1. < Digestive Health

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Oct 30, 2019

I just had a colonoscopy 2 months ago so I know there's nothing really wrong. But everytime I get overly stressed I wind up with what I think is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I get diahrea, abdominal pain - gas like - and when it hits, I've got to get to the bathroom pronto! I usually don't go anywhere on those days. It only lasts about a half day or a day, but on those days I wear a Depends, just in case I don't make it. After the spell is over, my abdomon feels as though it's been purged. I do have Bipolar 2, and when stress hits, this is how it manifests itself. I usually take Immodium - I only need 1 or 2, but it really leaves me dragging. I just want to lay down and sleep.
Any suggestions on anything else to do besides what I'm doing?
Abby

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catsue | @catsue | Jan 20, 2020

Years ago I dealt w IBS. Then I went on Lyrica for Chronic pain and the IBS symptoms disappeared for years. I had to go off of lyrica about a year ago bc it was no longer working. I still take Cymbalta and Amalodapine. I am suffering w anxiety and terrible lower GI discomfort. I recently had to have wrist surgery due to a break and was on hydrocodone 2 days and IBS flated so bad I cannot get relief from it. Anyone have any suggestions how to reset my GI tract?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 20, 2020
In reply to @catsue "Years ago I dealt w IBS. Then I went on Lyrica for Chronic pain and the..." + (show)
@catsue

Years ago I dealt w IBS. Then I went on Lyrica for Chronic pain and the IBS symptoms disappeared for years. I had to go off of lyrica about a year ago bc it was no longer working. I still take Cymbalta and Amalodapine. I am suffering w anxiety and terrible lower GI discomfort. I recently had to have wrist surgery due to a break and was on hydrocodone 2 days and IBS flated so bad I cannot get relief from it. Anyone have any suggestions how to reset my GI tract?

Jump to this post

Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?" I did this so that you can connect with others dealing with IBS. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.

Catsue, how were the IBS symptoms when you first came of Lyrica a year ago? How long has it been since you took hydrocodone after surgery?

Hi @branch, do you have a diary intolerance? How do you manage IBS?

REPLY
4 replies
catsue | @catsue | Jan 20, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?" I did this so that you can connect with others dealing with IBS. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.

Catsue, how were the IBS symptoms when you first came of Lyrica a year ago? How long has it been since you took hydrocodone after surgery?

Hi @branch, do you have a diary intolerance? How do you manage IBS?

Jump to this post

Thx

REPLY
catsue | @catsue | Jan 20, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?" I did this so that you can connect with others dealing with IBS. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.

Catsue, how were the IBS symptoms when you first came of Lyrica a year ago? How long has it been since you took hydrocodone after surgery?

Hi @branch, do you have a diary intolerance? How do you manage IBS?

Jump to this post

Yes I only eat Greek yogurt pretty much were dairy is concerned. I have been off hydrocodone for over a week now.

REPLY
beverlymarks | @beverlymarks | Jan 20, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?" I did this so that you can connect with others dealing with IBS. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.

Catsue, how were the IBS symptoms when you first came of Lyrica a year ago? How long has it been since you took hydrocodone after surgery?

Hi @branch, do you have a diary intolerance? How do you manage IBS?

Jump to this post

I am so aware of what you going through.I live on Bentyl 10mg and Imodium. I watch what I eat that's not always the answer. I also have a heating pad at night.I wished I had something for positive. I Empathize with you..

REPLY
branch | @branch | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @catsue, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): How do you manage it?" I did this so that you can connect with others dealing with IBS. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.

Catsue, how were the IBS symptoms when you first came of Lyrica a year ago? How long has it been since you took hydrocodone after surgery?

Hi @branch, do you have a diary intolerance? How do you manage IBS?

Jump to this post

yes, I do have dairy intolerance. Have been diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I have success with following Low Fodmap diet closely, have been able to add some foods back. Also intolerant to ALL artificial sweeteners including high fructose corn syrup. I eat very few raw fruits & veggies, took trial & error to find which I can tolerate. Can eat most veggies if thoroughly cooked except beans, peas, etc. Reading labels is important.

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1 reply
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @beverlymarks "I understand what Irritable bowel syndrome is I have it.I have adrenaleukodystrophy and that is one..." + (show)
@beverlymarks

I understand what Irritable bowel syndrome is I have it.I have adrenaleukodystrophy and that is one of the many problems.When I stress my ibs acts up. I am living on Bentyl and Imodium. I am always prepared never know. I have cramps when this happens and just want to be in bed with a heating pad.I also noticed eating certain foods it also triggers it. My friends don't understand. If you can ask your Dr for Bentyl it does ease it.

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Does heating pad help? I have not been diagnosed yet with IBS, and wonder if I have it, but I get bad stomach aches after I eat or if I'm hungry. I've been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and they intend to operate to close it up, but I'm wondering about my stomach, too, which has not been examined.

REPLY
1 reply
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @branch "yes, I do have dairy intolerance. Have been diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I have success with..." + (show)
@branch

yes, I do have dairy intolerance. Have been diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I have success with following Low Fodmap diet closely, have been able to add some foods back. Also intolerant to ALL artificial sweeteners including high fructose corn syrup. I eat very few raw fruits & veggies, took trial & error to find which I can tolerate. Can eat most veggies if thoroughly cooked except beans, peas, etc. Reading labels is important.

Jump to this post

Very interesting. I should take note of how I feel after eating various foods. How did you take note? I'll look up Low Fodmap diet. (They've diagnosed me with inguinal hernia, am having operation in a few weeks, but my stomach area also hurts a lot.)

REPLY
beverlymarks | @beverlymarks | Jan 25, 2020
In reply to @cindiwass "Does heating pad help? I have not been diagnosed yet with IBS, and wonder if I..." + (show)
@cindiwass

Does heating pad help? I have not been diagnosed yet with IBS, and wonder if I have it, but I get bad stomach aches after I eat or if I'm hungry. I've been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and they intend to operate to close it up, but I'm wondering about my stomach, too, which has not been examined.

Jump to this post

Using a heating pad has helped me with the cramps until the pain was relieved.Also with the medication I take,I don't know how long this will continue to work for. I try to only eat certain foods,that doesn't always help.

REPLY
1 reply
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Jan 25, 2020
In reply to @beverlymarks "Using a heating pad has helped me with the cramps until the pain was relieved.Also with..." + (show)
@beverlymarks

Using a heating pad has helped me with the cramps until the pain was relieved.Also with the medication I take,I don't know how long this will continue to work for. I try to only eat certain foods,that doesn't always help.

Jump to this post

Does the heating pad help you to move your bowels? I also looked up fodmap and am working on it.

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