BrazilianGuy
12-01-2002, 07:02 PM
Alright, let me tell you a little about my life.
For all my life i`ve had anxiety problems. Since i was a child. I`m 21 now. When i was 12 i started to have this problem: gas. At the classroom.
From that, i started having it before class, then after class too.
A little time later i had it on my way to school and then since i first opened my eyes in the morning.
It was a 24 hours thing.
9 years of suffering. Humiliation is the biggest problem. I`m much better now. But not normal yet.
I also have other symptoms of IBS like constipation and bloating. It`s like i can`t go in the morning but when i`m at work or at college i feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement - plus the damn GAS.
It`s a nervous thing i`m sure.
The point is: i`m thinking of talking to a gastro about suppositories. I mean, if i can go in the morning i`ll still have some gas (less) but won`t really have the urgent need to go to the bathroom. No pain.
I wonder it there`s some problem in it - using suppositories everyday?? I`ll talk to the doc but still wanted some feedback from people who have tried it.
Also, for the gas, i use a thing called Underease. It`s an underpant with an activated carbon filter attached to it. It doesn`t work properly when i`m standing but most of the times it does work when i`m sited. I`ll try another size to check if it works while i`m standing.
Anyone here uses that too? What other things you do to prevent that terrible feeling of making people smell your gas?
I`ve had depression but am over it right now. Almost completely. But still this vicious cicle of getting gassy whenever i`m among people makes my life miserable from time to time.
For all my life i`ve had anxiety problems. Since i was a child. I`m 21 now. When i was 12 i started to have this problem: gas. At the classroom.
From that, i started having it before class, then after class too.
A little time later i had it on my way to school and then since i first opened my eyes in the morning.
It was a 24 hours thing.
9 years of suffering. Humiliation is the biggest problem. I`m much better now. But not normal yet.
I also have other symptoms of IBS like constipation and bloating. It`s like i can`t go in the morning but when i`m at work or at college i feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement - plus the damn GAS.
It`s a nervous thing i`m sure.
The point is: i`m thinking of talking to a gastro about suppositories. I mean, if i can go in the morning i`ll still have some gas (less) but won`t really have the urgent need to go to the bathroom. No pain.
I wonder it there`s some problem in it - using suppositories everyday?? I`ll talk to the doc but still wanted some feedback from people who have tried it.
Also, for the gas, i use a thing called Underease. It`s an underpant with an activated carbon filter attached to it. It doesn`t work properly when i`m standing but most of the times it does work when i`m sited. I`ll try another size to check if it works while i`m standing.
Anyone here uses that too? What other things you do to prevent that terrible feeling of making people smell your gas?
I`ve had depression but am over it right now. Almost completely. But still this vicious cicle of getting gassy whenever i`m among people makes my life miserable from time to time.
Sponsor
kristi9101
12-01-2002, 07:06 PM
Have you tried a product called Gas-X. It can work for gas. You can buy it at your local pharmacy and basically anywhere. It is safe, I thought you could give it a try.
Super Sarah
12-01-2002, 07:37 PM
Try Metamucil. It's a water soluble fiber supplement and can be taken twice daily with plenty of water. This should help your constipation. Consider taking Sodium Docusate with this also to soften your stools and make them easier to pass.
You need to rebalance your good gut flora to help your gas. You can do this by either eating some live yogurt or taking Acidophilus caps. Keep them in the fridge and take them twice daily on an empty stomach.
You can also take Magnesium supplments to help your constipation.
Also make sure you eat a good diet and drink plenty of fluid. Also take regular exercise.
If you still can't open your bowels after this, then use suppositories, but I don't think you'll need to.
You need to rebalance your good gut flora to help your gas. You can do this by either eating some live yogurt or taking Acidophilus caps. Keep them in the fridge and take them twice daily on an empty stomach.
You can also take Magnesium supplments to help your constipation.
Also make sure you eat a good diet and drink plenty of fluid. Also take regular exercise.
If you still can't open your bowels after this, then use suppositories, but I don't think you'll need to.
sammy4
12-02-2002, 11:04 PM
You sound JUST like me... almost exactly its kinda spooky, except for the special underpants....
I hold all the gas in till I'm in such pain I have to limp doubled over out of the room, I think I have actually distorted my bowels from doing this.
