I have IBS, is there anything to take to actually go to the bathroom regularly? and not be in pain and bloated.

Hi
I think you need to take a water soluble fiber supplement to make you regular along with a good multivitamin --like Twinlabs Daily Two w/o Iron. Eat yogurt and take a good probiotic supplement like PB-8 to get and keep your intestinal flora in the right balance.

Usually IBS'er need 40% more protein than normal because of alternating C and D. The Diarrhea washes away alot of vital nutrients.

God Bless---Harry

It's all diet. Take Dr Schultz "Intestinal Formula #1", and begin a diet of a romaine lettuce salad, with apple cider vinegar as a dressing, and drink as much natural spring water as you can. Don't eat white bread anymore, eat stone ground wheat bread. White bread turns into paste. If you have to have meat, make it a small side dish. Same with skeddie, etc. Irritable bowel disorder is 100% diet related, and if you follow these instructions, within a week, you'll be pooping right on time, or getting close. The frequency you poop should be within 30 minutes to one hour after every meal, with the consistancy of soft served ice cream. Do NOT use chemicals. Use fibrous green vegetables. Stick with it, this will work perfectly.

O, if only it were that simple!! If as you seem to suggest, IBS is all food related, do you advocate eating wheat bread? What about people like me who have intolerances to wheat, gluten, yeast and dairy products (lactose) - I don't eat dairy now and use lactaid in milk, but dairy is a good source of protein?

Unfortunately, IBS is not 100% food related. Have you not heard of the mind/gut link where anxiety can cause the brain to produce hormones that also have an effect on the gut. Also, there are other hormones that are released at the time of a woman's menstural cycle that also have a profound effect on the gut, so no, IBS is not all food related at all. Sorry to disappoint you.

Super Sarah-I like to know more about hormonal connection and gut and bowels. I have constipation, diarrehea and stomach problems also 45 and have been in menopause 3 yrs. Can not take hrt but have had terrible problems with the digestion process no matter what I tried. I can not get help with the medical profession and now losing vaginal support. Help me please!

Hi Spirit,

Basically, at the time of your period, your estrogen level falls and your progesterone level rises to allow you to have your period. Progesterone also has an effect on the muscular action within the gut, which is why a lot of women find that they can either have a bad stomach before a period, with stomach pains, bloating and diarrhea/constipation, or other women with stomach problems find that they become worse before and during the first half of their period. Once the hormones stabalise out, then there is no problem. You could very well still have problem during the menopause, as the estrogen levels have fallen and so these hormone imbalances can make your stomach problems worse.

Anyway, you say that your doc won't take you seriously? Have you had bloods done and have you considered food intolerances as a possibility for your stomach problems? Have you changed your diet, like cutting out caffeine, soda, plenty of fluid and plenty of fruit veg and natural food? Have you added Metamucil to help and have you started taking Probiotic supplements/Acidophilis caps regularly? All these things could really help your stomach a lot. Ginger is good for the stomach too and Peppermint tea can help constipation a lot, as it has the effect of relaxing the smooth muscles of the gut and letting peristalsis happen more effectively. Mint is also good for settling upset stomachs generally.

If you have had no success with conventional docs and conventional medicine generally, then I think it is time to turn to alternatives. Consider going to see an ND rather than an MD, they can be very helpful with diet changes and supplements and such like. Homeopathy can also be very helpful and is very good for stomach problems. I have used lots of remedies at times when my stomach has been bad and they have been very successful. Also, consider acupuncture treatment. I have regular acupuncture treatment and it is very good and helps with pain and general relaxation. I use both homeopathy and acupuncture and use whichever one I feel is appropriate for my problem.

Try these other methods and you could start to feel a whole lot better.

Good luck and post back if you need more help.

Sarah

Super Sarah- Yes I am in menopause for sure-but can not take estrogen-only doc would test is fsh. Estrogen causes fast heart rate. Beings I am an a blood type i take lots of soy. I am not sure whether to use estrogen cause a ND says I don;t need estrogen from muscle testing. I need an actual estrogen test done. I have no vaginal dryness which is another estrogen problem. I have not pinpointed when the constipation happens and have no cycles its just off and on. Doc says I have colitis now. As for the mind body connection to the gut how to fix that? I have seen 3 NDs to be exact with no help. Even before my periods stopped I had bowel problems. One time I took black walnut and dhea and was really regular than the dhea scare scared me and I stopped it. I do not know which one did it for the bowels. Frustrated to say the least!

Start taking Metamucil or something similar if you don't already. This is good for both constipation and diarrhea.

Start a probiotic supplement/Acidophilis caps to re-colonise the good bacteria in your gut, if you don't already.

As for the mind/gut connnection, you need to do some relaxation exercises and try and chill every once in a while. Also, exercise as this produces 'the feel good factor hormones' that should help. Yoga is good to focuss the mind or Qi Gong Meditation to empty the mind and feel more grounded.

Peppermint tea is soothing for the stomach too.

There are good homeopathic remedies around for colitis that might help you, so why not go and see a homeopath? Acupuncture can also be helpful.

If you do have collitis at present, did you doc not give you steroids to help and inflammation and or antibiotics to help with any infection?

I've had IBS for years and it is definitely not food related, any doctor will tell you that.
SuperSarah, thanks for that info, I have always wondered why I have more stomach issues around my period every month. You answered a lingering question for me. LOL!
Also, I noticed if I eat Frosted Mini Wheats every day, it helps keep things normal. There is a lot of fiber in them and it works great. I tried FiberCon before and it made me really sick.

Thanks alot for all your help every1