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Ibs acting up again. Help please

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Posted 6/28/2015 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all. So i took a sitz marker test earlier this month and a bowel series. Everything was good. That same day i took miralax and had good bowel movements. Small but better Than before. For the next 2 weeks i was having better bowel movements. Some long and thicker and i felt so much anxiety i had reported about before, just lift off of me. I was eating what i wanted with decent Bowel movements. 2 days ago, however, i started feeling stuffed again. I would have a strong feeling to go but couldnt. I took miralax twice and went to play a game of elder scrolls. I had this feeling to go but, silly of me, i ignored it. I regret that cuz i think ignoring the feeling might have made it worse. I'm going today but as expected, i got diaharee thats coming out small but enough. Has anyone gone through this? I've been having bowel issues for 3 months that started as gas pains. Colonoscopy was good, sitz marker test was good(although i took miralax 3 days before i swallowed the pill, i may go take another) bowel series was good, ct scan showed no obstructions. After the BS, i felt so much better and was going almost normally again. Now i dont know.

In April when i had my colonoscopy, they found nothing wrong. My stools went back to normal but started acting up again. I dont know whats going on. I'd be lying if i said i was the healthiest eating person and i know i need to change my diet, but the fact that it goes from normal to stuff again confuses me.
Posted 6/28/2015 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Both diet and stress play a huge roll in IBS (either type) you might want to look into the low FODMAP diet and then do the reintroduction to see if any of the foods you eliminate (from the low FODMAP diet) are the cause of you not feeling well again....I think with having IBS since there is no cure or very good treatment you'll have to rely on a good healthy diet to help your bowels behave better, but first it's important to figure out if you might have any food intolerance issues that are messing with your guts.

My dietitian put me on the low FODMAP, no fructose diet for about 5 weeks and then I did the reintroduction phase after that, my symptoms didn't improve much through those 5 weeks so we figured it's stress that's affecting me more so than diet, because as my dietitian explained to me when I saw her after the 5 weeks was my bowel activity should have dropped way down if food was the culprit behind my IBS-C (sometimes D so it's considered alternating IBS but I suffer with constipation more so than diarrhea) while on the diet it did help with my constipation some but I still have frequency issues.
Posted 6/29/2015 4:54 AM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
Both diet and stress play a huge roll in IBS (either type) you might want to look into the low FODMAP diet and then do the reintroduction to see if any of the foods you eliminate (from the low FODMAP diet) are the cause of you not feeling well again....I think with having IBS since there is no cure or very good treatment you'll have to rely on a good healthy diet to help your bowels behave better, but first it's important to figure out if you might have any food intolerance issues that are messing with your guts.

My dietitian put me on the low FODMAP, no fructose diet for about 5 weeks and then I did the reintroduction phase after that, my symptoms didn't improve much through those 5 weeks so we figured it's stress that's affecting me more so than diet, because as my dietitian explained to me when I saw her after the 5 weeks was my bowel activity should have dropped way down if food was the culprit behind my IBS-C (sometimes D so it's considered alternating IBS but I suffer with constipation more so than diarrhea) while on the diet it did help with my constipation some but I still have frequency issues.

What foods do you recommend?
Posted 6/29/2015 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
I recommend you try the low FODMAP diet (easy google search) for at least 5 weeks, then slowly reintroduce back in the high FODMAP items, each week while you monitor symptoms to see how you tolerate each food group so you can at least see if any of those groups bug your gut. I don't have the sheet with me but when I'm back home tomorrow I can give you the list of reintroduction foods and exactly how to reintroduce them each week but for now you can at least start with the low FODMAP and my dietitian also eliminated fructose as well, she had me eating wheat free oats (there's a brand called "Only Oats" and it's wheat free which I still eat every morning since being off the diet) the low FODMAP diet isn't necessarily meant to be eaten long term unless I suppose you have some intolerance's to any of the high FODMAP group that you reintroduce.

