I would focus on probiotics. Taking a supplement and eating foods that are probiotic rich, raw sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchee and drinks like kumbucha (splg ?). Then I would add prebiotics to my diet. Sprouts, wheatgrass, more sweet potatoes and high fiber foods. Sprouting seeds is one of the easiest ways to add healthy foods to our daily diet and there are tons of options so you can mix it up. All you need is a mason jar and a sprouting lid.
Watch for triggers, anything from food to stress to perfumes can throw our systems into a frenzy.
If you are taking any antibiotics, be sure and take the probiotic 2 hours before or after, this allows enough time for everything to do its job without interacting, basically killing each other. I always take a probiotic supplement for every antibiotic, so 3x daily antibiotics equals 3x daily probiotic. I never have adverse symptoms from antibiotics anymore.
I would also recommend checking out high colonics. They really can help our bodies get back in balance and improve our health. Very weird, but you are dealing with people that choose to do this as a living because they absolutely believe in the health value of doing them.
I hate public bathrooms, so I can't go in them. It causes problems when traveling, but using the above keeps my system processing and healthy. I hope you have as good of luck with it all as I have.
I have seen proven success with a good friend who suffered for 26 years before she found a liquid aloe and a few other things that she loves. She is like a new person now. you can email me and I will connect you with her. rhetah@funfuture.net
NO cheese, bread, an other bloaty things for a bit...
Try more chicken broth, fresh.. instant pot...no added salt or other things... It worked for my pets,,, poor lil guy hasn't thrown up in a couple days... Fresh chicken seems to be helping... so now I am trying it for myself....
Did any of you IBS people ever see the 2004 Tom Hanks movie called Ladykillers? One of the characters in the movie explains that he met his girlfriend, "Mountain Girl" at an "Irritable Bowel Singles" weekend.
For an IBS sufferer, that is the funniest line in the movie.
"Some scientists believe that carrageenan can cause inflammation, digestive problems, such as bloating and irritable bowel disease (IBD), and even colon cancer."
"Other types of food that can make IBS symptoms worse include: ... In people who have IBS, fructose may not be digested as it should. This can cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating. An artificial sweetener called sorbitol."
Foods to avoid https://m.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/20-foods-to-avoid-with-ibs-control-your-symptoms/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=AB_GGL_US_MOBI-SearchMarketing&utm_content=g_t_178652877256&cus_widget=5467651389&utm_term=foods%20for%20ibs&cus_teaser=kwd-310723580&utm_acid=3040947159&utm_caid=366485438&utm_agid=26844494918&utm_os=&utm_pagetype=multi&gclid=CjwKCAiA__HvBRACEiwAbViuUz6OEsJxChn1C706g0XoWoHczGlOgbejSi7gbF2KHWUDGtf9zkauDRoCsLsQAvD_BwE
Irritable bowel almost never goes to chron's disease. One is auto immune but the other not. They are different animals. Motrin and other NSAIDS very bad for the bowel as well, block a needed enzyme forget the name but something like oxygenase. Tear up the mucus lining of the bowel. People thing them harmless but they are not a can cause real problems for those with diverticulitis.
There is a condition called lectin intolerance that mimics IBS and glutin intolerance. It is too complex to go into here but look it up on the internet (forget the ads). All foods, plant and animal, have lectin but the amount varies by food. Some food groups have foods I can tolerate but others I can't such as nightshade. Most I can do well with but don't put mushrooms in front of me. I also have DM and some of the do eat foods for DM are on the don't eat foods for lectin intolerance. Such as don't eat tree nuts, whole grains, beans (especially red which has the highest lectin they have found.) BUT much of it depends on how the food is prepared. Red beans are fine if soaked overnight and heated to a certain temp for a certain length of time. I take probiotics (Align) daily. I keep Imodium on hand and use as soon as the pain and cramping begins with excellent results. Simethicone (Gas-X) also helps with lesser symptoms. What to you have? Who knows? A good gastroenterologist may be able to figure it out but for the most part your can do it yourself by trial and error. Keep a food diary of what to eat and what not to eat and the effect it has on you, Don't assume automatically because the symptoms are so similar that you have IBS. Or you may have more than one issue
- First step - gastroenterologist. - Upper endoscopy. - Probiotics. - Otc Omeprazole. - Dietary changes - Watch for changeover to Chron's, which can be deadly. - IBS IS painful - know what food stuffs you're allergic to and eliminate them from your diet.
