I had my gallbladder out in jan 05 laperscope and ever since I have been suffering from massive diharreha (sorry bad speller) and stomach pains I have lost 70 pounds and I feel sick all the time.
Not only do I get diharreha but I also suffer from constipation to. I have had 2 colonoscopys 2 ercps an endoscopy a upper GI series a cat scan a but load of blood work and nothing comes up. They just told me this year that I probably suffer from IBS. All the medicine they put me on makes me majoraly constipated that I have to either take another med to make my self go again Which usaly throws me back into diharreha or I have to stop the meds all together and suffer through it till i get better on my own.
My Ibs is not triggered by any certine food because no matter what I eat bothers me a majority of the time. Even dry cearal that is on my list from the nutrisinist that I saw can but in the bathroom for an hour.
I cant go out when i have an episode. I cry all the time when I have an attack espicaly if I am out. This has ruined my life and I dont know how to fix it . I do not know any body else with this problem.
I feel so alone. I would just like somebody who knows how it feels to talk to for a little bit just to reasure my self that I am not totaly crazy.

Mandy28, you are most definately not alone. We are out here! Actually, we are everywhere but since most folks don't talk about their bowels, you would never know it. It is estimated that 25% of the population suffers with IBS. So you probably meet and talk with folks every day who have some experience of this problem. I personally think 25% is a low estimate. I talk about my tummy constantly! The more I talk about, the more people open up about their own issues. It's just not the easiest topic to discuss!

I've been dealing with IBS for 20 years. I alternate between C and D, with the emphasis on C. I know how frustrating it can be and how it limits your daily activites. That's one of the reasons that I made the decision to just tell friends about my problem. I got tired of making excuses for why I couldn't go out to dinner or camping or long car trips. It's much easier to deal with the people in your life if you're honest. While those who don't have IBS can't really understand the enormous impact it can have on a life, they do tend to offer understanding, which is something we can all appreciate.

I don't take any meds any longer. I use an herbal supplement to keep my system hydrated and moving, but after all these years, I have concluded that western medicine can not treat this problem. The best most of us can hope for is temporary relief by trying a variety of remedies, both pharmaceutical and natural. You might want to consider seeing a naturopath. I am just like you in that it doesn't matter what I eat. I could pop a cracker in my mouth and have the runs for 2 hours. Or, I could eat a bowel of brown rice and be constipated for 2 days. There is no rhyme nor reason for me.

Try not to despair. I know it's hard to feel positive when your belly is at war with you but sinking into depression or anxiety will only exacerbate your symptoms. I have found that using a heating pad on my belly helps alot with the spasms and pain. I also "massage" my gut when it gets bloated and locked up with gas. This is helpful in releasing the pressure. There are also teas like peppermint and fennel that many find helpful.

I hope you hang in there. You are not alone!

Hi Mandy, It took me nearly three years to find out what upsets my bowel and the list is as follows, coffee, all dairy, all sugar even fruit, wheat, all cakes and biscuits. Im not saying I cant have a treat the very odd time but it must be kept to a minimum. I felt like it was never ending but when you get on the right diet its wonderful. You need willpower and backup from friends. Basically I can eat most meals but no desserts or alcohol. The very odd time I will need my medication but if I had listened to my doctor who said diet doesnt matter Id probably be a hospital case by now as I had lost half a stone. I now weigh 9 stone which is great. Hope this is of help. good luck

I had major surgery in sept. 05, which included removing my gall bladder. The dr. that did my surgery said i would have constant diarrhea because the chemical that your gall bladder makes helps with digestion and absobing cholesterol and other fluids, so he put me on a medication called cholestyramine. It is a sandy like substance you mix with water, kinda nasty, but helps with diarrhea some without constipation.

thank you for the support. I have tried the heating pad before and it worked ok for me. My family and friends all know about my stomack problams and they are as supportive as they can be, but some times I think they get tired of waiting for me to finish or act some times like enough already with the sick act. My doctors have tried all kinds of different kinds of meds including cholestyramine because of my gallblader ( just made me suveraly C) but none work so I pretty much learned to suffer threw it on my own. But it is a guessing game with me because I may be a C today but I can be totaly trown with no warning into D. I am just tring to get my life back. I dont want my IBS to take over and rite know I feel it is

