New to the site and new to IBS

Oh also... can IBS run in the family??? my mother has had numerous problems with owels and so on...

Hi and welcome to HealingWell!
You mention your doc does not think you could have the big C because of age... How old are you? Are you male or female?
Because you say you have constipation and bloody stools it seems you may have a hemorrhoid. Is the blood bright red? Usually that indicates a hemorrhoid or fissure. Both can be eased with creams, stool softeners and fiber. I'm not a doc, this is just my opinion.... You should definitely talk to the GI about all this. Make sure to create a list of your symptoms and any questions you may have. Take the list with you to the doc because it is all too easy to forget something when you are put on the spot.
Yes, gut trouble runs in the family. I don't know specifics (like if it skips generations, blah blah blah) but I do know that most everyone with IBS or IBD also have other members in their family with it too. I have a father and a grandfather (from mom's side) with IBS like symptoms and/or GERD and/or ulcers. I've seen on the Crohn's board a post about women who are worried to have children because they don't want their kids to go through what they do.
Sorry, I've never taken Dicetel. Hopefully someone will be along to answer you. Please note that sometimes the weekends are a bit slower here on the board. I'm pretty sure others will be along within the next couple days.

Hi thecreen8ive,
Yes, Tums can cause constipation as it has calcium in it. Calcium, as a side effect, is constipating. Many IBS-Ders take calcium daily to control their D. You might want to find a supplement with magnesium in it instead.
As for your age, you are pretty young and shouldn't be too worried about cancer. Sounds more like you have bleeding from constipation and/or a hemmorhoid.

It's like I was telling someone else, our media skews our perceptions because it likes to report fear and doom and gloom the most. "Cancer" is one of those scary words that they like to repeat over and over again. "IBS" isn't a word they toss around because IBS won't kill you, even though your odds are getting IBS are very high (I think someone posted on here that it's a 1-in-4 or 1-in-6 chance) and your chances of getting colon cancer are actually quite low--even more so because of your relatively young age.

If you're interested in getting regular, there is the traditional route of fiber (which you're already on). You can also add in prune juice or dried prunes, or you can try aloe vera capsules. You can find them in the herbal products section. Start with two a day and adjust up or down as needed. Many people who aren't chronically impacted find that they help regulate, and they don't seem to have the gas side affect that a lot of fiber supplements have.

Have you checked around to see if there are any support groups for people who have to take care of chronically-ill family members? Your local library is a good place to start asking because many groups publish their meeting information at the library. Most local papers also contain a section on local group meetings and programs, and some hospitals offer free counseling/group programs as well. You can also check with the United Way to see if they know of any charity organizations that could help you look after your family and take some of the burden off of you so you can get out from under some of the stress that's messing up your guts.

Lil, I don't think "hang in there" is a good sentiment for someone with constipation, LOL. Maybe "flow freely".

Since emotions play a big part in our digestive system I would try to have whatever tests you need to calm you fears. It is not very probable that you would have cancer BUT even if you did you would have caught it early and be able to be cured probably pretty easily as it is curable in early stages. With your family situation and your health you are probably really stressing out badly so try to work on that aspect, get a clean bill of health and that would relieve yourself of one worry. Then you can deal with more easily. The odds are way in your favor that you are just fine except for a functional problem. It might also help if you had some antianxiety medication. Since you don't live in the US I don't know if any of this is feasible but maybe worth a try. I hope you find a solution soon. It is very hard to have such responsibilities without severe stress.