Probably unlikely, but my mom suffered for decades with what they told her was IBD etc. We took her to local hospitals, Mayo, Duke Univ... and even had a person gastroent. friend review her records. Nothing worked, no medication, no natural remedies. Finally, one day, at age 88, I brought her home from the hospital and got out her favorite angel food cake and some bread, thinking that was bland. It occurred to me that maybe that was the issue. It was... she was gluten intolerant and after removing all gluten, she never had another problem. It also got rid of her fibromyalgia. Due to age, and the fact I was unwilling to do a trial of going back on gluten for 30 days ... we couldn't have a diagnosis. But obvious that it worked as she didn't need any more prescriptions for the next 10 years. I'm sure she was one of very few that this worked for ... but Dr. friend found that he did have patients that actually had this and he had not thought that a senior citizen would not have it diagnosed. (it is fairly difficult to really figure out where all gluten comes from ...and we had to ask people not to bring her any food).
I went 100% Gluten free for 5 years. I already was cows milk dairy free. I can consume Goat's milk cheeses without issue.
When I was 100% gluten free it helped, but did not clear up all my symptoms and flare ups. The FODMAP elimination diet helped to to learn that many fruits and veggies are also a problem for me.
As a child, I could never understand why people gave me soda crackers when I had an upset tummy. When things are really bad I eat white rice with soy sauce (wheat free) or salt and vinegar potato chips.
As an adult I love most Asian foods, as generally they contain neither dairy or wheat. I like Middle Eastern foods for the same reason.
I was thrilled to discover Injera and Ethiopian food. Something about the Teff flour pancakes calms my tummy. I have looked at making them, but it is a multi day process.
AlvaDeer- Thank you! Yes, Bentyl is a very good medicine for the IBSD pain. So glad it works well for you as it does for me. These fit conditions are a pain!
Two suggestions. After having your doctor check for anything else going on (e.g. celiac), talk to your doctor and/or a dieatican about trialing the Low FODMAP diet (developed by Monash University Australia - scientifically proven to improve IBS in 75% of cases, see https://www.monashfodmap.com/ ). There is a Monash app (beware of other websites without up to date info!). Working with a dietician is the best way to fine tune things as it takes a while to get used to what food and drinks you can and can't have. Second... keep a diary of when you are stressed and your symptoms (you can do this on the Monash app) to see if stress makes things worse (issues with my mother's health is a trigger for me) - then try to find ways to relax which is easier said than done!
I did not mention stress in my first post, but several people have brought it up.
Stress used to be a huge trigger for me, but at the time I was unaware of how badly it was impacting my gut.
5.5 years ago my marriage ended, I was blindsided and it was ugly. I had to go off work due to a mental breakdown, It was hell. Yet, my IBS calmed right down, I went 2 weeks without having to run to the bathroom multiple times a day. I had been internalizing the stress in the marriage for years.
From the outside and at the time I would have said my situation was extremely stressful, but my body knew I had less stress after he left.
Midkid, I can understand your daughter on occasion eating something she knows will be a trigger. I love baked Brie, once a year or so I will have a few bites, knowing within 20 minutes I will be on the toilet for the first of many trips.
My migraine medication can be a trigger and IBS can leave me dehydrated, which leads to migraines. It is a viscous circle.
Yes to the stress part for me as well Tothill. In fact anxiety will surely bring it on and then you are in the cycle of chicken and egg. Which comes first. The anxiety or the certainty that anxiety will bring it on, and then there it is. Do try bentyl for those trips that go on and on with the spasms. It is so helpful for me.
