So as it stands now, I have not been diagnosed but the symptoms I am having strongly point to IBS with constipation. I've been told it's VERY common and that it's also managable. I was thinking of getting some probiotic supplements to see if they help some with the symptoms.
There has to be someone else here that has IBS that might be able to offer some advice.
I have it..what would you like to know? It is very common. Diet, exercise and making sure you have enough fiber are the most important things to do.I have a friend who had really bad IBS but she started eating more probiotic foods and taking probiotic supplements and it calmed down.
I have IBS. I take codeine every day (4-6) and still have diarrhea every day as soon as I eat something, I have to run. My gastro has been pretty slack with any treatment but one thing that has worked was starting to take a cholesterol lowering medication called Questran. It's like metamucil I guess, adds bulk . It helps but doesn't stop it. I was taken off all meds for a time but still had the runs all the time so they don't think its directly related to the meds. I also have had it for longer than I have been taking meds. Fibre seems to be the main thing that helps, and lots of fluids.
Good luck Bob.
I had pretty bad IBS with the runs when I was in high school... I think it was probably my first AI condition.
They tried tons of things.. eat baby food, eat bland food, dont eat, valium, kaopectate .. after graduation it just disapeared..mostly..although I know if I get extremely upset, the first thing I do is run to the toilet and have the runs.
So this is why at my first doc visit they asked me about IBS...is it really a RA symptom.
I learn something everyday. Bob I hope you feel well soon. I would think Fiber and water is what I would try...sounds way easier than messing with meds. Good luck hope everything works out.....( no pun intended )YEp, prilosec helps, also, I watch what I eat..Pizza, although I love it, is the pits on IBS.I too have IBS...I was prescribed Meberevine for spasms and changed my diet, I take pro and pre biotics. I tke a fibrogel in orange juice daily which has helped so much too.
I hope you get some sort of relief soon
Well, I picked up some acidophilus capsules today to give a try.
Jodejjr, I decided to live dangerously and give a few slices of cheese pizza a try. No difference in symptoms for me. Sure I had to go to the bathroom about an hour later, but I think that was coming to begin with.
Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences with me. It would be nice if my PCP seemed concerned enough to send me to a gastroenterologist for further testing (colonoscopy,endoscopy) but if he doesn't then I can just treat this like IBS and maybe it will improve.
Either way, I've had X-rays, CT scan w/contrast, and labs done to rule out Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. They showed no inflammation, blockages, obstructions, diverticulitis, tumors or other growths. There was also no abnormal accumulation of feces in there on either set of xrays. (one done on a monday then more on thursday)
Since my mom's grandfather, uncles, and father died from colon cancer, I think the earlier I start having regular colonoscopies the better.
Thanks again everyone
Bob H
How old are you? Does the doctor know of your family history of colon cancer? Does he know that you're worried about it?
That being said, a colonoscopy is not without risk (anesthesia, perforation of the colon wall, various other injuries) and they are a bit pricey, so they're generally not issued to everyone with digestive unrest. You can get fecal occult blood testing kits at the drugstore to use in the privacy of your own bathroom, or you can ask your doc to order one the next time you go see him. And definitely ask him about a referral to a GI doc.
I had IBS troubles for a long time. Once I modified my diet to reduce crap foods, get more fiber and increase intake of omega-3's my IBS troubles went away. IBS runs in my family (no pun intended!) but so does the love of crap food and generally unhealthy lifestyles.
I'm 32 and it's not that I'm worried about colon cancer at all. I just thought that prevention is better than the "cure." My grandfather let his go even knowing his family history and lost his entire colon before dying two weeks later in the hospital. I'm not too worried about the FOB testing either as I'm a lab technician (not working now, but still have LOTS of friends around that are) so I can get my hands on these tests anytime. I think the doc in the ER ordered one the other day.
I'm not going to be able to give up my "crap" foods totally, but I'm totally willing to cut them down drastically if that's what it takes. I was getting kind of sick of that stuff anyway, and my recent high blood pressure has prompted me to make some gradual changes. Like I said though, whatever needs done, I'm going to do.
thanks again.
Bob
yes i have IBS i think it is from too many drugs for too long. i too have been prescribed the powder drink that pammy416 mentioned. it helps but nothing seems to be a cure all. the morning time is the worst or if i get anxious about anything even simple stuff ..... w.w.
Hi Bob -
OK, I can't find the right thread so I'll put some of this here.
My mom has IBS and had it for decades. It was awful for her in that she had to plan any excursion out of the house by where the bathrooms would be. When I got sick and started saving research, I saved something about antibiotics and IBS and gave it to her. I started AP and my life was saved (sorry, can't resist) so talked mom into trying it for her IBS and for OA. We had a hell of a time finding a doc who would help her but eventually did. Not only did her inflamed spine thingy finally went away (OA) and she can sleep better with her back not killing her but the probiotics necessary for AP started helping with the IBS.
Mom didn't like paying the big bucks for good probiotics and tried to switch them out for cheap ones. Didn't work. LOL So she went back to the expensive ones and is very happy. She now can live her life without having to plan the way to the nearest bathroom. I mean, the freedom is unbelievable which you wouldn't know if you didn't have IBS for decades.
The good news is she was able to stop buying those fiber things as they really didn't work for her anymore and she was able to save money that way. LOL
Hugs,
Pip
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