[Maven]

I am trying not to take Imodium again, because I've been taking it more often lately, since I weaned off my meds (under my psych's care), with limited results. It used to help me really well, often causing the IBS to stop completely when the Imodium wore off, but lately, it seems to only work for a couple of days, if that, and the IBS keeps coming back. Does Imodium lose its effectiveness (upon original ingestion) after a while, like your body gets used to it?

I have gone to the bathroom three times in the past couple of hours, and my colon is spasming a little right now. I am thirsty, but afraid to drink anything. Admittedly, I drink a lot of soda, but even water sends me into the bathroom. The colon spasms often start while I'm drinking whatever I'm drinking. Practically everything I eat or drink seems to irritate the IBS. Of course, stress does too, and may be the biggest factor. The IBS itself causes stress, because I will use the bathroom, finally get settled, only to have to go again, or shortly after.

Also with the Imodium, I used to feel so much better after taking it, but now, I still feel like I have to poop, but can't. I don't get the spasms so much, which is a big help, but I feel "out of it." I usually take two the first time, then another one a little later, and sometimes a fourth. Usually not more. It used to stop me up for three or four days, but now it's more like two.

I will be seeing a doctor soon, but I'm getting a new doctor, and my boyfriend is supposed to ask a lady he goes to church with about the doctor where she works. He'd gotten the info before, but he threw away the paper (GRRRR!!!! ), and she wasn't in church last week because she was at her son's wedding in another church, and my bf is going to NY this weekend. I'm thinking of just picking one from the phone book and chancing it. Looking for reviews online is difficult, because there are so many doctor review sites (like any review site), and the few people who do do reviews can be scattered among those sites. While I believe people should be free to start up any sites they want (pretty much), including if they can do an existing site better, it usually hurts the idea of getting reviews when there are so many places to review.

In the meantime, anyone got any suggestions for helping IBS? In my case, I have to defecate often, and usually, the stools are loose and mushy. Any over-the-counter meds you think are helpful besides Imodium? Thanks!

[wickedwings]

there are prescription medications that really helps with IBS. you may have to experiment with one or two to find the right one. i cannot remember the ones i had tried. the first one gave me so many side effects that i couldn't handle, and the second one worked like a charm. it may not be 100 percent, but it actually reduces the problem. it really makes a difference. so, yes, there is help for IBS. good luck in finding that doc.

[January]

((((((((( Maven ))))))))))

I have IBS & Ulcerative Colitis. Could it be that your bf's trip out of town has upset you to the point that the IBS is triggered?

First of all, no matter what anyone tells you, there is a huge difference in the over the counter immodium and the real thing. You may need to increase your immodium intake if you are taking the over the counter kind.

While the immodium helps, it is not what is stopping you from going to the bathroom for a couple days. IBS usually empties you out and then you can't go for a couple days or so.

I can tell you that yogurt and acidophilous will help you. Acidophilous is the good bacteria that grows in your intestines. It will help you a lot.

Avoid anything with caffiene in it. Coffee is one of the most triggering things I've tried. Sugar makes it worse. Do not drink diet pop with aspartame in it. Aspartame is in the blue packets. Splenda is safe, but the only product I know that carries it in soda is Diet Rite. Avoid manitol and sorbitol in foods or drinks that are "diet".

When things get really bad, eat Minute Rice, toast with no butter, plain soda crackers, and tomato soup made with water. Colby cheese is good, too and you can melt it in your Minute Rice for good flavoring.

Anything hot, like coffee, tea or hot chocolate is an instant stimulant for IBS. Stick with room temp or cold foods and drinks.

I hope this helps and I hope you see a Dr. very soon so you can feel better quickly.

Hugs,

Jan

[Maven]

Jan, no, my bf going away didn't start it, and I'm not that upset about it, except for the things I have to do that affect my OCD (like taking care of the trash). The IBS has been going on for weeks.

I didn't know there was a prescription Imodium. I took four a few hours ago (two at first, then one, and later another). It seems to have helped. For now.

You're wrong about the Imodium not keeping me from going to the bathroom. With the IBS, I defecate every hour or two, generally. It doesn't "empty me out" so that I can't go for a while. The Imodium calms my spastic colon and I don't have to go for a few days.

I know the dietary stuff. Admittedly, I consume a lot of sugar, and some of the sodas I drink have caffeine. I'm not arguing that triggers some of it, but it's not all dietary, because even water triggers it. Almost everything I put in my body triggers it. I am having a hard time sticking to the healthier eating I was doing, though.

Some claim that Splenda is the worst of the artificial sweeteners. I never know who to believe anymore. I don't like Splenda candies and some other things I've tried, and the diet soda with Splenda just doesn't taste good, either. I don't like aspartame (the blue packets are Equal), so don't misconstrue this for meaning that I think aspartame is better. I like Splenda powder in cereal and such, but I haven't used it in ages, because the cereal I eat is sugary enough.

Thanks, Jan and wickedwings!

[January]

You know, our differences are perfect examples of how weird IBS is. It's can be totally different for each person!

The best description of IBS that I ever read was: IBS won't kill you but it can make you wish it would.

Hugs,

Jan

[morning_view]

Totally Jan - IBS is so weird, and very different!

I mean, I avoid red meat, eggs, I try to avoid coffee which is hard cos I love it (decaf is better but still not ideal) and anything that's really high fat and/or greasy - and like you said, diet sodas and the like.

however, I've never had a problem with sugar - sweeteners yes, but not sugar, or hot drinks (as I find peppermint teas and fennel teas to be a god send for controlling IBS). Apparently you're supposed to avoid dairy.... but I've never had a problem with it as long as it's extra lowfat cheese or skimmed milk.... but I drink lactofree milk anyway, because it makes it easier on the tum.

it's quite interesting comparing notes on this actually!