I have Ulcerative colitis. My triggers are anything acidic and dairy, icecream is the worst. Every once in a while I have some. The next day is unbearable painful gas and flu like cramps. I take 4-6 digestive advantage a day (probiotic) this with avoiding triggers manages it pretty well. I know where every restroom is where ever I go :(
My daughter started with UC. Now it’s full blown Chron’s disease. Plus she has diabetes. I feel for you. It’s very hard watching my oldest daughter suffer with these issues.
You won't actually get rid of it, but you can work on managing symptoms. Learn what foods aggravate your symptoms and avoid those. It often starts with dairy (soft dairy like milk; you can probably tolerate regular cheese) and cruciferous vegetables and soy. The Low FODMAP diet gives you some additional guidelines. You may need to avoid onions, garlic and fructose. Eat lean protein like chicken breasts and grains like brown rice. When you have bad IBS days and diarrhea, switch to white rice for a couple of days until your stomach and gut settle down. Imodium can help get you through activities and appointments when you need to go out, but if you can lessen symptoms with dietary choices, you won't need the imodium too often.
Life is nothing if not ironic. My daughter has IBS, has for years and years. She is married to a gastroenterologist. Does she take his advice and is careful with her diet and such?
Heck no! It's much more fun to what you want and suffer (loudly).
She is on the KETO diet right now and I think she is doing well. If she's not, I hear about it.
Definitely see a specialist and be patient. Yes, there are a lot of foods that may trigger your bouts of IBS, but you can manage.
Just got home from a trip where I was hit with awful bowel issues over Nebraska somewhere. I was in the airplane lav for 45 minutes. I thought they were going to have to land the plane early, it was so bad. (I was just coming off chemotherapy and still having gut problems-shouldn't have gone cross country).
Made me so much more sympathetic to truly ill people.
See a registered dietician or "RD". Doctors are the worst when it comes to diet and nutrition. They spend all of about 5 seconds on it in medical school.
For a natural treatment 1. Water, lots of water 2. IB Guard, this is an OTC capsule with peppermint oil, really helped with pain for me. 3. Fiber, look it up there are different types. 4. Probiotic, for this to work you have to try the really expensive ones in my experience. I think after a while you do not notice any difference, maybe the flora in gut is balancing out?
For an un-natural treatment Linzess is good for opiate constipation and blockage. Amitiza works for other types.
My siblings and I went through the same thing. We all had our gall bladders removed before it started. I wonder if there is a correlation. Mine completely stopped a few years after retirement from a very stressful job. I also stopped using splenda at the same time so I am not sure what really stopped it. I feel bad for you. I suffered for 21 years.
Yes, there can be a correlation. Some people have problems with diarrhea after gallbladder removal. There is a medication you can take; speak to your doctor. (cholestyramine)
You may need to do an elimination diet - where you find out which foods are triggering the IBS. Or, you can just take notice of when it's worse. I found that I can eat chicken without problems but I have to watch and try to avoid all Soy products - not as easy as it sounds because Soy is in everything. Also, I no longer mix my meats at any one meal as that triggered IBS. I think it sent my stomach into constricting and cramping.
You also need to be using a decent Probiotic and maybe even a Prebiotic (I use tigernut) and I have been using NOW Candida Support for well over a year and no longer suffer with IBS.
Lastly, I add a pinch of Flax Seed to my food and it helps to keep me regular. I found it quite by accident when I bought a different brand of Oatmeal greatly reduced and Voila!, I was able to go without problems. I figured it had to be the Flax Seed and it was! I now use about 1/8th teaspoon daily and rarely need anything else to assist. I used to use generic milk of magnesia, but the Flax Seed is cheaper and easier to use. You can add it to anything you eat.
