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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kara2012 12/06/2013

I've always had slow digestion, unfortunately. I took Citrucel for years and it didn't always work. I've also had periods that while I still didn't have that fast of digestion I was fine without fiber supplements. I'm getting more and more worried now. I am having absolutely no urge to go to the bathroom. I have not really had the urge for 3 weeks now without a laxative. I went over a week without really having to go and I took a laxative, which I then finally had to go several times. I did not take the laxative this week, as I know taking laxatives too much can be harmful. I have barely had to go this week and only went a little. I just got some Citrucel Caplets today and have taken several of them. I also have other fiber supplements. I have Phillips fiber gummies, which I like but I don't want to take them everyday because I'm worried I will get sick of them like I have gotten sick of other gummies. I also have Fiberchoice chewables which I don't take that much. I know it is also probably not good to rely entirely on Fiber supplements. It is also important to get enough fiber through the diet in foods such as fruits and vegetables and it is also important to drink enough water. There are many days, including today, I don't drink much water and I do struggle to get enough fiber in my diet. I get upset because my Mom has Crohn's disease and is having severe diarrhea? She is constantly having to go to the bathroom while I never have to go. I feel so abnormal and I'm worried I've lost the sensation to move my bowels. I've also seem to have lost the ability, as hard as it is to believe, to ever feel tired for almost 3 three years. I'm just worried I've lost another sensation. I take high dosages of sedatives because I'm pretty much wide awake otherwise and now I'm worried that I have to take laxatives just so I'll finally need to go to the bathroom. I don't feel that well right now, but I don't know if it is related to this. I don't feel that well when I start to go into withdraw because it's been too long between the stupid Sedatives. I'm really worried, depressed and feeling abnormal, wide awake and miserable. I'm worried that my digestion has gotten even slower than it was for some reason. I would usually only go once a week, but now I'm worried it is even slower. :( :( :(
I also currently don't have insurance or a Doctor really for that matter and I know I really need to see a doctor right now to try to find out what's going on.

annettearizona 12/06/2013

helloKara2012 Ever since I can remember -weeks could go by without me having an bowel movement-I could get to the point of not being able to walk upright due to the pain. I know what helps alittle bow is fiber cereal and water.A relative of mine takes prescription laxatives three times a week and that seems to help.Sounds like you have certainly been trying all forms of laxatives...but I'm curious if you read about your sedatives that they may cause constipation?

22Lynn 12/06/2013

It seems to me that exercise could be a really good thing for your various problems. It moves the bowels, makes you thirsty, and it tires you out. I don't know if you have an exercise routine but I would consider adding one to your daily routine at least 5 days a week. You can start out by just walking 30 minutes a day, especially if your not feeling that well. Most people don't have to run walking by their doctor before starting this routine. Something to think about. You might be able to cut back on the sedatives.

kara2012 12/07/2013

I still have not had to go to the bathroom and I don't think I'm going to have to go today, while my mom continues to have severe Crohns disease and severe diarriah and my dad is completely normal. I feel more abnormal, like a superhuman freak, depressed and anxious more everyday that this goes on. I'm taking several Citrucel caplets everyday, even though I don't think they're going to work. I can't do anything more than trying to increase my water intake and my fiber intake, plus taking Citrucel caplets. I just can't enjoy my life like this. I feel like a complete abnormal, superhuman freak. I've had this problem before while I didn't have to go to the bathroom but it never lasted this long as it has now and I'm getting worried it's permanent. I don't know what to do short of doing the above things to try to get myself to have to go to the bathroom finally. I might just end up taking laxative again so I will finally end up having to go to the bathroom, even though I know I shouldn't do this, but I feel like this is the only way I'll ever have to go to the bathroom again.:(:(:(:(

22Lynn 12/07/2013

It seems like the anxiety of your situation is getting worst from what I read in your post. At this point in time since you are unable to see a doctor I would use the laxative in order to get the relief you need.

I do believe you are having a really difficult time both physically and emotionally. All I can suggest to you is to try to take it one day at a time, one hour at a time if that is what you need to get through this.

I was sick everyday from Dec. 2012 till Oct. 2013, so I know that sometimes it feels like it will never end, and you will never feel good again. Sometimes you just have to let go and breath and think that someday it will be o.k. That is the only way I got through this last year. I've been chronically sick now for 15 years. But I have good weeks and bad weeks. I'm very grateful for the good ones.

