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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vannillabear 07/05/2011

I just wanted to share with you guys something that I have been trying lately. On saterday I had a really bad episode, I was cramping and in pain which is really unusual for me. Well my mother in law gave me aloe vera juice, you get it over by the pharmacy. It helped my pain go away. I still had some diarrea, but the pain was gone. I've been taking 2-4 ounces a day to see if it helps. I don't know much about it, but my mother in law swears by it and she said it calms and heals the stomach. I am still getting my testing done, but I wasn't sure if anyone has heard of this or tried it. It tastes discusting alone, but if you add some gaterade to it, it's ok. Let me know what you think.

deleted_user 07/06/2011

Wow, that's great. My grandparents used to drink it and it never hurt them. Keep us posted.

deleted_user 07/13/2011

I've heard good things about Aloe Vera, but haven't yet tried it, but plan to do so. Thanks for sharing. Hope you continue to feel good. BB

soretum 07/14/2011

i wish i could use it. I tried it for my gastritis and it was a no go. glad it works for you.

vannillabear 07/14/2011

yeah, it worked for the first couple of times. Really to be honest though, my doctor told me I have to be gluten free for life now because I came down with pre celiac. I will say this, if you have any IBS with diarrhea, you need to be gluten free, I have been gluten free for a week and slowly I am getting so much better!!!

soretum 07/14/2011

what if you have not tested positive coeliac disease? Is gluten for sure an issue with IBS. I know rolled oats are suppose to be good for IBS and they have gluten?

deleted_user 07/14/2011

I don't have celiac, but I know a kid that did and tested negative for years even with all the symptoms. But she cut gluten out of her life and was completely better in a week.

deleted_user 07/15/2011

Gluten is not tied directly to IBS in all cases, but some people have more success by cutting gluten and lactose out all-together. Plus once you do have IBS, there are a series of other related health issues that they believe can also arise. If doing the elimination diet, trying to cut gluten for a week or two may help. Just make sure to cut only one item at a time, so you can tell what you body is responding too.

vannillabear 07/15/2011

I'm not sure how it will effect you if you have IBS with constipation. But if you have diarrhea, I am telling you try it. And you can't cut one food out at a time, My doctor who is a naturalpath too said you need to cut out all gluten and possibly dairy for a month or two for your stomach to heal and then you reintroduce one food at a time to see which one you are reacting to. Also, most doctors will not diagnose you celiac unless your number is above 17, but she didn't go by that because your body can have a lower number which means you are sensative to it and you could still be reacting to it. And if you leave it even if it's a low number it will eventually turn into celiac. So there is something to think about. I just know me personally, I am starting to feel more normal each day and I am getting vitamin B shots to help with fatigue. Another food I am finding that I am reacting to is potatoes, so I will be decreasing that as well, and I am finding that out after being gluten free for a week! Good luck and I hope this helps. I know it's a hard diet at first but I promise just try it for a month at least and see if there is a difference and if there is, the sacrifice is sooo worth it, I am finally feeling ok to leave my house and not worry about having issues while I am out.

soretum 07/15/2011

you don't have to be a coeliac to have issues with gluten. Coeliac disease is the extreme allergy to gluten. You can be intolerant to it given you pain but not posing a serious health threat as for people with coeliac disease.
I've had gastritis for 15 months and have my foods for that sorted and now am on the trial and error for the IBS and something else I have. I just hope I'm left with some foods at the end of all this! I'm being tested for lactose and fructose malabsorption and don't think fructose will be the issue but I've avoided these tests for 15 months. MInd you I've only had the IBS for a couple of months and have comfortably consumed fruit, yoghurt and cheese all that time.
Still I know all to well how quickly our fortunes can change.

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