[wickedwings]

yeah, i've had anything and nothing trigger my IBS. it sure is weird.

[January]

I've never had the chance to talk about IBS like this and although I'm very sorry you have it Maven, I'm very glad you brought this topic to the forum.

The Dr. told me the reason water can set it off is that it's not actually the water, but when we swallow anything, be it water or something else, it starts the digestive system going and there you go again. (No pun intended.)

[dreamrunner]

Hi....Ive suffered with ibs for almost twenty years.Ive tried a number of different things.My ibs goes from constipation to the trots...The more nerved out of it I am the worse the symptoms.
The best meds I have found is either fowlers for the trots and my doc put me on zelnorm which was a miracle drug which they recently took off the shelf.Now I ve been perscribed dicetel(which I havent tried yet) but my doc says its good.We will see I guess.
I know just how you feel.....ibs is a huge thorn in my side.....no fun poo....literally.

[Maven]

Jan, that makes a lot of sense, that swallowing starts the digestive process, and that's what can set off the IBS. It would explain why it doesn't' matter what I put in my body sometimes. I know stress contributes, too, but sometimes, I'd not be stressful, and it would still happen, so maybe that's why.

Edit: Actually, I want to add, the worst, I think, is, when IBS is acting up, going out to dinner is a nightmare!!!!!!

[January]

I know what you mean about eating out. When I worked I and we had company lunches, I would be sick befor it ever started because I was so stressed about having to eat in public. Since it was business I couldn't just get up and walk out on my boss.

Since I've got a new Dr and he dx'd the Ulcerative Colitis along with the IBS and given me new meds, it's made such a huge difference in my life for the better.

[January]

Don't you just hate it when you get sick and your friends immediately say, "Ok, what did you eat that you shouldn't have had?" AAARGH!

[morning_view]

Stress is the worst for me - when you're just pushed too far with everything, and low-and-behold, what decides to rear it's ugly head and make everything just that little bit worse? uhuh, IBS.... dammit!

I have my wonder foods that just seem settle my stomach - travelling can cause IBS for me aswell (not to mention travel sickness on top of that) - Lightly salted Pretzels and a bottle of still, room temperature water is the only thing that can settle my stomach. Then once I feel better, cup of peppermint tea and hurrah, all better!

[InACorner]

What i hate is when i get boughts of IBS one right after the other every day...mostly caused to stress...but i had to make my bf drive me home from a restruantraunt....believe me all the other people dining would have hated that i was in the bathroom...one room....all night long...plus i needed the comfort of my own br.....the pain was unbearable....and everyone gets all mad at me ...but i could either stay there and be doubled over sweating and chills or i could go home where no one sees me...and it sucks because my bf is phillipino and in their culture if you say no to when they offer food its a sign of disrespect...but alot of it makes me sick when i get really bad boughts of it...during these i can only eat half a banana each day....otherwise i get sick....and they think im the most disrespectful person theyve ever seen...i can eat alittle more when im doing ok...but its crappy that the one thing you cant do insults majorly the people that you live with....my bf and i are still trying to explain it...lol its like talking to a brick wall...

[katheryn]

hi i have suffered with ibs since i had my eldest daughter about 23 years ago but back then it was just stomach cramps and mostly eggs would cause this on top of the stress but free range eggs were a god send,
about ten years ago i had a bad bout were painkillers never touched the pain called doc out he said i had to let painkillers work i was rolling around in pain, his advice then was i think your a suffer of ibs and to cut back on greasy food,
this helped a lot i tried prescription meds for a bit but didn't get on with them
mostly mine is caused by greasy food but as i know have Gaul stones as well I'm very careful not eat to much greasy food though i still have a difference between constipation and diarrhea, but the last few days more diarrhea than constipation, to the fact that i took two over the counter diarrhea relief capsules now the ibs is starting to kick back in

[Maven]

I just took three Imodium today, and will take another later.

I've noticed that my IBS seems to improve at certain times of day, like in the early morning.

[January]

IBS is such a complex problem. I can't eat bananas at all. Mornings are my worst times. Water makes me sick. It gives me heartburn and nausea. Weird, huh?

I do so understand being around people who don't understand why you must leave and go home to your own br.

I get chills, cramps and sweating, too. Do your legs hurt?

Jan

[InACorner]

yep my legs hurt too...that is if your talking to me...hehe

[January]

I'm talking to everyone!

[morning_view]

Can't say my legs have ever hurt.... I get back pain (the period pain kind)... and the cramps and the sweating and the chills and the nausea.... there's been many an occasion where I thought I was gonna pass out.....

isn't it fun? *sigh....

To answer your question about what else works besides immodium, i take 60 mg. of codeine
if immodium isn't working.

[InACorner]

i dont think alot of people realize the pain and discomfort of IBS, i really wish people would at least be alittle more sympathetic as to not huffing if we say no to certain foods or decline going to places like taco bell ....i think because alot of people do have IBS and we continue to just walk around and look like normal people and they see us able to eat alot of different foods they dont exactly understand when we rush to the bathroom after a meal....or leave early from a restraunt...

[InACorner]

that sucks to be me....i am allergic to codeine...

[January]

I'm allergic to it, too. Boy the codeine would sure help with the cramps that come along with IBS!