I wish you the best in the next few days.

kara2012 12/08/2013

I've now had severe, watery diarriah? in small amounts several times. I think it has been caused by the Citrucel caplets, unfortunately and is not natural. I had to go once after eating dinner and another time I had to go during eating. Citrucel powder that I took when I was young never did this so I wonder why it has had this effect now and not then. I also had Metamucil Cinnamon wafers before and they also never did this. This is the second time I have taken the caplets also. The first time they did nothing, but I also got sick to my stomach after taking them the first time because I was going into withdrawal due to it being too long since I had taken the stupid sedatives. I might not ever have fully absorbed them the first time then.

annettearizona 12/08/2013

I would agree with exercising as well-I forgot that helps my father. I also would agree to please try to calm down...I know you're feeling abinormal but others have problems going to the bathroom too-really they do! So you are NOT in this alone and you're NOT a freak..you will find out what helps you and we will be over here cheering you on till then!

kara2012 12/10/2013

I'm still taking the Caplets, but I'm getting increasingly concerned. I have reason to believe that the small amounts of liquid that came out were just stool, perhaps, that got around the larger amount of stool, perhaps. This happened to me when I was a child also. I don't feel miserable, which doesn't make sense, if there really is a large amount of stool in me that's not coming out. I really don't think my mom is that concerned either, but she's never been that concerned about me being wide awake either it seems like. This is very serious if it has in fact happened. It is getting closer to a month now since I have had to go to the bathroom without some kind of assistance. I took a laxative, as I've already said, a few weeks ago before Thanksgiving because I had barely had to go to the bathroom in over a week. Last week I barely had to go to the bathroom and so I barely went. This week I have gotten Citrucel Caplets and I have taken them several times. They have only done anything so far once. I had what appeared to be small amounts of liquid stool several times. Since then, which was a few days ago, I haven't had to go really at all. It really doesn't help that I don't have any insurance and I don't really have a doctor anymore. :(:(:(

kara2012 12/11/2013

I went to the bathroom, but it was more constipated, I believe. I'm depressed. These stupid Citrucel caplets don't seem to be working. I'll be taking the maxium dosage soon. :(:(:( There were better times in the past when I was better without that crap. It surely wasn't helping me anymore in the powder form when I stopped taking it several years ago after I had been on it for several years when I was a child. My mom swears it helped, but I don't think it always helped. It's probably not going to help me now if it wasn't then. I think I had better luck in the past when I took fiber gummies from Target, which I loved at first, but got sick of taking them everyday, unfortunately. I was also eating fiber one cereal and got sick of that also, unfortunately, but I loved the fiber one brownies and never got sick of them. I also have Phillips fiber gummies but I don't want to take them everyday because I'm worried I'll get sick of them, like I did the other gummies, fiber one Cereal and other foods I was eating everyday in the past. I've also taken the Metamucil cinnamon wafers, but I have never tried the apple crisp wafers or whatever they're called. Has anyone tried the apple crisp Metamucil wafers? I will not take either the Citrucel or Metamucil orange powder. They are gross if you ask me and Citrucel doesn't really help, as I already said. :(:(:( Has anyone ever tried the Metamucil Berry or Pink Lemonade Powder? I've read mixed reviews on the powders. I'm not even sure if something like Citrucel is safe to take long term. I've also read mixed reviews on that. Some sources say it's safe to take long term and some say it's not safe to take long term. I also have no insurance and really no doctor currently, which makes things even harder. My mom says she's going to try to get me to see her doctor, whom she really likes and her doctor said she was accepting new patients of they are family members of patients she already sees. I can't afford a lot of testing with no insurance and I know there's medication, such as Lizness?, but I probably can't afford that either without insurance. I think I'm worried that nothing will help and I yearn for my life back when life was easier. My life is all out so hard right now. I yearn to be someone that doesn't have this problems and have to worry about this, just like I didn't have to worry about this as much in the past. I also yearn to be someone that isn't wide awake and doesn't need large dosages of sedatives. :(:(:(:(

faykay 01/31/2014

Do you drink a lot of sodas or coffee? That would keep you awake.
Also, about not feeling an urge to move bowels, it is SO important to keep using something to keep as regular as possible or things will get even more difficult.
I have gotten to the point where I pay pretty close attention to everything I eat as far as how it's going to leave my body. Your intestines NEED A LOT of water to keep moving. I've heard that the carbonation in sodas also causing problems, so I avoid those almost completely, too.
Don't give up. There are helpful meds out there.
And there is a book called, "What to do when the Doctor says it's IBS" that's very helpful and encouraging.

MAGICpill 02/11/2014

I take mucinex and benefiber every morning, just a tsp of each mixed with anything I eat or drink.

Have you been to a gastrologist and had a colonscopy done to make sure nothing is blocking your intestines?

SpaceshipSorrow 02/11/2014

Kara, are you still here?

there's a really good colon cleanser called Pure Vegan Mag 07.

It's magnesium.

Just follow package directions and it will work. Drinks plenty of water.

I recommend that brand, because I've tried others and they caused me to be gassy.

You might also try some enemas (the kind using the old fashioned rubber container, not a Fleet enema) starting now. There are lots of instructions on line. Just be gentle. You want to hydrate the poop in the lower colon so it comes out easily.

Do these and use pro-biotics, all instead of the laxatives.

Best wishes.

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