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IBS challenges

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Aug 8, 2017

Hi .... I don't think there's a group for this, so I thought I'd try you all. I have been prone to IBS with constipation since my divorce 12 years ago - we were married for 40 years and I felt as though I'd been thrown away. My gastro-intestinal doctor suggested Metamucil, which seemed to work. Between then and now I've had 3 moves, one about 4 hours from where I'd lived for 30 years, a TKR and also a revision, am on several psychotropic medications for cyclothymia, and just feel awful. Well, I'm 73 and have had my teeth removed in order to get dentures .... there's been quite a harang with this and it's been over a year since I've been eating soft and pureed foods .... cream of wheat, soups (pureed), pureed spaghetti, if I do eat a piece of fruit it has to be pureed, but I try not to. It's been a long haul. Well, now I'm packing to move to a low-income apartment closer to my girls, and the IBS has become the diahrrhea form ..... OMG, it's awful. I'm afraid to go out. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm new down here and only have an Internist, but with moving that will have to change. I need the name of a good gastro-enterologist at the hospital I will be using. In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'm forced to use pads right now "just in case" ..... I know this is anxiety and tension, but it's got to stop.
Thanks much,
abby

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creondave | @creondave | Mar 17 7:59pm
In reply to @birk "Hi, my brother (getting close to 30) has for a long time now struggled with irritable..." + (show)
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Hi, my brother (getting close to 30) has for a long time now struggled with irritable bowel. He has been with multiple doctors, however he is still not able to manage a normal lifestyle.My main concern is in his food intake. He is not able to eat properly because it immediately leads to stomach pain. He have to go to the toilet multiple times a day, each time being 2 hours long if not more. This also makes it psychologically scary to eat food or even drink water, because he knows it will lead to intense stomach pain. At the same time he knows that he needs food, especially with fiber, to heal. However much of this food can give even more pain.He is constantly at the mercy of his stomach which leads to his sleeping cycle to be altered. If someone have experience like this and have advice on how to eat food and drink when it turns to pain?

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I would suggest getting checked for EPI( Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), a LOW Fodmap diet, SIBO, and allergies with a gastrointestinal specialist. Perhaps a thyroid check as well.

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faye0707 | @faye0707 | Mar 19 9:18am
In reply to @margo42 "Have you had a colonoscopy with biopsies to test for microscopic colitis?" + (show)
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Have you had a colonoscopy with biopsies to test for microscopic colitis?

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Yes I have but they said all was good. Thanks

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faye0707 | @faye0707 | Mar 19 9:25am
In reply to @frannee "Get tested for EPI (Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency). I was like you for years until finally a..." + (show)
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Get tested for EPI (Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency). I was like you for years until finally a new Dr had me have a stool test and came back that I have moderate EPI. There is medicine for this and I am like new now.

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I have been tested 3x in the last year for EPI and my Gastro said I don’t have it. However my Endocrinologist said I should take it because sometimes the tests are wrong. My Gastro disagrees. As of right now my Gastro is starting me on Xifacan (not sure spelt that right). If this doesn’t help I may just get a prescription for EPI from my Endocrinologist. Thanks for your help.

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faye0707 | @faye0707 | Mar 19 9:33am
In reply to @mrsflutterby "Make sure and get the breath test for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overload.) My incontinence turned..." + (show)
Profile picture for mrsflutterby @mrsflutterby

Make sure and get the breath test for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overload.) My incontinence turned out to be a Hydrogen Sulfide overload and once treated, I’m back to almost normal!

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Thanks. I will definitely check into that. Did you have chronic diarrhea also?

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faye0707 | @faye0707 | Mar 19 9:46am
In reply to @rashida "@faye0707 I have been having stomach cramps and diarrhea lately - although not to the point..." + (show)
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@faye0707 I have been having stomach cramps and diarrhea lately - although not to the point of incontinence - and my doctor told me it was irritable bowel syndrome (I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy last April). She has suggested that I take peppermint oil capsules since I am reluctant to take prescription medications.

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I was diagnosed with IBS about 40 years ago. If I tried peppermint oil I don’t remember but it sounds like a good place to start. In my years of seeing multiple specialists I have found that when a painful attack comes on I take Imodium. It normally stops the cramping and then I am able to lay down with a heating pad. Most of the time I take prescription strength ibuprofen which is 800 mg.

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kb2014 | @kb2014 | Mar 20 12:05am
In reply to @faye0707 "I am 62 and have suffered from IBS for about 35 years. This year I started..." + (show)
Profile picture for faye0707 @faye0707

I am 62 and have suffered from IBS for about 35 years. This year I started having daily diarrhea and bowel incontinence. I have been through tons of tests and the doctors haven’t found anything. My doctor hasn’t tested me for any cause of the incontinence yet he has been focusing on any other cause of the diarrhea besides my IBS. My quality of life has gone from active to housebound unless I take4 Imodium I can go out for the day but I can’t do this but once a week because it causes bad stomach pain. Hoping there are others out there who might offer help.

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My neurologist suggested today I could have this. I take lamotrigine for seizure prevention. He lowered the dose bit O am moving on with visit to my primary the GI. Going to start the fodmap diet. I havd been under tremendous stress and on top of that have ptsd. Any insight is appreciated. What about escitalpram? O take it. Was on 10mg. I reduced to 5mg
I think my symptoms got worse from that

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mrsflutterby | @mrsflutterby | Mar 20 1:40am
In reply to @faye0707 "Thanks. I will definitely check into that. Did you have chronic diarrhea also?" + (show)
Profile picture for faye0707 @faye0707

Thanks. I will definitely check into that. Did you have chronic diarrhea also?

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Yes, after taking Xifaxan for the SIBO. I switched from IBS-C to IBS-D.

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Mar 21 8:14am
In reply to @faye0707 "I was diagnosed with IBS about 40 years ago. If I tried peppermint oil I don’t..." + (show)
Profile picture for faye0707 @faye0707

I was diagnosed with IBS about 40 years ago. If I tried peppermint oil I don’t remember but it sounds like a good place to start. In my years of seeing multiple specialists I have found that when a painful attack comes on I take Imodium. It normally stops the cramping and then I am able to lay down with a heating pad. Most of the time I take prescription strength ibuprofen which is 800 mg.

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My physician prescribed Tylenol with codeine. Works tremendously when I get an attack including pain.

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faye0707 | @faye0707 | Mar 22 9:09am
In reply to @faye0707 "Thanks. I will definitely check into that. Did you have chronic diarrhea also?" + (show)
Profile picture for faye0707 @faye0707

Thanks. I will definitely check into that. Did you have chronic diarrhea also?

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Yes every day. I have to take 4 Imodium to leave the house.

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1 reply
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kb2014 | @kb2014 | Mar 22 2:13pm
In reply to @faye0707 "Yes every day. I have to take 4 Imodium to leave the house." + (show)
Profile picture for faye0707 @faye0707

Yes every day. I have to take 4 Imodium to leave the house.

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I am sorry sorry and I understand. I go to the bathroom a lot. I am just getting into this possible diagnosis for myself. I have an upcoming appt with my primary and also will schedule with a GI specialist. I am learning about dietary issues and medication related to IBS. I will try Peppermint oil or tea too.

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