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Newbie..couple of ?s

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/14/2006 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone!  I am over from the UC board....let me explain my situation.  I was diagnosed w/ UC in September of last year.  My GI has also determined I have IBS as well (no tests just due to symptoms).  I guess I have researched UC so much I barely know anything about IBS.  The more I read the more I know I have been dealing w/ IBS for a long time...much longer than UC.  Here are my questions:

-is IBS totally food related?

-what meds are out there for IBS?  I currently have hyocyamine (sp?) to help w/ urges

-I have switched to Lactaid milk in case I have a dairy sensitivity.  Is there anything else I need to be on the lookout for?  I am from the South and fried food sends me straight to the bathroom!

-I guess my big question is how do I know it is IBS and not UC?  Not seeing blood & mucous?  Though I tend to pass some mucous regularly.

Thanks for your help and letting me ask so many questions!  Best to you all!!!

Posted 10/15/2006 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tabitha,
Welcome to the IBS board! :-)
Let me see if I can help answer some of your questions...
No, IBS is not totally food related. A huge percent of IBS is stress related. There are also people out there whose IBS is mainly related to not having a gallbladder. BUT, in order to pinpoint the foods that are most bothersome you can keep a food diary. Or, cut out lactose or gluten (1 at a time) for a couple weeks and see if you feel better. Then reintroduce them (1 at a time) and see if you symptoms get worse.
There are very few meds specifically for IBS. First there are antispasmodics, such as Bentyl, Levsin and Donnatal. There is also Zelnorm for IBS-C (primarily constipation). Docs sometimes try antidepressants as well, such as Elavil, Zoloft, Paxil and Wellbutrin, just to name a few. You will also find a few OTC meds like Digestive Advantage, probiotics, calcium, Imodium, peppermint oil, fiber, laxatives, stool softeners and calcium.
If lactose isn't your issue you might think about cutting gluten. Your doc can test you for Celiacs or a wheat intolerance.
Mucus is actually a common symptom of IBS. I don't know much about UC, but my guess is if you're seeing any blood at all or are having lots of pain that doesn't go away after a BM, it would be the UC and not IBS.
It must be really tough differentiating the 2... I'm so sorry you have to deal with both. I hope I have helped you at least a little bit with the IBS part.
Take care.
Posted 10/15/2006 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the great info! I had no idea mucous was a part of IBS. Wow..I have learned so much! Thanks again:)
Posted 10/16/2006 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi tjf, I have crohn's and IBS along with a couple of other problems. It is hard to deal with both IBD and IBS. My gi says most of my problems right now are IBS, not the crohn's. I sometimes take probiotics (they are kind of expensive and not covered by insurance) and I take liquid calcium every day. Imodium makes me cramp if I take a whole one so I take a half tablet sometimes for the d. As far as I know blood is not IBS related. I don't think IBS is totally food or stress related either. I was tested for Celiac thru a blood test and did not have it and I'm not lactose intolerant. Good luck in dealing with the IBD/IBS.
Posted 10/16/2006 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blue,

I noticed that you mentioned being tested for Celiac's, I too had the blood test for it and they were negative. For over a year I suffered with D, cramps, abdominal pains, weight loss, etc only to be told it had to be IBS. Well after further testing from a private lab I found out I have Celiac's, I started the gluten free diet right away and could tell a difference within 3 days. Blood test are not 100% accurate and the biopsies aren't unless the doctor gets the exact spot that shows the damaged villi. In my opinion, the REAL test is a trial test on the gluten free diet, you will know within a week or two is you are truly gluten sensitive (Celiac).
Posted 10/25/2006 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Is constipation related to IBS? I am having alot of trouble with constipation, bloating


Mercyme
Posted 10/26/2006 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
IBS has three manifestations: diarrhea, constipation and alternating between the two. So yes, constipation is a symptom of IBS.
Posted 11/2/2006 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I would consider switching from Lactaid to Soy Milk. I did and I found it is has been a great improvement.
Posted 11/2/2006 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Say jhmom, can you tell me what your gluten free diet consists of normally? I might give this a shot.
Posted 3/26/2007 10:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,
I was dx with celiac disease about 2 yrs. ago.  A colonoscopy is what determined I had that. The villi's are suppose to be a certain way and mine were well the opposite way. As you can see, I am still not to educated with it yet...lol. As soon as i was put on a gluten free diet, I saw a big change and felt so much better. I am also lactose intolerant. I do tend to cheat once in a while and I end up paying for it cause when you have celiac you are very limited as to what you can eat or are just to lazy to cook...lol. I eat alot of veggies, fruits, potatoes, white rice, chicken and fish. As long as i stay on that, i feel great.

Judy

 

**Hi Judy,  I just changed your post to lowercase; all caps is difficult to read and represents yelling.  Thanks, dbab

Post Edited By Moderator (dbab) : 3/26/2007 7:41:26 AM (GMT-6)

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