBS bothers me the most usually. And where can I find a list of foods that are usually ok to eat? Thanks again for all your help and advice.Dianna

 

[Diana63]

You have not been asking any dumb questions,we all on here have many questions that we have asked also.In the UK you can buy Buscopan for pain over the counter,dont know if you can where you live?Maybe try a health food shop if you can afford it to buy something that may help your symptoms.I'm sure the shop assistant should help you.My metabolism is not affected by my IBS,but my appetite can be poor due to the symptoms i suffer from.Not sure what others think about that on the forum.I got advice from a Dietician about exclusion diets and foods.I preferred that rather than trying to do it on my own,i would have had no idea where to start.

 

[Lookin'foraLife]

Taking hot baths calms things down as well.I can tell you which foods I found to be "safe", but I'm sure everyone is different.It took me a long time to get to this list, but in general, these are foods even 90 year olds whose digestive system are shot can generally tolerate:AvocadoEnsure Plus drinkslemonadeherbal teasamnon and sol fish (plain)soft boiled eggscooked/steamed pumpkin, potato, carrots, mushrooms, sweet potato, squash, parsley (can make soup of it all)Quinoa3-5% cottage cheese3% yogurtsoatmealcooked apples, pears, plumsstrawberries and blueberriesbananasfruit shakes with non-tropical fruitsno spices except salt1% milkassortment of nutssourdough breadolive and canola oiljello I eat all these in moderation since bulk causes pain in my case.I can't tolerate meat at all, but many seem to tolerate cooked chicken and rice.If you feel better on this diet, you can always introduce more foods.Let us know what helps you!

 

[diannamlp]

Thank you for the food list. I will try somethings on it.Thank you all for your help and advice.Dianna