[Guest]

I am new to this forum and find a lot of good information here. My question is what has worked best for everybody?? I see talk of digestive enzymes, lono something and calcium.I am turning 22 in two weeks time and I have suffered from IBS since about 13. I have never had a regular bowel movement since that time. I have tried calcium, but I didn't feel that it really worked for me. I found my symptoms most hard to deal with whilst attending school, especially while sitting exams. I think it was the quiteness in the exam halls that made me even more self conscious of my problem.This year I finish a degree, and times have been hard, doing all the study. I often miss classes due to the problem and even messed up some of the modules marks due to IBS.My main problem is that of food sensitivity. To be strictly honest, I can only really eat meat and potatoes, bland, with confidence. Everything else seems to give me very bad cramps and C and D. I haven't had chocolate, milk, ice-cream or cereals in the whole 9 years. These are the particularly bad ones. I am also sensitive to pulses, greasy food, spices, fruit and Veg!!! I can't keep living like this.Every time I go to the toilet, I tend to have C and after severe pushing I have very soft D stools. O for just one day, to be normal!!!The best of it is, nobody really knows how much I suffer with this. I'm sure the majority of those reading this can sympathise. I can honestly say that this has hindered me carrying out a lot of activities in my life and made me very self conscious, reducing my self-esteem.Being at college too, drinking is the obvious past time but whether I have 1 pint or 10 it leads to 4-8 trips to the toilet and also 3-10 times of vomitting. Therefore I have tried to reduce drinking, to the point where I dislike going to bars and clubs. This in turn affects my social life. I seem to be having less and less friends, who often term me as 'getting old'. They just don't understand.Thankfully I have a loving girlfriend, but how long will this last. I feel my life has become boring and I can't see her wanting to stick around someone with such a negative attitude. I also dread the thought of the idea of starting full time work. I can't see myself being able to attend much, due to this problem.My doctor has tried anti-spasmonals which did help reduce the cramps years ago. However, now I feel more sluggish, always tired and needing to go to the toilet after every meal. I have also got to the point where I don't feel like eating, due to the discomfort and pain it brings. My IBS has always been bad, but it has got to the point where I can't put up with just accepting it. What DOES work for you guys.If I have D before a class or something important, I tend to take 2 imodium. This helps stop the main problem for 3-5 hours. Then however, you get C!!!In case you have't guessed it, I also suffer from depression due to these various symptoms. Sorry for whinging on here, but I felt it was a good sounding ground. I never new this site existed!! Any help on valuable 'cures' would be appreciated!!Good luck to you all!!I'm in the U.K.------------------ArchaeoStudent

 

[Kathleen M.]

Check over on Living with IBS there are several success stories.The thing that was most effective for me was gut-directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I did is as part of research study and thank God that the random assignment put me in that group. I may not have done it otherwise and I am so glad I did. Hypnotherapy looks like it works on some of the same thing and besides seing a therapist you can get CD's from www.ibstherapy.com and www.ibsaudioprogram.com (the first are cheaper, the later is a longer program).K.------------------I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial product mentioned by me.

 

[scottyswotty]

Neolithic, your post reminded me of me! None of your peers will know what it hs been like to live the way you have since 13.I guess I would say I am a success of beating "IBS". I have learnt a hell of a lot about digestive disorders (a better name than IBS) and almost spent as much time looking into this area as I have in my banking and finance law career! I tend not to bother with bashing what I have learnt as the board has a strong conventional bite to it. But hey, the world won't always be flat!My advice to you is keep looking outside the square and don't get suckered or believe advice that doesn't feel right to you.ScottySwotty says keep thinking.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for mentioning the depression thing. I get it, too. I tell my sig. other alternately 1)that I'm swearing off food for good or 2)that I'll eat whatever I darn please because nothing makes any difference. I have lately been drinking half a gallon of apple juice a day and my problrms are getting less. I tried gatorade because of the d but the dyes and sugars worsened the problem. Anyone else try drinking juice?

 

[Guest]

Hi there neolithic, and welcome to the board from a fellow Brit!

First of all I want to say Well Done for all that you have achieved so far, in spite of having to cope with IBS.

My symptoms were very similar to yours, apart from the food sensitivities - I've never had any particular food "triggers". However, I did have a lot of success with the Audio 100 Program (known as "Mike's Tapes" - see blue and white box top left). Mike is a highly reputable British hypnotherapist who specializes in treating IBS. I judged that my symptoms improved by 80% with the help of these tapes. A search on "hypnotherapy" or "Mike001" will bring up lots of info for you.On the question of food sensitivities, you may find postings by Mike NoLomotil of particular interest, if you want to investigate in that direction.By the way, a group of us Brits is having a bit of a "pow-wow" on another thread right now - why not pop in and say hello? Here's the link .... http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/017415.html Best wishesJulie

 

[Guest]

Hi everybody,Judamar, it's good to hear from someone who had success with Mike's program. It seems the majority of people using the tapes say they are about 80% improved after they are done. As for me I'm still early in the program and only time will tell if I can achieve those results. As for food sensitivities I can't say cutting out certain foods has given me much improvement in my IBS. There are certain foods I know are going to make things worse but I still have flare-ups no matter what I eat. I think lowering stress by either hypnotherapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy is really the only way to get on top of IBS. The mind has a strong influence on the gut.

 

[eric]

Victor, hang in there but thats taking the right approach. Calming the mind, nervous system, and digestive system. There more to it then that, but this is effective for most.------------------I work with Mike and the audio 100 program. www.ibshealth.com www.ibsaudioprogram.com

 

[Guest]

neo, man it sounds like you should also be prescibed something for your psycological state. Because ofcourse this is all in your head, Ha. But seriously. The foods you mentioned as triggers are foods that even "healthy" people, whether they know it or not, cause trouble. Even cereal. Have you tried cooked vegetables? I'm the same way with not wanting to eat, and have lost like 30 pounds in the last year. Why not try saying you have an ulcer or something similar when you're out at the bars or wherever. I've told most of my friends and collegues about my ibs, it was obvious something was going on with me. While none of them can truly appreciate my dilema, they've all been very supportive. I'm 25 by the way, so I can relate. Luckily for me this started when I was in h.s., and not that bad Bowel Movement wise while attending. good luckBrian

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replys everyone. I think I am going to have a try at that hypnotherpy carry on. I think I seen information on here somewhere for I woman who does it in Newry. (I live in Northern Ireland) Does anyone know the price of such sessions and how many it takes to start seeing some results.Thanks for all the information,Neolithic

 

[eric]

neolithic, we have ONE of the best clinical hypnotherapists in the world on IBS on the bb here from England. He trains other hypnotherapists for IBS as well. He has a list. You can contact him or post your question in the CBt/ Hypnotherapy forum on the bb here.If you need help let me know.------------------I work with Mike and the audio 100 program. www.ibshealth.com www.ibsaudioprogram.com