Mandy, I've had the same responses from friends and family as well. In addition, the therapist I saw for 13 years never really understood the extent of my problem until her 16 year old daughter developed IBS. It can be frustrating for us when loved ones show so little compassion. I've come to the conclusion that, because the nature of this disorder is somewhat, um, delicate, people are generally uncomfortable giving it too much thought or consideration. And unfortunately, the medical community doesn't offer much support when they consistently put the emphasis on "stress" as the underlying factor. When people hear that stress is part of your problem, they are quick to assume you should have more control. As we know, there is very little control of IBS.

I recently read an excellent book by a pre-eminent neurological scientist/doctor entitled The Second Brain. It's all about the brain in the gut and how our bowels have a mind of their own. In it, he states that people who have never experienced bowel disorders will never give a second thought to their tummies. They don't need to because their "parts" all work properly. It is only when one is "chained to the toilet with bloody diarrhea for 6 hours" that one begins to understand what our lives our like!

Mandy,, I had IBS now for about 15 years.. Ya it's no fun but you have the right attitude to get through it... It is all in what you eat..And it's hard to tell just what Set's it off.. Sometimes I can eat anything I want.. For me it's more of what I had been eating the past few day's, then it catches up with me.. Metamucil Smooth Texture orange flavor is what helps me.. And it don't taste that bad .. They came a long way with the stuff.. A tall glass of water and one supper heaping Table spoon full of the stuff mixed well at least every other day.. Sometimes if I'm having a real bad spell with bloating and pain I'll have two smaller glasses of the stuff morning and evening...Coffee is my real killer and greasy food.. I think it took me about 5 years to learn to live with IBS and longer how to learn about it.. I'm almost use to it now.. Still learning about it.. Oh and with me it's more on the C side but can swing back and forth to D.. There seems to be no rime or reason for the symptoms it seems sometimes.. I stopped worrying about it and am better off.. But the reason I was told Metamucil was a good thing was because it gives your intestines something to squeeze that's soft.. Also pick you fiber foods and don't over do when you start.. I find that just the Metamucil and some good hole 12 grain bread works one piece a day work well.. I hope you can read this ok I am typing it out fast.. I felt I had to speak up about IBS and let you know your not alone...It's no fun but it does get better in the sense you learn how to live with it somewhat comfortably. Also I had a huge weight lose in the beginning when I was so worried and hurt so much I felt I could not eat..It took me years to believe the doctors.. Test after test for years too.. Try and not worry relaxation helps if you can learn too.. My problem was I just think to much about it.. Hard not when you hurt so much.. Best wishes.. George

I was diagnosed a month ago, and was told i had not to be on any diet. I have found all I can eat is about 12 oz of food and drink a day combined. My gallbladder was removed last year on May 18, and the pain is still here. CTs were normal, so they diagnosed IBS. I have been on Pamine Forte for a month now, and all it does is solidify the stool, the headaches, stomach pain, nausea and dizziness are still there. They called in a new script called levbid. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm scared to take it, the side effects include COMA! Please help!

Michelle

Michelle,

I was prescribed something like that years go maybe 12 years now..This may be the generic name I'm not sure.. LEVSINEX 0.375MG CAP..

I was also giving some others in 2005 HYOSCYAMIME 0.375 SRCAP. Because of the dosing I think this was the same drug I was given years ago but under another name. To be taken every 12 hours as needed for abdominal pain. AND A LOWER DOSE OF THE SAME HYOSCYAMINE 0.125 SUM To be taken every 4 hours as needed for abdominal pain.. I believe my drugs are all the same except for the time span of the first ones I got.. They didn't work 12 years ago and they didn't work in 2005 .. I have waterworks issues do to a enlarging prostate and the meds made that much worse.. For me being able to pee was more important..



