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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 4/13/2008 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken the combo peppermint, fennel  and ginger capsules when my stomach is gassy. Has anyone just taken fennel capsules? Dr. Weil had an article today about how effective they were for gas. I have heard they are an antispasmotic. I like the combo but since peppermint is no-no with reflux problems I am wondering if just the fennel would help. Probably worth a try but just wondering if anyone has tried it as so many of us have the bloating problem.
Posted 4/14/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Canyon, I haven't taken the pill but I've used the tea and I EAT fennel at least 4 times a week.  The tea doesn't seem to help but eating it helps with BM's almost every time.  Plus, it's delish!

Posted 4/15/2008 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
How do you fix it? Ihave seen it in store but never knew anyone that ate it. Somehow can't imagine what it is like.
Posted 4/15/2008 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, it's really yummy.  If you've ever used fennel seeds or anise seeds, it's similar but milder.  To prepare, cut off the stems and fronds, slice the bulb in half (like an onion) and slice is into thin strips.  You can saute in a pan with olive oil (and flax oil!), s & p and some garlic, for about 10 minutes.  Even easier is coating the slices with the oil, s & p, and garlic, and roasting it covered in a 400 degree oven for 1/2 hour.  Super delish!
Posted 4/16/2008 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I will give it a shot. I am having trouble relating that taste to anything but cookies and some pizza sausage. Sure hope it doesn't do what onions do to me.
Posted 4/16/2008 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
Oh no, it should not bother you at all.  In fact, it should make your tummy happy.  The fennel in sausage is vaguely similar but much, much stronger.  Fresh fennel is a very delicate flavor with the consistency of cooked onion or celery.  You'll love it!

Posted 4/16/2008 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Was just going to get on here and ask what to do for bloating and pain. I cant eat garlic but will try the fennel. Went out to eat last night and was so bloated after could hardley sit. I hurt so bad. I aways thought the swelling and pain was due to C but let me tell you itis not. I have always had D. I go to 2 Drs. tommorrow and then back to work Friday. Have a wedding Sat. My grandkids are coming, and I dont feel like doing anything. Hurt all over. Has anyone here tried the Metamucil stuff to try and get our lovely colons to function properly. I am not going to take medicine on regular basis anymore. I refuse to damage the rest of my body. I want to just give up and never leave the house but just cant do that to my kids and fiance. I am so scared about going back to work. Even with taking the meds I have so much touble sitting with this 9 month pregnant stomach that thinks it is in labor. My back really hurts, does anybody else have back pain? I go to urologist Monday( work will love me taking off my 2nd day back) because I have frequent trips for that too. Does anybody else have that? I thought it was because of swelling like when you are pregnant. I DONT want to have a bunch of test if that is the case. Im SOOOOO tired of all of these test! So broke and for what? So they can say it will only get worse. I will post a ? to ask if anybody has back pain and bladder problems with this.Thanks for recipie gutastrophe.

Posted 4/16/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)

Hello.  My Great GrandMother would give my sister catnip & fennel when she got colic. It worked within 20 minutes. Hopefully this will help with gas relief.

Posted 4/16/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

Simzee said...

Hello.  My Great GrandMother would give my sister catnip & fennel when she got colic. It worked within 20 minutes. Hopefully this will help with gas relief.

Yup!  Fennel is a traditional treatment for colic.  And, in my opinion, IBS is nothing more that colic for grown ups!


Posted 4/16/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

Normal said...
Was just going to get on here and ask what to do for bloating and pain. I cant eat garlic but will try the fennel. Went out to eat last night and was so bloated after could hardley sit. I hurt so bad. I aways thought the swelling and pain was due to C but let me tell you itis not. I have always had D. I go to 2 Drs. tommorrow and then back to work Friday. Have a wedding Sat. My grandkids are coming, and I dont feel like doing anything. Hurt all over. Has anyone here tried the Metamucil stuff to try and get our lovely colons to function properly. I am not going to take medicine on regular basis anymore. I refuse to damage the rest of my body. I want to just give up and never leave the house but just cant do that to my kids and fiance. I am so scared about going back to work. Even with taking the meds I have so much touble sitting with this 9 month pregnant stomach that thinks it is in labor. My back really hurts, does anybody else have back pain? I go to urologist Monday( work will love me taking off my 2nd day back) because I have frequent trips for that too. Does anybody else have that? I thought it was because of swelling like when you are pregnant. I DONT want to have a bunch of test if that is the case. Im SOOOOO tired of all of these test! So broke and for what? So they can say it will only get worse. I will post a ? to ask if anybody has back pain and bladder problems with this.Thanks for recipie gutastrophe.

Normal, I wish I could HUG you through the computer cause, girl, you sound like you need it!  Your posts are so heartbreaking!  We all know how you feel!  We've all been there!

