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IBS challenges
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 all the symptoms of the original poster @jackiem95 and doctor said Benefiber is the fiber for all those symptoms. Absolutely cures the problems you discuss. It comes in powder but gummies as well. Also, get a bidet!!! It’s a must as you get older but good for any age. There are many on Amazon that can be added to the toilet. You have to have some flexibility to install it yourself, but shouldn’t cost much as it’s easy for a handyman to do.
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2 ReactionsI use flushable wipes to clean up. My problem is I have what appears to be coffee grounds in my stool!! Not sure what that's all about. Had food allergy testing and am pretty much allergic to everything! My stools aren't mushy and am regular. Also take magnesium citrate before bed and that does cause morning bm.
Mentioned to family physicians. Hage very low iron & currently getting infusions. Wondering if there is a connection between anemia & bowel issue no blood in stool. Friend had similar issues & reduced/stopped eating foods with gluton
Stool leaks massively within hour of meal..I have no control. Even cut through in shower as if sphincter muscle not working
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1 ReactionFriend had similar problems; anemia requiring infusions & bowel issues. Suggested reduce/gluten..your thoughts. Please
@sljm2012
I’m sorry- it really affects your life every day.
You definitely should see a gastroenterologist.
Could be a form of colitis too. Colonoscopy could help diagnose that. There are also other tests to diagnose digestive problems.
I have similar but not as frequent. I have been referred for pelvic floor strengthening- I’m not sure that it’s going to help control the explosive diarrhea.
Miralax will do this. It's great (well, for me) at treating CIC, but yeah it has a softening effect. Seems like a trade off between that, or constipation with hard, infrequent stools. Stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax will also do this.
I'm sticking with the Miralax. Now I also love fruit, all kinds of fruit, and eat them everyday, and a fair amount of vegetables/salad. I'm just not willing to give those up.
So I stock up on TP. And that's TMI for now!
Coffee grounds and a blackish color appearance is usually blood that has been digested. Have your doctor test a sample just to make sure it's nothing serious. I had a blood vessel break in my stomach. But my issue was liver dieases caused by Hep C that I was not aware of for 25 years.
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1 ReactionYour digestive system changes over time. I has issues a few years ago and it turned out to be lactose intolerance.
It's a pain in the butt to find low-rise bottoms anymore, but I would highly recommend it. I recently got a pair of shorts that was supposed to be low rise... Not even close. It bruises my stomach after just a few hours every time I wear them. They aren't tight, my stomach just really doesn't like any pressure whatsoever. And when you lean over or bend down, it's just digging into your abdomen.
If it hits more than an inch above the hips, I'm out!