New and Fed up with my IBS

Hello,

I was googling "constipated diarrhea" last night and came to a forum on this site. I figured I'd try something like this. Rather than posting on my online diary and facebook..

I wrote this last night as well...and am still wanting some input.

This may be TMI...

So I didn't know where else to write.ask this...

I supposedly have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I take Glycopyrrolate (generic for something) prescription daily.

I've found that taking Pepto Bismol no longer works for me..Because it screws up my bowels..

I get stomach aches and abdominal pain..tender when pressed...When I get the feeling that I may have diarrhea..the gurgling..and noises in stomach I eventually go to the bathroom..but it's not full-on diarrhea..And most of the time nothing will come out..Usually in these cases I take Pepto Bismol and it does help the stomach stuff..ache and pain. BUT it will make me constipated...to the point of straining so bloody hard when I feel like i need to poop, physically, nothing comes out or the tiniest turd ever....then hemmarhoids occur and it's even hard to go and more painful. So really, I'm basically screwed...

I guess my question is...is there anything I can take for the IBS (i assume) stomach aches/ab pain that won't mess up my bowels...make me constipated?

And I'm borderline stupid because I can't figure out which search terms to use to research it online...

There are times when I have no symptoms of the IBS. There are times when go through the above several days of the week and back to back. My family guilt-trips me into joining them to eat out with them so they don't understand my symptoms and I end up going out. I went out to eat two days in a row and to the same place...so maybe that has something to do with it.

I bought some Tums today at the grocery store and plan to try them when I have a bad stomach ache and abdominal pain.

I also was told about Probiotics by someone online. I guess I never really researched them because they are so expensive..

I did write down every item my grocery store sold and the price..

Do any IBS sufferers take probiotic supplements in addition to their IBS med they were advised to take?

Here are the items that my store sells..I'd hate to blinding spend a lot of money before knowing what I'm getting myself into. I also take other medications chronic headaches, anxiety, depression, and maybe chronic pain. Oh, and GERD. So I don't know if these supplements would interfere or not..Was thinking I'd call each dr that prescribes the meds to see if it would interfere or not.

Onto the brands..(note I only wrote down a few of the names and details on the front of the box)
UltraFlora 30 billion 30 pills for 20.49
UltraFlora 25 billion 30 18.49
Align Probiotic 28 28.99 & 42 42.99
Generic of the above 28 19.99 & 42 29.99
Phillips colon health probiotic caps 30 13.99
Culturelle 30 22.99
Pearls Probiotic 30 16.99
Pearls IC 30 12.49
Schiff Digestive Advantage 32 11.99
Nature Made Triple Probiotic 30 17.59 (buy one get one free)

also what is the difference between PREbiotics and PRObiotics. I've only seen one item at the store for the PRE--.

I plan to do research on my own , as well, but didn't know which ones have helped IBS sufferers or not, etc.

Thanks!

Hi Echo. I have Ulcerative Colitis but I also have IBS. Probiotics can be extremely helpful especially with that gassy full bloated feeling you get. I take two different ones-just acidopholus that I get at CVS and I also take the phillips colon health and I get mine at Costco a 3 month supply that I think is around 27.99. One thing I will say that for me its better to take them at night because they make me feel gassy if I take them during the day. I know strange if thats what your trying to get rid of. Probiotics shouldn't interfere with your other meds.

What kind of pain med are you taking for pain. Codeine can be constipating.

HI Echospeaks,
Everything you're describing points to IBS - the problem is that there are so many symptoms, they can be vague, they come and go, you can be perfect one day and sick the next so people tend not to believe you. I have had IBS for 23 years and still get major flareups. Could I suggest that you read an article on this web site - at the top of this page click on 'Diseases and Conditions' then 'IBS' and then 'Articles' and finally click on - Book Exerpt 'Eating for IBS'.
The reason I suggest it is because it made so much sense. The stuff about fibre (fiber if you're american) is worth knowing about. Over many years of misery I have worked out what I can and cannot eat. And this article, to my great joy, reinforces what I have spent so long working out! Rather than constantly taking medication this may be what you also could try. It is a discipline, it is impossible for non sufferers to believe but if you are largely well as a result it is just easier to do.
I no longer eat fruit of any sort, avoid wheat except for (very) occasional sandwiches, and don't bother with any other cereals except corn or rice. I do realise that the articles author says to try and incorporate these foods but I simply cannot eat them. You may be able to follow the suggested guideliines and reintroduce them in small amounts after a little while.
It is hard being the fussy eater - and for me there are so many foods I love that I just can't touch but to have normal days makes it all worthwhile.
Good luck with everything - oh and if you google IBS you will get stacks of info.