I Think That I May Have IBS... Irritable Bowel Syndrome

About 4 years ago I had a flare up that lasted almost 6 weeks, and every time I go through a stressful situation, it almost always comes back. The cramping was the worst, & my Dr. gave me a prescription for that. Otherwise, I just tried to eat a bland diet- a lot of bananas, rice, applesauce, metamucil wafers, & fiber supplements. It really wasn't until I removed myself from the stressful environment that it went away. But the fiber supplements definitely did help "bulk up" so it didn't seem to go through me so fast. Good luck!

L.,

I had IBS after both of my c-sections. I saw a gastroenterologist and he put me on some medicine, that helped 100%. I can't remember the name of it. Anyways, IBS is very common after child birth.

I hope you get some releif...M.

The best thing for IBS is a change in diet. I go to a graet Chiropracter/Functional Medicine doctor that can help with nutrition and food allergy testing to find out the cause of the problem. She has totally fixed my sisters IBS. Her name is Dr. Jennifer Ridley, ###-###-####, and she's in Hurst.

This is different than what the other 2 have said, but I am not knocking what they say because I don't know anything about that. I had IBS- I say had because I don't suffer from it anymore. I used to feel like I couldn't go anywhere!!! I felt confined to the house because as soon as I got in the car, I would have to pull over at a restaurant to use their restroom... and hopefully, I would make it to my destination. Anyway, my doctor told me to take fiber (which doesn't make any sense, I know... I didn't believe him really). I take the fiber pills 5 Metamucill caps at night, EVERY night, and I don't need a prescription for IBS. It took a little while, but within a couple of weeks, you will see a difference. If you try what I'm saying, let me know how it works for you. It has worked miracles for me!! Good luck!

Hi L.!

That definitely does not sound like a good way to live! We can help! Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be associated with food allergies or with areas in your spine that correlate with the digestive tract being out of place. Have you ever tried chiropractic care? I am a chiropractor and I have worked with a lot of patients with IBS. By getting the vertebrae in place it takes the pressure off of the nerves that supply the digestive tract. Thus allowing the digestive tract to function properly. We also check for food allergies and we test the organs to make sure they are functioning properly. In some cases, just adding digestive enzymes and acidophilus can make a world of difference. If you are interested in more information or would like to schedule an appointment. Drop me an email or give me a call at ###-###-####. Thanks!

Dr. Sandra S.

Have you heard of Celiac Sprue? Just an idea. www.csaceliacs.org

Hi L.,

I've had IBS since I was a child though not diagnosed until I was in my 20s.
I've seen several doctors and had a colonoscopy and a barium enema. This is important to rule out more serious digestive diseases. If it is IBS, it can be controlled through, diet, exercise and stress reduction. Don’t expect a miracle cure. Digestive conditions and diseases can be controlled, but not conquered. One slip and it's back. A bad meal for me can kick my IBS up immediately and make me sick for a few days up to a week.
For great information on IBS check out: http://www.helpforibs.com/news/
Heather also has books that are very useful. You can find them online, at a bookstore or even the library. One book has recipes. They’re ok. I just try to do my best to limit saturated fats and sweets. Wheat and dairy can also be triggers as can hard to digest foods such as red meat and raw vegetables. I do eat salads, but carry around beano, which has an enzyme to break-down hard to digest foods.
I've used probiotics, and a friend who has Crone’s swears by it. I also take a low dose of anti-depressant. This has also seemed to help.
Good luck. IBS can be kept at bay, you just need to educate yourself and follow a regiment that is right for your body.
By the way…my son was born with a digestive disease. No one has answers for us, so I’ve spent endless amounts of time educating myself so I can keep him and myself healthy and feeling good. Email me if you need more information.

L.,
I feel your pain. Had it for YEARS. Went to every doc and no one helped. Accupuncture helped but didn't stay with me long. SO I found this woman in an Autism book (my son has autism) and called her. SHe is n California and Hawaii. WONDERFUL woman and consutlts over the phone. SHe will do a 24 hr urine and then have a one hour consult and she is a miracle worker. SHe will put you on some supplements . I don't have IBS anymore! SHe is fantastic and is helping many kids who have gut issues and adults. You can google her and read. Her website is www.extremehealthusa.com
If you have anymore questions email me. You will love her. She is so sweet and healing.
Thank, L.

Are you taking any medications such as anti-depressants? They can definitely cause IBS-type symptoms to occur. Even though a dr. might tell you a certain medication is not the cause of your symptoms, it IS possible. Just a thought...

You need to go to a GI specialist to be sure but I can tell you that it is miserable and in my opinion never gets better. For now I would advise going to an IBS website and read up on the trigger foods so that you can avoid them. It does improve some once you change your diet.

My doctor recommended that I take a fiber supplement for mine. Good luck!

Hi L.,

May I recommend two books for you to read on this topic:

The Fungus Link, by Doug A. Kaufmann and

The Master Physicians' RX by Jordan Rubin. (not sure of this title)

Any book by Jordan Rubin would probably help. He had IBS or something like it--Crones Disease--and nearly died from it. Now he is completely well because of changes in his diet. Now his ministry is helping others to get well.

He also has a show on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) if you want to look that up.

Hope this helps.
A. S.

