IBS taking over my life.

Hey Maria,

I hope someone on this board can help you with some advise. Sounds like you have had a really bad time with this problem. I am surprised that docs seem to have no real answers for us regarding gastro problems. IBS is the pat answer when they do not know. I feel it is up to us to figure out this puzzle. Wish there was more research done on this issue. I hope someone has some suggestions for you on how to deal with this. I am doctoring myself and find we all must find our own answers to our individual problems.

Hello Maria

It sounds like you are having a very tough time. I have had IBS for 5 years and it has ruined jobs and my last relationship. She was understanding but after 2 years her patience had worn thin and understandably so.

I went to a dietician so you might want to try that. I found certain foods which were ok and stuck to them. I am still ill intermittently but I used to be ill 2 or 3 times a week without fail.

I am sure what works for one will not work for another but I started slowly and found eggs were ok for me so I eat approx 9 eggs a week for 3 meals. I also found chicken ok so I cut potatoes up and added a few carrots and works for 2 meals and if I am struggling I will add in soup for a meal. I can also eat potatoes so may bake one. I eat very little so I repeat meals and so far it has worked for me.

Things I have found did not work processed food like chips and cheese.

What happened to you on your step has not quite happened to me but I have had so many close calls such as jumping off the bus on the way to work, which luckily was a countryside route and my favourite on a night out withy my former partner running the length of Kentish High Road before some lovely Turkish chap let me in just in time and I mean just in time. 

On my old route into work I worked out all the places that sold cheap clothes just in case and worked out where all the loos were just in case I needed to change. I was made redundant so I no longer have that panic on my mind.

I fully understand your anxiety. I am slightly better now but also not working so I am always close to the loo which helps. I have definitely turned into a hermit. I did try to go back to work but a couple of weeks in and it was not working. The illness came back as I had to leave at a certain time which I and my body found very difficult and then I would need long breaks in the loo.

I think for me knowing I do not have to socialise or leave my residence helps enormously.  I do not advise it as damn boring and not easy to live without a salary but the major plus is less anxiety over proximity to the loo.

Good luck      

 

Hi Maria,

I am so sorry to hear a young girl have this problem. Have you done an ultra sound for your gall bladder? Beside diet, you need not to worry, relax your mind. I have been sufferring IBS but it is cured by probiotic not completely if I become worry or stress. Likely it comes back and my faeces has light color so I decided to go for ultrasound of my bladder. I have abdomen cramps and diarrhear. There are lots of misdiagnosis so be aware. You can take charcoal it is good for IBS after eating, try not to eat fatty food and you can buy Beano which helps you to get rid of food allergy.t. Never thought of suicide. There will come to a solution. Drink artichoke tea, stop eating too much fruit or vege. Take iron tablets. Try one at a time and see which solution is suitable with you. Charcoal will help. I have been using it when symptoms flares.Hope it helps.  All the best.

 

First off I am sorry you aren't getting the help.

The healthier your diet the more likely you are to suffer. Complex fibres cause more issues for your stomach. I eat veg and fruit that is less complex - apples, bananas and veg carrots and parsnips. The rest I use a centrifugal juicer. It takes out the complex fibres but leaves in the easy to digest fibres.

I also found the wheat based good bacteria drinks the best. It was amazing the difference when I took these. I bought mine from an online retailer. They are expensive but they really do work.

I don't eat dairy in the morning which helps me.

I also only eat white bread.

Stress is a big factor so doing something that can take your mind off it and reduce your stress. I crochet and knit. The repetitive stitches relaxes your mind. TV and books don't tend to work as they don't relax your brain enough and your mind still wanders.

I hope some of my information helps.

Sue

I'm a very fed up 23 year old female, I feel your pain and I feel your anger with your doctor. Look into antispasmodic medication. Some people prefer over the counter, holistic ones such as peppermint tea. I've chosen to use prescriptions. I use a probiotic daily and a prescription for Librax. I've also tried bentyl and other prescription antispasmodics. This gives me enough time to reach a bathroom after eating or drinking something that aggravates my stomach. Sometimes I get twenty minutes, other times I get a couple hours. I've also used "bulking agents". I don't remember the name of the prescription but it's supposed to be taken before bed then in the morning and throughout the day you're supposed to have solid bowel movements but I didn't like the side effects it gave me. I felt bloated and sicker, like it blocked my bowel flow and had diarrhea worse when the block was gone. Antispasmodics help me when I'm not near a bathroom though. They may help you too, even if it just holds you over long enough to reach a bathroom in time.

Dear Maria I can relate to you in this. I really do feel your pain. I'm having a bad time with it to! Having lots of tests done as I can't leave my house without having a accident. Today I didn't make the toilet a it was a mess! It's taking over my life.

Hello my name is Andrew, I suffer from ibs and when I go too the bathroom it's Xtra bad and people make fun me cause off it, I have lost friends and relationships cause of it I'm so nervous I don't like going out in to public cause of it, I also lost jobs life just really sucks for me I used to be a fun and out going person, now im measurable hateful cause off people making fun of me alot, don't know what to do with myself anymore need some advise

I had IBS back in 2015 for a few years. I had constipation mainly with the odd spell of loose motions or diarrhoea with nausea and mild to severe abdominal pain. I had no food triggers but stress was. Buscopan and Nurofen helped me. For some reason, my IBS suddenly cleared up and stress/anxiety has never flared it up since. I no longer need antispasmodics now.

The worst for me was three and a half months of no diagnosis and loads of negative tests and doctors admitting they didn't have a clue what was wrong and asking me 'if I thought I had IBS' when I thought they should have been telling me that. I was given the wrong medication for me too which made everything worse and made me panic more. In the end, I tried over the counter Buscopan which had helped my brother's IBS. What got me my diagnosis was explaining my despair, anxiety and stress to my doctor after my eighth attempt. Previously, no doctor had asked about stress so I didn't mention it because I hadn't thought it relevant.

Maybe try a food diary to see if that reveals any trigger foods and monitor stress levels to identify if that could be a cause.