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Posted 2/23/2009 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering what you all think about how many of us may have IBS in addition to UC.  In the craziness of my flare last year, I basically forgot that one of my doctors told me he thought I had IBS.  I'm certain that I do, and I think the fact that I wasn't treating it was what caused my flare to be so bad and for the inflammation to spread so quickly (going from proctitis to pancolitis in just a few months).

I would eat foods that were supposed to comforting to a "UC" tummy, but they often had the reverse effect because they weren't IBS-friendly.  I could never understand why a stay in the hospital didn't make me feel better, but they were serving me liquids that were loaded with sugar and salt (and even caffeine) and processed foods which totally aggravated the IBS.

So I guess I'm wondering how many people have had the same experience.  Or after reading this, do you think you may have IBS that you didn't know about?

PS.  After learning a TON about IBS on the website www.helpforibs.com, I'm eating better and feeling better even though I basically already in remission (thanks to the spinach/sunflower diet).

Posted 2/23/2009 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been offically diagnosed with it but I am positive I do. Its always stress induced and after I started effexor I haven't been having as many problems as before. Its like I can never get away from D!!!
Posted 2/23/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Callalily - Definitely check out the website I posted above and read up on soluble fiber vs. insoluble fiber. There is some great info that has really helped me.

PS. Love your screen name!
Posted 2/23/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
what exactly is the spinach/sunflower seed diet
Posted 2/23/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have both crohn's colitis (CD affecting the colon) and IBS...the only good thing is about having both an IBD along with IBS is that generally what helps and hurt each are basically the same, for example, both IBD and IBS need fibre and both should avoid refined sugar and artificial sweetners (especially sugar alcohols), MSG's, processed foods/beverages), fast foods, caffeine. Both conditions can be helped by regular exercise as well.

:)
Posted 2/23/2009 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I also was told I have IBS. Mine is due from my anxiety. I was always worried if I was going to have to "GO" when I left the house, which would get me anxious and in return make me go to the bathroom regardless or not if I had to go. My GP started me on BuSpar which has helped dramatically. I think there is a big correlation between Anxiety/Stress/Depression to IBS and UC.
Posted 2/23/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)

blondeceo said...
what exactly is the spinach/sunflower seed diet

You can do a search for it on this site and read lots of info about it.  If you need more info, just let me know and I'd be glad to help.
Posted 2/23/2009 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
I've been told I have both...lucky me!!!!
Posted 2/23/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
I have both crohn's colitis (CD affecting the colon) and IBS...the only good thing is about having both an IBD along with IBS is that generally what helps and hurt each are basically the same, for example, both IBD and IBS need fibre and both should avoid refined sugar and artificial sweetners (especially sugar alcohols), MSG's, processed foods/beverages), fast foods, caffeine. Both conditions can be helped by regular exercise as well.

:)

These kill me and always have even as a kid..watch for these in meds ie; Levsen etc. I can do regular sugar without issues.
Posted 2/23/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I wish fiber worked for me. It actually makes me feel worse? When my GI found that out he wasn't surprised because nothing about my body is normal! tongue
Posted 2/23/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
My GI told me last visit that I most likely have IBS with my UC.

I remember when I was first diagnosed that my mom bought me two cookbooks for IBS... I'd get so angry and be like.. . IBS AND UC are NOT the same!!! But now I'm thinking I should try eating that way to see if it helps.
Posted 2/23/2009 8:38 PM (GMT 0)

I can so relate to you Sam and I am old enough to be your grandmother!

I tell doctors now - after all these years of experiences, etc. - give me a kids dose and expect it to do the opposite of what it should.  Some work ok but so many work in reverse.  I tried 4 anxiety meds (all that made me very "hyper") until I found Xanax works in small doses!  I could name many and the last - mesalamines - caused me to have flu-like symptoms worse than UC.  Now I am on prednisone and lost weight, no bloating, immediate relief from bleeding and diarrhea.  Anyway, some of us just have to learn as we go about out bodies and make our doctors understand.  Once I got hepatitis from a medication and the doctors books all said "in rare cases can cause hepatitis".  I consider myself a "rare" case for sure.

I was diagnosed with IBS about 30 years ago.  Mostly it is diagnosed (or was anyway) with process of elimination.  I have had "bouts" of diarrhea certainly brought on by fatty food, too much sugar - too much food at once (huge meals) or many other things.  Spicy food is ok once in a while but not twice in a row.  We have to learn - keeping  a food journal helps and avoiding if we don't want to aggravate the stomach.  As for the colon - learning about that.  I know that bland, lowfat, low fiber, well-cooked veggies and fruit help me the most!

