Bowel urgency: Any suggestions?

I am 68 and live the same life. I take Bentyl for IBS. I take the Bentyl regularly, 3x per day when necessary.
Today is one of those days. I have a doctor's appointment today for something else.
So I took an antidiarrheal also. Loperimide with simethicone.
It has been 4 years now. Such is life.
I also have fibromyalgia.
Oh the joys of getting older.

Has anyone used Donnatal in lieu of Bentyl? I changed to Donnatal because Bentyl gave me such dry mouth I was spitting’ cotton and had drier than dry eyes. Neither one really helps with the chronic lower abdominal pain but I thought I needed one of them.
I use cholestyromine for bowel urgency. It’s a miracle powder!

I’m 70 and just had rectal prolapse surgery a couple weeks ago and hope that this will help the incontinence.
Nice to know that I’m not alone in this humiliating condition and appropriate the tips.

Darn spell check…supposed to say “appreciate” the tips.😊

What fruits does one eat that is considered “safe” and low in sugar for IBS? Are there any good websites for what or what not to eat if you have IBS? Thank you 😊

I eat apples, pears in the afternoon and a banana each morning. Sometimes grapes and drink apple or mango juice during the night and when I wake up. So far, all is good.

I have suffered with bowel urgency and diarrhea for years. I’m 62. Seems to have started when gallbladder was removed several years ago. That said, I’ve suffered with GI issues for decades. Just had my first consultation with GI doctor at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Awaiting a whole raft of tests, including colonoscopy with biopsies, CT scan, breath and blood tests, stool tests, the list goes on. Advised to remove sugar and non caloric sweeteners from my diet, to take immodium 20 mins before meals and then as needed, and cut way back on fruits and vegetables. I have been loosely following the FODMAP elimination plan in the Mayo Clinic GI book and finding benefit even doing it imperfectly. Not happy that I can’t eat the fruit I love (mango is my favorite) or drink juice, but I guess if I was told to eat nothing but spinach (yuk!) I’d do it to be rid of this affliction. Good luck. Keep us posted how you’re doing.

Hello @hawkssr

Many of us with IBS have been helped with the FODMAP eating plan. Here is a link to a Mayo Connect discussion on how this eating plan works and how it can help with IBS.

– Fodmap Eating Plan https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fodmap-eating-plan/

Have you heard of this eating plan as a treatment for IBS?

So glad that you have found positive change with your diet and minimal meds. Also good that your medical resource, in your case Mayo, performed the full panel of testing to determine what is and is not, instead of piecemeal as happens in most situations. I am managing my urgency and general bowel inconsistency condition with planning and diet and as needed meds (Bentyl and Imodium). Mostly successful, sometimes a setback. I also have occasional diverticulitis 🥴 which is a factor in my situation. I am so grateful for folks sharing their experiences! It really helps in many ways, real suggestions and just the support too.
Thanks all…

I'm 62 and have been dealing with diarrhea/frequent BMs daily since a bowel resection last May. Also dealing with extreme weight loss. Things that help: immodium of course, pepto bismol, Welchol (prescription), acacia fiber, S. Boulardii probiotic, and most recently Banatrol banana powder. Also the low fodmap diet helped identify food intolerances, which my most prominent are dairy and gluten. I will ask my gastro about trying Bentyl. Blessings to you!