irratable bowel - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

reano1 · 07-25-2006, 07:32 PM

im 32 and have irratable bowel is there anyone that can give me some good advise on how to make me feel better its horrible and it wrecks my everyday living please help if you can.

reano1 · 07-25-2006, 07:37 PM

im 32 and suffer from irratable bowel is there anything i can do to make it better and make my days go past without all the pain

bjguthrie · 08-23-2006, 04:05 PM

Hi reano1: I have IBS w/diarrhea and am in pain 24/7 although I do have other health problems too that may make the IBS worse. Of all the messages I have read on many differendtmessage borads dealing with IBS, there are very few people who have found relief and none that have been cured. Drs recommend a lot of fiber, natural and through a source like Benefiber. That helps some but only causes bloating and more pain. Of all the drugs I have taken, Immodium AD, purchased OTC, works best. It also helps to eat a lot of yogurt (probiotics). Some people use Activia by Yoplait, but I have found no difference between regular yogurt and the Activia and they both contain active cultures. Pain killers only help minimally and leave me in lala land with a terrible headache, so I would rather not take them at all. Cutting out fatty foods helps, eating only small portions, cutting out carbonated beverages and coffee help many people, and eating only small portions of proteins help a lot of others. Do a search of the web sites and you can get many suggestions from people who suffer as we do. Sorry I can't list any here. I also have diverticulitis, so I also cut out berries, nuts, and anything with seekds like cucumbers.
I'm 52 and believe I inherited this from my Mom, who also suffered. Are you able to work? I had to leave work three years ago and have been unable to return. I have applied for SS disability, but have not been awarded it, although it is before a judge.
Let me know if any of my suggestions help. Good luck - I know how depressing it can be.

Barb

elmhar · 08-24-2006, 01:41 PM

Barb,

I believe I am cured of my IBS. And I have met others who also believe they have been cured. IMO it's a matter of trying different things until you find what works for you.

Some people have been cured by Rifaximin. Some have found certain probiotics are the key. For others, short courses of serotonin-type meds for the gut have normalized things.

Up until a few yrs. ago I used many of the methods you recommended to reano1 to ease my symptoms. For me those measures were minimally helpful, but I followed them despite the fact that I still regularly suffered from pain & incapacitation due to severe gut spasms.

I fortuitously discovered after 5 decades of severe IBS-C, that gluten in my diet caused my spasms & constipation. I consider myself cured because I have had over 2 yrs. symptom-free, except for one exposure to gluten which resulted in return of symptoms. Perhaps you would consider my case "managed," rather than cured, however, for me it has been a miraculous improvement. I have known other people -- with different food intolerances -- who have licked their IBS by getting on top of things.

Best wishes.

RetiredDirector · 08-25-2006, 03:13 PM

Hi Everybody: I am a 60 year old male and I have suffered from IBS for several years. I've had all the tests and tried all the drugs on the market for this problem without any luck. I do take Lomotil and/or Cholestyramine Powder if it gets real bad. Because of the pain I have daily, what my doctor did was put me on pain medication, which is constipating to the "normal" person. For me it slows the bowels and makes it possible to lead somewhat of a normal life. Most people are shocked when I tell them I take Methadone, 180 mg/day for pain and IBS. With someone who is not opiate tolerant, a drug of a weaker type could be used. I think when I first started on this type of meds, I was taking Hydrocodone to slow the bowels and help with the constant pain.

I have heard and read of many people saying nothing works. Well, here is a way to help, you only have to convince your doctor to let you try it. Yes, you will most likely become dependant on the medication, but it enables you to have a normal life. I don't work anymore. I applied for and was granted Social Security Disability on my first try.

Good luck to all who attempt to lead your life and endure the constipation and diarrhea that come with IBS. I have mine fairly well under control.