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Managing IBS?

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Posted 12/13/2010 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Here's a question I've been meaning to post: Does anyone here have IBS on top of their IBD?

My GI has made it clear he believes I have that on top of my recently diagnosed UC (previously had a Crohn's diagnosis for 3 years). Aside from "take some fiber," I haven't gotten much other info on IBS and what symptoms it could be causing on top of the UC and how to manage it. I'm especially confused since I've been in a flare since March, and not sure how to distinguish my IBD and IBS symptoms.

Any thoughts/advice/info would be great! Thanks!
Posted 12/13/2010 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yes - it is possible to have UC or Chrons AND IBS. I think I have IBS too. Some common symptoms of IBS: stomach grumbling or gurgling (even after you have ate), BMs immediately after eating, diahrrea, and variety in frequent changes in your BMs (liquid or solid, color, etc).

I think I have both, as I have those symptoms just listed, although I no longer have UC symptoms since I had surgery to rid myself of UC. I did take Xifaxin recently (antibiotic for IBS and Traveler's diahrrea) and noticed incredible improvement in my symptoms which again leads me to think I have IBS. I need to find a substitute for it though as it is too expensive - my insurance only covers 9 pills for $60 copayment.

UC produces abdominal pains, bloody diahrrea with mucous. People with IBS usually react to the food they eat and need to go to the bathroom immediately after eating, in addition to seeing constant changes in their BMs.

IBS is almost as poorly understood as UC and Chrons, so to have both, it becomes even more difficult to distinguish IBS and IBD. My GI says its not uncommon to have both and there may be a genetic component to IBS as there is with IBD - my mother has IBS, but I have an uncle with IBD - lucky me, lol.

CollegeGrad85
______________________________
25 years old - pre-law student
dx with UC 11/2008
On Lialda, Apriso, Colazal, Prednisone
dramatic fluctuations - days with 1-3 bms and some days with up to 20
ileorectal anastamosis surgery on 7/13, wound infection in the resulting weeks.
60-70 percent better now - 3-6 BMs a day now and on the road to "normalcy."
Posted 12/13/2010 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I am having similar symptoms. I have stomach cramps, aches and the sensation like I need to poo immediately after eating (regardless of the food). When I go to the toilet I don't have any mucus or blood but my stool is semi-diarrhea... the odd thing is I've never had IBS before (or at least it hasn't affected me to this extent). Is it possible to form IBS all of a sudden?

I am also confused if my symptoms are UC or IBS...

My understanding of IBS is that you don't actually need to treat it per se, it naturally comes and goes?
Posted 12/13/2010 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Both Uc and IBS can cause peristalsis after eating so that alone can make it hard to distinguish between the two. I have IBS as well as my Uc. How I found out is that I was still having issues after being in remission proven by scope. Certain foods bother me but if I am flaring, it is extremely difficult to know if it's from my Uc or from the IBS. With IBS, they say to increase your fiber but with Uc they tend to tell you to do a low fiber diet. I get very confused with trying to differentiate between the two. But yes, one can IBS in addition to an IBD.
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