Constipation and Diarreah - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

momof6300 · 08-11-2006, 04:15 PM

Help. I have been going crazy the past few weeks. I had a D&C/Endometrial Ablasion done in May. Since then, my cycle has been way off. I alternate between terrible constipation, where I feel like I really have to go, but can sit forever and just pass little tiny "poop pellets". Then, I will get diarreah so bad that I barely make it to the bathroom. I get the diarreah within 1 hour after eating, but I feel great after I'm done, although I am afraid to leave my house too soon after eating for fear of not finding a bathroom.

I had a colonoscopy in April - my gynecologist made me have one before I had my surgery, and everything was great.

I am just at my wits end. This sounds to me like IBS. I haven't called my doctor yet - I had so much done to me these past few months that I don't feel like being poked and prodded any more for a while.

I want to try to regulate this with food, but what's good for one symptom aggrivates the other. Also, I really don't want to go an any sort of medication.

Any suggestions???

Thank you

SRMom · 08-12-2006, 11:21 AM

I'm having some issues too. Here are the things that have helped me somewhat: Drinking lots of water (6-8 glasses/day), more fruit and veggies, extra fiber in my diet (i.e. high fiber cereals) and fiber tablets (bulk forming), calcium/magnesium/zinc supplements, digestive enzymes supplements, yogurt and other probiotic supplements.

I suspect my troubles are related to antibiotics I had taken. That's when things started to go bad in my digestive system. I also recently had a colonoscopy and I think the prep caused an imbalance in the good bacteria...that's why I think probiotics are important. My gastro doc just gave me some Zelnorm to try. I just started so I can't really comment on its affectiveness yet.

elmhar · 08-13-2006, 02:11 PM

I agree, probiotics are the first thing to try, and are helpful to many. Some people prefer a serving of yogurt w/active cultures each day (assuming dairy is tolerated & not a culprit); others prefer a supplement.

You could try a magnesium citrate tablet when constipated -- but it can worsen diarrhea.

Hormonal crap can cause bowel grief. Generally, high estrogen is constipating, low can cause more diarrhea. Some people have autoimmune thyroid issues that are on & off & can trigger either extreme.

There are some people w/IBS who respond to food allergy testing/elimination of intolerances. I found quite by accident, after 5 decades of severe IBS, that I was gluten intolerant, and after eliminating the culprit, I am now 2 yrs. free of any problems.

You might try keeping a food diary. Sometimes people become sensitive to a certain food group which can trigger D. Also keep an eye on whether having a high-fat meal vs. a low-fat meal makes a difference with the D. Some people find that moderating fat intake is helpful for that part.

Best wishes.