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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 4/9/2007 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I have been suffering with a lump in my throat, excessive burping, and chest pains.  They thought before that it was GERD.  But I also had constipation and cramps and tested positive for a twisted/spastic colon and bacterial overgrowth.  So now it is almost 100% that IBS has caused my symptoms.

I am so, so, tired of being sick!!  I would like for people who have been cured to post here (or at least people who are getting better).  I need some hope!!!!  THANKS!

Posted 4/9/2007 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi friendlygal,
I haven't been cured, but my symptoms have become much more manageable. You learn about your trigger foods and get used to avoiding them. You also pick up techniques like exercising, meditation and stress management. I also take a lot of probiotics. I also found that birth control was exacerbating my symptoms, so I got off. My doc also said that as people's lives become less hectic and stressful, their symptoms diminish. She said that "most" people grow out of IBS when they become "stable" in their lives... usually around "the age of 50." I'm not sure if I believe that, but I'm hopeful. You have to keep the faith of getting better otherwise you haven't got much to look forward too.
Posted 4/9/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Age 50, do they take in acount for kids? When i'am 50 my kids will be 12 and 13. No stress there(sarcasm) Hope you had a great day.
Posted 4/9/2007 1:02 AM (GMT 0)

thanks 7Lil.   I'd have to greatly disagree with your doctor for giving an age like that!  I am 34 years old.  I am not going to wait till I'm 50 to get better!

I am going to be settling back in my my home (I had tenants for a year), so hopefully that stability will help with the IBS. I will also be going on a trip to an island in the bahamas.  that will undoubtedly relax me, as well.

Is there a possibility of taking too many probiotics?  I'm not sure how much to take..

Posted 4/9/2007 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
No, you cannot OD on probiotics.  You can, however, take too many when you first start out and that will cause you gas.  Other than that, there are only benefits to taking probiotics.  I did a quick Google and found a brief sentence in an article at Innvista.com: "Unlike drugs, herbs, vitamins, and minerals, you cannot take too many probiotics and overdose."
Posted 4/9/2007 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I have not been tested for IBS yet, but all the symptoms seem to point towards it. FriendlyGal, what tests did you undergo to get a positive diagnosis of twisted/spastic colon and bacterial overgrowth? Did you go to a specialist? I think I have neglected my symptoms for too long and need to be properly checked out. Haven't had the time to do it with my job and family preoccupations, but I plan to do something asap. Anxiously awaiting a response from anyone who has undergone testing and treatment for IBS or similar. Thanks.
Posted 4/9/2007 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

Brandii,

The typical tests for gastrointestinal complaints vary according to the symptoms you're experiencing.  Most people have the following done:

1) Blood work - including CBC (complete blood count), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

2) Stool tests checking for: ova and parasites, fecal leukocytes, and fecal occult blood; perhaps a stool culture as well; and possibly a urinalysis

3) Sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and/or EGD (esophogastroduodenoscopy - say that ten times fast), which are relatively simple outpatient procedures where you get scoped and biopsied. 

Some people also have radiological studies like an abdominal CT or small bowel follow-through, also known as a barium swallow.

Bacterial overgrowth tends to be discovered using a very simple breath test.

Posted 4/9/2007 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm definitely not cured by any means - had a bad day today, in fact - but I'm SO much better than I was about a month ago. I think starting birth control exacerbated my symptoms, but I'm much more stabilized on it now (have been taking it for almost 3 months), and that's helped. I've also learned what I can eat and what I can't, and when I should take extra digestive enzymes, and when I just need to stop eating, or just go to bed. Rest helps me a lot, too - my symptoms get SO much worse when I'm tired. (Which is just great, because I'll probably be working nights at the hospital, and will get worse all over again this summer...)
But anyway, the point of this is that it can get better. I don't know that I'll ever necessarily be "cured" to where I have no problems, but the symptoms can definitely become manageable and few and far between. Good luck to you!
Posted 4/9/2007 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
brandii, to answer your question:  I had a colonoscopy and that is when the doctor saw that my colon is severely twisted and spastic.  I had a breath test to determine that I had a bacterial overgrowth.  Hope this helps!!! 
Posted 4/9/2007 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think that age thing is true. I never had IBS that I know of till two years ago and I am 70 now. Couple that with the fact that I live in a senior mobilehome park and know many people that have IBS.
Posted 4/9/2007 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know of a cure for IBS - I think it is probably a condition that can only be 'managed' but hey .... I could be proved wrong! I keep an open mind! I think there are many ways of effectively managing IBS and I know a lot of people who have it and their symptoms are well controlled.
Posted 4/9/2007 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Many thanks Sarita and FriendlyGal for your advice on the tests; if only some of our doctors were so forthcoming. I wish I had joined this forum much earlier . I will try and get the breath test done immediately and get around to scheduling the others as soon as possible. My symptoms seem to be triggered by stress more than anything else. Any tips on how to reduce stress? I am making a concentrated effort to eat wisely.