I used suppositories for 3 months or so, everyday and they were wonderful I knew when I would have a BM and they really helped cut down on the gas, (except in really stressfull situations) but they helped relieve the bloating and constipation...
unfortunately my doc said I should try to retrain my bowel so that I wasn't reliant on them and could go naturally!
(I was thinking of taking out stock in glycerin suppositories)
I'm now taking lactulose, I generally have a daily BM, although I still don't feel like I get it all out and my Hemmhoroids are still ridiculously large for a person of my age.
sammy
just wanted to let you know your not alone and misery loves company.. I actually feel comforted that there are others poor sods like me out there! (doesn't that sound awful?)
I hold all the gas in till I'm in such pain I have to limp doubled over out of the room, I think I have actually distorted my bowels from doing this.
I used suppositories for 3 months or so, everyday and they were wonderful I knew when I would have a BM and they really helped cut down on the gas, (except in really stressfull situations) but they helped relieve the bloating and constipation...
unfortunately my doc said I should try to retrain my bowel so that I wasn't reliant on them and could go naturally!
(I was thinking of taking out stock in glycerin suppositories)
I'm now taking lactulose, I generally have a daily BM, although I still don't feel like I get it all out and my Hemmhoroids are still ridiculously large for a person of my age.
sammy
just wanted to let you know your not alone and misery loves company.. I actually feel comforted that there are others poor sods like me out there! (doesn't that sound awful?)
Super Sarah
12-03-2002, 03:17 AM
Lactulose is a laxative and you are not going to re-train your bowels by using this. Long term laxative use and abuse can make your bowels worse in the long run and is not the answer.
Use Metamucil with a stool softener and then Acidophilus to rebalance your gut bacteria and this will help with the gas. Also, take the Magnesium supplements and this will help naturally with constipation.
You also need to look at your diet and cut out junk food and coffee. Also try cutting out wheat and dairy. Ensure you drink plenty of fluid and if you have long term constipation, then add in prune juice - this never fails.
To retrain your bowels, eat breakfast and then sit on the toilet for no longer than 10 mins afterwards, even if you don't actually open your bowels. This will start getting you into a better pattern.
Unfortunately, laxatives are definitely not the answer.
Use Metamucil with a stool softener and then Acidophilus to rebalance your gut bacteria and this will help with the gas. Also, take the Magnesium supplements and this will help naturally with constipation.
You also need to look at your diet and cut out junk food and coffee. Also try cutting out wheat and dairy. Ensure you drink plenty of fluid and if you have long term constipation, then add in prune juice - this never fails.
To retrain your bowels, eat breakfast and then sit on the toilet for no longer than 10 mins afterwards, even if you don't actually open your bowels. This will start getting you into a better pattern.
Unfortunately, laxatives are definitely not the answer.
sammy4
12-03-2002, 05:13 PM
Its funny you mention that supersarah... I asked my doc about the lactulose :I had read the bottle and it stated that it was a laxative and I was worried it might lead to dependence.... however he said it was less a laxative and more an irritant to the bowel and that it was completely natural and therefore not likely to hurt me... he also said it would take 3 months for it to begin re-training my bowels..... well its been about three months and all my symptoms have definitely lessened but on the few days I miss a dose I haven't gone naturally and every so often I still need a suppository to get things moving.
unfortunately prune juice makes me gag, retch, and dry heave so it isn't somthing that I would be able to incorporate daily!
I didn't see any change in my system with the psyllium and acidophilus therapy ( thats now true it did work well for a month and then reverted back to my old ways... almost as though it had stopped working... weird) which I used for about 4 months.... I 'm at aloss for where to go and what to do now
you say my Doc is completely wrong (although I still trust him and believe he has something to offer me) but the things you have recommended have not helped... where do I go from here?
sammy
ps... sorry brazilianguy for hijacking your post :)
unfortunately prune juice makes me gag, retch, and dry heave so it isn't somthing that I would be able to incorporate daily!
I didn't see any change in my system with the psyllium and acidophilus therapy ( thats now true it did work well for a month and then reverted back to my old ways... almost as though it had stopped working... weird) which I used for about 4 months.... I 'm at aloss for where to go and what to do now
you say my Doc is completely wrong (although I still trust him and believe he has something to offer me) but the things you have recommended have not helped... where do I go from here?
sammy
ps... sorry brazilianguy for hijacking your post :)
Super Sarah
12-04-2002, 10:09 AM
Hey, hold on a minute. I don't think that anywhere in my post I stated that I thought your doctor was totally wrong?
