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IBS...a mystery...no rhyme or reason

Posted , 7 users are following.

IBSpatient
IBSpatient

I've been here for quite a long time trying to find something that will help my wife. Our MDs don't seem to be interested in studying this terrible malady. I'm a retired scientist, and in my work I was always attracted to problems that had not been solved. MDs don't seem to be interested in anything that does not have an established treatment. All we get is responses to symptoms. Even the Mayo Clinic has thrown up their hands and is recommending an approach that runs the gamut from accupuncture to yoga and continuing delayed reaction to symptoms with various medications. 

One gastroenterologist has explained that all the various examination tools can give is snapshots of the gut. But, he said, the dynamics of moving food through the intestines and the contractions of the musclature that does this job are not studied. It may be that this is where the cause lies. 

Does anybody here know anything about this possibility or know of any research into this?

We are DESPERATE and underwhelmed at the information available about this malady.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • lynn53651
    lynn53651 IBSpatient

    Posted

    When all the tests have been completed, to rule out cancer of the bowel, colitis , etc, the doctors tell their patients if there is no other cause that can be found  they label it IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Most people have to start ruling out the foods that make them feel bad, or make them constipated or foods that give them the runs.

    It is a terrible cycle of ongoing distress to try to find the answer that helps. This only adds to irritable bowel syndrome because now the person becomes depressed, fed up, nervous, anxietys, etc. So relaxation of the mind is number one when you have IBS. Know that if you do not have cancer that you have to get to know what your own body can tolerate so the digestive system can work properly. I noticed that some people have acid reflux acid along with their irritable bowel syndrome. They  think acid reflux means one has too much acid in their stomach , when in fact it is the exact opposite. One does not have enough acid in their stomach to break down their food properly so they can digest it properly. A natural remedy for not enough acid, is to start mixing one teaspoon of organic apple cidar vinigar in an 8 ounch glass of warm water, stir, use a straw so the teeth do not get stained and drink it after lunch and again after supper. At first only drink a few ounces to see how it works.

    To find out how good organic apple cidar vinegar is and it must be the real deal from the health food store, Google the following words " Can apple cidar vinegar help irritable bowel syndrome and see what it tells you."

    Another suggestion is there is a lady who suffered from IBS for over 20 years and she has written a book because she cured herself with special diet etc. You may want to contact her or at least look up her web site. Her book is called Eating for IBS by Heather Van Vorous. I hope you will find some answers for your wife and be able to help her conquer her IBS. The mind and body work as a team so in order for the stomach and digestive system to relax , the mind has to be calm as well. Thats just the beginning. Exercises in breathing and calming are very important along with the right food and diet, plus maybe apple cider vinegar. Again, check that out for yourself. Apple Cidar Vinegar has a lot of good properties in it. Blessings to you and your wife

                                         Lynn

    • toni_10
      toni_10 lynn53651

      Posted

      Hi lynn

      Above u make some good points and find useful however i dont get or understand, that the body because it has not enough acid in the stomach you get refluxs of this and vomit it up??? Surely it is because the gut.bowel muscles are working over that causes this acid.( build up) I unfortantly know all too well of this as im a serve ibs suffer n acid "up chuck" i can do on a daily basic!! Where ever what ever im doing. Also tried this apple cider u talk about and might have worked for u or others. But im affraid not me.

      toni10

    • lynn53651
      lynn53651 toni_10

      Posted

      Apple cidar vinegar will not work for everyone, but if you did check it out on google it works for quite a few people. Let me explain something to you regarding acid reflux. When you say you refluxed and vomit. That is because you didn't have enough acid in your digestive system to propery neutralize your food that you chewed. Therefore, the food is undigested some of it and it causes back up.  The burning sensation comes up the back of your throat when you don't digest properly because again, not enough acid to digest your food properly. I have had acid reflux for years and when I eat the wrong food or do not have enough acid in my digestive system, the burning begins up the back of my throat, the churning stomach from undigested food etc. Did you start out with just a little bit of Apple Cidar vinegar and it has to be Organic(Braggs) is a good brand. Maybe decrease to 1/2 a teaspoon of apple cidar vinegar in 8 ounces of water, once after lunch, once after supper. How long did you try it for? Did you give it a few days or only try it once?

      Also did you check out that book I recommended regarding a lady who suffered from IBS for over 20years and healed herself. I would rather listen to someone who has experienced this IBS for 20 years then someone who has no experience with IBS. I hope you find the right diet and the right level of acid in your system to properly digest your food so it doesn't make you feel like vomiting it back up.

                                                Blessings to you

  • gillian06472
    gillian06472 IBSpatient

    Posted

    I tend to agree with Lynn. There are other things you can try, or read up on.

    Acidophilus, probiotic, :-someone found relief after 7 years.

    H.C.I, 'With pepsin' :-someone found relief after 20 years.

    Milk Thistle complex tablets or tincture.

    Ingredients:

    Contains the tinctures of fresh Cynara scolymus* (Artichoke) leaves 46%, Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) dried fruit 32%, fresh Taraxacum officinalis* (Dandelion) herb and root 12%, Peumus boldus (Boldo) dried leaf 7% and fresh Mentha piperita* (Peppermint) leaves 3%.

    -Alcohol content: 62% v/v in tincture

    * Organically grown.

    - I took tablets for two months and found relief after 5 years of stomach problems.

    Another found relief from bloating by a strict diet similar  to the atkins diet just for 3 months and it also cleared their candida , (not had thrush in over 6 years). 

    Diet of chicken, meat, fish, and any vegetables.

    There is a VSL#3 probiotic, especially for IBS and Ulcerative colitis.

     

  • p3t3r
    p3t3r IBSpatient

    Posted

    You'll no doubt get to hear abut everyone's pet theory. The one true thing you can say is the first sentence of Lynn's reply.

    Much work has been done by Australia's Monash University in classifying foods. Unfortunately it's not that simple as most sufferers can tell you. Monash says that cornflour is the best possible flour substitute for IBS sufferers; for me it's far worse than what it replaces.

    All I can suggest is following the scientific method with regard to diet. Certainly I have improved since I cut out, or cut down on a number of foods that clearly irritate my gut. I think the Monash low fodmap diet is a good starting point.

    • toni_10
      toni_10 p3t3r

      Posted

      Your totally right about hearing everyones theorys, i joined this chat/forum to get help, tips share n support for myself and others to get control back of my life from ibs. Not to get cocky replies and folk who think there a doctor! I will find the answers to my suffering with good support no judgements and not to take 7 plus years to do so....
  • ann_and_nick
    ann_and_nick IBSpatient

    Posted

    a tad more than a mere snap shot. Try ROME III via pub med. To our knowkedge there is no cure for IBS but patients have experienced complete remissions. There are many probable causes, medications, infections, hormonal imbalance, diet, lifestyle to name but a very few. You are absolutely correct..md's are limited to treating symtoms..

    our modicum of sucess has been thru discovery of probable cause. Use primary sources vs tertiary, pub med and plos one can be helpful. Ann

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