HI. I have been living with IBS since 2000. However, I get mostly diarrhea. My GI told me the serotonin receptors you have in your brain are also in your gut. That's why anti-depressants can help some people. You may want to try an anti-anxiety drug. I also find having yogurt every day can help. The problem is what works for one person may not work for another. It sounds like you need another doc who will listen to you and show more compassion. I've had several docs like that. They just told me to eat more fiber--- but having more fiber never worked. I finally found a doc who was willing to listen and is sending me for tests so she can (hopefully) help me. I use hyoscyamine for cramps-- it really helps. IBS does rule my life and it does make me depressed-- especially on bad days. I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy which showed nothing and my doc wants me to have a full colonoscopy. You may need one to rule out other illnesses. I was also tested for metabolic diseases like celiac disease and food sensitivities. You need to find what foods trigger your symptoms. I find spicy foods, fried foods, high fat foods are trigger foods for me. Also watch for sorbitol--an artificial sweetener in sugar free foods. It can aggravate your symptoms. I hope some of this helps. Don't give up and just hang in there.

I agree, I think you need a 2nd opinion. My initial dr told me my symptoms of cramping, diarrhea and night sweats etc was depression. It was not I have chemical sensitivities to salicylates, amines and glutamates in food and am under a hospital allergy clinic and dietitian. The cause of IBS can vary from person to person so too the solutions. Hang in there. I wish you a speedy solution to your IBS

for the ibs - it is often not a good idea to take laxatives, I can vouch for that, it gave me almighty cramps that put me in bed for a day, and the wind was really loud and embarrassing, try Movicol, you can get this on prescription or I think its 6 quids for a packet of 20. I get m ine on prescription. Movicol doesnt give me cramp, it makes your poo soft if you get enough fibre in your diet then you don't need to take more that can give you guts-ache too.. need to find the balance.

All good advice so far.

I would add that your doc has prescribed an anti-acid drug that would be absorbed in your intestines, but stops excess stomach acid being produced. You also describe the symptoms as being in your stomach.

If this is a 'bowel/IBS' issue, you may need to tell the doc that it's not your stomach. A lot of people wrongly tell their docs that they have stomach cramps and pains when they mean their bowels, therefore the doc prescribes something for the stomach wrongly.

I'm not saying you told him wrongly, but maybe make sure he is clear that if it's an issue in the bowel area that he doesn't give you 'stomach' drugs.

If the doc still seems not to be helping, make sure you get a second opinion as there is no actual test for IBS. They should test for anything else first and then if it's all clear they can diagnose IBS.

I have the 'D' version of IBS, but speaking to close friends who have 'C' they tell me that it's best to stay away from any codeine based pain killers as they make it much worse.

- Stu

Thank you all very much.

One of the doctors I saw said that the antidepressants I stopped two months ago were probably helping my IBS and when i stopped taking them, my body did not like it at all. I'd taken them almost two years so I think that's enough of them.

I've been having some probiotic drinks recently and am still on Lansoprazole (and a lot of fibre and a very little colofac and lactulose). Something is helping as I'm finally feeling slightly better. Just a tiny bit better every day. And I'm soooo happy about it.

I've just found out that my father has similar problems (IBS) and he has good medicine for it, which helps him. I'm going home in December and will speak to a proper doctor there.

I believe it's the anti-acid medicine that is helping so my IBS could be an ulcer as well. I do get problems with the stomach from time to time after eating. I have cramps in the stomach and in the bowels, but mostly in the bowels. I'm not planning to stop the anti-acid medicine though as it seems to be the only one helping. I even think i might have both IBS and an ulcer, but my doctor said i don't have an ulcer. He decided that without any tests, but then he agreed to send me to tests for helicobacter. I'm now waiting for results.

I don't take any painkillers so i don't need to worry about them.

Thank you all so much for your amazing support!!!

Hi,

I have not had a colonoscopy. Only a coupld of blood tests, an x-ray and trying my stomach with hands.

I bought some digestive enzymes as i read that some people have results with them. I took them only yesterday and I have to say I'm feeling slightly better. I also drank a bit of fennel tea to get rid of the wind, because my stomach gets to about twice the size as normal because of bloating. Will by more fennel tea as well.

Satu

I understand what you're going through. Have you asked your gi doc for the prescription for lomotil, and or phenergan...these are the 2 things that save my life with ibs...lomotil for diareaha, and phenergan for nausea and v....i couldn't live without them....and i haven't found anything else to work.

Crystallized ginger is fabulous for nausea. I carry it with me always. Could you be suffering from adhesions following your surgery? I know antacids only made my diarrhea worse...much better since stopping them. I do believe each case is different, but that it is allergies to certain foods/drinks and by trying to elminate the "trigger" foods we can lead much better lives.