What I did say was that laxatives are not really the answer to bowel problems and can in some cases cause more problems than they solve.
As the name suggests though, Lactulose in not really natural and contains Lactose, so you should not take it if you are lactose intolerant. Also, anything that causes irritation in the bowels still has a laxative effect.
As for the Metamucil, have you been taking this continuously or have you been taking it and stopping and starting again? If this is the case, then it may not work and you need to take it continuously for best results. Also, have you considered taking Sodium Docusate in conjunction with the Metamucil? If not, try this. It is a stool softener and will make your stools easier to pass.
Have you tried takng the Magnesium supplement? This is very good for constipation.
Look at your diet and make modifications to include plenty of fresh fruit and veg to get your bowels working well. If you can't drink prune juice, then just ensure that you try and drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily. This will flush your system through and help your bowel movements. Most people never drink anything like enough fluid.
Start to retrain your bowels by sitting on the toilet for no more than 10 mins after breakfast without straining. If you can't go then, don't worry. Just go and sit on the toilet when you feel the need to go and continue like this.
Glycerinne suppositories are ok to use if you are really unable to open your bowels. This stimulates your bowel to empty from underneath.
Anyway, once again, I did not say that your doctor was wrong and I am glad that you still trust him. I was only trying to point out the perils and pitfalls of laxative use.
Persevere and don't give up. However, it may take sometime though, as it has obviously taken time for your bowels to become as they are, so it will take time to retrain them also and get them back to normal function.
What I did say was that laxatives are not really the answer to bowel problems and can in some cases cause more problems than they solve.
As the name suggests though, Lactulose in not really natural and contains Lactose, so you should not take it if you are lactose intolerant. Also, anything that causes irritation in the bowels still has a laxative effect.
As for the Metamucil, have you been taking this continuously or have you been taking it and stopping and starting again? If this is the case, then it may not work and you need to take it continuously for best results. Also, have you considered taking Sodium Docusate in conjunction with the Metamucil? If not, try this. It is a stool softener and will make your stools easier to pass.
Have you tried takng the Magnesium supplement? This is very good for constipation.
Look at your diet and make modifications to include plenty of fresh fruit and veg to get your bowels working well. If you can't drink prune juice, then just ensure that you try and drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily. This will flush your system through and help your bowel movements. Most people never drink anything like enough fluid.
Start to retrain your bowels by sitting on the toilet for no more than 10 mins after breakfast without straining. If you can't go then, don't worry. Just go and sit on the toilet when you feel the need to go and continue like this.
Glycerinne suppositories are ok to use if you are really unable to open your bowels. This stimulates your bowel to empty from underneath.
Anyway, once again, I did not say that your doctor was wrong and I am glad that you still trust him. I was only trying to point out the perils and pitfalls of laxative use.
Persevere and don't give up. However, it may take sometime though, as it has obviously taken time for your bowels to become as they are, so it will take time to retrain them also and get them back to normal function.
BrazilianGuy
12-05-2002, 05:39 PM
Hi
Thank you for replying.
No problem in hijacking my post, Sammy. Your problem is my problem.
BTW why did you stop taking suppositories if your life was so much better? Did your doctor mention any problem in taking it everyday? I don`t understand.
Super Sarah, everything i`ve ever taken for the constipation just gave me diahrea. I would never go just once so - just made the situation worse.
Anyway, i will check some of this medicines you listed if i can find them in Brazil.
I see i do everything wrong cos i don`t exercise at all and don`t drink enough water and just eat trash. It`s sad, i know, but i don`t have many options. That`s why i`m looking for a practical way of getting over it (suppositories, i hope).
BTW i forgot to mention that i did yoga for 6 months. It was very very good. Unfortunately i had to quit it cos i couldn`t fit it in my disgusting schedule anymore. But i reccomend that for everyone who suffers from anxiety. Yoga! Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!
Thank you for replying.
No problem in hijacking my post, Sammy. Your problem is my problem.
BTW why did you stop taking suppositories if your life was so much better? Did your doctor mention any problem in taking it everyday? I don`t understand.
Super Sarah, everything i`ve ever taken for the constipation just gave me diahrea. I would never go just once so - just made the situation worse.
Anyway, i will check some of this medicines you listed if i can find them in Brazil.
