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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Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

Thanks, JK. Actually on my Low FODMAP Diet for IBS I have already eliminated lactose—along with gluten, fructose, etc. etc.

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@jackiem95 I have never familiarized myself with the low FODMAP diet, but giving up gluten and fructose along with lactose must leave very little that you can eat. I hope that will not happen to me. I can’t imagine giving so much up and still having problems. Are there any theories at all about what could be causing your problem?
JK

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Profile picture for JK @contentandwell

@jackiem95 I have never familiarized myself with the low FODMAP diet, but giving up gluten and fructose along with lactose must leave very little that you can eat. I hope that will not happen to me. I can’t imagine giving so much up and still having problems. Are there any theories at all about what could be causing your problem?
JK

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Other than the IBS, not really. As I mentioned, the doctor recommended taking Metamucil but I have enough trouble with gas already.

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Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

In the ever changing world of IBS (which for me started with diarrhea, then shifted to alternating diarrhea/constipation and now to at least being mostly consistent and under control (for which I am thankful!), I now have really soft stools. It is a major mess to clean myself up and actually am never really clean back there. Plus the hemorrhoids have flared up. Doctor tells me to take Metamucil with my protein powder drink but that just gives me major gas problems. Has anyone else been able to firm up their BMs successfully?

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Regarding fiber and Metamucil- I had started with that, had gas issues and GI told me to try Citrucel- different fiber- that doesn’t cause gas like Metamucil does. It has been fine.
Regarding lactose intolerance- I would use Lactaid milk, cottage cheese and ice cream but ignore the fact that I reacted to pizza and other foods and cakes with dairy. Recently I started carrying the lactose enzyme tablets - could eat dairy products without the gas bloat.

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Profile picture for Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor @astaingegerdm

Regarding fiber and Metamucil- I had started with that, had gas issues and GI told me to try Citrucel- different fiber- that doesn’t cause gas like Metamucil does. It has been fine.
Regarding lactose intolerance- I would use Lactaid milk, cottage cheese and ice cream but ignore the fact that I reacted to pizza and other foods and cakes with dairy. Recently I started carrying the lactose enzyme tablets - could eat dairy products without the gas bloat.

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@astaingegerdm I am getting 2% lactose free yogurt at Whole Foods along with lactose free cream cheese and half and half. All are really dairy products.

A couple of people told me that they had better success with Digestive Advantage, Dairy defense formula. I am finding it to be more effective than lactaid, which gave no help. I had a little goat cheese on my salad at lunch and have only had a slight problem so far. Some people can apparently eat goat cheese without a problem but I had not been able to.
JK

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Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

In the ever changing world of IBS (which for me started with diarrhea, then shifted to alternating diarrhea/constipation and now to at least being mostly consistent and under control (for which I am thankful!), I now have really soft stools. It is a major mess to clean myself up and actually am never really clean back there. Plus the hemorrhoids have flared up. Doctor tells me to take Metamucil with my protein powder drink but that just gives me major gas problems. Has anyone else been able to firm up their BMs successfully?

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Hi everybody,

I thought you might like to view this video about FODMAPs, celiac disease, IBS:
– A Map for the FODMAP Diet https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/a-map-for-the-fodmap-diet/

Follow the "Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Page" on Connect, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/ where you can browse through newsfeed posts from Mayo Clinic experts, learn about clinical trials and up-to-date research, and find resources for all your gastroenterology needs.

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Profile picture for crj @crj

I'm 69 years old and have had IBS with panic attacks my whole adult life. It has stopped me from doing so many things. When I've had to go places; it would make me so anxious. I've been check by quite a few doctors over the years and none of the medicines or suggestions have been full proof.
Twelve years ago I divorced my husband of 35 years and have done very little dating because of the IBS with panic attacks. I've wasted my life because of this awful condition and have been a prisoner. Well...that's my story. Is there any words of advise out there for me? I don't have that many years left and I sure would like to get out there and live.

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Hello , im sorry that u are suffering from this , but i gotta ask , did u try Probiotic 50 Billion ? give it a Try - And also Try to Diet
Hope u will be better soon

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Profile picture for crj @crj

I'm 69 years old and have had IBS with panic attacks my whole adult life. It has stopped me from doing so many things. When I've had to go places; it would make me so anxious. I've been check by quite a few doctors over the years and none of the medicines or suggestions have been full proof.
Twelve years ago I divorced my husband of 35 years and have done very little dating because of the IBS with panic attacks. I've wasted my life because of this awful condition and have been a prisoner. Well...that's my story. Is there any words of advise out there for me? I don't have that many years left and I sure would like to get out there and live.

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I have IBS and found probiotics were useless. Tried several kinds recommended by GI and integrative medicine MD. All probiotics did for me was to produce more gas—just what I don’t need!! Have you seen a registered nutritionist? I am on the Low Fodmap diet which has really helped control my symptoms. Almost never have that”gotta go right now” urge. This diet is VERY restrictive and you need to work with a nutritionist to implement it and see if it works for you. I also saw an integrative medicine doctor. She recommended some supplements which have helped stabilize my weight. I have lost 40 lbs—too much but at least I feel human again. Going out to eat is a real challenge (especially with both IBS and GERD limitations)but I now have found some restaurants that offer a few things I can have. I sure miss my Mexican and Italian favorites, though!
Life Gordon. Good luck to you!

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Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

I have IBS and found probiotics were useless. Tried several kinds recommended by GI and integrative medicine MD. All probiotics did for me was to produce more gas—just what I don’t need!! Have you seen a registered nutritionist? I am on the Low Fodmap diet which has really helped control my symptoms. Almost never have that”gotta go right now” urge. This diet is VERY restrictive and you need to work with a nutritionist to implement it and see if it works for you. I also saw an integrative medicine doctor. She recommended some supplements which have helped stabilize my weight. I have lost 40 lbs—too much but at least I feel human again. Going out to eat is a real challenge (especially with both IBS and GERD limitations)but I now have found some restaurants that offer a few things I can have. I sure miss my Mexican and Italian favorites, though!
Life Gordon. Good luck to you!

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hello , sometimes any medicine not just the probiotic may not work with u .. but with someone else they do and i think u know that
so she should Try the probiotic , and u know she is 69 so she need the good bactiria in the gut ..
my Mom and Father they tried the probiotic , they had iBS problem and after 3 month from using it .. they were Happy!

good luck !

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Profile picture for crj @crj

I'm 69 years old and have had IBS with panic attacks my whole adult life. It has stopped me from doing so many things. When I've had to go places; it would make me so anxious. I've been check by quite a few doctors over the years and none of the medicines or suggestions have been full proof.
Twelve years ago I divorced my husband of 35 years and have done very little dating because of the IBS with panic attacks. I've wasted my life because of this awful condition and have been a prisoner. Well...that's my story. Is there any words of advise out there for me? I don't have that many years left and I sure would like to get out there and live.

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Hi crj @crj
Have you by any chance tried a gluten free diet? That has worked relatively well for me for about 6 years and it has been quite easy to follow.
Best of luck.

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Profile picture for baz10 @baz10

Hi crj @crj
Have you by any chance tried a gluten free diet? That has worked relatively well for me for about 6 years and it has been quite easy to follow.
Best of luck.

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Thank you! I’ve thought about gluten free but it seems complicated and I do like my regular carbs. I will research gluten free now. Thanks!!!!

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