Irritable Bowel Syndrome Support Group

I should have joined this group a while ago, as I have been living with irritable bowel for 7 or 8 years now. I have had my gallbladder removed, and for about 7 years have had almost constant diarreah (sp) or constipation. I also had painful and smelly gas that would alienate me. I have tried various diets, and avoiding certain foods like milk, or sweets as they made things worse. I just can't take it any more. I am here for suggestions and hope.

I have had IBS for 12 years now. I went to SO many docs/acupuncturists/allergists etc- every doc basically gave up and was like oh well you got IBS deal with it.

Well, luckily I kept persevering and with an awesome acupuncturists who specialize in digestive disorders and a private practice nutritionist I have found some luck.

I took an IgG allergy test (NOT thru a doc- they won't test properly for it) to see what I'm sensitive to. Found out it was gluten and eggs. I took those out of my diet and was "cured" for about 4 months before I unfortunately took some meds and wasn't careful on my diet and it got bad again.

Since then I've been seeing this lady who is SO knowledgeable about IBS. If you have ever take antibiotics start a probiotic that same time and for 30 days thereafter. Now I'm staying on priobiotics, taking glutagenics, and digestive enzymes. I went/am still on an ONLY veggie, fish, meat diet... with mostly protein in my diet. I was surprised with the results. In all my years I have never have had such a quick difference. I'm still not 100% but heading there. Within a week of doing those things, the diarrhea had gone away and bowel movements regularized. My diet will eventually include more foods, but my nutritionist said this is a basic IBS diet/with supplements to heal the intestines first before it can handle more foods.

Also check for c-difficle bacteria or candida overgrowth... never knew it was related to IBS but it is. Another thing most GI docs don't check for or treat properly.

Hope this helps- don't give up! Help's out there- I've just realized most GI doc's are SO unaware of alternative treatments and just try quick fixes that aren't effective. I've been so impressed with the knowledge and compassion of alternative medicine specialists on GI that have their own clinic.

It could be bacteria can cause some of the problems your having, I'd maybe see a Gastrologist. I had pretty much some of the same problems and some times still do but after they pulled several polyps from my colon that seems to help in some of the areas. Different

Melissa

Thanks for the advice. I know that dairy is a trigger for me, but it is one of my favorite foods. Therefore I just eat it when I'm going to be home alone, or when I'll be around those I don't have to be embarrassed about the gas I might get. My boyfriends nickname for me when I am having a attack is Ogre, but he calls himself Shrek. Maybe I should be Fiona....

I love the knick names for the both of you, I can't figure it out but for me spaghetti with the sauce is a big no no but yet I can handle pizza perfectly fine, now does that make sense. I tend to do the same thing with having some foods I probably shouldn't.

We have even memorized a few lines from the movie as a semi-private joke. I love him for making me feel comfortable with having gas and/or the bathroom dash. I don't have to be worried or anything like that.

hit submit too soon.... I learned to love white pizza, or I would never get to eat any of it. Extra cheese used to be my favorite. Oh well. Perhaps alfredo sauce? Or there is always pasta rosa which is a mix of alfredo and tomato sauces.

Your lucky he does, some spouses and even family members and friends as you know close their eyes and mind with this. It goes by the old saying, "what people don't understand their afraid of."

Melissa

Oh yeah double or triple cheese only and nothing else