I've been experiencing stomach problems for the past 5 years or so. Started with excessive gas after eating, moved to having explosive diarrhea both morning and night after eating. These days I don't leave my house much before 11 am because of my bathroom requirements and have given up eating out completely. Its getting to the point where no matter where I go, I seek out a bathroom 'just in case.'

I've kept food journals and could not find a trigger food/s at all. My doc put me on a antispasmotic drug and just recently on a low dosage of an antidepressant in an effort to regulate my bowels. The antispasmotic drug did nothing...the antidepressant totally freaked me out mentally...and did nothing for my stomach. I have also tried taking acidadolphylis (I know I spelled that completely wrong!) and flaxseed oil tablets. Both times landed me in the ER in the middle of the night with severe stomach pains.

Blood and urine tests are fine. At my physical my doctor told me to try Fiber Con tablets for a few weeks. If I don't see an improvement, it will be a colonoscopy.

Are my symptoms indicative of IBS? My stools (when not D) are soft and mucous covered and uncontrollable. I go many times a day and feel like I'm never completely empty. Sometimes severe cramps wake me in the middle of the night.

Any info/insight would be so appreciated!

If I were you, I would go ahead and have the colonoscopy to rule out something serious. There are so many things it could be that are treatable. The colonoscopy isn't as uncomfortable as you might think. They knock you out for it and it's over in 20 minutes. Out of all the procedures I've had, (and I've had many) it was the least uncomfortable and it was the most informative. I urge you to go ahead and have it done. If it's Crohns, diverticulitis, ulcerative coloitis, or anything of that nature, there are drugs to treat it. First you need to have yourself checked out to see if there is a definite problem before you go with the IBS diagnosis. IBS is a "catch all" term for undiagnosable bowel ailments. You also might want to read all of Harry's posts on psyllium husk fiber. It works wonders for diarrhea and constipation. My main trigger foods are wheat, rye, barley, and oats. I have a gluten intolerance known as Celiac Disease and I only discovered what was wrong with me after frequenting this board. There are so many people who care and who are very knowledgeable. Sometimes it just helps to be able to talk about this stuff with people who can relate to your illness. That's my two cents worth! Good Luck!

The poster above is right in recommending you be tested for celiac sprue as all of the symptoms are classic for celiac sprue. I am also assuming you have tried using lactaid before meals too to help rule out lactose intolerence. Good Luck

Thanks for the replies. I have tried Lactaid, Beano, almost every upset tummy medicine out there. My doc wants me to try the Fiber Con for a few weeks/months to see if there is any improvement .... should I push for the colonscopy before then? Also, does anyone have the url for Harry's posts on fiber? I looked thru this board and couldn't find them, searched by keyword on the old board and couldn't find them either.

Has anyone taken Fiber Con and have success with it or should I take the powdered fiber you mix with water?

My doctor isn't acting too concerned about my 'discomfort'. He is taking the attitude that it is something I have to learn to live with.



[This message has been edited by CrazyCats4 (edited 03-21-2001).]

Hate to tell you this, but that's the way most doctors are on the subject of IBS. I had major battles with several dr.'s before I finally got two to finally listen to what I was saying. And, I was right. The fiber is a great way to go. I would still suggest the colonoscopy. Also, elimiate all wheat, rye, barley and oat products just to see if it gets better. That includes beer, whiskey and most alcohols from distilled grain. And, believe it or not, anything with distilled white vinegar, ie. pickles, capers, peppers, picante sauce, etc. Just give it a try and see if your symptoms ease. Can't hurt a thing! Good Luck!

Hi,
I have been posting on this board and the IBS board for about 1½ years. I guess I've written 600 messages. I was ask to be moderator for this board and the IBS board in January.

To find my messages just search for Harry - User Name & case sensitive at the top of your message for this board and do the same on the IBS board. You may have to weed though some and many may not apply to you.
I write alot about using fiber.I really don't know about url. The messages to Graham are pretty complete "IBS".