I'm considered slightly under weight for my height I'm 5'5" and hover between 110 lbs and 114 lbs, but I don't look grossly skinny or anorexic, just a little too slim....I'm also 48 and have had two kids (both adults now) and I've always been leaner most of my life with the exception of around 10 yrs of sitting at around 120-125 lbs which looked okay on my frame too but I'm most comfy around the 120 mark but I think my metabolism is changing as sometimes aging and hormones can do that which is why I think I'm having some issues putting a little weight back on (I got really sick from my crohn's that I also have just before I finally got on Humira for it and thankfully it put my in remission with my CD but I'm still working on my IBS-C, they coexisted together for over a decade) so what is your height and weight? I'm asking cuz I'm not 100% sure if you necessarily have to follow my exact diet that my dietitian gave me to try and add some weight back on, though it's not working that well yet lol yet I'm now eating more daily than I have for most of my life.
Posted 6/29/2015 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Im 6'4 168 pounds and i really appreciate it. I was normal for about a week out of nowhere. Now im back to where i was before ugh. I took miralax and still barely any movements except little diahareea that came out yesterday
Posted 6/29/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
So you're also quite slim for your height...have you ever tested yourself for food intolerance's? This is a good way to do so...I already knew I was lactose intolerant from years ago when my GI tested me but I use lactaid products when I want dairy or anything that contains lactose (you might be surprised how many things contain lactose that aren't dairy products that people with lactose intolerance overlook, things like Doritos and Ichiban soups, crackers, cookies and most baked goods) but like I said, when I get back home I will post back to you about how to do the reintroduction phase, just do the low FODMAP for 5 weeks and journal your food that you eat (even it being the low FODMAP ones) and your daily BM activity so when you start the reintroduction phase you should continue with the journal so you can compare and more easily identify possible trigger foods for your IBS.

I had to spend quite a bit of money out of pocket to see this dietitian (she was recommended to me by my GI, she has crohn's disease herself and is one of my GI's patients) so I had no choice but to follow the directions she gave me otherwise it would have been a total waste of money on my part, I couldn't believe when she told me so many patients of hers either quit or cheated on the low FODMAP diet, all I could think was what a waste of time and money doing that lol!


Here's one link to get you started....


http://www.ibsgroup.org/brochures/fodmap-intolerances.pdf
Posted 6/29/2015 5:36 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
So you're also quite slim for your height...have you ever tested yourself for food intolerance's? This is a good way to do so...I already knew I was lactose intolerant from years ago when my GI tested me but I use lactaid products when I want dairy or anything that contains lactose (you might be surprised how many things contain lactose that aren't dairy products that people with lactose intolerance overlook, things like Doritos and Ichiban soups, crackers, cookies and most baked goods) but like I said, when I get back home I will post back to you about how to do the reintroduction phase, just do the low FODMAP for 5 weeks and journal your food that you eat (even it being the low FODMAP ones) and your daily BM activity so when you start the reintroduction phase you should continue with the journal so you can compare and more easily identify possible trigger foods for your IBS.

I had to spend quite a bit of money out of pocket to see this dietitian (she was recommended to me by my GI, she has crohn's disease herself and is one of my GI's patients) so I had no choice but to follow the directions she gave me otherwise it would have been a total waste of money on my part, I couldn't believe when she told me so many patients of hers either quit or cheated on the low FODMAP diet, all I could think was what a waste of time and money doing that lol!


Here's one link to get you started....


http://www.ibsgroup.org/brochures/fodmap-intolerances.pdf

No i havent. I've never been lactose intorlerent. Im going to read about this diet and start eating more fruits recommended. I'm just in shock that i was doing so well with bowel movements now after 2 days of miralax all that comes out is mostly gas. Maybe thats what it was giving me this urge. Thank you im going to make another appointment with my doctor for more test and read more about this diet.
Posted 6/29/2015 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
You're very welcome! With IBS our guts can be so finicky, I've already noticed if I don't eat a certain amount of fruit and veggies (still mostly from the low FODMAP diet) then my constipation will get worse, still able to pass but much tougher again like it was before I started the diet. And even thought the diet isn't meant to be long term (which I'm not exactly sure why since it still contains a variety of fruits, veggies and other healthy foods) it's still a healthier diet than what I was eating before starting it.

Sounds like you might be more along the same lines as me with my IBS...it's alternating with diarrhea but mostly constipation.

