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Newly diagnosed with IBS & I need help!!!!

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 12/13/2014 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 29 year old very active woman, recently diagnosed with IBS. I was so certain that this wasn't the case, because prior to the last few months I would have said I had an iron stomach that could handle anything. But after countless tests (all normal) and a hospital stay from severe pain, this is what I'm left with. I have no idea how to control this or where to find information. The internet has such conflicting info. Some say to cometely avoid certain foods, other lists those exact foods as must haves. I alternate between constipation & dhiarhea but with constant stomach pain. And when I say urgency to go, I mean terrified-afraid-to-leave-the-house-where-is-the-nearest-bathroom type. I can't seem to find a "trigger" food because for a week I was on a liquid diet for all the tests (no dairy) and during my 4 day hospital stay I ate or drank nothing (iv fluids). You would think that would provide relief, but it didn't. My doctor has now put me on anti-anxiety medicine and welbutrin, along with donatel, bentyl, protonics, probiotics & a round of rifaximim antibiotics. I'm now suffering from low magnesium and potassium and am having hypoglycemic attacks (blood sugar dropping below 60) because of my diet and bathroom issues. I went from a happy, high energy, gym-loving, food lover... To an anxious, sick woman who is terrified to even make a trip to the local store. Is this a forever type of thing? How did I go from being so healthy to so sick? What can I eat? And how do I stay positive when I'm too terrified to leave my apartment?
Posted 12/13/2014 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Jax, sorry for all this trouble. Welcome to the forum! Are you feeling no relief from all these meds?

What tests were done to eliminate other possible diagnoses?
Posted 12/14/2014 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Did you have a colonoscopy?
Posted 1/4/2015 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry to hear. Have you seen a homeopathic/naturalist physician? Which probiotic are you taking? The VSL 3 packs are pretty good. Have they ruled out a bacteria overgrowth problem?
Continue to exercise no matter what. Yoga is very good. My daughter is 21 year old college student battling IBS. It's terrible, I pray that the antibiotic will manage your symptoms. We had to do a second course of antibiotic followed by a medrol pack. And she has had to take a small dose of xanax, it helps with the very bad nausea. I pray that you get better soon.
Posted 1/6/2015 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Mercy, Jax! I so hope you are now feeling better and everything is better for you all the way around!
I would really do a lot of research concerning FOOD... and keep a food chart. It can be a bother, I know, but if it shows a pattern...it might help...it takes awhile (more than a week) to determine trigger foods... I would SERIOUSLY challenge a high carb diet... NOT good at all for IBS....
Don't give up...things CAN get better... Let us know how you are doing, and good luck!
Bettsann
Posted 1/8/2015 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Bettsann. High Carb seems odd. Instead of working on your trigger foods, maybe start with safe foods? I was told to start with the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce & Toast) and work outwards. However, that was a lot of years ago and Apples are a mild trigger for me. Plus it gives little in the way of protein.

Do you have a list of safe foods? usually yogurt works. Normally plain protein is okay as well. If you can find things that work well, you can eat those and save experimentation with new things for when its safe and you don't have to go out.

I know how scary this can be. I missed the bulk of my daughter's pre-school graduation because I was stuck in the bathroom. It was so bad I had to send everyone else on to my house for a small party while I stayed until I could get clear for the 1/2 hour drive.

Find a couple of simple things. Crackers with peanut butter, yogurt and bananas were safe foods for me. They have protein and essential nutrients. If they sit okay with you, you have a base. Then you know what to fall back on if things get bad. Also, if you can, try drinking water with electrolytes or even Gatorade if you like and can stand it (I can't). If you have been at this a while, your electrolytes can get off and then you start feeling worse and worse. The first trick is just to get to a stable point.

If you find a way that you can eat, take control and start going out without fear, that will help your nerves which will also help your IBS. We are typically people under stress or anxious and every stress point can set off an attack until it gets a little stable.

If you can get some food in, get hydrated and stable, then take a while for your next grocery trip. Most stores have decent resources. A friend of mine started this way and then found out he was gluten intolerant. He loves nothing better than a pizza and beer. We have been hunting up recipes for him so he doesn't have to give up everything. Even found gluten free pizza dough that taste pretty good with the right spices added.

I really hope you feel better soon. If you are bad at writing down foods - I think they have apps for your phone that can make it a bit fun and help categorize the foods and your attacks for tracking. Good luck and take care of yourself.
Posted 1/9/2015 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Jax,

Bromelain has helped me tremendously to control the pain and inflammation associated with IBS/UC. You can start with the 2000 - 3000 GDU/cap and take 2 caps three times a day on an empty stomach( 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal) til pain is resolved and then reduce dose to 2 caps once at bedtime each day or twice a day. You can also add Frankincense (Boswellia) 500mg cap take 2 caps twice a day (shown to be more effective than mesalamine) if you choose to go the herbal route. Consider also VSL 3, aloe vera juice and adding b-complex and folate to your supplements. Hope everything works out

Post Edited (tydo) : 1/9/2015 12:15:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2015 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
how did the hospital stay happen? and did the doctors diagnose you with IBS ?

also has there been a traumatic event in your life recently?
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