IBS is manageable but not curable. I was misdiagnosed last year as having IBS and in my research came across this website. I subscribe to emails and have purchased the Peppermint Oil capsules and I find them very helpful for my condition. They are available at CVS as well as Heather Van Vorous is on YouTube as well with recipes videos and other info. This is the most helpful website I have found and testimonies are proof that Heather's products and recipes are a great source of relief. Heather developed IBS at age nine but went undiagnosed for six long years. Her story and how she came to cope and help others is amazing. She has a book out "Eating for IBS" that is a best seller. I urge you to visit https://www.helpforibs.com and educate yourself on IBS, learn about triggers, cooking for IBS. I find Heather's information invaluable. She went from being unable to leave the house or hold a job to living a normal life, she really knows what she is talking about and everything in her approach is natural, not medication based. Take care of yourself.
As for IBS, a lot of people are ashamed to leave their homes because they don't like going to the toilet in public. I have IBS, too; I go where my rear end will fit and let it out there. I have made some lifestyle changes as well; it hardly ever rears its ugly head now. I had it big time when an aunt and uncle of mine died, a stressful job, and when I lost my parents. I also cannot drink the soft drink Mountain Dew because it will upset my stomach
The only permanent "fix" is a colostomy - removal of the colon and wearing a colostomy bag for the rest of your life. The better option is management: lots of fiber, avoiding trigger foods, and medications when needed. Yes, it is a pain in the a** to have to regulate your life so strictly, but it is do-able.
Fiber — LOTS of it. IBS runs in my family and taking fiber regularly is necessary. I take 2 fiber capsules every morning, without fail, otherwise I ping-pong between diarrhea and constipation every week or two. My half-brother takes a LOT more (like 16 or something??). My parents take Metamucil every day. Try it, but start small, because taking too much too soon gives you gas! Good luck.
After reading all the other responses, I realize I’m way out of my depth here. I’m sorry for your suffering. If you haven’t checked for food allergies or sensitivity, that might be helpful too.
My mom had unrelenting diarrhea and ended up hospitalized a few years ago. I know it's not the same situation, but the only thing that made it stop was Questran. Her gastroenterologist said it's used for high cholesterol but it works to stop diarrhea as well. Here is a quote from a website: "Cholestyramine (aka Questran) is a bile acid sequestrant that is generally considered as the first-line treatment for bile acid diarrhea. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have significant benefits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea." Ask your doctor about this medication. It was a lifesaver for my mom. Literally. Good luck.
IBS-D here. Plus BAM. Also three times hospitalized with acute diverticulitis, one of those with salmonella poisoning along with it. I am the bathroom queen, sadly. If you aren’t seeing a good, empathetic gastroenterologist, please do so. There are antispasmodics that can help relax the painful contractions. Imodium can slow things down. Dietary counseling, eliminating problem foods from the diet, can be helpful. Some get good results eating the low FODMAP diet. There can sometimes be more than one condition causing gut problems, so, if you don’t respond to the various medications and dietary changes, you could be one of those doubly unlucky people. I suffered more than fifty years, and was dismissed by way too many unknowing gastros. Do not settle for ignorance, if that happens to you. Move on, and find one who employs the whole toolkit. I was even told by a gastro, I wish you could get better control, when I took too much of his time. Well, duh, it’s not the person’s fault, not all in the person’s head. The next hospitalization for diverticulitis, different locale, the gastro checked me for parasitic infection, had salmonella. Not hardly in the head. Had a round of Cipro plus Flagyl, to attend to the infection. But still, the IBS persisted. When I still had diarrhea, he arranged a trial of Xifaxan, to make sure I didn’t have SIBO, too much bacteria in the small intestine. Very expensive, could not afford the copay. He persisted, managed to beg a two week trial from a drug rep, as I couldn’t qualify for the assistance programs. Still didn’t resolve my diarrhea, not a bit. The gastro finally decided on a trial of Cholestyramine, suspected I might have excess bile acid. Bingo! Somebody finally gave a chit, after