Posted 2/23/2009 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have so many symptoms that seem to overlap many diseases

Blood-less diarrhea
Green stools
Bright red blood with normal stools
Straining, intense urgency & false urges
Rectal pressure & discomfort
itching
Mucus discharge & blood
Posted 2/23/2009 8:47 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 - You are definitely correct that many of the same foods effect both UC and IBS, but I learned so much more about treating IBS from the website I gave in my first post.  Using soluble fiber to treat IBS is absolutely key to keeping the gastrocolic reflex from being triggered.  The author of the website bases her whole diet around it, and she also has tons of other tips about eating for IBS.

For any of you who think you have it, I strongly suggest checking out that website.  When I was reading the list of trigger foods and insoluble fiber foods, I could tell that they were all foods that bother me. 

Here it is again, if you can't find it above:  www.helpforibs.com
There is even a cheat sheet that you can print off and stick on your fridge to help you make the right food choices as well as the order in which to eat your food.

Posted 2/23/2009 8:53 PM (GMT 0)

callalily22 said...
I wish fiber worked for me. It actually makes me feel worse? When my GI found that out he wasn't surprised because nothing about my body is normal! tongue

But what kind are you eating?  Soluble or insoluble?  Here is the page on the website that lists soluble fibers (the good ones):

http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber1.asp

At the bottom of this page, there's a link to a list insoluble fibers (the bad ones).

You may just be eating the wrong kind of fiber. 

Posted 2/23/2009 8:55 PM (GMT 0)

After 30 years of IBS - I quickly looked at the list of soluble fiber and it is right on - those are the foods (mostly) I eat with no problems!

ElaineNY

Posted 2/23/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)

kops2da said...

After 30 years of IBS - I quickly looked at the list of soluble fiber and it is right on - those are the foods (mostly) I eat with no problems!

ElaineNY

She (the author) is dead-on with this stuff.  I copied and pasted about 10 pages of info from her website so I could print it off and keep it handy. 
Posted 2/23/2009 8:59 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, and the high fibers or insoluable list are Killers!!  Many think we need all the whole wheat stuff, etc. - if you can't tolerate it - you can't tolerate it.  ME!!

ElaineNY

Posted 2/23/2009 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
The great thing about the information on the site is that she tells you how to eat BOTH. She says you're not supposed to have a diet that excludes insoluble fibers (because that's an unhealthy diet), so she tells you how to eat them along with soluble fibers so they won't kill your stomach.

For example, spinach is an insoluble fiber (the bad-for-IBS kind). Obviously spinach is healthy and we all need our greens, so to eat it you should mix it with a greater amount of a soluble fiber like white pasta. Its a balancing act, but it totally works.
Posted 2/23/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Kops: One time I went in with a really bad sore throat and I kept telling them it was strep and they kept say no no it's just post nasal drip, you'll be fine in a couple days. I was like NO you test me right now because I am certain I have strep! They kept saying I didn't have the symptoms besides the sore throat but they tested anyway and guess what? I had strep! I was a carrier of it (and they aren't supposed to get the strep) as a kid and I was sick with it 3 or 4 times a winter and I NEVER have a fever with it. Gotta push it because only you know how backwards your body is! yeah

Kiss: I guess its kind of weird for me. I can handle like half the stuff on the insoluble list and but the stuff on the soluble list I probably wouldn't ever eat! I tend to eat what I want and if it makes me sick, it makes me sick. Its hard to eat healthy when you're living on campus and eating their food...
Posted 2/23/2009 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya. As much as I hate UC, I'm at least grateful to have gotten it when I was 29. I can't imagine having it during school - especially college. Its nearly impossible to eat healthy on campus. Their food is just garbage.
Posted 2/23/2009 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I certainly consider myself to be dual afflicted. Bear in mind that both IBD and IBS are what I call "garbage can" diagnoses- IBD is essentially inflammation in the colon for which they cannot find a cause- so, based on the type and pattern of inflammation they label it CD, UC or indeterminate colitis. Likewise if they find chronic diarrhea and/or constipation without inflammation, for which they cannot find any obvious cause, they label it IBS. Both are sort of moronic but they are official diagnoses... that's modern medical science for you.
Posted 2/24/2009 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I've developed IBS in the last couple months. I can handle most sugars (since I have them in moderation), but a full order of mac & cheese will give me a lot of loose stool. Benefiber has helped with bulking up stool, I can't eat spicy foods and Mexican foods from restaurants (but I have no problem with homemade Mexican food). Even when I was flaring last year, I was able to eat just about anything. But now that I'm in remission, I'm actually limiting my food options much more.

I agree Sam--campus food sucks! Most days I just ended up eating wraps or sandwiches with grilled chicken b/c it's the healthiest thing offered!
Posted 2/24/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)

kops2da said...
Yes, and the high fibers or insoluable list are Killers!! Many think we need all the whole wheat stuff, etc. - if you can't tolerate it - you can't tolerate it. ME!!

ElaineNY

I AGREE!
Posted 2/24/2009 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
bookworm lol I bet you I have cereal for dinner at least 3 times a week. A true college student for ya! I'd eat from the salad bar if it didn't give me mega d!
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