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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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I had errands to do today but I don't dare leave the house. I wanted to go to the Rx and get some Immodium and also some sort of pad to wear during this flareup of IBS-D.
Please, anyone have any suggestions at all for me ..... usually I have it a constipation, but since I moved - very high stress - when I get it, it's in the form of diahrrhea.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
abby
This has nothing to do with mental health - well, not directly - but I can't seem to get anyone to answer at digestive conversations, so I'm coming here. I told you all I'm getting ready to move. When I get stressed I usually have a flare-up of IBS with constipation. Well, this time it's gone the other way ..... I have IBS with diahrrhea. I need to get to the drug store to get some Immodium (the only thing I know to take) and something to wear when it hits .... I cannot always make it to the toilet.
Please, any advice would be appreciated.
abby
Hello! I’ve been have some stomach problems since the end of January. About an hour or so after I eat (anything) I get gas pains and (usually) diarrhea. I will sometimes feel constipated instead, or feel constipated right after having diarrhea [i know that sounds strange]. Lately I have been noticing orangey red “blobs” in my stool. Today it was just all bright orange specs. I am go to a GI as soon as work and school simmer down a bit. But wondering if anyone had advice on possibly relieving some of the symptoms, or what it could potentially be? The orange/red “blobs” just started appearing within the last week or so but the diarrhea/constipation has been since the end of January. Thank you and I look forward to hearing back!
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1 ReactionHi @blaizie1296,
I hope you are feeling better? You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion on IBS. I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to other members who have discussed much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
I'd like to invite @gingerm @maureercria @wendyw @jakesheart @shortshot80 @kellye5 @richannc @cherriann @slong to join this conversation too; perhaps they may have more insights to share with you.
@blaizie1296, have you found any relief or consulted with your doctor to get a diagnosis?
I've had IBS-D since I was a teenager. Since this is a syndrome and not a disease there is no "cure" - you just have to find the foods that work for you.But, having said that, the food that is okay to eat yesterday, may aggravate the condition today. and, even though it is not a mental illness thing, your state of being is a very real trigger! So, I know that if I eat fried foods I will always have diarrhea. If I eat leafy green veggies, I will have diarrhea and really awful gas. Raw apples cause cramping. Ice cream, it's bad too but I love ice cream so I eat it at home. I guess because I've dealt with this for so long I've developed the ability to hold my bowels fairly well so I can't get to a restroom. My gastroenterologist recommended the FODMAP diet. Google it. It lists the foods that you should stay away from, the foods you can have in moderation and the foods that you can eat. But keep in mind, the food that you tolerated today, may not be okay tomorrow. You just have to pay attention to what you eat and how your body reacted to it and how severe that reaction was.
I still have IBS-D but have now been diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis. My gastroenteriologist has me on Budesonide 3mg 2 caps a day. Lymphocytic Colitis causes watery diarrhea multiple times a day(10-15) and is difficult to treat. The Budesonide is a synthetic steroid that does not metabolize in the liver so it is not as bad to take it for long periods of time. Bottom line, it has put me back to my new normal of 2-3 movements a day of soft to medium formed stools. I also tried Lialda but it didn't work as well as Budesonide. Talk to your doctor and see if he is willing to try either of these drugs.
Good luck. I know your frustration.
GingerM
Thanks gingerM for your post. I'll look up that diet you mentioned. Since I have moved from Harrisonburg, VA to Staunton, VA, another disruption in many ways, I've had several bouts of it. I'm afraid to mention that when I have this, I don't go away, or if I simply must, I wear those Depend panties, and carry several in my purse. Thank you so very much to think of me and I'll look up that diet.
abby
I understand the way digestion can be in charge of your schedule. I had IBS symptoms and asked to see a registered dietitian. She explained the FODMAP diet to me. This diet has helped me a lot. I can now leave my house with confidence. The diet isn’t hard to follow, but it is a medical diet so you need medical advice to do it. A registered dietitian from Mayo was very helpful to me. I hope you can find answers here that are helpful to you.