NO ON THE METAMUCIL!  I took that cr*p for 15 years and ended up with a total colon impaction!  Prior to this, I too always considered myself IBS D.  Now, I would give anything to have the D back!  If you are interested in a fiber supplement, I would go with Benefiber.  It is water soluble and doesn't extract as much fluid from the colon or bulk the stool to such extremes as the other.  For more natural dietary approaches, have you tried bananas, white rice, white flour pastas?  These foods are typically given to babies and toddlers who have chronic D.  I know if I even walk by a bowl of white rice, I will have C for a week! 

Your bloating does sound pretty extreme.  I don't have it to that extent at all.  I do worry when people talk about looking "9 months pregnant" as there can be other factors at work.  Is your bloating relieved after a bm or after you pass gas?  For me, those two actions usually bring about a visual deflation so I know my bloating is related directly to my gut. 

Sweetie, you have to stop worrying so much about work.  This type of stress is going to make your symptoms so much worse.  We have to change our thinking when we are dealing with IBS.  "Doing the best I can" may mean falling short in the eyes of the world, but we know, or we SHOULD know, that our health comes first and taking care of that superceeds all other concerns.  We have to learn to accept that most folks are NOT going to understand the nature of this problem.  They are NOT going to be compassionate and empathetic.  But we must still advocate for ourselves, with confidence.  If you can't get to work, you just can't get to work.  You don't owe any explanations to anyone.  If you lose your job, you will find an other.  Maybe one that suits you better.  My goal, for the last 10 years, has been to tailor my career to my health needs.  So far, I have had great success with finding work that provides me with a comfortable and flexible environment that minimizes the stress about my guts.  It can be done!  Especially with support from us!


Posted 4/16/2008 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Oh gutastrophe, Thanks so much, Ill take that hug even over the computer. No my stomach does not go down after going to bathroom and I dont even pass gas hardley anymore. To think 25 years ago that was my complaint, constant gas eyes The clinis I went to here in the midwest (suppose to be the best) said the bloating would get worse and nothing would help. It use to come and go but now just stays. MY family Dr. bless his heart he always trys says it is not right either. Thank you so much for understanding and caring. I was at a very bad place when I found this forum. Everyone here just acts like hey its IBS get over it and get on with your life. Well I am trying. As for my job I really need the medical and retirement but I have been looking for 2 years. I just cant find a job that I can go in late or leave or have accidents at on a regular basis. But you telling me you found one gives me hope they are out there. Can I ask what you do? I work at a bank.
Posted 4/16/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Have you been checked out thoroughly by gynocologist. If the bloating is from gas it should go down after BM and if you are not passing gas I would be concerned that it is something else. Perhaps the urologist can give you some ideas. I think most of us with stomach gas have stomachs that go up and down. I sure hope you find out what it is that is causing the swelling. I assume you have had CT scan, colonscopy and endoscopy to rule out anything else. Have you had a motility study? I tend to think something besides IBS is going on. It just doesn't sound right and why did they say it would get worse?
Posted 4/17/2008 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Canyonbabe, My swelling use to go up and down too. When it got excessive and painful I ask Dr. at IU med center and he said nothing would help it and it would get worse, AND it DID. Yes I have had cat scan and colonoscopy,blood work,stool specimins, urine analysis,endoscopy,more blood test. 4 years ago I had all of the above PLUS ultrasound and a dye test on kidneys and another test that was so painful I WILL NOT DO AGAIN without being asleep on my kidnneys. I am tested OUT. I am behind on my paps smear cause I DONT HAVE TIME wtih all this other. So gonna have to tell my Dr. tommorrow. HE usually notices and says ok up on the table. My daughter was so upset over my stomach she got on computer and thought it was ovarian cancer too. But they did cat scan. I am not going to another DR. Going to get test results from Gastro doc tommorrow and going to uroligist Monday so wiil do all those lovely test again. If they dont find anything Im going to ask my Dr. to treat me for everything. I cannot take going to Gastro Dr,Dermatologist,Urologist,gyno,and my family Dr. That is just ridiculous. This is taking over my life. Has for the last 5 years. Really guys Im gonna crack. I just want to enjoy again.What is a Motlity test? I had a upper and lower GI and barium enema 18 yrs ago. Also had another upper GI 4 years ago. My family Dr. doesnt think my stomach is right either, he just doesnt know what else to do. all I know is Im on my 3rd specialist in 5 years and I just  want to enjoy again.
Posted 4/17/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds just awful. I had something similar when I was in my 20's for 3 years and mine turned out to be a maverick appendix that was strangling my ureter but they didn't have CT scans back then or it would have been found. Back then they just opened you up and looked. Frankly I was concerned about the ovarian cancer which is why I mentioned the gyno. My friend had very much the same symptoms and they did find ovarian cancer, unfortunately too late so I am glad that has been ruled out. You sound as if you are doing all you can and that is so frustrating for you and you Doctor but there has to be a reason. I can understand you being sick of Doctors. I keep wondering why they said it would get worse if they didn't know what it was. Since you mostly have D and not C it is probably not motility. I am just throwing out stuff because I didn't know you had had so many tests. Anyway, here is a link to many of the tests they do for different intestinal problems. It pretty much covers everything.

http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=596&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=33854&item_id=33858
Posted 4/17/2008 5:46 AM (GMT 0)

Normal,

I know this is gonna sound daft, but has your doc considered that you may have an impacted colon?  I too thought I had IBS D for years - lots of small, loose, and watery stools each day.  After a routine x-ray in the GI's office, I was told I was literally F.O.S!  He explained that when the gut is impacted with waste, undigested fecal matter will squeeze around the blockage and come out before it's had a chance to undergo the full digestive process of moisture extraction and stool formation.  So all those years that I thought I was going too much, I was actually not going enough.  Have you had any belly x-rays done?

