Ibs suffered for years. Tried everything. Sertraline helped anyone?

Really interesting read, bless you for sharing. Everyone here is so supportive. Thank you very much xx

Thanks so much for this. I think I definitely will xx

In our society today, the mentality is that the solution to every malady comes in pill form. All these cancer 'run/walks for the cure' are a good example. The money raised goes to support research not into prevention through nutritional education or prevention through stopping the administration of hormones in beef cattle, for example...but into 'the cure'. What is the cure? Drugs! Where does the money go? Into the pockets of the drug companies.

My point is that when you visit a doctor who is afflicted with this pervasive mentality, he reaches for the drug pad. And as patients, unless we leave his office with a prescription in hand, we feel that we have not been taken seriously; that the doctor doesn't believe that we have a true illness.

But just like the doctors themselves, we have been mislead and tricked by this 'a pill for every illness' mentality that the powerful drug companies promote.

Here's the thing; the treatment is probably 99% in our own hands where many illnesses, such as IBS are concerned. And that treatment and cure is LIFESTYLE change. And it makes so much sense. You look at the CAUSE first and make every effort in that regard. 

If you go to a doctor with IBS, would you...or anyone prefer to be told, "DO the following: drink 2 glasses of water upon arising in the morning, make sure every meal is FULL of colourful vegetables and fruits,possibly have 4 - 6 ounces of wine every day, go for a daily half hour walk without sunblock (so as to absorb vitamind D) and without sunglasses (to get light into your eyes...good for mood) besides regular day ot day activity, connect with people and laugh every day, sleep well and do for others." and "DON"T do the following: eat greasy foods, dairy products, constipating foods, sugary foods and drinks, lots of breads and cereal products. And don't drink to excess." 

OR.... would you rather be given pills with all their side effects...but be able to continue to abuse your body with poor dietary and lifestyle choices? Unfortunately, I believe that most people prefer the latter. 

The oath every doctor takes when he graduates from medical school is '...I will keep myself far from all ill-doing...." which the majority of doctors break on a daily basis. Shame on the medical establishment for falling into the trap of Big Pharma! 

Be your OWN first doctor and consider your doctor as a second opinion. YOU know your body best;and know how it functions better than any doctor cares to hear about. Listen to the messages it is giving you. Treat your body well. If there is pain or other symptoms of illness, figure out logically what is causing them and address them. This is where you have full control over your own destiny.

Treating mental illness can also be helped considerably with lifestyle changes. Supplements such as St John's Wort (not to be taken WITH anti-depressants) and fish oil and magnesium are recommended; maybe B12 if it is low which happens often over age 50.  Of course, you may still require medication but maybe a lower dose. At least do the best for your body and mind by eating well...VERY well, keeping regular (there IS a colon/brain connection), drinking lots of water etc...as above.

Personally, I need to take a basic mineral supplement (besides other vitamins and mineral supplements) and that is magnesium...which is excellent for both the bowels and the brain. 

You are stronger and more powerful than you think. Feeling much, much better is something you have control over. Take care of your body naturally. It needs you. Good luck!

Hi, Robin agree with what you say. Unfortunately the doctors don't have a choice they risk being struck off if they don't tow the line. I have had good results treating myself just like you say. When I tell the doctor it's like I haven't even spoken. It is so annoying when you see people being happy with a diagnosis of ibs. Without fail they will be given some form of ant-acid. On these forums I've not seen one patient advised to look at their diet or that they may have low stomach acid. I think in years to come we will look back on this time as the age when the health service poisoned there patients with drugs meant to heal them. Don't get me wrong I have a lot of respect for  the doctors and specialist and some of the technology is amazing. It's the power of the drug companies that is destroying our health service.

Hi Gailee,  I am in TOTAL agreement. Doctors know squat about drugs so they depend on their drug salesmen to teach them...or golf/wine and dine conventions often in exotic places...the deal being that they attend sales pitches on the latest drugs. Often the drug companies set incentives for the doctors for prescribing certain drugs and reward those who reach their quota. 