The levbid name sounds like it could be the same stuff or a derivative of it.. You will have to check.. I had no other side effects when on the meds I mentioned.. If they worked for me I would have continued taking them..
But do check your meds and see before you start taking them if your worried about there side effects.. Good Luck.. George

PS Read the post I posted for Mandy... That's what works for me..Post #7
For Michelle and Mandy,
I have to edited this because I forgot to add.. I do take LORAZEPAM 2 mg 1/2 to 1 Tablet up to twice a day as needed.. I have taken this in higher dosing years ago do to stress from the IBS It was 1mg 4 times a day.. I feel this helps a lot and is a nice drug because you don't really feel it's effects while it works.. I use it when I feel I'm getting worked up or stressed out but have learned to do so at the first sine of over thinking or stress and it works better for me that way.. Some times I can go weeks with out it other times I take it twice a day mostly in 1 mg or half a pill.. Not a miracle drug but it does help.. Again best of luck..

George,
My doc just called in Reglan for me, which helped once before with the fullness so now I can eat! It relaxes the lower muscle in the stomach so that the food doesn't stay in too long and cause additional gas. I didn't have any side effects from it before, and it worked great. I have decided not to take the levbid, and try to go natural with diet and fiber, hoping that the reglan and some immodium will remedy the d. I still have to take the prilosec, but hopefully this will all come out in the wash so to speak. Thank you so much for the advice, I am just so scared that I will never find anything that works, and the my doc will just keep trying to pump me full of meds when I can actually deal with naturals. I am hypersensitive to meds of all kinds, so the fear of taking anything now is overwhelming. I am so glad to know I am not alone. It is most embarrassing when you are at work and bend over to do something, and lose it, and have to go home, never to go back because of embarrassment. I am so thankful for this board. It makes this at least bearable.

Michelle

Michelle,, Good to hear you have something that helped you before to take.. It's all long learning proses more or less.. Do put the drug LORAZEPAM in that back of you mind as something to ask your the doctor if you find yourself at a point when you want to try something else.. Maybe it can be taken with what your on now I have taken this med with every thing they tried with me.. It's just a mild tranquilizer to help you cope and I feel it does calm down your gut a bit too..Great for stress and god knows we have stress with this disorder..I know it's hard not to dwell on your inners when you feel so bad but it only makes it worse try and find something you like to do, a hobby or something that you can get wrapped into so much that it takes you mind away from you IBS feelings..I have been so bad at times that you say work and I think how is that possible? My lack of work history has forced me to try and work out of my house doing whatever i can.. I am very lucky to have a very understanding wife that made a good living and allowed me to just try and live life with out no ones gilt but my own about that, ya I know more stress that don't help the IBS..LOL!! What can ya do..All my best to you and feel free to re post here if you need too.. Maybe I can set up my PM's for this board and if your going through a really bad time with your disorder you can get a hold of me if that will help..
Good luck & FEEL BETTER SOON!! George

Just looked I can't find a place to seup PM's or contact info.. But will keep looking.

Well George, the good stuff is over. THe Reglan is only sometimes working now, and taking forever. And the Levbid I am on, I can't take anymore. I am a full time student, and took it this morning before class at 7:30, and my first test at 10 I was able to see. The second test at 11:30, I could not see the words. My vision was so blurred, I could only make out small words like chin and eyes. I can't handle not being able to do my work! I am so close to graduation, I can't let this stop me. I guess I'll have to stop taking it all to get through. But I don't know if I can handle the stomachaches, and the d, as well as the headaches that come with it. Sometimes I wish that I had no nerves so nothing hurt. If you have anymore advice, I have a new appt. at GP on the 7, and gastro on the 13. Please, Please if you can help with anything other than drugs, I would so appreciate it.

Michelle,

I know this is not what you want to hear but diet, fiber, and some good relaxation is the best most could offer. The only real difference is that I really do understand what you going through.. Gaviscon Antacid does help me some times I take them 3 or 4 times a day.. For some reason they work better then any other kind.. You chew two and they kind of foam in your mouth then you drink a glass of water to wash it down the good think I found with it is it doesn't effect you as far as D or C goes.. Try not to keep thinking of how bad you feel and try to get your mind on other things** Again try and relax** .. Ya ,easier said then done but it's a necessary.. Sounds like you have tons of stress going on with your school and tests right now.. Talk to your teachers and try and make them understand what you're going through.. Your taking the right steps going to you doctor.. And seeing a gastro Dr. I never see one of them.. My GP sent me for all of my tests that he wanted and some that I wanted through the years.. I think your smart and are going in the right direction with what you doing.. I wish I had some bright idea or something more tangent to offer you.. Please re read my earlier posts.. You need to get to know your own body and what foods and drink effect you.. It was hard for me to tell what bothered my IBS in fact it took years and I'm still learning.. Please let me know what your doctors have to say and keep me updated as to how your doing.. I can be a sounding board for you.. I hope a little of what I said in some way helps and you can at least get through your tests and then get you life back on track.. Best of luck!! George

