Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.

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WhatI 05/19/2019

I cannot tolerate life anymore if I cannot get real help with IBS. Why can't I even find a doctor who treats me seriously? They say stupid things like it's a mental disorder or I've been told that when I feel the urge to go I should think of something else. Ridiculous. I have reached the end of my tolerance. I hate myself because of all the accidents. I feel like I am a filthy worthless person. I had another accident at work on Friday and cannot face coworkers tomorrow. I may be able to lie and come up with some acceptable excuse or coverup to explain what happened but hiding and liying make me hate myself more. I am a single 60 year old woman that needs to work to survive but I am seriously thinking of quitting, just giving up. Life is such a struggle without this addition stress and total humiliation. I feel like the .most ugly horrible person in the world. I dont expect any help here, I am just venting...just trying to find a life line.

Riverhymn 05/19/2019

I'm so sorry Whatl. It is very painful to have this problem and your pain matters. Doctors reach for the 'it's in your head' line as an easy out of a costly or bothersome scenario. But that makes the problem harder for us to tackle while we're already struggling to survive.

My symptoms also include urgency to go. I paid cash to see an environmental doctor. I was fortunate that he had experience treating his own gut problems (Dr. Robin Bernhoft). He used the standard poop test to diagnose severe leaky gut (instestinal dysbiosis). It was good to hear this wasn't a problem in my head. I had no friendly gut bacteria, with a lot of unfriendly instead. I was placed on pro-biotics and anti-fungals & anti-bacterials. It's taking awhile to treat it as my case was so bad I could hardly function at all, and have been stuck at home.

I spend an hour in the bathroom daily from trouble evacuating fully- but can't take laxatives or going #2 never ends (the stool's unformed- so far no help with that part of it unless I just eat nothing but pancakes!). I have to take anti-diahreal and anti-acids with every meal, eat by a strick schedule, avoid most fruits and lots of food allergens, also spicy and greasy foods....you may already know this routine.

Sending you positive thoughts for finding a doctor who will help.

WhatI 05/20/2019

Thank you for listening. I appreciate your input.

tigertwo 05/21/2019

Sending you positive thoughts! My ibs is the constipation type so hard to relate. But there are medications you can take? I’d hope your doctor explores some options with you. Sometimes antidepressants can help as there are receptors in the gut that they bind to.

annettearizona 05/26/2019

I remember the embarrassment and fear of not leaving the area of the bathroom.Heck I could be outside the household bathroom and still not make it in time. I even found those adult disposable briefs are not totally reliable,but we can't let this health problem stop us from living...each of us have to find what does and doesn't help us..hopefully also keep trying to find the dr out there for us-as our individual needs.

isabelle1954 05/31/2019

Yes, I was having accidents unless I was on white rice, which constipates me, and no fruits or vegies. I take a lot of Pepto bismol, and sometimes Immodium, if necessary. For bloating, I was put on Elavil 4omg. when in my 30's and last year was put on Lyrica for nerve pain, which has really settled my bowels, but still only on a few vegies. there seems to be little help for us. I notice that when I am on yogurt and no sugar that the bowel settles, so there may be a yeast component in all this, too. You have my full support, and maybe some of this will help you.

SimpsonsOK 06/03/2019

Whatl, I'm right there with you and some who replied. One member, in a different post, said how she only had about 10 minutes notice; me, I'm lucky to get 10 seconds. I have tried various disposable underwear products, but most are geared for urinary incontinence, which is not our problem. McKesson makes about the best for IBS-D. There is a FODMAP diet, but it forgets to mention that fruits and vegetables allowed need to be cooked. White rice and white potatoes do help. When I will have a long day, especially with a ride out of town, I take a pepto bismol tablet the night before. We need to adapt and forge ahead. It is definitely not a problem in our heads, but in our bowels. Comforting hugs as we struggle through together.

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