How did our great grandparents on the farm handle IBS? It probably didn't exist because they were active, ate much less and what they did eat was simple, real and nutritious FOOD, nothing processed and fried. And they drank water...not fizzy drinks and other garbage. 

They didn't run to the doctor for a solution in pill form. They might have taken a simple home remedy like castor oil if on occasion there was a constopation issue. But no complex drugs with terrible side effects to contend with. We've lost our common sense. And the corruption of Big Pharma with their pill culture, has us all fooled into thinking that drugs are the one and only solution. It's unethical.

Robin, I have a good example. I am 70yrs old. My doctor told me that my cholesterol was 6.5 and to get it down I needed to be on statins. I took the statin and had hiccups for five days continuous. He changed it for a different statin and I suffered severe pain that moved about my legs ie ankle the knee then other leg. I refused a further change in statin and asked if I could treat it with diet. No he said because the cholesterol is manufactured in your liver. I see a different doctor, was referred to a dietician and got my cholesterol down to 4.4 within a month on diet alone. A fellow golfer with a cholesterol of 4.4 was told by his nurse that she would up his statins to get his reading below 4. He never walked for the following three years. The are reports of the statins not doing what they are supposed to with bad side effects

Hi Gailee,

I am SO GLAD that you wrote this story and I wish that the world could read it. You happen to have hit on my biggest beef with the medical/Big Pharma establishment. 

Did you know that the drug companies lowered what was considered to be a 'normal' cholesterol reading...twice! What was once normal became too high. Then it was lowered again...and again many more people fell into the 'too high' zone. So that meant, more doctors were recommending statins to more and more people. Outrageous!

Now they have discovered that statins have many undesirable side effects such as memory loss. But the good news is that if you get off the statins, the memory improves again...so all is not lost!  Statins are not recommended for anyone over 75 because they do more harm than good. My 75 year old sister in law developed diabetes...which is also a result of taking statins. Statins cause raised liver enzymes which is why the doctor orders yearly blood test to check them. And statins also cause joint issues. 

My husband is from a family where high cholesterol is a problem. He refused statins although his cholesterol was high even in his twenties...over 7!!  With (my) research into how to lower cholesterol naturally, he has been eating a bowl of All Bran cereal with added oat bran every morning for years...with berries or other fruit on top. His cholesterol dropped down into the normal range (4.8). It did go up somewhat again but into the mid 5s...which is acceptable. Like me, he is 65 btw. My cholesterol has always been normal, thank God. Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic, one of the leading research hospitals in the world and one I always refer to as a credible source of medical information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772  The US cholesterol readings are different from ours but otherwise, the article is very readable and interesting. Print it out and give it to your poor golfer friend. What an absolute shame that he can no longer walk. I hope he is off the statins and able to improve his health.

Hiya,

So pleased to hear the diet worked for you. Whst did your diet consist of as I am suffering terrible at the moment x

Hi, this treatment is not about a diet , it is about a cure for my IBS/Sibo.

Please read through the posts and you will find your answers. Good Luck.

oopppssss, wrong forum, my bad Forget what I wrote above Sorry

Hi Maurice

I am very interested to hear more about your treatment for IBS-D.  Mine is quite bad and I also have anxiety. 

Lynne

Hello Reyjoy!

Today I went out to buy L Glutamine. I read that it's good not only for digestive issues but also for ADHD and for people recovering from chemotherapy. It works for depression and anciety?...  That's good! My issue is the first. Mind you, they severe cramps have been under control for years because of the magnesium glycinate or citrate. They keep me right as rain. I am still afraid enough of that IBS pain and cramping that I am very vigilant and don't let myself get constipated.

 I do take Bio K in my morning smoothie. But if I have rice 2 days in a row for example, I have to be aware of this effect on my system and prepare for it by taking an extra magnesium tablet at bedtime. I like the fact that it's a natural mineral...and not a drug!

I think you should add 'sleep' to your TO DO list. It's I think, the middle of the night where you are writing from. Here, in Canada it is 10:45 pm. Time to take my magnesium and hit the hay!

Good nght and thanks for the L Gluamine advice!

Robin

Hello Robin,

I hope every thing going well with you, Could you please tell us what is your situation right now.

thanks