new here...help with some questions?

I have been told I have IBS. I have now just had a diagnosed colitis...either ischemic or contagious colitis they say. I had my first "attack about 8 years ago"...went to the emergency room as it was a weekend. I had lower cramping that would stop after passing a little stool but be right back in 10 minutes etc...lasted all day until i noticed some bloody mucus around the little piece of stool...sed rate was elevated...they said not ulcerated colitis just colitus. This time was horrible. cramping was so severe I thought I would vomit and pass out. After no more diarreah left in me just pure blood passed..this lasted 48 hrs...my GI dr gave me bentyl, flagl and an antibiotic. liquid diet. Now 3 days latter the worst if over but the lower abdomen is so tender it hurts to sit or bend and if I pass gas it hurts in that area. I just had a colonoscopy 4 months ago which only showed some diverticular disease and adhesions. Outside of these 2 bad flares what happens is I am either constipated or have diarreah...about once a week I have a bad bout of diarreah that might keep me up some of the night. I have GERd and so my stomach/ab area is constantly bothering me in one way or another. I'm wondering if it all is colitis and not ibs or can yu have both? I see posts of diet..what diet should I do for my gut? low carb, low fiber..am diabetic so dont each much sweets...Sorry to ramble, but this last flare made me feel like I could have bled to death....doesnt all that blood loss hurt...ps I have to take antibiotic almost daily for low IGA immune problem which results in lung problems...antibiotics are the only thing that can help an IGA problem...I know the antibiotics hurt..what can I do to get my gut well? Thank you in advance   

The antibiotics could well be your problem. They kill off the "good" bacteria in your colon, which then paves the way for overgrowth of bad bacteria. I don't know much about ischemic or contagious colitis, but those of us with UC take probiotics on a daily basis. They are formulations of "good" bacteria to re-colonize the colon and keep the bad bacteria at bay. Some of the preparations a lot of us use are VSL#3, Culturelle and Primadophilus Reuteri. You can also check with your pharmacy or local health store. Be sure to take the probiotics at least 2 hours after and 4 hours before any dose of antibiotics, or the antibiotics will kill them.

Good luck.

Yes, blood is a normal part of flaring. And you can lose A LOT. That's why most of have low iron. It can't be only IBS if you're having blood. You can have both though. I have UC and irritable bowel. Flares can last a very long time especially if you're not diagnosed and not on proper medications.

The only thing I can recommend to you right now is to eat a bland diet. Rice, broth, pasta (very little sauce), cooked potatoes, very cooked veggies (no raw), limited fruit, no dairy, go easy on the grains, go easy on the beans. Drink as much water as you can tolerate, no coffee (little if you can't stand not having it), hot water with ginger is nice. Eat small meals. Hopefully within a couple of days of eating a bland diet you may have a small amount of relief. Also, if you're taking Advil (ibuprofen), STOP! Ibuprofen can irritate your stomach causing more pain. Tylenol (acetaminophen) if okay.