Well, I went yesterday to pick up the necessities for the fecal occult test, and take it back Monday. They are setting me up for a colonoscopy, after the results from the occult test are back. I'm scared to death of the colonoscopy, because the anaesthesia I was given during my surgery last year almost killed me, so I am sensitive to it, and am not sure I have the guts to try it again. But, my teachers are really understanding, and are letting me retake a test, because the meds caused me to not be able to see them at all, and I just marked whatever I could make out. I am hoping this helps some. I stopped taking all the meds, and am only using diet, and its working for me now. I still have nausea from time to time, but generally, as long as I stay away from stuff that triggers the D, I am ok. I get a kind of motion sickness when I am in a vehicle, which I don't understand, but as long as Im not in a vehicle too long, I seem to be ok. So, maybe I have found a way to cope. Thank you so much for the advice, and understanding.

Michelle,
Thanks for the up date.. Have a talk with your anaesthesia before the procedure ask to see him and talk to him about what went on with you last time and let him know your worried you should be able to do this just before they take you in to have the colonoscopy done.. Speak up and don't worry about repeating you self.. Natcherly talk to you PCP and the doctor doing the procedure.. I had my first 11 years ago and I woke up in the middle of it.. I let them know last time I had it done and I was out and didn't feel a thing this was about 4 years ago it was a piece of cake..The wife had one done too a few years ago and again it was a piece of cake for her too.. Glad your getting your diet to work and it will take years to start to understand what may trigger things.. Sometimes I can eat what would normally trigger mine and nothing but if I keep it up for a few days I learned that's when it showed up and i guess that why it's so hard to find the triggers. Best of luck to ya and I hope all goes well with your procedures.. Be well!! George

Well, the stool tests came back, and there is no cancer, bacteria, blood or parasites. So, with all the other tests, they confirmed that the problem is IBS. Yippee huh? It's better than everything else they were considering though. I was really concerned, but so far, everything is ok. I am using a high fiber diet, mostly wheat bread and all, but now that my cholesterol is so high, I have to cut out the bread, potatoes, and most sodium. Anyone else have this? They don't want me on meds for it because apparently it's not been this way long. Exercise and diet is what I have been told to do so far. But if I eat any less, I'm going to starve. As it is, I only eat turkey, chicken and fish, veggies, salad and soy. What more can I have? I have no sugars but what is naturally in fruit, no caffeine, I mean, what else is there? AAARGH!

Hi Michelle,

Glad to hear your tests came out ok.. For me when it all started my PCP told me I had IBS from my symptoms and over the years of disbelief on my part came one test after another because I just could not believe or accept how I was feeling most of the time..With each test I wanted to find what was causing my issues and wanted them to find a little something wrong.. My doctor would keep telling me it was a good thing for each test to come back normal.. But my doctor was good in he would just send me for another test to reassure me all was ok..

High fiber is what I was always was told and I find it helps me.. as far as your cholesterol goes I think when they say diet and exercise they mean watch what you eat to help your cholesterol and not for you to eat less ... Cutting out the wheat bread and potatoes sounds like a carb thing to me. I'm not sure I understand how this will help.. I think exercise will help your cholesterol but don't kill yourself and diet is to look at just a good healthy diet that will work for you and your IBS and cholesterol.. I feel high cholesterol is more likely when one has IBS. I have it too and am on meds for it..For me Zocor works but only in the name brand for some reason.. Keep active eat healthy and keep your mind active and off your IBS symptoms as best you can while hearing what your body is telling you IBS wise so you can help your self understand wht works best.. Feel better and good luck!! George