ibs pain

Hi puppykins -

I am also considering antidepressants... I have severe lower intestine pain, daily diarrhea and something that causes me anxiety or upset can send me to the bathroom within 30 seconds! Sometimes I get so frustrated and upset, I just want to feel better and I can't seem to do anything that gives me that result.

I took lexapro for a few years - it helped my anxiety, depression and mood so very much, it really changed my life for the better, but the side effects pushed me to get off of it. Fast forward five years, I'm trying to treat naturally (Sam-E),but the anxiety is bad and it causes most of my stomach problems. I'm seriously considering going back to the lexapro but I'm just so scared of the side effects.

You're not alone!

Hello Puppykins, I have finally been diagnosed with IBS, it has been controlling my life for too long. Doctors have not helped me, so I have been doing a lot of research and came across a website that I found very informative. Taking drugs will be my last option. So I am going to try diet. Here is the link, read it and see what you think. http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/recipes.asp
I looked at the reviews online for the book "Eating for IBS
Diet & Cookbook , For All Symptoms" people had a lot of positive things to say about how this diet helped them, after they had exhausted everything else. I will definitely be ordering it and hopefully, get my life back, a life with no pain, no more missing out on gatherings with friends, no more missed holidays, because I have to stay home, close to the loo. I can't wait to get the book and start this thing. You can get some recipes online now and the post tells you enough to get started eating properly for IBS. Here's to our health!

Boy do I hate to hear that changing your diet didn't help you. I am a bit discouraged now.
I have been stuck in the house, me and my heating pad, muscle relaxers and pain meds, since Friday, today is Wed. My nephew is directing a cast of young singers and singing as well himself tonight and I am not sure I will be able to make it!
This is his first time directing and I hate to miss it. My mom & brother went last night and Mom scoped out the bathroom and knows exactly where it is. I guess that is somewhat reassuring.
I have not been eating much since Friday. Gatorade, water, peaches, and I make a concoction of pomegranate juice, water, cloves, cinnamon, & ginger, hoping that would help.
Have you ever tried a med called xifaxan? After I feel better, I am going to try that. It is an antibiotic, however, it stays in the gut and is supposed to kill off bad bacteria that may be causing an IBS flare-up. Again, desperate. I swore I would never take another antibiotic unless absolutely necessary. Here I go again. I researched it and found that many said it worked great for them, then they added, for a while, perhaps 4 months, then they had to take another round of it.
This is really frustrating. It is one of those illnesses that friends and family have a hard time understanding, as you look okay on the outside, you don't look like you have an illness. Nor do I particularly like telling people that I have issues with my intestines! Not exactly a conversation many want to have.
However, life goes on. I am packed and going to watch my nephews crew sing songs from an American Idiot, then stay over at Mom's and play games with her, and I will thoroughly enjoy myself!! Positive attitude!
Hope you are doing better and that your doctor had something to offer.

I can empathise although, I admit, I haven't your experiences. A colonoscopy from late 2010 discovered diverticulosis which lay dormant until mid last year when I had a mild flare-up. Since then lower abdo pain has been a regular companion. I had an abdo CT which showed no further "growth" of the diverticulosis and potential fatty liver. I've kept regular contact with my gastroenterologist (with whom thankfully I have a good rapport) who diagnosed IBS.

Was given literature about the low FODMAP diet and have seen a dietician. So far the "process of elimination" is seemingly taking out a large % of things (which hadn't notably caused hassles beforehand) and my IBS is type 3 (switches between constipation and diarrhea). I have other pain conditions but have learned to identify "what's what" and not worry; just wish I could get such a handle on this IBS !!

Take care !

I'm guessing that if you've been dealing with this for 30 years that you have a GI doctor. I don't know how healthcare works in the UK, but if at all possible, go see a GI specialist. It might be time for some updated tests to try to figure out what's going on. They would also be able to give you ideas of different treatments to try, etc.

I'm sorry you are suffering so much. GI stuff is just miserable a lot of the time. I too have had days when I feel like there's no way I can live this way long term. That's when you have to reach out to the medical doctors as well as psychiatrist and therapist for help. I know it's not easy, but try to stay focused on getting thru this moment, this day, and tell yourself that you are going to get help for this and will not feel this bad forever. Just gotta make it thru until someone can figure out why things have gotten so bad and how to make it better. Thinking like that is the only way I am able to keep going.

I hope you are able to find help and relief soon.

I'm am so sorry to hear about your sever pain. I myself have suffered with chronic fatigue and IBS for 20 years. I have done a lot of research and so far my favorite resources are Diane Sanfillipo's book Practical Paleo with recipes for various health issues and anything that has to do with restoring gut health via probiotics. Here's what I have done - removed all gluten, dairy, sugar and now nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes (except sweet), eggplant, bell peppers, and certain spices (paprika which is in everything - you must read all labels for paprika and/or the word spices, cayenne, red pepper). Black pepper is ok. Add probiotics - I have made my own pickles and kraut with sea salt and water - they ferment withn beneficial bacteria within a couple of days. Kefir Coconut Water at whole foods stores is great as is Kombucha tea. There are plenty of probiotics out there but you want a high bacteria count >10billion. YOu may also be suffering systemic candida - an extremely underdiagnosed situation. Candida can infect all organs of the body - and can transform into its mycelial phase causing havoc in the organ. THe bes way besides loading up on heavy doses of probiotics is to starve candida. Candida eats sugar - so you stop eating sugar. The best way to do this is to eat a ton of fresh meats and vegetables and keep fruits to maybe an apple a day - combined with some almond butter. I truly believe the answer to our health is in our gut. It is only just now really being researched. There are trillions of bacterial cells in our gut comprised of hundreds of species. We live with them wuite well until there is an imbalance - from disease, antibiotics, or overgrowth of one species. I myself am much better for going paleo - I do consume quinoa, brown rice and sweet potatoes. I have improved though I am now removing nightshades as a recurrence of IBS has occurred - though I drink coffee daily and have reintroduced alcohol. So I will need to reduce these as well. If after 30 days my symptoms have not improved I will be certain then that it is gall bladder or thyroid related.
Hope this helps - best of luck!