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Need help controlling IBS problems- (Ulcerative Colitis)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/26/2012 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Just discovered that the problems I have been trying to minimize/eliminate are more related to IBS than my UC.   Symptoms such as loose stools, frequency, urgency, bloating, constipation, abdominal cramps, etc.   Have had colonoscopy, and regular labs that show my UC is normal/ not the problem.   Have done a lot of reworking of my diet. I have been gluten free for a few years now. And for the most part stay away from dairy. Have cheese on occassion. It is the last dairy item I'm working on eliminating, but it's so hard. ion: tongue" type="#_x0000_t75" o:spid="_x0000_i1026"> My system is very sensitive. After recent trip to dr, to whom suggested I needed more fiber in my diet,,,I am more confused than ever. I have to be very careful about the amount of fiber I have. Have recently been playing with the idea of having a fair amount of fiber every other day and very little the other days. Seems to be going alright. But it is tough when trying to eat healthy which usually means fruits and vegetables.   I take the following supplements: folic acid, krill oil, vitamin D3, Magnesium, Slippery Elm, Curcumin (Turmeric), Psyllium Husk, L-Glutamine, enzyme blend,   Medications: I am on remicade and methotrexate to control my UC. During bad flares- I use rectal meds to help put the fire out. I'm also on two different forms of bc, both are progestrone only. Still working on this area. Have had problems in the past around period. Hormone fluctuations cause such a mess. IF ANYONE HAS ADVICE IN THIS AREA I WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL.   BESIDES REALLY BEING CAREFUL WITH DIET, WHAT OTHER THINGS MIGHT YOU SUGGEST I TRY TO HELP ELIMINATE THE ABDOMINAL CRAMPING, URGENCY, CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN LOOSE STOOLS/CONSTIPATION???   THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP AND UNDERSTANDING. ion: " type="#_x0000_t75" o:spid="_x0000_i1025">
Posted 5/26/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
My first suggestion is to use Rowasa and Canasa much more frequently (nightly IOW), not just for flares, in order to reduce inflammation at the nether end which should ultimately help with urgency.

I personally don't agree that the symptoms you give are just IBS, they are very related to UC. But ultimately it doesn't really matter what the name is does it? We just want them to go away.

Diet modification made the biggest improvement in those symptoms for me along with the Rowasa/Canasa mentioned. I agree with you about being iffy on adding fiber. I found that reducing insoluble fiber gave me the final improvements I needed. I still eat green beans and other veggies but very little of other fiber and my colon is much happier. Removing skin from fruits is a good idea and I stay away from fruit I can't do that to such as blueberries.

Along with caffeine my gut also didn't even like non-caffeine teas, even very healthy organic types and only tolerated one brand of decaf coffee. You should keep a food journal and see what your colon prefers, everyone is different. It is not easy examining everything you eat and looking for reactions which may happen a day or so later but eventually you begin to see connections.

On bad D-days take an Immodium, no need to suffer. For stomach cramps take 10 or 20 mg Bentyl. Sorry can't help with BC ideas, I was never successful with the Pill had to use alternatives.
Posted 5/26/2012 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Make sure the psyllium husk is not artificially sweetend and that magnesium doesn't exceed 150 mg. Sucralose and aspartame can feed bacteria and yeast cause the body doesn't absorb it but the little guys love it.
Posted 5/26/2012 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
imagardener2- thank you for your advice. The problem I have with the rectal meds, and also immodium is I get constipated so easily. 1/2 immodium and I am backed up for a few days. sad

I am definitely going to be looking into the fiber...

In regards to other foods that cause probs and eliminating them from diet. I've been doing that for years now. Pretty much have it down. On occassion I slip up.

And I just saw dr the other day and was prescribed the bentyl to try.

Again THANK YOU so much for advice. I love our forum. :-)

I posted the same post on the IBS forum and no one responded.

Posted 5/26/2012 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
I had the worst experience with Bentyl, it literally made me dizzy, sick, felt like I had absolutely no control over my digestive system and I think thats what the purpose was for...

I would suggest other supplements ontop of meds, Aloe Vera Juice really helped me get past those painful cramps, L-Glutamine, some herbs (in tea or powder) like Slippery Elm or Licorice Root, Chamomile and Peppermint to help settle the stomach also...
Posted 5/26/2012 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, check out the FODMAP diet, lots of info if you google it. Also an ELISA test for food intolerances can help determine which foods your body is fighting. I had to go to a naturopath to get mine. I feel so much better on FODMAP. Good luck, IBS stinks!
Posted 5/26/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ah yes, I have flippin' IBS as well as crohn's...Every source I've read/heard regarding IBS states the 2 key components to getting it under control and keeping it there is fibre and regular exercise (from experiance I find they both do help). One of the other major things I know is that IBSers are suppose to completely avoid sugar alcohols first and foremost (anything ending in "tol" like sorbitol, xylitol, etc) and all other artificial sweeteners should be avoided as well (I use Stevia when needed now and it's definitely much better than processed sugar IMO)...I find this also helps some with my CD too.
Posted 5/27/2012 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Just an idea:  Ulcerative Colitis and IBS are triggered by stress.  Vitamin B12 (all of the B's are good for stress reduction) is necessary to produce red blood cells.All of the B's are good for stress reduction.  It is water soluble, so anything your body doesn't need, it removes in the urine. 

Another issue that is not discussed is the Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency caused by malabsorption in the gut (diahrrea).  Vitamin D and Calcium are essential for bone formation and for preventing colorectal cancer. 

"It is now well established that vitamin D is an important regulator of the immune system which may have implications for the development, severity and management of immune related disorders such as IBD."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22493989

Moist heat is an excellent way to increase circulation in inflammed joints, so is pure peppermint oil.  Peppermint cools the joint and reduces inflammation.

 

Posted 5/27/2012 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
BigBetty- I've been doing a ton of research since you suggested the FODMAP diet. I'm seriously thinking of giving it a try. I've been reading for hours all about the dos and don'ts etc. Is there anything in particular you can suggest? How did it go at first?...etc.
Posted 5/27/2012 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
This just popped up this am on google health. IBS for sure linked to bacteria overgrowth.
Old Mike
http://www.dailydisruption.com/2012/05/cedars-sinai-study-links-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-and-bacteria-in-gut/
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