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Help with IBS-D

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/30/2013 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering from IBS-D symptoms for about 7 years now. I have only just started seeking medical advice due to embarrassment, the GP has run some blood and stool tests for certain things which came back negative. So he is of the assumption I have IBS. He has referred me to a Gastroenterology centre to seek specialist advice, but I have to wait 6 weeks to get in.

It is starting to ruin my life/relationship/work. It has come to a point where I don't want to leave the house any more.

For the past 4 years I have been taking Immodium when I have to leave home. But I am starting to have to increase my doses and I cannot sustain its use.

Basically I would like to know what has helped other people obtain some relief. I have 6 weeks to wait and want to try a few things before I see a specialist as I do not expect immediate results.

I am going to start the FODMAP diet today, which will be tough for me because I eat alot of those fruits and veges on a daily basis and my wife only eats alot of those veges .


I have read peppermint capsules help, but when I browse the forum people seem to have had no relief from those. Also what is the chalk everyone keeps referring to?

I am willing to try any thing and everything so If you know of something that has assisted you please let me know to try?
Posted 7/30/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have not really found anything to help with my D unfortunately. But what has helped me with urgency is taking Bentyl - but you have to see the doc for that. The only thing I can think of is to try a fiber supplement. I know you said you eat lots of fruit and veggies, but maybe you need more fiber. Do you drink or eat dairy products? If so, try to avoid them for a while and see if that helps.

Good luck at your GI appt and please let us know how it goes.
Posted 7/30/2013 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
For anyone interested i went out yesterday and bought a few things. My current course of action is;

-Dairy free probiotic at night,
-Gaviscon 20 mins before dinner and will try and do it for lunch when I can.
-FODMAP diet
-Metamucil (souluable finer supplement) starting at once per day but will increase to 2-3 times a day
- EDSFAN ( had to order will take 3 weeks to arrive)

I am also going to continue to use Imodium when I need to go somewhere high risk. But my aim is to try and stay away from it if possible.

I am going to look into meditation to help with the anxiety.


I will try and post a weekly update to let people know if it helps to manage the situation.

If anyone has any other method that helps them to manage their D please post so i can try. Also I am assuming the gaviscon is the chalk people mentioned in other threads, some clarification on this would be helpfull, aswell as if pill or liquid form is preferred
Posted 7/30/2013 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Exercise is the only thing that has helped me. I was diagnosed with IBS-A about 2 years ago. Running is the only thing that has helped my symptoms. I've tried many things (probiotic, fibre supplement, dairy free diet, gluten free diet) and nothing else worked. Running or some other cardio workout is all that seems to work for me anyway.
Posted 7/30/2013 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tip. I currently walk to and from work everyday. It takes me 25 minutes each way and is quite a few hills. Unfortunately I am not in any sort of condition to do any running. That why I walk to work its about the only excersie i can do at the moment.
Posted 7/31/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
My IBSD has been awful during this summer, lots of anxiety. I finally had so much pain I went to my dr July 5th. They prescribed Bentyl(dicyclomine) which is an very inexpensive medicine. I started with a high dose as recommended and followed the instructions to the letter. I had lots of reactions including thrush and some heavy pain but as I followed the course, my pain started to subside. I now take one each evening but since that didn't quite stop the D part, I take a half Imodium every other day. Finally, my guts are starting to work properly again. One problem with the Bentyl is that it makes me very tired, slows my thought processes but to be out of pain, for now it is worth it. I think exercise would be very beneficial but unfortunately I have arthrofibrosis in one knee and a limp that cannot be ignored. I would try the Bentyl just to get your large intestine under control.
Posted 8/9/2013 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Just a bit of an update with how I have been going with things.

I haven't stuck to my plan of action 100%. It was hard because i had to go away for 3 days and couldn't cook so i had one meal in particular that was questionable.

I have been taking 4mg of Imodium everyday. A probiotic once in the morning and then again at night before bed. Metamucil once or twice a day. I have stuck with the fodmap a diet. I have stopped all artificial sugar except for small amounts of sucrose, no dairy, gluten or fructose. No onion which has been hard. There is onion powder in so many processed foods :/

So I haven't been taking gaviscon because i always forget to take it 20 mins before a meal. And I am still waiting on my Edisfan.

Yesterday at work i took my first normal BM in a long time. Got the urge and because I was busy did not get up straight away. Was able to hold it in for 20-30 mins with no cramps/sweats/nausea was solid and a healthy colour.
I have not been again since so hopefully it continues all well. I have about 10 days to go before i see the gastrologist.
I have had one really bad flare day with6 really loose stools with cramps and nausea. But other then that most days have been around 2-4 BM which haven't been too bad but urgency the main problem.

So yeah just a bit of an update, hope everyone is well or improving. Still looking for more ideas and tips if anyone has any
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