Hello there. My GP has recently diagnosed IBS, though has referred me
to a specialist as a precautionary measure. The condition is REALLY
getting me down now. For many weeks now, I am either constipated or
crapping my guts out. The amount of wind I get is bordering on
superhuman - if there were an Olympic flatulence competition, I'd be in
the British team! My stomach makes so many sounds, people can hear
them from the other side of a room. I was recently prescribed
Mebeverine, which seemed to make a difference for a week or so, but I
seem to be going backwards again now.

Most people with whom I've discussed this condition seem to find it
mildly amusing, which does tend to leave me feeling isolated. It's
very easy to start feeling that you're the only person in the world
having his/her life blighted in this way.

I've become quite obsessive about bowel habits, dreading meals, or
rather the consequences of them, as eating is the trigger for my
problems. When I have an empty stomach, I'm fine.

How do others deal with it? I'd be very keen to read the experiences
of others, not to mention corresponding with others for mutual support.

Do accept my best wishes, and I look forward to hearing from people. :(

Not quite the response I was hoping for, I must say! :yawn:

Hey! I know exactly how you feel, I avoided going to the doctor about my problem for months. To the point were I landed myself right in the emergency room with a big ole bill to go with it! It is also very difficult to speak with friends/family about it, kind of gets them laughing at times. But all will get better I am sure. If I do eat it is only a small amount of food, enough to take my medicine (zelnorm). I have the same problem with gas and those strange belly sounds as well! Luckily I have a follow-up visit with my gastro doctor after Christmas, hopefully we can get some progress on the problem. There has to be something to take care of the gas, cramps, and noises! I have found it very helpful to read the posts on this board, especially since it is people with the same problem as I! Good Luck and I hope things get better for you!

I've had this problem for 27 years. Have had both upper and lower GI series done. Also tried many meds. Nothing worked. Haven't tried Zelnorm yet since I don't want to go to another gastro doc. Have avoided colonoscopy and those other unpleasant tests so far, but the next doc is sure to insist on them. I agree, it's a very difficult problem to live with, especially socially.

I know exactly how you feel. It can be so embarrasing! I'm extremely gassy all the time and it is so painful, especially when you are in public and you have to hold it in. I have actually gotten to the point where I can't even stand up straight because the gas hurts so much until you can finally go somewhere and relieve it. I feel like I could win a contest too! I guess if I was a 12 year old boy it would be funny, but as a 33 year old woman, it isn't as much! I've never been able to resolve this problem either. I am lactose intolerent as many of us with IBS are, but even eliminating dairy doesn't help.

My stomach makes all those sounds too. I've sat in many meetings at work and been embarrased when it gets quiet and my stomach starts its sounds again. People laugh, but I feel like an idiot.

I've just recently tried getting on fiber therapy again for about the fifth attempt. I know everyone says it helps if you can stick with it. I get about a week into it every time and get really symptomatic and finally quit. Today, I'm feeling pretty bad, but I'm going to try to continue this time.

I've had IBS since I was about 12, so you would think I would get used to it. I go through periods where I accept it better than others.

I can relate all to well. I've had IBS for about 3 or 4 years now and it's humiliating at times. I work on a production line where it's loud and already smells bad so the expelling of gas is "covered" but the problem I have is when I have to go, I HAVE TO GO! Trying to get someone to cover me on the line can seem like a lifetime. I have to be so carefull on what I eat when I'm at work or else it's coming out at the most inopertune time. I also have the bloating problems all the time, I can put on 10lbs in the blink of an eye. This is one problem I wish I never had.

My dr. has suggested Zelnorm but we are holding off till after CT scan on Monday. He says this is IBS. I am not so sure. Have had endo and colonscopy and nothing of significance there. Do any of you have a worse time at night? My nausea and general discomfort always seems worse at about 4AM. Have been tested for every bacteria there is and all clear there.

I have the EXACT same problems, gas , bloating, pain, terrible pain... and it is triggered mostly by foods. My problem is I am suspected hypoglycemic, so I HAVE to eat. I really wish I never though lol, but either way, I feel horrible.

This is just something else we all have to deal with. I find though with a careful watch of our diet, it can be controlled somewhat - however I haven't been able to accomplish this myself yet lol. I was on Dicetel, but the prospects of being on drugs for the rest of my life was a bit disheartening, so I discontinued and am managing ( which is the key word lol ) without them for now. The possible long term effects of the medications hardly seem to justify the medication in the first place.

You're definitely not alone. And there are many treatments available... mostly people's own remedies, as we all are not the same. I found many great tips and help in these threads... from acidophilus to psyllium... it all helps... As we all know IBS is a last resort when doctors don't really know what is wrong, and everything else is ruled out, so their medications and treatments are all trial and error as are our own... and as many people have reported, most treatments only work temporarily, then the symptoms worsen again and we go in search of alternate treatments... At least here, there are people who know what you're going through, because most people just do not understand!

you can try digestive enzymes to help with the gas. i haven't tried them yet but someone on the boards suggested them. the one they suggested is available online. also...try increasing your fiber intake....that will definitely help to regulate your bowels. sometimes i have to take some milk of mag though because even after tons of fiber i am still constipated. after i go through a bought of constipation.....and then i finally have a bm....i have pain in my lower abdomen. it feels like someone is squeezing my ovaries or uterius or bladder! but after a couple of hours the pain passes and i'm back to square one - fiber, fiber, fiber to keep things "moving" properly. it's tough...i must say. it's a big pain in the butt...literally! :)

Hi Quizbuff:

I was chained to a toilet for several years. What a drag. It does tend to make you obsessive about your rear end, doesn't it! I hated the sonorous blasts of flatulence.

I bumbled about until I found some things that helped. Whether it will help you or not, I wouldn't know. I am also hypoglycemic.

I totally stopped eating sugar. The sugar was causing panic attacks when I would come down from the crash from eating the stuff. I also went on a low-carb diet which tends to constipate you. I eat very healthy and started excercising. I avoid eating certain veggies such as onions, broccoli, peppers. I started on calcium supplements and I excercise diligently. With time, the IBS became much better. I no longer have cramping in my gut, and months on end of diarrhea. I occasionally will have a minor bout of aztec two-step, but for the most part the whole things is better.

Just as a side note, I have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is responsible for IBS and hypoglycemia in many people, so if you are having any other pains in your body that are unassociated with the diarrhea such as frequent bladder infections, brain fog, wide-spread body aches and pains, you might look into fibro. My doctor prescribed Guafenesin for this, which has helped to reverse the condition, along with the IBS.

Did the doctor test you for celiac syndrome? This condition can cause some pretty nasty gut problems.

Be patient, be diligent, keep looking, don't give up. There is an answer for you.

Kirstee

Kirstee - how did your doc go about diagnosing the fibro and hypoglycemia? Which were you diagnosed with first - the hypoglycemia, fibro or IBS? I think your story could also help alot of other people on here....

Quizbuff - sorry for veering off course of your original question...