I see i do everything wrong cos i don`t exercise at all and don`t drink enough water and just eat trash. It`s sad, i know, but i don`t have many options. That`s why i`m looking for a practical way of getting over it (suppositories, i hope).
BTW i forgot to mention that i did yoga for 6 months. It was very very good. Unfortunately i had to quit it cos i couldn`t fit it in my disgusting schedule anymore. But i reccomend that for everyone who suffers from anxiety. Yoga! Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!
sammy4
12-06-2002, 04:35 PM
hi Brazilian guy
He took me off the suppositories because I am supposed to start retraining my body to go on its own and recognize its own natural triggers and not bw dependent on any thing else.... there was nothing overtly wrong with using them just that I had to ALL the time... I didn't have any natural urge or impulse.
Super Sarah
Its ok.. I didn't mean to sound so desperate... you just put a voice to my concerns and I have worrying about them for awhile... I did the metamucil for a month with out and joy... but I have just started on it again and am having a wonderful experience. Maybe my body has bounced back enough from its prior chaotic self to actually function alittle better and be able to accomodate and work with the fibre therapy.
One question though... Is it ok to take both the lactulose and metamucil at the same time (one in am and the other at lunch)? and since they both are technically laxatives why is one better than the other? I wonder if the metamucil is working so well because the lactulose is drawing enough of the water I consume into the bowel to work properly with the metamucil... what do you think?
sammy
He took me off the suppositories because I am supposed to start retraining my body to go on its own and recognize its own natural triggers and not bw dependent on any thing else.... there was nothing overtly wrong with using them just that I had to ALL the time... I didn't have any natural urge or impulse.
Super Sarah
Its ok.. I didn't mean to sound so desperate... you just put a voice to my concerns and I have worrying about them for awhile... I did the metamucil for a month with out and joy... but I have just started on it again and am having a wonderful experience. Maybe my body has bounced back enough from its prior chaotic self to actually function alittle better and be able to accomodate and work with the fibre therapy.
One question though... Is it ok to take both the lactulose and metamucil at the same time (one in am and the other at lunch)? and since they both are technically laxatives why is one better than the other? I wonder if the metamucil is working so well because the lactulose is drawing enough of the water I consume into the bowel to work properly with the metamucil... what do you think?
sammy
Super Sarah
12-07-2002, 12:34 PM
Brazilian Guy,
Are you serious about not taking any exercise and eating a bad diet? If so, I have to say that this is half the key at least to your stomach/bowel problems. Unfortunately, if you do not eat a good diet, then there is no quick fix to your bowel problems. It is not surprising that you are having problems with bowel movements if you continually don't take any exercise and fill your body with lots of food that have no nutritional value. You are probably extremely short of nutrients too and may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
It seems a real shame to me that you are looking for a quick fix solution. There are none I am afraid, however, if you treat the cause and adjust your eating habits and lifestyle accordingly, then you may start to notice a change for the better.
Sammy is right, that suppositories can cause an irritation of the bowel, so that once you start to use them, you may not be able to open your bowels naturally.
Sammy,
Metamucil IS NOT technically a laxative, nor is it. It is a water soluble fiber supplement and is as good for diarrhea as it is for constipation. Your GI system was designed to work with fiber and it is that that encourages and keeps the good peristaltic action of the bowels working well.
Lactulose on the other hand IS a laxative, so NO, you should not be taking both Lactulose and Metamucil together at all. You need to take the Metamucil twice daily, but ensure that you drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water with it. You body needs the fiber with the water to function and if your drink enough water it will. The GI system need fiber not laxatives such as lactulose.
By pulling water from different parts of the gut, laxatives can interfere with the peristaltic action of the gut and that is why a lot of people who take laxatives to have bowel movements find that they also have stomach cramps.
I would say to you, most definitely, do not take Lactulose and Metamucil together, but just the Metamucil with plenty of water. Persevere and it will work, but it will just take time. You did not have this problem overnight, but it has probably been coming on for years, so unfortunately, you will have to retrain your bowels and be patient, as your problems will not be cured overnight either.
If you get very constipated, then try taking a Magnesium supplement. This should help. If you find that Magnesium is too harsh on its own and causes diarrhea, then try taking a combined Magnesium and Calcium supplements instead and this should help, but be more gentle.
