How do you manage daily life with IBS-D?

Mine was diagnosed through a fecal test and other tests also.
I take enzyme replacement therapy (Zenpep) to digest my food and yes I do receive B-12 shits every month in addition to vitamin and mineral supplements. I also supplement with Orgain protein (and no I do not receive any remuneration for recommending it). I have chosen to avoid sugar as to avoid the additional medication to digest simple carbs. I am NOT diabetic, it just requires a different therapy to digest sugar/simple carbs. I am able to digest complex carbohydrates and I am very thankful to be able to finally have a normal life without fear of embarrassment due to daily diarrhea, fainting, and looking like a refugee!. It’s been a whole new world for me after so many years of misdiagnosis and misery. I now have good muscle development am now up to 102 lbs. I’m looking forward to actually being able to wear summer clothes w/o fear of embarrassment 🤗

Iam so happy for you! You have been through alot. I just had my B12 levels checked and it came back OK. The next thing will probably be EPI test. Iam 77 and have had diarrhea problems since I was 25. At that time, I was diagnosed with "Over Active Bowels" the years went by with intermittent diarrhea and I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis with narrowing in the Sigmoid Colon. By this time, I was diagnosed with IBS-D. I ended up having a partial Sigmoidectomy for my Chronic Diverticulitus. It didn't completely get rid of the diarrhea...I still get it. In December of last year After months of gold colored floating poop, I started having stomach pain mainly on the right side and dry heaves. I ended up in the ER with emergency surgery of a gangrenous gallbladder. After surgery my poop color improved but the diarrhea andvfloating poop continued. The diarrhea isn't as bad but I still suffer from lots of noxious gas and unpredictable bowel movements. Also my poop still floats which can mean malabsorption problems. I also had weight loss. I was also told that GB removal can make IBS-D worse for a period of time. The next thing will be to check for EPI.

I’m so sorry you have had to go through all this misery. Praying you get some answers soon. And get ANSWERS that will change your life for the better. I’m here, and while I can’t change anything for you please know I care and am hoping and praying for the best.

Thank you! You are so kind! I have learned to take it one day at a time. There are so many people worse off than I but I do get sick of the gut issues and planning my life around them.

Totally understandable but I’m so thankful you are determined.
There is hope!❤️‍🩹

If this is too personal I will u derstand completely. Before being diagnosed with EPI, were your BMs always runny? Did they have what appeared to be fat or oil in them? Did they float? What color were they? Again, Iam so sorry for asking these embarrassing questions but you are the first person I have talked to with EPI.

I totally understand!
The answers are yes to all of the above. I was treated with numerous IBS-D meds that didn’t help at all. The lomotil and dicyclomine was the only thing that kinda helped and even then wasn’t a perfect answer. I was accused of being addicted to lomotil. It was beyond humiliating.
I wouldn’t even venture a guess at the number of underwear left in the trash in bathrooms across the US and Canada. It was “gallows humor” in my family.
There’s not much that embarrasses me!!! The enzyme replacement therapy has been an absolute miracle in my life.
No more accidents and no more abdominal pain, nausea and cramping anymore.
I can now eat all the fresh, healthy foods I desire w/o fear of an accident. I used to just skip eating when I was working so as to prevent an accident.
I do have to avoid sugar…and by that I mean anything processed with sugar. I CAN eat ALL the fresh fruit that I want, just not desserts. Added sugars (simple) carbs are digested in the stomach and require another kind of enzyme.
I just got prefer to avoid desserts so I don't have to take ANOTHER medication…but I’m happy to avoid desserts. I CAN eat baked goodies that I prepare using Stevia, so I’m a happy camper.
Now, like I said, I’m not a dr or health professional of ANY kind.
Just a caring soul that is hoping and praying that you will find the answers to get you thriving!!!
I’m still getting used to my new “life”!!! I started the Enzyme replacement therapy in January and I’m still reveling in my newfound freedom. I joined a gym to build muscle to protect and cover my bones and am looking forward to wearing shorts and swimsuits this summer since I will no longer look like a refugee!!!
I KNOW it’s hard, but try to keep a sense of humor too! My loving family is just as happy as I am to finally have a normal life that’s not governed by my colon! ❤️‍🩹

I will be looking into the epi. I was just trying g to give my body a chance to reset itself after having a diseased gallbladder and removal 41/2 Months ago. I had a Giant Schnauzer that had chronic diarrhea and after many vet visits and finally taking her through the Vets at UCD we found she had EPI. She also had B12 deficiency. I had to put digestive enzymes in her food 30 mind. before eating and a B12 injection once a week. I remember the miraculous turn around in her life. That was 30 years ago! I didn’t even think about humans getting it until several years ago. Thank you for answering those questions. Since gallbladder removal the major difference in my poop is its now brown instead of drk gol or mustard color. If the rest doesn’t straighten up soon, Iam going to ask to be checked for EPI. I have always had IBS-D since I was in my 20's and used alot of Imodium without getting addicted to it. What a stupid thing to be accused of...obviously a very ignorant person. I will keep you in the loop as to what is happening.

I will be looking into the epi. I was just trying g to give my body a chance to reset itself after having a diseased gallbladder and removal 41/2 Months ago. I had a Giant Schnauzer that had chronic diarrhea and after many vet visits and finally taking her through the Vets at UCD we found she had EPI. She also had B12 deficiency. I had to put digestive enzymes in her food 30 mind. before eating and a B12 injection once a week. I remember the miraculous turn around in her life. That was 30 years ago! I didn’t even think about humans getting it until several years ago. Thank you for answering those questions. Since gallbladder removal the major difference in my poop is its now brown instead of drk gol or mustard color. If the rest doesn’t straighten up soon, Iam going to ask to be checked for EPI. I have always had IBS-D since I was in my 20's and used alot of Imodium without getting addicted to it. What a stupid thing to be accused of...obviously a very ignorant person. I will keep you in the loop as to what is happening.