my decades of suffering. We aren’t permitted the nuclear medicine test here in the US, to diagnose it, so most good gastros suspecting BAM, will order a trial of one of the binders, like Cholestyramine. So my IBSD was never in my head! I have to be treated for both IBSD and BAM, and they are lifelong conditions. Treatment isn’t perfect. In fact, I do not sleep through the night. Generally the binder works well enough to get me maybe six hours of sleep, then terrible stomach pain wakens me, which will not resolve until I get the medications and a few bathroom trips in the early morning. I can no longer make the long trip to visit my sons and grandchildren, by car, or air, due to the bowel conditions combination, plus I have hypoglycemic unawareness. I cannot drive the hours and hours alone anymore, even with constantly checking my blood sugar, every single rest stop, and having all the right foods with me to treat my diabetes. When my blood sugar goes low, it sneaks up on me until it becomes dangerous. By the time I realize I am disoriented, I am beyond just taking glucose tablets. I need a full meal and sleep. With all these severe symptomatic conditions, I’m pretty much homebound, at times. I can no longer work, despite badly needing the income. So, I have to tell friends I am sometimes unreliable, due to my medical conditions, as they sometimes come on suddenly. Very embarrassing. Not all friends will stick around a person who cancels often, and last minute. But when I am able, I do go out. Just can’t be predictable, or on a schedule. Right now I’m having post hip replacement physical therapy in afternoons, as mornings are the worst for people with these bowel conditions. I try to schedule all doctor appointments in the PM. Fasting bloodwork is hard, not being able to mix the Cholestyramine with liquid, to drink it, until after the bloodwork. But diabetes requires fasting bloodwork. Please get medical help, which can also include low dose antidepressants, commonly prescribed for IBS. And please don’t let it make you a recluse. Last evening I went to a post-campaign victory party, for a local political campaign I worked on. It really keeps a person grounded to continue going out and mixing with people.
I so enjoyed your writeup and it shows so perfectly what we all go through with this ongoing problem/disease. Does bentyl help your cramping at all? For me it is a lifesend. It is great. Works so very fast. Occ. I need two, one, and in about four hours another, but two almost always gets the cramping stopped, which for me has so much to do with the diarrhea.
Watch for triggers, anything from food to stress to perfumes can throw our systems into a frenzy.
If you are taking any antibiotics, be sure and take the probiotic 2 hours before or after, this allows enough time for everything to do its job without interacting, basically killing each other. I always take a probiotic supplement for every antibiotic, so 3x daily antibiotics equals 3x daily probiotic. I never have adverse symptoms from antibiotics anymore.
I would also recommend checking out high colonics. They really can help our bodies get back in balance and improve our health. Very weird, but you are dealing with people that choose to do this as a living because they absolutely believe in the health value of doing them.
I hate public bathrooms, so I can't go in them. It causes problems when traveling, but using the above keeps my system processing and healthy. I hope you have as good of luck with it all as I have.
Perhaps some tea to go with the water... Several teas from which to choose.. Try a couple, see if it works....
Walk a bit more, drink more water. have more fun.
Try more chicken broth, fresh.. instant pot...no added salt or other things...
It worked for my pets,,, poor lil guy hasn't thrown up in a couple days... Fresh chicken seems to be helping... so now I am trying it for myself....
Try syllium seed in juice water at night.. keep adding flluid so you don't choke. it leaves in the morning... usually.
eat lighter foods, smaller portions more often if you need to.
chew gum.
All I have to do to provoke an IBS attack is to wear white jeans.
Thanks for all the tips.
One of the characters in the movie explains that he met his girlfriend, "Mountain Girl" at an "Irritable Bowel Singles" weekend.
For an IBS sufferer, that is the funniest line in the movie.
"Some scientists believe that carrageenan can cause inflammation, digestive problems, such as bloating and irritable bowel disease (IBD), and even colon cancer."
"Other types of food that can make IBS symptoms worse include: ... In people who have IBS, fructose may not be digested as it should. This can cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating. An artificial sweetener called sorbitol."
