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.
Ok, so I've been on here a while and I have done TONS of research. Basically what I have found through my research and from different doctors is that IBS is considered an autoimmune desease, but they don't know why we get it and they don't know how to treat it, just like most other autoimmunes. I personally think that we should all be on autoimmune suppresors or anti inflammatory meds, because that is the root of our problem. I would personally like to hear from everyone what has worked for them to soothe the diarrhea and pain. How do your doctors help. I'm hoping soon to be going to an autoimmune specialist to see what options we do have that our doctors aren't telling us. That's right, I have found some things that all of our doctors won't tell us. Like sometimes inflammation in the small intestine could mean a cassein or egg allergy. Also I found out that this Naltrexone drug has had studies and proves that it helps people like us. My doctor did tell me about another IBS drug called lotronex, but it has serious scary side effects, and I for some reason get all the side effects to major drugs like that. Anyway, I think we can all help eachother, and please feel free to tell me if any of you have heard of any of these, I am really determined to find a cure or at least a managment plan to help everyone with this. I wish so badly that I could have a constipation problem, it's soooo much easier to manage vs having to run to the nearest bathroom all the time. Oh which brings me to another theory. I personally feel that what our body is doing is tagging our food as intruders and gets it out as quickly as possible, this is what I have found with my own personal testing. I spent alot of money back in Aug for a food sensativity test and there was some odd ball foods that came up and then there were foods that they claim my body didn't react to, but if I eat them, emmediately I get the runs, so I still don't know how accurate it was, but it looked very fishy and it did say alot about what my body is doing to foods. I hope someone finds hope in any of this.
I get IBS-D off an on, and lately it's been more On. I've had Ultrasounds, MRIs, no blood in stool, white count is fine, etc, but nada, no direct diagnosis or prognosis.
My doc suggested to keep a diet diary, and try to shy away from the FOD foods. It seems like almost every food out there is on the FOD list, at least the ones I want to eat! LOL!
I also have lactose intolerance, but it doesn't seem to apply to all dairy based products, like not all ice creams. Doc said it may be related with IBS in my situation, but there's not enough studies on it, however he said he's seen a correlation with many of his patients and his colleague's patients. As for the ice cream, he suggested it may be because the cheaper crap has more lactose.
After a little while, I started seeing a coorelation with stress and IBS-D, and of course some of the dairy products. So as a test, I tried taking a anti-lactose tab with every meal, including even when I'm only having a 20z DD or Starbucks coffee with light cream and sugar, along with if any indigestion, a Pepcid AC chewable. It seems to be working.
Maybe I've found my Kung Fu for this, but not sure, it's only been a few days, but i like the results.
And I'm not suggesting everyone try this, since everyone's different, but it's something so far in the past few days that seems to be working for me.
As for ritzcracker's studies, I am interested in what you are working on, especially IBS-D and reduce or eliminate all the symptoms. What is your Twitter handle? If you don't want to post it publicly, please PM me. - Thanks!
Ace
On another note, some folks have posted about drugs. My doc gave me a choice between Belladonna and Hyoscyamine. I chose Hyoscyamine due to the less side effects (not habit forming, etc). But it just makes me too drowsy, so I just take it once in awhile when I need it, but knowing that I'm not going out or have to drive somewhere the rest of the evening. I must have taken it 4 times total so far since I got the pills over a month ago. I just can't handle the drowsiness.
So far overall, the Lactaid tabs, Benefiber, plain regular yogurt (NOT the non-fat) once in awhile, and Pepsid AC chewables, seem to have given me a handle on IBS-D. I know this won't work for everyone, but I do hope everyone finds a way to cope with it one way or another.
I have multiple sclerosis, and battled with this issues for a very long time before being diagnosed with ms. I have spinal cord lessions and the lack of nerve communication is what causes my problems. I'm either with diarrhea or constipated. Once I learned what was causing it I new how to control it. Kind off, for me.
About your meds question.
LDN is here on a group, that's naltrexone, I'm not on it, but a lot of people use it.
Alma