Are you serious about not taking any exercise and eating a bad diet? If so, I have to say that this is half the key at least to your stomach/bowel problems. Unfortunately, if you do not eat a good diet, then there is no quick fix to your bowel problems. It is not surprising that you are having problems with bowel movements if you continually don't take any exercise and fill your body with lots of food that have no nutritional value. You are probably extremely short of nutrients too and may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
It seems a real shame to me that you are looking for a quick fix solution. There are none I am afraid, however, if you treat the cause and adjust your eating habits and lifestyle accordingly, then you may start to notice a change for the better.
Sammy is right, that suppositories can cause an irritation of the bowel, so that once you start to use them, you may not be able to open your bowels naturally.
Sammy,
Metamucil IS NOT technically a laxative, nor is it. It is a water soluble fiber supplement and is as good for diarrhea as it is for constipation. Your GI system was designed to work with fiber and it is that that encourages and keeps the good peristaltic action of the bowels working well.
Lactulose on the other hand IS a laxative, so NO, you should not be taking both Lactulose and Metamucil together at all. You need to take the Metamucil twice daily, but ensure that you drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water with it. You body needs the fiber with the water to function and if your drink enough water it will. The GI system need fiber not laxatives such as lactulose.
By pulling water from different parts of the gut, laxatives can interfere with the peristaltic action of the gut and that is why a lot of people who take laxatives to have bowel movements find that they also have stomach cramps.
I would say to you, most definitely, do not take Lactulose and Metamucil together, but just the Metamucil with plenty of water. Persevere and it will work, but it will just take time. You did not have this problem overnight, but it has probably been coming on for years, so unfortunately, you will have to retrain your bowels and be patient, as your problems will not be cured overnight either.
If you get very constipated, then try taking a Magnesium supplement. This should help. If you find that Magnesium is too harsh on its own and causes diarrhea, then try taking a combined Magnesium and Calcium supplements instead and this should help, but be more gentle.
sammy4
12-07-2002, 04:34 PM
Super Sarah...
I look at the wall of vitamins in our local grocery store and after 3 shelves my eyes start to glaze over and my head spins from all the different combinations, concentrations etc.... how many mgs (?) do you recommend of magnesium????
if I try to the combined magnesium/calcium how many mgs (or whatever the measuremement?) do you think is necessary and is it a daily dose of magnesium or just when constipated... like wise if I am always ceontipated is it harmful to take daily till my body decides to sort itself out?
I really appreciate these options and your expertise in this matter...
sammy
I look at the wall of vitamins in our local grocery store and after 3 shelves my eyes start to glaze over and my head spins from all the different combinations, concentrations etc.... how many mgs (?) do you recommend of magnesium????
if I try to the combined magnesium/calcium how many mgs (or whatever the measuremement?) do you think is necessary and is it a daily dose of magnesium or just when constipated... like wise if I am always ceontipated is it harmful to take daily till my body decides to sort itself out?
I really appreciate these options and your expertise in this matter...
sammy
BrazilianGuy
12-07-2002, 08:18 PM
Hi,
well, i want this quick fix, as you say Super Sarah, cos i`m tired and need some peace in my life. I`m 21, since i was 12, i guess, i suffer from that. I`ve tried so many things, even hipnoterapy in another city far away from mine, i spent SO MUCH money, i`ve swallowed so many pills i can`t even remember what a third of them were.
I've suffered enough.
People in general used to think (and some still do) that i`m a weirdo for avoiding social situations. I feel very bad in lots of them. Sometimes a bit bad, sometimes very very very bad.
I know i`m wrong for not eating well and not exercising and not drinking enough water. It`s funny cos sometimes it`s like i don`t feel hungry nor thristy. Anyway, the reason i do that is cos i have no time for anything and always eat off-home and don`t have much money to eat decently (in restaurants).
I don`t wanna give up my job and certainly not any of my two university courses because when i was younger and didn`t do much in life i still felt all this terrible things. They were much worse actually. So, more free time may not help right now. I`ll feel frustrated for giving something up.
Things will be better by the end of 2003 when i`ll have finished my journalism course. I`ll try to exercise and do yoga and eat better. Or so i hope.
My question now is: How bad can it be a person depending on suppositories to have a bowel movement? Let`s say i use them for like 10 months and then decide to stop using them, isn`t there a treatment for having bm naturally? And what symtoms people that use suppositories all the time have?
BTW i didn`t say i take and antidepressant every night. They were supposed to calm down my intestines. And do that a little. But also worse the constipation.
