Irritable Bowel Syndrome Support Group

So, I was just wondering what everyone's symptoms are and how they handle them. Are there any treatments that you find to work the best? the worst? Any good recipes for foods that don't flare IBS? Any suggestions on what to stay away from?

For me, I have to steer clear of Mexican food or anything that is heavily spiced. A lot of dairy products are also bad. I take anti-convulsants to slow down my digestive tract and they seem to be working.

I'm excited to share with this group!

I have had bowel problems all of my life. When I was young (way back in the dark ages) I was always constipated to the point that I would develope impactions. When I was 30, I suddenly started having diarreha. I started having abcesses that had to be drained. My doctor at the time would not believe that I had Chron's disease until I got so dehydrated it was affecting my heart.

Any way, I now have constipation that turns into immpactions again. I take 2 stool softners, 4 stool softners and Miralax every day and still have problems.

You did know that IBS can cause both extremes didn't you?

I'll shut up. Donna

I back. I just remembered some of the other symptoms. Some I have (don't know about other people) I many times start getting very hot, sweating, feel faint and very weak.

Donna

hi, i'm new to this site and glad to have someone to actually talk to about IBS.

I go from one extreme to the other. I did cut out dairy but for another health problem but it seems to help the ibs. hope you hear from others soon on this site.

coffeeinTN - I feel just that!

let's talk.

mine are constipation and pain!

Hi stars-shadow....cool ID!

What a great idea!

I have never found that my problems were related to food or diet in any way. In fact, I know what started my IBS. It was my Fibromyalgia, which I have had for about five years now. I have had chronic constipation since that time, which has been made even worse by all of the meds I take for the Fibro.

After numerous attempts meds, and products to get me going, my old gastro told me to take four Dulcolax a day. It made me go. And go. And go. I couldn't srop! and OMG...I was deathly ill and in so much pain. BUT! I was going.

Long story short, I have finally found a combo that is keeping me regular. I take one Dulcolax at night, and I take Alli with meals. I'll tell you why...

My old PCP told me to buy the Alli and double the dosage, and I would have prescription strength Orlistat at about half the cost. So now I take two Alli's with every meal, or one if it's just a dessert or something small, plus the Dulcolax at night, and now I'm going on average once a day, like I used to do all of my life until my Fibro diagnoses.

Hi Coffee...nice to "meet" you. We're glad you found us. It's always good to have support when you really need it, and that's why we're here. Make yourself at home!

Hi Batty. Yes I knew that IBS is both.

You mentioned abcesses and I had a flashback. Not a good one either.

I went to my doctor with unexplained pain because, well...it's kinda hard to see back there. When he took a look, he gasped and got on the phone right away. When he got off the phone, he informed me I was going to have surgery right then and there. Well, a few doors down, anyway.

I had a huge peri-rectal abcess. They went to work right away to remove it. I won't bore you with the gory details. Suffice it to say I had three excruciatingly painful months of recovery.

When I went back for a follow-up after the three months, I was told they didn't get it all!!! I had to go back through all of that all over again!

Anyway, after six months of healing, I was finally anle to go back to the job I had. My employer thankfully held my position. I have a huge disfiguring scar and horribly painful memories.

After it was all said and done, the doctor told me that this kind of abcess is typically caused by straining to go.

Let this be a warning to you all.

wow Starr, thanks for the warning and let me say I am so sorry you had to go through all of that, you poor thing.

My IBS alternates, so I never know from day to day what is going to happen. I have been trying to control it with metamucil but the last few days even that is not working.

I was dx'd with the IBS years before the fibro but I believe the fibro has made the ibs symptoms worse

Today I am terrified of going anywhere after yesterdays scare, so I'm hoping the metamucil will start working soon as I have to work tomorrow.

huggggs to all

Stars_shadow

I have found that some foods do trigger the IBS like Mexican food and especially spicy foods, but as I LOVE those things I refuse to give them up. I would rather control the symptoms than to have to give up what I love. Probably stupid on my part, but that is how I deal with it.