How do you manage daily life with IBS-D?

@cjval52 has anybody considered maybe you have CSID Congenial Sucrose Isomaltase Deficiency? Being such a young age when you started with "IBS-D". But it is also for those adults when it's not congenial it is called Aquired Scurose. and it starts when we are older... which occurs because your intenstines have seen injuries that affect the enzyme that is created and thus your body can't produce the enzyme. Either way it causes diarrhea and all the sysmptoms that get labeled as IBS-D. But it is a much over looked thing and there are tests to prove it or not.

It just angers me to know these tests are there...the knowledge is there yet even GI docs won't look at things or test for things. Going thru that myself and doing my own research and learning things and now demanding these tests.

I was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago now and I am still miserable as ever if not worse. I do have a lot of other medical things going on such as MEN1. Like anything else I have done some digging (because doctors seem to have no answers) and have found so many things that could be making things worse or maybe even be the real issue.
My question is for others what do you do to help with the diarrhea and urgency? I have started taking ibgard and my doctor also prescribed a muscle relaxer I believe it was and also an acid reducer. But now I’m unsure of what ones to be taking.
I have also debated trying an anxiety medication.
Have also heard things about pelvic floor dysfunction.
So yeah, just looking for tips or experiences from others.
Thanks all!

After my sigmoidectomy (and ostomy reversal and failure) in 2016 I finally got to recovery. Took months. Actually years. I had diarrhea terribly. Interrupted my life. Once it started it would not stop. But I started on loparamide. Then I found the right regimine of TARGET specifically, probiotics (30 billion), basic target brand psyllium fiber and once my system adjusted to this, my use of antidiarrheals dropped dramatically and I was able to use them sparingly after a while and I had normal BMs and everything. Granted more issues formed that caused the opposite problem after a while (not due to the meds but healing and scarring issues).
But that's what worked for me. I had spend years finding it out for myself and my body. Once I did, I felt significantly more confident leaving or travelling or anything really. Good luck. I'm only 35 and have had to discover this journey over the last decade.
After major surgeries like this though, getting your PRObiotics back up is SUPER vital because all the antibiotics your body deals with.

Hi @katydurgin - just wondering how things are going with the diarrhea and urgency? Are the meds your doctor prescribed helping at all?

Unfortunately no. I am picking up another one today to try. I am praying it works. I just want to feel normal and be able to enjoy life like others. Thank you so much for asking. That was so kind of you

@katydurgin - I really hope the medication you pick up today works, too. That is a very reasonable wish to want to feel normal and be able to enjoy life like others.

...hesitate to comment as on here years ago with similar issues/comments but for me and my spouse our started with cancer treatments to pelvis, so probably a whole different thing except the result is the same ..... never know when or where, with and without pain - Imodium barely helps ... when it does then little "raisins" come out unexpectedly because fecal incontinence is part of it: it certainly affects quality of life thank goodness it started after retiring from our jobs and sympathies go to those who are still younger. Colostomy bags have been suggested but neither of us could cope... "all of it" is often called IBS-D ... I am geting to age a placement in Older Folks Home but noway as the nurses aids do NOT have time to clean us up only to be called upon maybe half hour later for same thing up to ten times a day! Diet is restricged no more spicy tasty foods! So we will tough it out with our other illnesses in our own home for as lon gas we can. Praying that you and others younger find the help you need to enjoy your lives to the full. I have read more and more people getitng these problems: when I go out take a bag with change of clothing and wet wipes etc. ... hope soon there is a cure it's really awful. Hugs

@lacy2 I am so sorry to hear you have also struggles with this. It’s terrible, absolutely terrible. Everything in my life has been affected. I am younger and I feel like I am missing out on so much and just always in a terrible headspace worrying about this. I am starting another medication tomorow and I pray it gives me my life back. People really just don’t understand the affects of this. Hugs to you

thanks and hope the new medication helps.... so true about others not realizing how life altering this is, but I probably am not aware of how other illnesses are affecting people. The fact we can talk about this, to me, is helpful because years ago fecal incontinence, bowel issues, bladder problems were not discussed very much: kudos to mahyo connect for giving us the opportunity. Last week when I phoned to make an appointment with Optometrist I explained to the young receptionist my issue that I may have to cancel short notice she said she understood: both her parents have long term colon issues and she is now being tested: doesnt need to be dinner time conversation but I feel by discussing with fellow sufferers we are not so alone and hopefully learn some coping skills etc.

@lacy2 I completely agree. I’m not really even ashamed to talk about it anymore. I rather people have the heads up then them just think I’m unreliable or rude when I need to walk away quickly.