Sorry for the insistence. But i`m fighting for something in here.
BrazilianGuy.
well, i want this quick fix, as you say Super Sarah, cos i`m tired and need some peace in my life. I`m 21, since i was 12, i guess, i suffer from that. I`ve tried so many things, even hipnoterapy in another city far away from mine, i spent SO MUCH money, i`ve swallowed so many pills i can`t even remember what a third of them were.
I've suffered enough.
People in general used to think (and some still do) that i`m a weirdo for avoiding social situations. I feel very bad in lots of them. Sometimes a bit bad, sometimes very very very bad.
I know i`m wrong for not eating well and not exercising and not drinking enough water. It`s funny cos sometimes it`s like i don`t feel hungry nor thristy. Anyway, the reason i do that is cos i have no time for anything and always eat off-home and don`t have much money to eat decently (in restaurants).
I don`t wanna give up my job and certainly not any of my two university courses because when i was younger and didn`t do much in life i still felt all this terrible things. They were much worse actually. So, more free time may not help right now. I`ll feel frustrated for giving something up.
Things will be better by the end of 2003 when i`ll have finished my journalism course. I`ll try to exercise and do yoga and eat better. Or so i hope.
My question now is: How bad can it be a person depending on suppositories to have a bowel movement? Let`s say i use them for like 10 months and then decide to stop using them, isn`t there a treatment for having bm naturally? And what symtoms people that use suppositories all the time have?
BTW i didn`t say i take and antidepressant every night. They were supposed to calm down my intestines. And do that a little. But also worse the constipation.
Sorry for the insistence. But i`m fighting for something in here.
BrazilianGuy.
Super Sarah
12-08-2002, 06:31 PM
Brazillian Guy,
A lot of meds have the side effect of constipation, so you need to be careful. The thing about using suppositories is that you can become reliant on them for having bowel movements and then may not beable to have bowel movements without using them.
Taking Metamucil regularly is a natural way of helping your bowels. Take it twice daily with 6 to 8 glasses of water and it should help with the constipation. You need fiber for your GI tract to function well.
Try this and see, but make sure that you drink enough water with it or it will bloat your belly. However, changing your lifestyle is still the best way of helping yourself when you can.
Sammy,
I have some Calcium and Magnesium supplements and they contain 400mg of Calcium and 150mg of Magnesium per tablet. You probably need to try and find a supplement that has slightly more Magnesium than Calcium, say 150mg Calcium and 400mg Magnesium. Normally you should take two tablets daily with a full glass of water.
If in doubt ask a pharmacist or assistant for help.
A lot of meds have the side effect of constipation, so you need to be careful. The thing about using suppositories is that you can become reliant on them for having bowel movements and then may not beable to have bowel movements without using them.
Taking Metamucil regularly is a natural way of helping your bowels. Take it twice daily with 6 to 8 glasses of water and it should help with the constipation. You need fiber for your GI tract to function well.
Try this and see, but make sure that you drink enough water with it or it will bloat your belly. However, changing your lifestyle is still the best way of helping yourself when you can.
Sammy,
I have some Calcium and Magnesium supplements and they contain 400mg of Calcium and 150mg of Magnesium per tablet. You probably need to try and find a supplement that has slightly more Magnesium than Calcium, say 150mg Calcium and 400mg Magnesium. Normally you should take two tablets daily with a full glass of water.
If in doubt ask a pharmacist or assistant for help.
6th_sense
12-08-2002, 07:44 PM
Hi Guys,
I just wanted to mention that as an alternative to taking magnesium, you could buy a bottle of bile salts and break the pills into four quarters - Bile is a natural laxative (it is already produced in the gall bladder), and so it won't have any side effects apart from making you have Diarhea if you take too much - (it also tastes terrible). I usually only take one quarter per meal.
One other point: The difference between lactulose and metamucil. Metamucil is made of soluble fibres which naturally occurs in food like potatoes... It is required by the digestive system to help smoothen the ride for food through the intestine. However, it tends to absorb a lot of water and can constipate you if you don't drink enough water/liquids (5 - 8 glasses a day). Lactulose on the other hand is not necessarily needed by the body on a regular basis - my experience is that materials that are imbibed that are not usually required on a regular basis gets eventually rejected by IBS sufferer's intestines. At least this is the case with me.
Well, I hope this helps,
Cheers, Raju.