I was told I had IBS back in 2002 and than they did all sorts of tests on me...a colonoscopy to check for colitis cause they started suspecting that...I was tested for Lupus another silent killer that can mimic it... than I went in for a laporoscopy (a minor invasive exploratory surgery) after the recommendation of my GYN. They found I had endometriosis, a condition where the scar tissue from the uterus starts spreading to other organs. It also mimics alot of the some symptoms of IBS My uterus and left ovary was covered in it. Anyway they burned it off (a temporary fix cause there is no cure for endo) and told me I was unlikely to get pregnant, if at all. Anyway, so turned out I didnt have IBS. After my last child though I have been having tons of problems (I posted a advice request for it) I went back and seen the doctor..all he did was press on my belly and said it was IBS. I seriously think doctors assume IBS too quickly. I am suppose to be going back for blood work and to tell him that the fiber thing just is not working but no insurance. :( I really think you need to take the advice of getting everything looked at. It might be a waste of time and it might put you through alot but it better that than being diagnosed with the wrong condition. If I just wrote my condition in 2002 off as IBS I would of never had a chance to have my two children and would of been living with a chronic painful condition I wasn't aware of. Best of luck.

L., the cheapest easiest way before you can get to Doctor is exactly what Heather M. recommended, FIBER. As she said it doesn't make sense but it does work. Sister was diagnosed with IBS and that's exactly what the Dr. told her to do first before running tests, etc. It worked overnight. I have no idea what anybody is talking about when they recommend probiotics, however, yogurt, will help straighten out your colon. My husband lost 65lbs, when taking high dose antibiotics, he really wouldn't eat anything, because of the consequences and miser you are talking about. It had gone on for 6 weeks, I knew Doctors had prescribed yogurt for me in the past to straighten out colon problems from antibiotics, so he had 2 servings in one day and it stopped. It will help if anti-depressants or other medications are the culprit. Best wishes and hope you feel better quick.

Hi L.,

I have/had IBS, too. My internal medicine doctor told me to take an over the counter drug, Equalactin. It worked WONDERS!! Basically, you take it with every meal. The taste is similar to a Tums tablet. I would suggest seeking a Doctor's opinion, too, though--they'll want to check to make sure everything looks right internally.

Good luck!

I went to Dr. Stephen Lacey with Texas Digestive Disease Consultants in Grapevine. I LOVED him. I am only 25 and have had IBS for about 4 years. It's gotten worse since I had my son. Recently I've found the only thing that has helped my stomach issues, probiotics. You can get them at the health food store in the refrigerated section. It puts the good bacteria that's supposed to be in your intestines back in. Though my stomach problems have not disappeared, they have been remarkably better.
I would definitely go to the doc asap so you can see if that's what it is. If you have to have a colonoscopy, don't worry, it really isn't that bad!! But I would recommend that they do the full one, since they knock you out and the prep is the same, and they can see and do much more with a full colonoscopy. Good luck to you! Have you tried eating baby foods or drinking some nutritional drinks for now so you aren't so hungry?

L. - you've received a lot of good advice for IBS - but I want to encourage you to seek a diagnosis from a GI specialist. Your post was short w/out a lot of details, so obviously none of us know all details; however, it may not be IBS - it could be Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis - which both may present as IBS. (as symptoms are close), but the main difference is Crohn's and UC have no dietary issues - it won't matter what you eat or don't eat. They are both controlled by medicine, but do affect way more than just your digestive tract, such as your joints (feeling achy), fatigue, vision problems, etc. A diagnosis is confirmed with a colonoscopy. Many people with the diseases mistakenly just assume it's IBS and they try to self-medicate, which will never correct the problem. The danger in this is with the diseases, your body is actually voiding the bowels without absorbing any nutrients, leading to malnutrition and other very serious health consequences.

Okay, now after all that scary sounding stuff - it's likely a touch of IBS, but I did want to get it out there that it could be more serious and therefore is worth the time to see a specialist for a confirmation.

Good luck! S.

Hi L. - my friend Judy has IBS but for the past 4 or so years she has been able to control it with natural alternatives. She travels, eats out, etc without issue.

Same thing for my friend Lynette.

Message me if you want info on what they have done.
C.

Hello L.! I too suffered from IBS for years as my mom did. There is a solution- nutrition and supplements. I went to the Gonino Wellness Center at the begining of April. They ran some tests (blood, urine, microscopy, etc.) and advised of a new nutrition plan and supplements. Within two days, my IBS was GONE!!! It is wonderful to eat again and not have to suffer.

Gonino Wellness Center
Dr. John Gonino or Susan Alltel
www.goninowellness.com
###-###-####

P.S. Another side benefit of the nutrition plan and supplements is weight loss- I have dropped 14lbs by simply changing my eating lifestyle.

Amazing Results!!

Best Wishes,

D.
Richardson, TX

I don't have IBS myself but I have watched my mother suffer through it for as long as I can remember. She has the most severe form of it and from what you are saying it sounds like you do too. She does take a daily prescription that does curb the symptoms. But the previous response you got is on the right track of what naturally works for relieving the symptoms. I talked to a research nutrition doctor about IBS and he gave a glowing recommendation for 3 products to taken as a daily regimen. They are all Nutrilite products (a brand of supplements). The probiotic is Intestiflora 7 (meaning 7 different types of probiotics). Two of these daily. Then take omega-3s. Specifically Nutrilite Ocean Essentials Heart Health. 4 of these daily. Then take Nutrilite Digestive Enzyme complex before you eat anything. And he means anything. Again this combination seems to relieve the symptoms. IBS isn't curable so nothing completely gets rid of it. Go to www.Nutrilite.com if you want to read more about the supplements. And contact me if any of this didn't make sense. I'll try to help. Good luck.