Foods to avoid
https://m.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/20-foods-to-avoid-with-ibs-control-your-symptoms/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=AB_GGL_US_MOBI-SearchMarketing&utm_content=g_t_178652877256&cus_widget=5467651389&utm_term=foods%20for%20ibs&cus_teaser=kwd-310723580&utm_acid=3040947159&utm_caid=366485438&utm_agid=26844494918&utm_os=&utm_pagetype=multi&gclid=CjwKCAiA__HvBRACEiwAbViuUz6OEsJxChn1C706g0XoWoHczGlOgbejSi7gbF2KHWUDGtf9zkauDRoCsLsQAvD_BwE
- Upper endoscopy.
- Probiotics.
- Otc Omeprazole.
- Dietary changes
- Watch for changeover to Chron's, which can be deadly.
- IBS IS painful - know what food stuffs you're allergic to and eliminate them from your diet.
her any food).
I went 100% Gluten free for 5 years. I already was cows milk dairy free. I can consume Goat's milk cheeses without issue.
When I was 100% gluten free it helped, but did not clear up all my symptoms and flare ups. The FODMAP elimination diet helped to to learn that many fruits and veggies are also a problem for me.
As a child, I could never understand why people gave me soda crackers when I had an upset tummy. When things are really bad I eat white rice with soy sauce (wheat free) or salt and vinegar potato chips.
As an adult I love most Asian foods, as generally they contain neither dairy or wheat. I like Middle Eastern foods for the same reason.
I was thrilled to discover Injera and Ethiopian food. Something about the Teff flour pancakes calms my tummy. I have looked at making them, but it is a multi day process.
Thank you! Yes, Bentyl is a very good medicine for the IBSD pain. So glad it works well for you as it does for me. These fit conditions are a pain!
Stress used to be a huge trigger for me, but at the time I was unaware of how badly it was impacting my gut.
5.5 years ago my marriage ended, I was blindsided and it was ugly. I had to go off work due to a mental breakdown, It was hell. Yet, my IBS calmed right down, I went 2 weeks without having to run to the bathroom multiple times a day. I had been internalizing the stress in the marriage for years.
From the outside and at the time I would have said my situation was extremely stressful, but my body knew I had less stress after he left.
Midkid, I can understand your daughter on occasion eating something she knows will be a trigger. I love baked Brie, once a year or so I will have a few bites, knowing within 20 minutes I will be on the toilet for the first of many trips.
My migraine medication can be a trigger and IBS can leave me dehydrated, which leads to migraines. It is a viscous circle.
Eat lean protein like chicken breasts and grains like brown rice. When you have bad IBS days and diarrhea, switch to white rice for a couple of days until your stomach and gut settle down.
Imodium can help get you through activities and appointments when you need to go out, but if you can lessen symptoms with dietary choices, you won't need the imodium too often.
My daughter has IBS, has for years and years. She is married to a gastroenterologist. Does she take his advice and is careful with her diet and such?
Heck no! It's much more fun to what you want and suffer (loudly).
She is on the KETO diet right now and I think she is doing well. If she's not, I hear about it.
Definitely see a specialist and be patient. Yes, there are a lot of foods that may trigger your bouts of IBS, but you can manage.
Just got home from a trip where I was hit with awful bowel issues over Nebraska somewhere. I was in the airplane lav for 45 minutes. I thought they were going to have to land the plane early, it was so bad. (I was just coming off chemotherapy and still having gut problems-shouldn't have gone cross country).
Made me so much more sympathetic to truly ill people.
1. Water, lots of water
2. IB Guard, this is an OTC capsule with peppermint oil, really helped with pain for me.
3. Fiber, look it up there are different types.
4. Probiotic, for this to work you have to try the really expensive ones in my experience. I think after a while you do not notice any difference, maybe the flora in gut is balancing out?
For an un-natural treatment Linzess is good for opiate constipation and blockage. Amitiza works for other types.
You also need to be using a decent Probiotic and maybe even a Prebiotic (I use tigernut) and I have been using NOW Candida Support for well over a year and no longer suffer with IBS.