By the way Fiber Con is calcium polycarbophil and is a synthethic fiber that does not ferment or become broken down by your intestinal bacteria.It acts like a water insoluble fiber.I don't think will help you--It sort acts like a laxative which you don't need. You need a water soluble fiber like psyllium seed husk in Metamucil. Psyllium works as a bowel regulator for diarrhea or constipation --the only sustance that I know that works like that and it's safe to take daily.Being water soluble it is a bulk stool forming agent.

You are probably intolerant to some foods --the big culprits are dairy, and wheat products.You have to keep trying to find your trigger foods. It sure sounds like you have some --the best way is by an elimination program.
God Bless---Harry

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 03-22-2001).]

Again, thank you for the info. I've learned more on this board in 2 days then I have over the course of the year with my doctor. I am returning the Fiber Con and buying Metamucil. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Now another question...can someone post guidelines on just how to find your food trigger. For example...if I exclude wheat products from my diet, how long should the timeframe be? One week? Two weeks? As I said in my previous post, I tried keeping a food journal, eliminating certain foods from my diet, introducing foods back in to my diet, and could not make rhyme or reason out of anything. Could something I ate two nights ago effect how I feel this morning?

Again, thanks in advance for any insight!

CC

Wheat allergies are cumlative. You could eat wheat today and not show diarrhea for 24 to 48 hours. I would quit for a week and see how you feel. I noticed a difference in 24 hours. But for some, it may take a little longer. If you are going to eliminate wheat, here are some suggestions. Read the labels. Anything that says modified starches, avoid. There is also wheat in soy sauce believe it or not. Pre packaged seasonings, puddings, ice cream. To make it easy on yourself, I would only eat fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables and meats. Try not to eat at restaurants for a week, they are a huge culprit in sneaking wheat into foods. Most salad dressings have it, (Kraft is usually safe). Avoid canola oils. Peanut butters sometimes have wheat added. It's extremely pervasive. Worcestershire sauce has vinegar which is a distilled grain. Balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar are just fine (taste better too in my opinion). Start reading labels and you'll discover wheat is in just about everything. Of course, breads, pasta, prepared pasta sauces, pizza, fried anything with a batter. Chinese food has lots of soy sauce, so its best to avoid it. Soy products as tofu etc are fine. Of course, no cake, cookies, pies, etc. I know it sounds like a horrible way to live, but actually, after you get used to it and start feeling better, its worth it to give it up! Do it for just a week and see how you feel. Remember, avoid oats, rye and barley as well. Good Luck and let us know if it works!

Hi CC,
Alot of us get help on the healthboards.There are some very knowledgable people that have alot of experience dealing with problems. Angie should write a book on Celiac!!

An elimination diet is one that you eliminate most foods from your diet to begin with while keeping a very detail diary. Foods are then reintroduced back into your diet and you record the reaction.If you react then back-off and try it some time later.

Stress can play an important part in problems so that's why a diary is very important. I would avoid coffee, caffeine and alcohol during your trails. There is also an old saying "fresh is best". Some food may act as a trigger when eaten alone but OK when eaten with other food.

You have to start with something and I have seen several plans but there are No really general RIGHT way or wrong way. I have found this as good as any:use rice or potato --not both, a meat like chicken or fish and a fruit like canned pears and drink only steam distilled water ---do this for 4or 5 days until your symptoms are gone. Then you add new foods every other day---leave dairy, wheat and eggs until the last.Cooked veggies and fruit are most of the time better tolerated than eaten raw.
But, later try a food raw of course not meat or rice and thing that are normally cooked.

There is a rotation diet where you eat different food every 4 days.Some people like that!!!

You will be amazed how some food affects you. For example--eggs and a teaspoon of sugar give me a symptom ---sinus headache, chocolate does too. Nuts will give me diarrhea everytime. Coffee gives my wife diarrhea before she can finish a half cup.
God Bless---Harry http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Started metamucil last night and was crampy most of the night. Will start the elimination diet as soon as I get to the grocery story. Question...why distilled water? I already drink bottled water because I cannot stomach the highly chlorinated tap water in my town. If I boil bottled water, will that be okay? I drink a lot of water...its the only thing I drink.

