[Rhapsody]

Good Morning...
I was just wondering if there is any one on this site that might suffers from this problem.... I was diagnosed with it about 10 years ago when my RA when a muck on me and placed me in the Cardiac Unit at the hospital.
I really have not had to much problem or inconvenience with the IBS... well, until recently and I would like to talk about it (when its at its worse).


Thanks...
LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[January]

Hi Rhap,

I have IBS and Ulcerative Colitis. What do you need to know?

Hugs,

Jan

[Monty_girl]

Hey Rhapsody,

Have IBS-C along with Diverticulosis, also have MS. Right now I'm on Zelnorm 6mg twice a day to keep everything moving so to speak. LOL I'm also on Elavil for the nerve pain caused by the IBS. I have to watch my diet a great deal. On a high fiber diet and I also have to take benefiber daily.

For some people IBS isn't that much of a problem. But for those of us that it is. It can really be a disablity.

Lisa

[Rhapsody]

I guess I need to know about the bad yucky side of it.... when you cannot stop it - the flow that is................. SORRY! - Eeek!


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[(JD)]

I do not suffer from this...but maintaining control is often on my mind as my nerves continue to send wrong signals (or fail to send) about my body to my brain. Having had PTSD for so many years, IBS is often a problem due to that also (internalizing stress.) So odds are.. When I am in pain flare, and especially when the neuropathy flares..I do have to be careful.
I don't mind reading about conditions ...and other's personal struggles with them. TC

[Maven]

I haven't had this problem for a long time...I wonder if it was because of my meds? I hadn't thought of that, but I haven't had breakdowns or IBS in many months, and I know the breakdowns were because of the meds. Anyway, when I had it, it would start because of, or lead to, bad nerves, which worsened the problem, which worsened my nerves...one caused the other. When it got bad enough, I found taking a couple of Immodium tablets (not at once, but one, then another, and possibly a third, about four hours apart) usually cleared it up.

[January]

Ok, first let me explain that being nervous doesn't cause IBS. It makes it worse and can be a trigger, but IBS is a disease set apart by itself.

The best quote I've ever read about IBS is:

IBS won't kill you, but it will make you wish it would.

That said, you need to go to a gastroenterologist to make sure you don't have another disease that runs cocurrently with it. IBS and Ulcerative Colitis or Chrohns can run cocurrently.

There are two types of IBS. One type makes people not be able to use the bathroom. The other makes people have diarhea. I have the diarhea kind.

Diet is very important. Do not eat things like peaches, cabbage, brocolli, etc., things that are known to cause diarhea in healthy people. Greasy foods are also triggers.

Immodium helps at times. If you have a very mild case of IBS, it may be your solution. I am also a firm believer in acidolphilous. It adds the normal flora your body has in it's intestines.

Carry an extra set of clothing and carry baby wipes in a zip lock bag in your purse.

Again, I if you haven't, I urge you to consult a gastroenterologist.

I hope this helps.

Jan

[(JD)]

Right, there's a difference between being nervous, and having a nerve disorder. I'm wondering Rhap if maybe your body is changing, aging.. and that is causing a change in response to the foods you eat? Jan's mention of acidolphilus made me think... some ppl begin to have real reactions to milk products...

I'm sorry Rhap that you struggle with this too.

Have you gotten it under control?
It's rough when the "flow" can't be stopped--- boy do I understand-- no need to apologize. (though this subject is hard for me to talk about too)

My doc told me to continue to use fiber additives daily-- like Montygirl-- i use Benefiber. My doc said that not only will it keep things moving but it will also help in binding things when it gets too loose.

Hope you are doing better!

[Monty_girl]

I know all the clean public restrooms in a 50 mile area. Cause when it hits, it hits hard. Would be doubled over in pain.

I would keep a food dairy. Write down what you eat and how you reacted to it. That way you learn your trigger foods.

Things that are very hot or very cold can trigger as well. The temp difference I guess shocks it and sends it in a downward spiral. Hmmmm I'm full of them today.

With MS, it effects your muscles. So mine have been slowed down and need an extra boost. So I take the Zelnorm to keep everything going. I take it twice a day before I start to eat. That signals my diagestive system to start working. I would either not go for days and then it was like a flood for days. I also get sick to my stomach. Where I can't eat much of anything. So I'm happy with the med keeping me even.

[(JD)]

Yes muscles are a big part of things too, you're right monty. If we carry our stress reactions there.. that can upset the system too! When my ilia is out, I suffer greatly, since the muscles contracture in the lower torso. On a day to day basis I must eat a green salad daily. (Add to the muscle, nerve probs, I also take demerol for the chronic pain...and that constipates by itself.)

There are many good foods that add ruffage without exacerbating the problem you may be having. Finding out what works for you and what doesn't is key, and I agree, keep a food diary until you figure it out!

(Oh yes Jan! A spare set of clothes in the trunk... with wetnaps.)

I have issues with my bowl too.
Slow transit time... Have to take a water enema every other day to empty... I'm often in huge pain and if I don't take my enemas... I just get filled up. I had a complete rupture of my sfinkter muscle delivering my first child.... so that doesn't help.
The thing is I've had problems with constipation all my life... as a 1-year-old my parents had to take me to the ER to let them get the stuff out of me.

The pain is one major thing, but so is also the swelling.... BALLOON! The enemas are good in that way that I'm able to empty... but they hurt a lot too. I hate taking them! So sometimes I'm foolish enough to skip taking them.... NOT GOOD! What comes in must come out! So pain, swelling... cramps.... not able to walk... screaming on the toilet...

