Dose of Culturelle or Enzymatic pearls for IBS??? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

sunshine123 · 08-10-2007, 05:46 PM

My IBS has gotten worse recently. I've been under lots of stress and was given an antibiotic by IV in the hospital. My IBS is the alternating kind. I've tried the Enzymatic pearls once or twice a day and they did nothing for my stomach. I've also taken Culturelle once a day. Would I need to take more than one a day to get any relief?? I get some relief from peppermint pills and/or tea but I have GERD so I have to watch my consumption of peppermint. I take Prilosec OTC for acid reflux and it works for me. I ordered some samples of Digestive Advantage IBS to try. I've been keeping a food diary, but can't find a pattern for what's causing my IBS. I drink lactaid milk, eat lots of fiber, yogurt, drink water, exercise. This is so frustrating. Today, I was on the toilet many times. I don't want to be afraid to leave the house. The other day, I was constipated and felt like my stomach would explode. If I eat too much fiber or not enough, I have stomach problems. There's never a day when my stomach feels OK. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

sunshine123 · 08-22-2007, 07:30 PM

Can't anyone give me advice???????????? :-(

bellyblues · 08-23-2007, 12:48 AM

Hi Sunshine! I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Culturelle or Enzymatic pearls. I have taken digestive enzymes but have had no success with them. Like you, I never have a day that is pain free and suffer also with alternating IBS. Usually I experience most of the pain and discomfort during the day and often the only relief comes with D after I eat and continuing into the evening. Like you, there is no clear culprit with regard to diet although some things are surely no-no's always. I also take Prilosec for acid reflux and I do sometimes wonder if this has contributed to my overall digestive dysfunction but I have no real proof to back up my suspicion. I do know I've been on this medication for quite some time and that it has been suggested that long term use is probably not a good idea. It's just an idea I've been knocking around.

For me, I've had to accept that my IBS is so severe (and has been for years) that I do have to take it into account when I plan my activities. It's a drag and I wish it weren't so, but I've learned that I do much better if I put my health first and don't pressure myself about things I just can't do. I have also learned to take one day at a time and if I do have a good day, I cram as much activity into it as I humanly can. Because I've been living with this for so long, everyone in my life knows the deal. I've found it's best to just be honest with people, whether they completely understand or not. This way, if I have to beg off an invitation or cancel an appointment, everyone understands. It relieves alot of stress for me.

In terms of symptoms, I use a heating pad for pain and spasm. Many folks find relief with the teas but they don't seem to help me much. I have not had much success with the Digestive Advantage because it seems to push me into C mode and that's something I lean toward anyway and don't need any more help with! I was also taught belly massage which I find extremely helpful for relieving trapped gas and stimulating movement.

You mentioned that you had recently had an IV antibiotic treatment. It is possible that this has kicked off a flare up for you. Antibiotics are notorious for stripping the intestines of good bacteria. You might find probiotics helpful for awhile.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

sunshine123 · 08-23-2007, 05:47 PM

Hi Bellyblues: Thanks for responding. Yes, sometimes the D. helps get rid of the abdominal pain. Today, I'm back to feeling constipated again. Since I had to leave the house today for my Acup. appt., I used a suppository this am so I wouldn't have a stomachache driving there or back or during the Acup. session. I remember my mother always having abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea. She took Lomotil and Donnatol. I've heard the same thing about taking PPI'S longterm. I used to take Pepcid AC, but I got tired of taking so many of them everyday.

Anytime my husband and I are supposed to fly someplace or do a long drive, I get anxious and worry that I'll have a diarrhea attack. When I think back on things, I'm amazed I flew to Europe twice. But, I'm sure I took multiple doses of Imodium so I wouldn't have to use the plane's bathroom a lot.

The heatingpad is getting good use in my house too. I hate the taste of that fennel tea and won't reorder it. Also, I think the peppermint plus pills work just as well if not better than the fennel/ginger/peppermint pills I ordered online. The thought of taking the Citrucel powder again makes me want to gag. The first time I used it, I put a whole scoopful of that stuff in water and it gave me diarrhea. I should have started more gradually. The next time I used it, I put half a scoopful in and drank it and it didn't seem to be enough. I'm not a patient person and I just want to find the right dose and get some relief.

I was only in the hospital for a couple hours having a Lithtripsy, so the IV antibiotics only happened the one time. Do you think that was enough to cause an IBS flare? I know that my anxiety played a role in my problems too.

Since I have some more Acidophilus pearls here, I'll use them up and then try the Culturelle more than once a day and see what happens.

Thanks again and I hope you had as good a day as possible.

bellyblues · 08-23-2007, 10:09 PM

You know, I really do think that even one dosage on antibiotic can really wreak havoc with the gut. It's the first question a naturopathic doc will ask when you speak with them: "have you taken any antibiotics recently?" I guess it would stand to reason that if you were doing okay before the antibiotics and there has been no other big change in your life (not counting stress because that's a daily thing!), I would have to assume that it at least contributed to your flare up.

For me, as someone who suffers with primarily C, taking OTC fiber supplements is a big no-no. I had been taking them for years and years: Metamucil, Citrucel, Fiber-Sure, etc. By the time I landed in the GI's office this last time, I had myself a nice little colon impaction! The doc told me that when you are constipated, adding more harsh insoluble fiber into the system will only make it worse. Because this type of fiber absorbs so much liquid from the colon, it can actually add to the C condition. And when you are FOS

, the colon can't move all it's contents on it's own. I don't take supplements anymore. I get my combination of soluble and insoluble fiber from food.

BTW: I actually had a great day today and thought about this thread! It's the first nearly pain free day in, well, I can't remember how long!