I just wanted to mention that as an alternative to taking magnesium, you could buy a bottle of bile salts and break the pills into four quarters - Bile is a natural laxative (it is already produced in the gall bladder), and so it won't have any side effects apart from making you have Diarhea if you take too much - (it also tastes terrible). I usually only take one quarter per meal.
One other point: The difference between lactulose and metamucil. Metamucil is made of soluble fibres which naturally occurs in food like potatoes... It is required by the digestive system to help smoothen the ride for food through the intestine. However, it tends to absorb a lot of water and can constipate you if you don't drink enough water/liquids (5 - 8 glasses a day). Lactulose on the other hand is not necessarily needed by the body on a regular basis - my experience is that materials that are imbibed that are not usually required on a regular basis gets eventually rejected by IBS sufferer's intestines. At least this is the case with me.
Well, I hope this helps,
Cheers, Raju.
katalina999
05-04-2003, 03:36 AM
brazilian guy and sammy4
i also have a bad problem with gas and avoid social functions for obvious reasons. i've had this problem now for 7 years. i always ate super healthy, and maybe that aggravated my problem (too many different foods). i've been exercising regularly 2-4x a week, and while it temporarily improves my gas problem (for 2-4 hours or so), it has not eliminated it. when doctors tell me to exercise, eat better, i realize that they think the problem will go away, even though i know it won't. i am not taking any laxatives, because i am afraid to do more damage. i do take anti-spasmatic medicine, and it helps somewhat. i think it's also better for me, to stay away from certain foods, even though i haven't figured this out yet completely. i wonder, if there are other people that had this problem and found a cure. if so, PLEASE TELL US.
i also have a bad problem with gas and avoid social functions for obvious reasons. i've had this problem now for 7 years. i always ate super healthy, and maybe that aggravated my problem (too many different foods). i've been exercising regularly 2-4x a week, and while it temporarily improves my gas problem (for 2-4 hours or so), it has not eliminated it. when doctors tell me to exercise, eat better, i realize that they think the problem will go away, even though i know it won't. i am not taking any laxatives, because i am afraid to do more damage. i do take anti-spasmatic medicine, and it helps somewhat. i think it's also better for me, to stay away from certain foods, even though i haven't figured this out yet completely. i wonder, if there are other people that had this problem and found a cure. if so, PLEASE TELL US.
thekid123
05-04-2003, 03:52 AM
i also have this humiliating has problem like you guys. however i don't feel like my life is over or ever feel like i want to be someone else. of course sometimes i feel extremely bad (I.E. IN A CLASSROOM, movie theater..anywhere theres people right behind me) otherwise when im walking around with a friend or something i feel fine but when i sit down with people around me i get very uncomfortable. i still want to find a way to get rid of this gas. i know it's gas because i can feel it but can't control it. it happens in this anxiety situations mainly. right after i have a BM that day i dont have gas for a long while. basically to sum it up: it only comes on when im sitting around a lot of people. i can live with it but i would RATHER NOT X 100000. I feel terrible because i cant do a lot of things like watch movies in theaters and other things where people are really close to me. thanks for listening.
ps im currently cutting out all dairy products for a couple weeks to see if this helps.
also i do exercise 3-4 times a week and have been doing so for years but it doesnt really help much. i think its anxiety related
ps im currently cutting out all dairy products for a couple weeks to see if this helps.
also i do exercise 3-4 times a week and have been doing so for years but it doesnt really help much. i think its anxiety related
confused02
05-04-2003, 06:35 AM
Does anyone get the gas built up in the chest area which causes chest pains? It seems for me that gas causes my chest pains & then my anxiety attacks will start.. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy, but have to wait for my insurance to kick in!! (Unfortunately) My doctor said that if their was nothing found from that, then I probably have IBS.. Was just wondering if anyone else has the gas in the chest which causes sharp chest pains??
broncosfan
05-04-2003, 11:02 AM
Yes, I sometimes get rather severe chest pains from my IBS. The upper part of your large intestine is under the lower part of your ribcage, basically next to your diaphragm. Bloating from gas in this portion of your digestive tract can cause pain & pressure in your chest cavity.
For me, the pain tends to be in the same spot for a few days to weeks, almost as if there is some short-term physical damage from the bloating, and not just gas pressure itself.