Having trouble with this part of the body is really S H I T! It STINKS! LOL

I feel for all of you, who have to deal with your naughty bowl!

It's been suggested for me to get a appendico stoma... Does anyone know about that procedure??? If so, please tell me!

Wish you all, days when your bowl is behaving well!

[January]

Nina!

Don't get a stoma if you don't have to! Consult your gastro. Talk about all the options. If an enema will take care if it, avoid the stoma!

There are new meds out every day that can change your life around. Don't do anything that you don't have to do!

Hugs,

Jan

[(JD)]

I agree with Jan, if enemas are working for you, then keep to that...until they do find a better solution than a stoma. It is a touchy subject (or should I say a don't touch subject? )

I listened to a doctor on PBS about what our stools should look like (either an S or C hook) and bulky (from fiber.) The audience was flat faced. He talked about how some tribes (in Africa?) eliminate 4 or 5 times a day( and all I could think of, with my camping experience, is WHERE do they put it all??? ) We modernized cultures don't usually eat enough fiber... anyway I digress...

My problems are more with urinary incontinence when in pain flare, especially when the low back is involved. One of my flares was caused by my trying to strengthen those muscles so the problem wouldn't become a real problem! grrr

[Rhapsody]

Any DIET thoughts here..... what foods irritate IBS and which ones help?


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Rhapsody]

Thank you Jan..... and YES I have been to a doctor and he ran test and did a scope - that is how I now that I have IBS and nothing else.... plus I just read your post on foods to avoid, but can you recommend foods that might help.

I have my yearly check up next month and will bring this issue up.... for it has just recently reoccurred after years of being dormant in me.
Fingers Crossed - xXxXxXx.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Appendico stoma is not like other stomas.... They create an opening on the bowl, where to take an enema.
So- no bag. Just an opening.

Well I don't want to have this procedure done... but if it continues like this... I don't know, maybe I'll have to have it done.

Thanks for your input!

[BooRadley]

I sufffered with this for over 12 years i had the diarrhea type and had to plan my life around where was the toilet.
One thing that helped was taking Calcium supplements. I took a 200mg Caltrate Plus before every meal, and one at night. Within 7 days, my IBS had reduced a good 35% which was a great improvement.
What finally cured it, was after suffering so long i was dx'd w/ a giant fibroid tumor. After my hysterectomy, no more IBS.

Boo Radley

[January]

Rhap, try low fat, low carb foods. You might be able to tolerate shredded lettuce and tomatoes. Fruits are very hard to tolerate, and orange juice is rarely tolerated. Sugar, chocolate, and coffee are triggers. See if you have a milk and/or egg allergy. It's amazing what a difference shredding or mashing foods can make. Something you also need to think about is if you still have your gall bladder. If you do, you may be able to tolerate more than most with IBS. Also, if you have your gall bladder, please ask to have it tested.

I hope this helps.

Jan

[(JD)]

break for a little levity? we all already have an opening in the bowel for an enema.

What about high fiber foods?

Juice isn't good for anyone, imo and according to many experts...even though it is a "natural" sugar... the rush of sugar into the system is just not good!

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
we all already have an opening in the bowel for an enema.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> There are things to consider as the amount of pain, taking the enema... and the water sort of comes from the right way if you take the enema by an appendico stoma... it doesn't mess up that natural opening... AND there are negative things about it too of course. The thing is, when your issues become so draining that you really feel beaten by your own body... then you start to look for something to ease the pain... I don't know... what will happen. I sure do know that I don't want to get that thing done as long as I really not have to.
Sorry... _sky, but I can't laugh about it... not today.

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
Sugar, chocolate, and coffee are triggers. See if you have a milk and/or egg allergy.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Thanks JAN.... I think you might just be onto something here - for two-three weeks before the episode(s) that caused me some concern with my IBS I had been eating a lot of chocolate & ice cream.... due to emotional eating.

I usually only have my dark chocolate during my monthly cycle - but last month I ate it off and on. I will take notice to how my body does when I eat ice cream and chocolate in larger amounts than usual.

And....................... I already take the calcium for my RA - 600 mg twice a day.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[January]

You are right, Nina, there are times when our bodies are so exhausted we are willing to do anything to make it better, I begged for a colostomy, radiation treatment, being fed by IV, anything... I was so sick and so very miserable.

After years with the same Dr I just kept getting worse. Finally, I gathered all my courage and changed Drs. I do mean it took every bit of courage I had. Now, my life has changed so much. I have a life!! Please consider getting a second opinion. It can't hurt and it's your right.

Also, Rhap, don't eat chocolate and ice cream at the same time. You need to cut your diet down to one variable. If you eat ice cream, make sure it's not chocolate. (cringe) If you eat chocolate, make sure you have no milk products, including cheese, butter, the whole deal. Be scientific.

Did I mention carbonated drinks? Also, don't chew gum or drink out of a straw. It puts air in your system and makes you much worse.

Also, at all costs avoid the blue sweetener, natural sugar, regular sweetner, sorbital, manitol, etc.

Jan

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
Also, Rhap, don't eat chocolate and ice cream at the same time. You need to cut your diet down to one variable. If you eat ice cream, make sure it's not chocolate. (cringe) If you eat chocolate, make sure you have no milk products, including cheese, butter, the whole deal. Be scientific.
Jan

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

How eating them on the same day..... but hours apart? - or is that a No No too.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[blackdragon]

i have IBS right now.. but i think its a different condition due to the fact that little to none of my food is digested... Like i say i should not be able to recogize what i ate the days before..