it really feels good to read these stories

I just wanted to say it really feels good to read these stories and think, "Yeah, that's me too!" I was just diagnosed with IBS recently after I passed out and fell on my face off the toilet. That looked pretty! Walking through the store you get all these sympathetic looks ... I wanted to wear a sign saying, "My husband did not do this to me". That just happened this past Christmas 12/25/08.


Anyway, I don't know anyone else like me that throws up with a bowel movement or even if I don't, I feel like I'm going to. I was so glad to hear people on here saying the same thing. The cramping and all -- and you guys say they feel like labor pains. Thats exactly what I've been saying!



I guess misery loves company huh.

Welcome! I find my symptoms are definitely related to the foods I eat...duh! :).....i.e. too much wheat, yeast in any configuration, or sugar. Have you been tested for food allergies, fructose intolerance, or, perhaps you have a gluten intolerance? (which doesn't always show on a test)...or have you tried a strict elimination diet (grains, dairy)to see what affects you?

You could be lactose intolerant or test high for milk. I did. I was deathly allergic to milk as a newborn (almost died, this was back in 1955 when mothers gave their babies whole milk, didn't breast feed). I couldn't digest cow's milk until age 3. And even then didn't like it. As time went on I did drink milk (it was the only beverage available in a school hot lunch line or easy to pack from home that your teachers approved of). Recently I was tested for food sensitivities and cow's milk was one of the highest results. I always suspected that. I like you enjoy ice cream but don't always feel well for an hour after eating it. I just should never have it. I now enjoy non dairy coffee creamer and feel better. Milk has just never been a beverage choice for me but now after realizing it came up very high on my test, it's best to avoid it for the rest of my life (54 now).

The food panel test is interesting. I tested high for yeast. I probably eat too much bread but plain white bread, english muffins, pretzels, saltines seem to calm my gut the most.

You mentioned stress. That's an important part of managing IBS in my case. The busier and more stressed out I become, the more trouble I have (almost D or the bm dumping stage I can get into, bm's like clockwork, I joke they're like labor pains, every 10 minutes until my body's rid of whatever offended it, could be stress, could be something I ate).

Personally managing my IBS like symptoms is like a puzzle. If all these puzzle pieces are in place I do really well:

1. Keeping my stress level as low as possible
2. Staying on my low residue diet
3. Avoiding foods I know mess me up
4. Saying no to social functions if they're just not possible AND not feeling guilty about it
5. Taking both my nightly Colace and Primadophilus Bifidus pills, before bedtime
6. Making time for hobbies/things I enjoy, walking our dog, spending time with our dog, watching a TV show/rerun I'm addicted to (Lost, perfect example), reading a fluff piece/novel (an escape).

That's pretty much my IBS puzzle. You have one too I imagine. Once you figure out what works for you, make sure you stick to it!

Personally speaking, diet and my Golden Retriever are probably the two most important aspects of my situation. My dog is the sweetest thing, knows when I having my worst way, instinctively. How does she do that? She will climb on top of me if I'm lying down, right on my stomach and lay her head down on it, letting out a huge sigh as if to say - I'm here, you'll feel better. And I always do!

At least you're searching for what your answer(s) might be - you could begin eliminating food groups from your diet and see if just that simple approach might be your problem. Could be something as simple as lactose intolerance?