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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/4/2007 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I have just joined and thought i'd say Hello and tell you a bit about myself.

I have had IBS-D for 16 years. It took about 6 years for the doctors to diagnose, after having many tests and being asked if i "was sure" there was really a problem.

Lately i have been getting more and more pain and am having problems with weight gain, even tho i really don't eat all that badly. My diet is very limited as i seem intolerant of most foods, and unfortunatly, meds too. I believe a lot of it is bloating.

It is good to have found a place where i can talk openly.

I hope to learn more and share what i do know here. Feel free to ask anything!

Indigo

Posted 3/4/2007 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was just recently diagnosed with IBD D.I take Parmine for it & so far so good.I just eat small meals during the day.Greasy foods cause problems for me so i just watch what i eat.
Posted 3/5/2007 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Indigo,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
Are you currently taking anything for IBS? How about probiotics? Most of us on here seem to take at least 1 probiotic or another.
Have you kept a food diary to help you pinpoint exactly what food gives you trouble?
This is a great place, glad you have found us.
Posted 3/5/2007 12:14 AM (GMT 0)

Hi and thanks for the replies!!

I take buscupan for major cramping and pain, and i use Slippery Elm Bark for distension but i really have problems with all meds. I have tried them all and the pain i ended up in, or the weeks of C and my Docs took me off to try something else and eventually told me i was intolerant to most things. Meds that did work stopped working after about 4 months and i basically rely on paracetomol when i really need it and sheer will power!

I kept a food diary when i was diagnosed and went on illimination diets (which i am now told is not a good idea!) to find i have trouble with anything going into my tummy really. I eat chicken and potatoes mainly. I can eat Rice pasta, but not rice in its grain form as it feels like little knives going through my insides after. Dairy gives me bad D, grains hurt etc. Bit of a nightmare really!! I am definatly up for trying new ideas tho, so if anyone has any, please tell me!!

Indigo

Posted 3/5/2007 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
PROBIOTICS... definitely. Everyone could use some good bacteria to get their guts working properly. I haven't seen a single person that has had a bad reaction to probiotics (aside from a little bloating at first).
Have you been checked for Celiac's? Have you had a colonoscopy? Diverticulosis?
Posted 3/5/2007 1:10 AM (GMT 0)

My Celiac came back negative, i have had a sigmoid and an endoscopy. They all came back normal which is when they decided i had IBS. My symptoms are pretty much that of Crohns but they tell me i don't have that based on a blood test that showed no high t cell count.

Diverticulosis? I don't know what this is. I shall look into it.

What probiotics would you recommend. I was given some by a nutritionalist guy along with a lot of other pills and he said i had to take them together and the concoction nearly killed me with Cand tummy ache. There were the probiotics, milk thistle, and another couple of ridiculously expensive things! I just stopped taking them and went back to what was normal for me. I guess i have been a bit scared to try probiotics as i associate them with that experience.

Indigo

Posted 3/5/2007 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sure you've looked it up by now, but here is a quick summary... Dicerticulosis/Diverticulitis is a condition that develops when pouches form in the wall of the colon. Food gets stuck in them (especially seeds) and causes pain, nausea, D, and a few other things. I'm guessing that if your doc didn't mention it after the sigmoid then you should be fine. Not sure though if a colonoscopy wouldn't be a better way to tell.

I think that nutritionalist was just trying to make a buck off you. You don't have to take anything in conjunction with a probiotic. The thing with probiotics is that there are a TON of choices out there - many of us on this site take different ones. You might consider starting off with Digestive Advantage for IBS. I used to take it but have now moved on to Culturelle and Kyo-Dophilus. I started on Acidophilus, but it gave me terrible gas. You just have to keep trying until you find one that works for you. But remember, any probiotic (like fiber) takes some getting used to. You may experience bloating and gas at first, but it should go away after a week or 2 of continued use. If the gas is just too terrible to bear (like Acidophilus was for me) then switch to another kind. I'm sure others will be along to share their experience and choice of a probiotic.
Posted 3/5/2007 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou.
I shall look into them. I was just reading about that New Chapter Sensitive Colon Support. Unfortunatly it doesn't seem available here in the UK yet. I think the best idea is to pop along to the shops and have a look around.
Again, thanks for the advice Lil
Indigo
Posted 3/5/2007 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, that one looks promising... I hadn't heard of it. I like to try new probiotics. :-)
Hmmm... I don't think Digestive Advantage is available in the UK either. Maybe a member from the UK will be along to share what probiotic they love. If not, looking around the vitamin shops might just be your best bet. Remember, usually the more expensive the probiotic, the better. Good luck!
Posted 3/5/2007 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
You can also usually order OTC stuff like that online from an online pharmacy or maybe even direct from the manufacturer. I seem to recall some Brits and/or Aussies ordering Digestive Advantage online.
Posted 3/6/2007 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
You might also look at the book called "Eating Right for a Bad Gut." Pretty interesting, informative info in it!

Posted 3/6/2007 11:51 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for all the info! Looks like i have some reasearch to do! Much appriciated.

Indigo

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