Hi Victoria x, it would be very helpful if you could check and let us know some ways that IBS symptoms can be managed so that one can lead a fairly normal working and social life. Would appreciate tips from anyone who feels they are managing their IBS symptoms successfully - you would be giving many people their lives back. Thanks in advance guys.
Posted 4/9/2007 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Victoria, this GI doctor I'm in touch with online told me that IBS can actually leave the body.  And he said that many of his patients keep stressing and thinking that they have a horrible disease and that is the only reason why they are never rid of it.  The ones that don't think about being ill are the ones he sees get better for good.

The only thing is that I feel that it is impossible for me to completely not think about it consistently.  I do that sometimes.  But my symptoms are so severe that I can't keep doing it.  This doctor does not have what I have, so I say that what he says is much easier said than done!

 

Posted 4/9/2007 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
friendly, i know you've been having the feeling of a lump in your throat for some time - i'm guessing that that's probably the symptom that stands out most to you and that you think about all the time (i've had this feeling too, and know how annoying it can be). Have you tried relaxation exercises, like controlling your breathing, or yoga? Or doing something fun with friends to try to distract you from thinking about it? i know it's difficult, but I've recently changed my attitude toward myself and IBS, and honestly, my symptoms improved drastically. i've even been able to eat some of my trigger foods in small amounts without problems. i know it's tough, and it takes a while, but a lot of it has to do with self-acceptance and learning how to manage your symptoms appropriately. good luck with everything - you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted 4/9/2007 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Brandi,
Managing IBS can be as easy as cutting out all/most triggers. The main ones are greasy/fatty foods, anything deep fried, alcohol, caffeine, any coffee, any carbonation, anything spicy, and raw fruits and veggies. The fruits and veggies can be tricky though. Ultimately, it is best to cook them thoroughly as it is much harder to digest anything raw. Relaxation techniques and exercise are also key. Drinking the recommended 8x8 (8 cups of 8oz) water also helps keep your digestive system working properly.
Lastly, probiotics. Many of us thrive on adding good bacteria to our diet. I take at least 5 billion live cultures a day and it has helped me drastically.
What I mentioned above works WONDERS for me. Hopefully others will come along and share their tips.
Posted 4/9/2007 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with what Lil has written. Relaxation is great for IBS sufferers who are triggered by stress and exercise really does help me. My IBS isn't really affected by diet, mainly due to anxiety and stress. I have probiotics every day and they work really well. You can get probiotics over the counter and they are even in some yoghurts and cereals these days.
Posted 4/9/2007 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
My Gastrinerologist told me there is no cure for IBS BUT it can go into a remission..........
Posted 4/9/2007 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
7Lil, I never knew that raw veggies were bad for IBS.  I was told to increase my fiber intake..I wonder why my doctor didn't tell me not to eat raw veggies...I knwo that when I eat raw baby carrots they cause me grief.  That explains why...

Posted 4/9/2007 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I think the weird thing about fruits and veggies is that they all affect people differently.  It doesn't seem to matter to me if my veggies are raw or cooked (I still have massive diarrhea, HA!).  I think the important thing to realize is that it's crucial to get veggies in one way or another! 

Posted 4/9/2007 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Some doctors can't be trusted as far as you can throw them; we've had people come on here who were suffering from constipation and were put on that BRAT diet--bananas being very constipating. Others were told to eat apples for health and fiber, when they seem to be, universally, a stomach-upsetting, gas-inducing, bowel dumping food for IBSers. When you want medicine or tests, go to a doctor. When you need to know what to eat, start with a nutritionist.

Most people on here seem to get their fiber from supplements; it seems easier on most everyone.
Posted 4/9/2007 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, Sarita, I don't have D.  So, for me, maybe dry veggies are fine.  I was very C...

Posted 4/9/2007 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Well, it's probably a matter of figuring out which veggies are go's and no-go's with your particular digestive system.  I would think that eating stuff like broccoli and spinach and other leafy greens would help with constipation, but then again, I'm definitely not a constipation expert!

Posted 4/9/2007 8:22 PM (GMT 0)

Sarita, it is so confusing because brocolli is not good for gas and many people who have constipation have gas. 

I actually tend to think now that you're right about dry veggies in general also not being good for people with C. 

In any case, the good news for me is that being off of my reflux medications is making me more regular.  I still have some very annoying symptoms, but for now (knock on wood) I am at least able to go! :))

Posted 4/9/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Friendlygal,
If you can get lots of friendly bacteria in there it should also help with your transit times. Fiber too, of course, maybe via supplement.
Posted 4/9/2007 8:31 PM (GMT 0)

That's totally true, Friendly, I forgot about the gas issue with broccoli. 

Hey, at least you're going.  I wonder what it's like to not go.  I can't imagine that would be very pleasant...it's probably worse than having diarrhea.  Man, I feel for you guys...

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