Glad you're not lactose intolerant (it's awfully annoying) but I did also discover while on the diet that since I wasn't able to eat my favorite pizza at a local pub (I"m not much of an alcohol drinker, only on occasion) that pizza is loaded with mozzarella cheese and I definitely get quite constipated from it so I have to limit how much of it I eat at one time. It's amazing how much easier it is to figure things out when you journal everything as annoying that can be in itself, at least it's worth the work trying to figure most things out, but I still have a ways to go....which is why I'm also seeing a therapist to help me deal with stress coping and that's been somewhat helpful, I imagine it will get better as my dealing with stress gets better...at least I hope so cuz I still go anywhere from 5-9 times/day with some straining on the toilet but things have gotten much better at least.
Posted 6/29/2015 6:36 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
You're very welcome! With IBS our guts can be so finicky, I've already noticed if I don't eat a certain amount of fruit and veggies (still mostly from the low FODMAP diet) then my constipation will get worse, still able to pass but much tougher again like it was before I started the diet. And even thought the diet isn't meant to be long term (which I'm not exactly sure why since it still contains a variety of fruits, veggies and other healthy foods) it's still a healthier diet than what I was eating before starting it.

Sounds like you might be more along the same lines as me with my IBS...it's alternating with diarrhea but mostly constipation.

Glad you're not lactose intolerant (it's awfully annoying) but I did also discover while on the diet that since I wasn't able to eat my favorite pizza at a local pub (I"m not much of an alcohol drinker, only on occasion) that pizza is loaded with mozzarella cheese and I definitely get quite constipated from it so I have to limit how much of it I eat at one time. It's amazing how much easier it is to figure things out when you journal everything as annoying that can be in itself, at least it's worth the work trying to figure most things out, but I still have a ways to go....which is why I'm also seeing a therapist to help me deal with stress coping and that's been somewhat helpful, I imagine it will get better as my dealing with stress gets better...at least I hope so cuz I still go anywhere from 5-9 times/day with some straining on the toilet but things have gotten much better at least.

I think the diarrhea comes with the miralax in taking i wasnt having it before then. The only stress reliever for me is that i was able to go normally at one point. So i guess that shows its nothing too alarming. I also wanna get a thyroid test and a defecation test as well. The stress of constant doctors appointments and the endless possiblities do stress me out some. Im hopeful your journey only gets better. I
Posted 6/29/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I see, well I guess you're IBS-C only then...the nice thing is getting the relief that comes with diarrhea, at least it's a way to evacuate more easily (I've always felt the constipation can be so much more painful compared to D for me anyway) it's good you're getting other things checked out too, most people don't associate other parts being associated with their guts sadly, but they definitely can be so good on you for getting other things checked out as well.

Thank you for the kind words, I hope the very same for you, best of luck to you in getting your health issues figured out and a happy gut!!
Posted 6/29/2015 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
No problem. Just a question that i know is silly but, may i end up on a stool bag if they find something terribly wrong? I know its dumb but the thought of it does enter my mind often
Posted 6/29/2015 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Well it likely all depends on what's going on for sure....if you have an IBD (crohn's or ulcerative colitis) then you have a higher risk of an ostomy (wearing a bag) but with IBS alone, it's not very likely...with IBD there is inflammation causing damage to the intestinal lining (with CD the inflammation can go through the many layers of the intestinal lining, with UC it's limited to the surface of the lining but many UC patients still end up getting an ostomy when they cannot get their disease under control or have signs of cancer which is also a risk factor for IBDer, not IBSers. I had been told on a few occasions that I could be facing that surgery due to my crohn's colitis (crohn's affecting the colon) but so far I still have all my parts lol...and my crohn's is now in remission from Humira.

It's not silly to be concerned or ask questions about possibly losing your colon and having to wear a bag (truth is many UCers and some CDers as well demand having their colon removed so they aren't "tied to the toilet" for the rest of their lives) It's not dumb, it's a natural fear to have when your bowels aren't working normally regardless of the reason why.

Have you ever been scoped (colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) to rule out IBD? If not, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get one done....since IBD can differ from patient to patient, some mild (may mistake it for IBS only) to very severe symptoms often with bloody stools...have you ever seen blood in your stools? Mucous is common for either IBS or IBD so that alone isn't an indicator as to what might actually be going on in the bowels.
Posted 6/29/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I had the scope and they found nothing. Lower bower series was good, sitz marker test came back good. Never had no blood unless it was extreme diarrhea from over using laxatives, but it was only on the toilet paper and went away. Ct scan showed no obstructions but i didnt take anything with the scan
Posted 6/30/2015 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Well that's great news!!! Seems it may just be IBS you're dealing with then so no worries from my understanding, of ever losing your colon to IBS.
Posted 6/30/2015 12:18 AM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
Well that's great news!!! Seems it may just be IBS you're dealing with then so no worries from my understanding, of ever losing your colon to IBS.