Posted 4/17/2008 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Gutastrophe, Not recently on the gut x-rays. That is one of the reasons I want my family Dr. to treat me. Gastro specialist just want to give more meds and say its IBS deal with it. My family Dr. suggested the same thing, that even though I was going not really getting rid of everything. But my family Dr. keeps wanting me to go to specialist. All I know is emotionally I am shot. My fiance is really tired of my attitude, really not a nice person anymore and cant seem to enjoy. I hurt and am a nervous wreck. So once again today I wiil spen 50.00 and probably be told test showed nothing . All I know is I am tired of worrying about liver and kidneys and hurting and going to the bathroom. Am giving it one more shot with test and Drs. After this Im just gonna take pain meds and be happy. Im ready to give up, have to enjoy life again.

Posted 4/17/2008 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you are not getting the support you need at home. Sometimes life throws things at us for a purpose that we don't always see at the time but the fact is that life can be tough and if anyone expects it to always be happy they are unrealistic. YOur fiance needs to realize that it might be him in the same situation one day and would he want you to act like he is. The Donnatal may just take the edge off for you as it does have Phenobarbital in it. I wish you well and a solution soon.
Posted 4/18/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Canyonbabe, MY fiance is very understanding about my IBS symptoms,he is great. I am just getting so depressed and GROUCHY he wants me to tell Dr. about depression and get help. I dont want to. However he just cant understand why I get so upset over accidents. He just wants me to accept and be happy. I did however today tell Dr, about depression and I start a antidepressant Monday. If doesnt help have another thing ti try for 2 weeks. I will type more in the morning .Thanks so much for concern.Even though my fiance tries no one can really relate unless been there.

Posted 4/18/2008 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Well, then I am glad for you. Sorry I misread your post. You know there is more Seratonin in the stomach than in the head which is one reason they are using antidepressants so much more now for intestinal problems so perhaps it will help. I have always hated to give in to antidepressants and so far haven't had to but seeing the change in some of my friends when they were put on them really makes me realize how much they can help people.
Posted 4/18/2008 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Canyonbabe, I lost my late husband to cancer 9 years ago after 22 years together, The first thing they tried to do is put me on antidepressant and or sleeping pills. I have never believed that was neccesary unless it was a chemical depression. Everybody gets depressed, life is hard at times. I get really upset with Drs. cause they try to pass alot off on deppresion. But after 5 years of no relief to this IBS-D I am really down. I decided it would not do anymore harm then the other medicine. I am really hopeful that it will help. If not I have a prescription for Vioco?e. Dr. said thought maybe my pancreas did not produce enough. If antid. doesnt work I will take 6 tablets before I eat. Have you ever did that? Im going to put out a post asking everyone. So I have another month on fmla and 2 more treatments to try. Lets hope I get some relief. Still have to go to urologist Monday. If all is ok with Kidneys maybe I can get this under control for awhile. Th erally scarey thing is after 2 weeks if I have to take the other that will put me up to 15 pills a day. redface   Thats just insane! I take prilosec for hrenia and clariton for allergies also. He said the Vioco?e was just something your body produces, not a medicine. And I hate taking medicine. I have not taken anything for a month! Nothing at all, took a couple of prilosecs for hernia and that was all. Well I am going to read other post. Again thanks for your concern.
Posted 4/18/2008 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Gutastrophe, Did ya read my post to canyonbabe. I didnt give up :-)   Going to try this and I am kind of afraid to get my hopes up but this is such a new approach for me I am really excited about trying this. My Dr. said he would not suggest fennal with D but would help with C. One of my stool samples showed not breaking down food so I am really hoping the combination will work. Really am curious why my other specialist never tried this instead of just trying to control D.Cant start new meds till Monday cause will knock me for a loop for first few days. Have a wedding and grandkids,family, coming this weekend. But I cannot wait till Monday to start. They gave me 4 more weeks of FMLA to try this too so I dont take Immodium to work. Im pretty optimistic for the first time in months. Thanks so much for getting me thru the last month.Where has Sarita been? Hope all is well with her. Didnt make it to chat last night.almost 4 hours in Drs office zapped me. I have family coming in tonight so am going to have to turn this off and get busy. I will be back on Sunday night. Take care over the weekend all, hope everybody enjoys.
Posted 4/18/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Not familiar with the meds you are referring to except for Prilosec and Clariton.
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