Sorry for what must seem like dumb dumb questions, but I really want to understand what is going on.

CC

Hi CC,
Bottled Water may be OK but it is not regulated by any organization or anyone.In many cases it doesn't even tell you where it comes from or how it is treated before bottling. With Steam Distilled Water it is boiled then the steam is condensed ---resulting in nothing but Pure Water.You can buy it bottled---steam distilled water is right next to the bottled water or get a distiller. After years of hauling water home from the store, I bought a distiller from Sears for a little over $100.That was several years ago. There may be others on the market now.Some distillers can be expensive.

With everthing so contaminated or polluted these days I have come to believe that steam distilled water is the best.When water is steamed, then it gets rid of contamination, pollutants, chemicals, bacteria,and viruses and toxins. Boiling water is just not the same. A filtering process called Reverse Osmosis, from all I have read, is probably just as Good. The pure water should also be used for cooking. Some foods just absorbs water during cooking.

God Bless---Harry

PS--All questions are welcome!!! And, as you see I take them serious.
Also,there is a good article recently posted By Mike On the IBS board, "New CDC Study Finds Americans Aborbing More Toxins Than Expected" ---it is linked to alot of infomation probably more than you want to know???? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 03-24-2001).]

I have the exact same problem as you do. My Dr. also isn't concerned and finally after 2 years just rules it as IBS, but I know better!! Please have the colonoscopy done to find out what it is then let me know. My Dr. wants me to have one done but I'm scared to death!! But my problem is getting so bad that I will probably have one done soon too!! Let me know what happens!!!

I have gotten progressively 'sicker' since I first started posting. Nauseous all the time, no appetite. Some days I have diarrhea, sometimes I'm fine. I've had a CAT scan which came back normal and I'm scheduled for the 'dreaded' colonoscopy this Tuesday. (Actually, the way I feel, I don't care what they stick up there, as long as they find out why I feel so icky). I'm trying to remain upbeat ... so I found it humerous when I found out that the name of the medication I have to take to clean me out before the colonoscopy is called....

Go Lytely.... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

CC

Check everything you put in your mouth!!

I had gas and diarrhea that was caused by
something in a vitamin pill I was taking.
I stopped taking the pill and the gas and diarrhea went away.

P.S. Check the water your drinking. There are a lot of disease, and or contaminants that can be transmitted by drinking water. Parasites are extremely hard to detect.

If you want to be sure to start your elimination diet from a zero, it's better to go for a fast. You'll find the instructions from the web - or the local health food store. First you need to empty your system with water soluted glaubersalt (sodiumsulphate salt). Then period of two days on vegetable juices. No fruits yet!

Then starting first with vegetables: carrots, lettuce, cucumber, broccoli etc. Eat tiny portions at first, add up a little bit each meal. This way of starting elimination diet is really a zero-point for sure! First veggies, then meat. Go on a week or so like this. Avoid all extra spices, sauces etc. Avoid peas & lentils since they digest slowly and can produce gas. You can try tofu next.

Then you could start adding grain products beginning from the gluten-free ones: buckwheat at first, then millet, quinoa. If these are fine, you can try corn. Then oat. A week later barley and maybe rye. Leave wheat totally out from your diet for a while. If you are OK this far, you can try dairy products.

Start with lactobacillus-added-joghurt. Try sour milk, kefir and then other milk products without sugars. If all goes well, then you can try taking the sugars.

Try first berries in small amounts starting from the non-sweet ones. Leave the sweetest ones like strawberry and rasberry last. Then you can go to fruits. Start with a 1/2 banana. If that's fine, take whole the next day. Remember to chew well. Then you can try pears. Then apples. Leave oranges, mandarines and lemons the last, since those are common source of food allergies.

If the fruits go fine, then it's time to try sugars.
Everything first with small amounts. If this goes well, then you can test nuts.

It's a good idea to write diet plan on paper and to stick to it. Don't loosen up too fast, one item/group of items per week. If you do it too fast, it's almost impossible to say which caused which due to the cumulative effect.