How do you manage daily life with IBS-D?

Suggest you see a nutritionist about the Low FODMAP diet.

I will look into it , thank you

Has anyone successfully worked with an Integrative Medicine specialist for multiple digestive issues including IBS and GERD? A friend referred me to someone who is a PhD in integrated medicine. I think some practicing in this specialty may also be MDs or DOs. Anyway, this partiuclar person is supposed to be very competent and has had success treating IBS patients.

Hello @jackiem95,

You may notice that I moved your message to this discussion about IBS as I thought it would be beneficial to bring more people into the conversation.

You’ve asked a very pertinent question – the need to address gaps in conventional treatment for IBS, GERD and a few other digestive issues is an important priority. Integrative medicine can help people with many conditions better manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life by reducing fatigue, pain and anxiety. Here’s some information from Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20393587
These published studies might interest you as well:

– Complementary and alternative medicines in irritable bowel syndrome: An integrative view https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3923011/
– Acupuncture and related therapies for treating irritable bowel syndrome https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1756284818820438
– Remedial yoga module remarkably improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382015300561

Every morning upon awakening I have a dull stomachache, just an overall feeling of malaise. Usually around noon I start to feel better and continue with my regular activities. Could this just be anxiety? Anybody have this problem?

How can a person with IBSD have surgery on knee or hammer toes when I also have depression and anxiety disorder. I can't

How do others handle constipation? Usually I have diarrhea. Been taking IbGard.

I had a colonoscopy today and they told me I have IBS. I have suffered for months with episodes of violent diarrhea and vomitting. I am wondering what are some steps I can take to make this improve.

I feel for you. I remember hearing, in a drug-filled haze, the word "normal" when I was waking up from my colonoscopy. I wanted to cry. I have severe symptoms and nothing has given me much relief. My regular doctor has been treating it (or trying to) for a few months, but I think I'll go back to the gastro to get medicine that only he can prescribe (I can't think of the name right now, but it's on the Mayo Clinic site about IBS). Lomodal has helped a bit. Have you tried it? Also, you could try Marinol for the nausea, though it makes you pretty spacy (or it did me--my doc won't give it to me anymore.) Good luck to you! let me know if you find something that works!

I too have been struggling with IBS for numerous years and I left it unattended and now deal with diverticulitis. Don’t do this… treat yourself NOW!

If not taken care of you eventually will end up with some kind of surgery to remove the pouch’s that is causing the pain and inflammation.

I had what was called hand assisted sigmoid (literally cutting you open and pulling out your colon/intestine and cutting it off) in December 2009. Can I say it was easy? No. Do I feel better? Yes. Unfortunately I was advised after surgery that it wasn’t only in the lower part of the colon as originally thought I have pockets all through the colon/intestine.

I stay on a strict diet of no raw vegetables, no fresh fruit, no peanuts, pop-corn, any thing with a hull, no spice (salt and pepper are my best friend), no hot items, as in salsa, green peppers (any peppers), no salads, the list is endless. Is it hard? Yes. I have sampled a few of the above only to pay a dear price for it and it’s not worth the pain. If I chose to go back to the old habits then I chose to have all of my colon/intestine removed.

Because you seem to be in the early stages, you could follow the above listed for items not to eat a couple of weeks to get our IBS under control. Then you can slowly add an item back. If this item irritates your system mark it off the list for awhile.

Trust me; don’t be as stubborn as I was as I lived on mashed potatoes and baby food way too long. If you can get a hold of it in the early stages life will be so much better.

I wish you luck and surf the net for list of items that can help. Give it a try…..