For me, the pain tends to be in the same spot for a few days to weeks, almost as if there is some short-term physical damage from the bloating, and not just gas pressure itself.
stinkfist
05-12-2003, 12:35 AM
Brazilian Guy,
***PILLS***
Get off them as soon as possible. Don't take anything.
***ME******
I have exactly the same problem in fact today, waking up early in the morning, I felt the need to go but could not. Yet when i'm away from home, just like u, i need to go. And hot places make it worse, the smell becomes so bad it's noticeable to me. I don't think it's gas for me, cause i'm not really a gasy person, i thnk my stool is just hanging around in my rectum too long, lol, constipation, and if u think about it, it makes sense for a smell to exist.
***WHAT I DO*****
I skip breakfast other wise I definitely need to go an hour or two later. I'll drink a blended juice, like orange mango, kiwi strawberry, something with low sugar. Drinking the "8" cups of water, is easily said than done. For me sometimes i just don't feel like water, but i try. Milk, will solidfy the stool, it works for me, and for some reason makes me feel empty, which is usually never the case. People sometimes think they're lactose intolerant, when the intake of dairy such as milk, actually helps.
***PILLS***
Get off them as soon as possible. Don't take anything.
***ME******
I have exactly the same problem in fact today, waking up early in the morning, I felt the need to go but could not. Yet when i'm away from home, just like u, i need to go. And hot places make it worse, the smell becomes so bad it's noticeable to me. I don't think it's gas for me, cause i'm not really a gasy person, i thnk my stool is just hanging around in my rectum too long, lol, constipation, and if u think about it, it makes sense for a smell to exist.
***WHAT I DO*****
I skip breakfast other wise I definitely need to go an hour or two later. I'll drink a blended juice, like orange mango, kiwi strawberry, something with low sugar. Drinking the "8" cups of water, is easily said than done. For me sometimes i just don't feel like water, but i try. Milk, will solidfy the stool, it works for me, and for some reason makes me feel empty, which is usually never the case. People sometimes think they're lactose intolerant, when the intake of dairy such as milk, actually helps.
Sarah68
05-12-2003, 05:14 AM
If people are lactose intolerant, then the intake of dairy produce and milk definitely will not help!
stinkfist
05-12-2003, 02:12 PM
Sarah,
The statement was, people think they're lactose intolerant, because of the rapid bowel movement afterwards. But why is this such a bad thing. Ur getting rid of the funk by getting rid of the stool sooner. And i guruantee drinking it on a regular basis will improve stool consistency.
The statement was, people think they're lactose intolerant, because of the rapid bowel movement afterwards. But why is this such a bad thing. Ur getting rid of the funk by getting rid of the stool sooner. And i guruantee drinking it on a regular basis will improve stool consistency.
Harry
05-13-2003, 01:33 AM
Every body is diffeent. People that are lactose intolerant cannot properly digest milk sugar and many get Diarrhea , pain, bloating and cramping.
For some people --- their system just does not produce the proper enzymes for lactose digestion.
As you know cows milk is really produced to feed young cows.
Harry
For some people --- their system just does not produce the proper enzymes for lactose digestion.
As you know cows milk is really produced to feed young cows.
Harry
Sarah68
05-13-2003, 05:55 PM
If you are lactose intolerant, then it is bad, as people do not just get diarrhea, they can also get severe belly pains and a bloated belly too.
Speaking as someone who is lactose intolerant and either does not eat dairy or takes lactaid beforehand, I just cannot drink milk. I have bloating severe belly pains, so severe that I am doubled up for a good 30 mins and severe diarrhea also. Why anyone would want to put themselves through this kind of ordeal when they know that you don't have to for the sake of quicker bowel movemements, I really do not know? Sadists I think, or masochists!!
Speaking as someone who is lactose intolerant and either does not eat dairy or takes lactaid beforehand, I just cannot drink milk. I have bloating severe belly pains, so severe that I am doubled up for a good 30 mins and severe diarrhea also. Why anyone would want to put themselves through this kind of ordeal when they know that you don't have to for the sake of quicker bowel movemements, I really do not know? Sadists I think, or masochists!!
Frustrated1
05-14-2003, 06:50 PM
As another person who is also lactose intolerant, I could not agree more with the Sarah. The length, duration and severity of a lactose induced episode always makes me think twice about useing diary as a diuretic. In my case, the severity of the episode is lengthed by a recovery period. I am normally very tired and dehydrated from the experience. If you suspect that you are lactose intolerant please have it looked into.