IBS Anyone?

I have suffered w/IBS since my early teens. I finally found something that has no adverse effects and is totally natural. I had been on many different meds over the years--made dietary changes, etc. I began taking Natrol Probitic Pearls about 2 yrs ago because I had been on so many antibiotics the IBS was out of control. It has been amazing. I do notice if I have an increased intake of simple carbs (w/PMS munchies), the IBS flares up. I have never had better success w/anything else. I was wondering if the drug you named is the generic for Bentyl? If so--I hated the side effects. Another thing--I do not intake anything but organic dairy--Sounds crazy--but I couldn't even have a bowl of cereal w/out bloating and pain. I began using Organic dairy products in 2005 and that has also helped. I truly believe the hormones AND antibiotics used are detrimental. I would suggest purchasing the Probiotic Pearls from Drugstore.com or Vitacost.com. These 2 sites have had the best prices I could find. One tiny pearl 1X daily--it dissolves in the small intestine so it will not bother your stomach. I hope this helps you.

My husband had IBS/diarrhea so bad in 2002 that they started testing him for GI cancers. Today he is living a normal life. He started by taking additional fiber (tablets like fibercon) everyday. He had to 'tweak' the amount over time, started with one and then added another each week until he was feeling better. I know that seems odd to add more fiber when there is diarrhea but it works. The family doctor recommeded it. The extra fiber helps bulk up your digestive system to slow things down.

As well, for maintenance, my husband got a few NAET treatments from a holistic health nurse, acupuncture a few times a year when a 'flare' starts. He does regular stress management as well...massages and refelxology each week or 2 with specific abdominal massage and reflex points for IBS, plenty of sleep. He also watches certain foods that are triggers (such as some dairy and tomatoes) and makes sure to not eat them in combination and only in moderation. He makes sure to eat plenty of plain organic yogurt every day (he mixes it with fresh fruit for flavor) and takes a high quality Probiotic supplement everyday.

By doing all these things he has a normal life again. We can go anywhere and not worry.

I hope you find the things that help you.

L.

A friend of mine had similar symptoms and she was tested for everything under the sun. Turns out, she's allergic to gluten which is in EVERYTHING! So she either cuts it out completely or takes it in extreme moderation. Maybe you should be tested for a gluten allergy?

I have Crohn's disease a very serious form of IBS. The worst thing you can eat are whole grains and veggies. Cook the veggies thourogly to break down the fibers and skins. I avoid otmeal and nuts and seeds. I do eat wheat bread and many healthy items but anything hard to digest liek pepper skins, onions, pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds etc are very harsh on your system and make it work too hard and that is when you will have bouts of diarrhea. I knwo this may be contrary to what you read but for everyoen I know with these type sof diseases we all agree. I saw a nutritionist for a few months to get a diet of healthy foods and alternative foods so I coudl stick to good stuff that was safe for me. I have problems with cauliflower and pork. I make a list of what I ate afte ra bout on the toilet to try and narrow down the foods that irritate my intestines. Hope this helps. You can always go to the crohn's and colitis foundation website for info.

I use metamucil when I have a flair up. Also really load up (slowly) on fiber. Fiber 1 bars help a lot in this regard. Do you connect your flair ups with any certain foods? Or are they stress related? Sometimes, if you can pinpoint what you are doing different, you can try to avoid what it is that is causing the flair up.

My mother suffers from this and the only way she can control it is with the use of Metamucil. She opts for the regular texture rather than the smooth. I am not sure if that makes a difference or not.

hello
i agree with her - my situation only gets worse with veggies... ive not been diagnosed, every time i feel ok it comes back and just when im going to schedule i have good days. since ive had my two girls ive realized that continueing my prenatal vitamin really helps! with only random bad spells maybe once a month.