Yes i do think there maybe something wrong with my anal splinter/pevlic floor muscles i wanna get that checked out
Posted 7/1/2015 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
You should definitely get that looked at for sure then.

Here's the reintroduction guide for 5 weeks AFTER you've done the low FODMAP, no fructose (so read labels and avoid inulin) diet... be sure to journal all that you eat/drink from the low FODMAP list as well as bowel movement activity and description of BM like diarrhea, constipated stools etc. during the whole 5 weeks.

week one; reintroduce Polyois (mannitol and sorbitol)
Monday 1/2 cup mushrooms (mannitol) and 1-2 tiny plums (sorbitol and mannitol) and monitor symptoms ( also using a food journal to monitor just as in the 5 weeks while doing the diet)
Tuesday don't eat mushrooms or plums monitor symptoms (as in journaling so you can compare your notes)
Wednesday same foods, plum and mushrooms
Thursday monitor symptoms
Friday same foods, plum and mushrooms
Saturday and Sunday monitor symptoms then move to week 2...

week 2; reintroduce lactose (even though you're not lactose intolerant you should avoid it during the 5 week diet (stay strict on the guideline for those 5 weeks, dairy isn't allowed on it as part of the possible food intolerance issues for FODMAP known as the Disaccharide) Monday 250 ml of milk or 200 g of yogurt and monitor symptoms
Tuesday no dairy, just monitor symptoms, same as week before, you alternate days of eating the reintroduced food and monitor on certain days only as I'm describing.
Wednesday have the milk or yogurt again
Thursday monitor only
Friday have milk or yogurt again
Saturday and Sunday monitor only

week 3; Fructose (monosaccharide) reintroduction
Monday 1/2 a mango OR 1 tsp of honey (not both) and monitor symptoms
Tuesday monitor symptoms only
Wednesday 1/2 mango OR 1 tsp honey and monitor
Thursday monitor only
Friday again 1/2 mango OR 1 tsp honey
Saturday and Sunday monitor only

week 4; Fructans (oligosaccharide)
Monday 1 garlic clove and monitor symptoms
Tuesday monitor symptoms only
Wednesday 1 garlic clove and monitor
Thursday monitor only
Friday 1 garlic clove
Saturday and Sunday monitor only

week 5; Galactans (oligosaccharide)
Monday 1/2 cup lentils or legumes and monitor symptoms
Tuesday monitor only
Wednesday 1/2 cup lentils or legumes and monitor
Thursday monitor symptoms
Friday 1/2 cup lentils or legumes and monitor
Saturday and Sunday monitor only

If any of the food groups bother you to an extreme or excessively bothersome then stop eating it, wait out the week and wait for the next week reintroduction to continue reintro process. Reason being is if any of the food groups that you're reintroducing causes you noticeable issues as I mentioned then that's the indicator that that/those particular food groups are causing you food intolerance issues and you'll either have to completely avoid them or have very small amounts only and only on occasion or they will continue to bug your gut/IBS symptoms.

Let me know if you have any questions...I never cheated on the 5 week diet at all, I followed it strictly for the money it cost me with the dietitian I wasn't going to waste my time or money cheating/giving up on the diet cuz I wanted to do whatever it takes to get my IBS under control. So if you cheat on it then I have no idea what to suggest since my dietitian never had to instruct me on that.

Good luck, I hope you don't have any food intolerance issues, I never did (other than the lactose but like I said, I use lactaid products to aid since I knew beforehand that I was lactose intolerant.
Posted 7/5/2015 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you pb4. I had changed my diet to husk fiber, cabbage, strawberries and prunes along with other fruits and i noticed my stools were thicker and the urge to go died down a lot. I did, however, make the mistake of eating a big pizza and now im back to thin stools that are small in size(sometimes pebbles) i will write down all of what you wrote and try it out. Thank you
Posted 7/6/2015 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
You're very welcome...it's amazing how sensitive our guts can be with various foods, sometimes a pizza will really bother me but most of the time it's no bother at all.

Often I find what I think is offending food for me doesn't always seem to bug my gut, it's so hard for me to follow if a certain food is actually offending or not...then again like my dietitian said, for myself it seems it's actually more stress driven IBS than it is food driven.
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