Lastly, I add a pinch of Flax Seed to my food and it helps to keep me regular. I found it quite by accident when I bought a different brand of Oatmeal greatly reduced and Voila!, I was able to go without problems. I figured it had to be the Flax Seed and it was! I now use about 1/8th teaspoon daily and rarely need anything else to assist. I used to use generic milk of magnesia, but the Flax Seed is cheaper and easier to use. You can add it to anything you eat.
Good Luck to you, I hope it helps.
"Cholestyramine (aka Questran) is a bile acid sequestrant that is generally considered as the first-line treatment for bile acid diarrhea. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have significant benefits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea."
Ask your doctor about this medication. It was a lifesaver for my mom. Literally. Good luck.
If you aren’t seeing a good, empathetic gastroenterologist, please do so. There are antispasmodics that can help relax the painful contractions. Imodium can slow things down. Dietary counseling, eliminating problem foods from the diet, can be helpful. Some get good results eating the low FODMAP diet. There can sometimes be more than one condition causing gut problems, so, if you don’t respond to the various medications and dietary changes, you could be one of those doubly unlucky people. I suffered more than fifty years, and was dismissed by way too many unknowing gastros. Do not settle for ignorance, if that happens to you. Move on, and find one who employs the whole toolkit. I was even told by a gastro, I wish you could get better control, when I took too much of his time. Well, duh, it’s not the person’s fault, not all in the person’s head. The next hospitalization for diverticulitis, different locale, the gastro checked me for parasitic infection, had salmonella. Not hardly in the head. Had a round of Cipro plus Flagyl, to attend to the infection. But still, the IBS persisted. When I still had diarrhea, he arranged a trial of Xifaxan, to make sure I didn’t have SIBO, too much bacteria in the small intestine. Very expensive, could not afford the copay. He persisted, managed to beg a two week trial from a drug rep, as I couldn’t qualify for the assistance programs. Still didn’t resolve my diarrhea, not a bit. The gastro finally decided on a trial of Cholestyramine, suspected I might have excess bile acid. Bingo! Somebody finally gave a chit, after my decades of suffering. We aren’t permitted the nuclear medicine test here in the US, to diagnose it, so most good gastros suspecting BAM, will order a trial of one of the binders, like Cholestyramine. So my IBSD was never in my head! I have to be treated for both IBSD and BAM, and they are lifelong conditions. Treatment isn’t perfect. In fact, I do not sleep through the night. Generally the binder works well enough to get me maybe six hours of sleep, then terrible stomach pain wakens me, which will not resolve until I get the medications and a few bathroom trips in the early morning.
I can no longer make the long trip to visit my sons and grandchildren, by car, or air, due to the bowel conditions combination, plus I have hypoglycemic unawareness. I cannot drive the hours and hours alone anymore, even with constantly checking my blood sugar, every single rest stop, and having all the right foods with me to treat my diabetes. When my blood sugar goes low, it sneaks up on me until it becomes dangerous. By the time I realize I am disoriented, I am beyond just taking glucose tablets. I need a full meal and sleep. With all these severe symptomatic conditions, I’m pretty much homebound, at times. I can no longer work, despite badly needing the income. So, I have to tell friends I am sometimes unreliable, due to my medical conditions, as they sometimes come on suddenly. Very embarrassing. Not all friends will stick around a person who cancels often, and last minute. But when I am able, I do go out. Just can’t be predictable, or on a schedule. Right now I’m having post hip replacement physical therapy in afternoons, as mornings are the worst for people with these bowel conditions. I try to schedule all doctor appointments in the PM.
Fasting bloodwork is hard, not being able to mix the Cholestyramine with liquid, to drink it, until after the bloodwork. But diabetes requires fasting bloodwork.
Please get medical help, which can also include low dose antidepressants, commonly prescribed for IBS. And please don’t let it make you a recluse. Last evening I went to a post-campaign victory party, for a local political campaign I worked on. It really keeps a person grounded to continue going out and mixing with people.