tennis14
10-25-2003, 04:24 PM
I have been struggling with my IBS for such a long time. I am a student and can't take much more of this. I can barely do normal things. I have tried zelnorm, probiotics, and more fiber. I cut dairy, high fat, coffee, and soda out of my diet completely. Currently my doctor gave me levbid, but this is giving me IBS D. I go to the bathroom way too much and i get bloated every time that I eat. My pants are so uncomfortable. I have destressed myself as much as I canl, but nothing is working. I am about to give up hope.
Any suggestions? Should I still take the Levbid? My doctor is on vacation and I am not sure if I should stick the D out or not.
Any suggestions? Should I still take the Levbid? My doctor is on vacation and I am not sure if I should stick the D out or not.
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Laura67
10-25-2003, 07:42 PM
Wow, i'm amazed that you've done so many things, and it's not helping. One of the things I did was learn to cope. I could barley do anything. So when ever I could feel that it's coming, you know a pain, I tell myself, and I slowly calm myself down.During class, I would get so nervous any sweaty, and upset. So I sat in a comfy position, and quietly took deep breaths.Sometimes it's really hard to focus..because it hurts so bad.Somtimes I just had to ask if I could be excused. But at my home, I lay on the couch alone, quietly, and think about something peaceful laying on the warm sand on the beach. I lay on my back, and just dream on with my eyes closed. I remembered it being so hard because none of my friends understood why I couldn't go out and hang. But try the teq. coping.
JeffH
10-26-2003, 01:36 AM
Yes,as Laura said, learn to do relaxation exercises. There is most certainly a mind / gut connection. At this point, it sounds like the stress that the IBS is causing in your life would almost certainly also be making it worse.
If need be, see a mental health therapist. They can help you learn these relaxation exercises. I do speak from experiance. I have been helped by doing these exercises. As Laura said, it's mostly visualization, you will learn to "go to a calmer place." In time this will help control your IBS. It won't cure it, but it will help with the more stressful times.
It does take some time and effort to learn this. Please give it a try. See a good therapist. It should help you a lot!!
If need be, see a mental health therapist. They can help you learn these relaxation exercises. I do speak from experiance. I have been helped by doing these exercises. As Laura said, it's mostly visualization, you will learn to "go to a calmer place." In time this will help control your IBS. It won't cure it, but it will help with the more stressful times.
It does take some time and effort to learn this. Please give it a try. See a good therapist. It should help you a lot!!
tennis14
10-26-2003, 01:53 AM
thanks so much for the advice! i am really trying to destress and relax. i just started going on daily walks and just try to take some time each day to be still. i guess i get so stressed about what to take and eat versus what not to take or eat. my IBS stesses me out and makes it just a vicious cycle. do yall think that i should stay off the medicine and just try to control my stress? or both?
JeffH
10-26-2003, 01:03 AM
Only your doctor can tell you if you should stay on or go off your meds. Call him Monday. If he's still on vacation, ask to speak to the doctor that's "covering" for him.
Yes, you sure sound like you are on a major "stress cycle." I'm not being critical, I've been there. Believe me, I've REALLY been there. I can't overstate how I feel about the relaxation therapy. It can only help you. Please, do it.
Yes, you sure sound like you are on a major "stress cycle." I'm not being critical, I've been there. Believe me, I've REALLY been there. I can't overstate how I feel about the relaxation therapy. It can only help you. Please, do it.
tennis14
10-26-2003, 01:08 AM
thanks! i will work on it :)
JeffH
10-26-2003, 01:24 AM
Let us know how it works for you. You should get so good at the relaxation / visualization techniques, that you'll be able to sit in class, and close your eyes and think of a pre determined pleasant thought, and your stress level will diminish. Your gut problem will diminish. Again, I'm not suggesting a cure, but you will get relief. The key is getting to a good therapist who can teach you the proper technique. It almost becomes like self hypnosis. I swear, it works.
Frustrated1
10-27-2003, 10:28 AM
Stress can definitely aggravate any symptoms you may have. I think the stress of not finding the right mix and getting things that do not work can really make one a little nuts. I have been through the same thing. Relaxation would be extremely helpful.
The first thing I did was to be more proactive in reading the labels. Go through what you eat daily, not only what you eat but how it is prepared. Then track when you get symptoms and how long they persist. Things that I have found that also give me extreme problems is sugar, real and artificial, if ingested in certain amounts and alchohol. You said you have taken out diary and nuts et al. Have you also considered grains, such as wheat. Just recently I was having problems with a product I use almost exclusively. After some research I found that the formula had changed and included milk. Another odd account was eating Pringles potato chips. This contains wheat gluten which about floored me for two days.
Also drink plenty of water.
Good Luck and I hope you feel better
The first thing I did was to be more proactive in reading the labels. Go through what you eat daily, not only what you eat but how it is prepared. Then track when you get symptoms and how long they persist. Things that I have found that also give me extreme problems is sugar, real and artificial, if ingested in certain amounts and alchohol. You said you have taken out diary and nuts et al. Have you also considered grains, such as wheat. Just recently I was having problems with a product I use almost exclusively. After some research I found that the formula had changed and included milk. Another odd account was eating Pringles potato chips. This contains wheat gluten which about floored me for two days.
Also drink plenty of water.
Good Luck and I hope you feel better