
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.
I was diagnosed with IBS when I was in college. What you are describing is exactly what I was going through then. Agonizing, painful cramps that make you run to the bathroom 10-15 minutes after eating. My doctor also did not prescribe any medication. The only thing he told me to do was to take Citrucel daily, which I did. This really did help me a lot. I took it twice a day, morning and night -- but it took about a week to kick in and slow things down.
I'd give it a try. It's not a drug and the only thing you'll be out if it doesn't work is the $10-12 for a container of Citrucel.
My 7 year old has IBS as well and is doing pretty well on fiber therapy too. However, Citrucel did NOT work for her. Instead, she is on Benefiber, twice a day. It's great stuff -- mixes with anything non-carbonated or you can put it in food. My daughter prefers to just mix it with cold water from the fridge (it's tasteless).
I know some people will use Immodium -- however the only time I've used that was after returning from Mexico on vacation (if you know what I mean!)
Good luck to you.
Now when I have a reaction like that I know its because I have overloaded my system with Dairy products (yum) or a combination of foods I am sensitive too (mushrooms, spinach, corn, eggs...).
What you can do is start a food journal and list what you eat, not how much but how often and note when you have the reaction. You might see a pattern and then you can try taking the foods you suspect are the problem out of your diet for a while. See if you feel better. Now I can eat stuff I'm sensitive to, however I can only have them once each three days - more often and it overloads my system and I'm back on the pot.
Now when I have problems that are not food related, it is due to stressful times. Certain people who make me crazy give me gas, literally LOL! I had a job I hated and couln't get off the pot! I got fired for missing too much work and cried for three days at the injustice of it all - after all I hated it and I still dragged my but there everyday I could. Would you believe that five days after being fired all signs of IBS stopped cold? It was the job giving me diahrea!
So once you isolate the food issues, then you should use a journal to determine what events and/or people give you the big D. Good luck...I hope you feel better soon...hugs jilly
KS
mine usually hits me when i am out at a restaurant with my husband or family or friends...having a great time and then....RUN!!! and run again..."is everything alright,dear?"...run again..."i really like the decor in the ladies room"
it has gotten so bad sometimes that i make a mad dash for the car and leave
usually to get home and have everything "calm down"
i have had days at home that i am literally trapped within 10 feet of the bathroom.
i have not been formally diagnosed. one time about 12 years ago i was diagnosed with panic attacks and got xanax...lookin back..it was this same thing.