i don't want to live like this - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

Dannish79 · 11-30-2002, 08:18 AM

Hi i'm 23. This thing started 3 years ago.I have frequent stools in the morning, at about an hours interval each.In the beginning they used to be normal but there was bloating. But now things tend to move towards diarrhea. If i eat spicy foods, french fries or raw fruits , especially an appple with its peel i get diarrhea.
I've been to three or four gasterenterologists and all of them tell this is IBS. One of the doctors had also been treating my grandpa in the past and he teels me that my grandpa also had it. This thing runs in families and when it does it is very severe.
So here is the problem. It takes me around for to six hours to complete my toilet. Apart from these frequent stools which some times alternate to diarrhea there are gases in my stomach and bloating.There is feeling of incomplete evacuation. I used to go to the university in the morning.I had to leave home at 7:30, so i used to wake up at 4:30 in the morning. For this reason i shifted to the evening shift. But over the years this has become more worse.
My doctor put me on Motival.Its a light sedative that calm downs the nerves. He told me to take one tablet at night.But now he tells me to stop taking it and do without medicines. It did use to help a little.I guess my doctor is fed up.
I've gotta start work soon as im done with my studies. But i just feel incapacitated with this thing. I'm young, i've got some dreams and goals, but this thing is making life very difficult.I am unable to travel and i'm not a morning's person anymore.I'm totally fed up.I've been struggling for the last 3 years but i cant do it all my life.

In the past i've been leading a very stressful life and that might be the cause.

Should i change my doctor.I need help.But my current doctor wants me to do without drugs.

Sorry for the long story.I 'm realy down today.I woke up at 6:00 AM and its 6:00PM and im still going to the toilet and my stomach is full of gas.Sometimes i wish i die. I dont want to live this kind of life.

[This message has been edited by Dannish79 (edited 11-30-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Dannish79 (edited 11-30-2002).]

vogue · 11-30-2002, 09:20 AM

Yea, I know how you feel. I'm 22, last year though, my stomach was MUCH worse... I think it's possible to eventually get better, I think it's just a long slow process, so it's a hassle now, but there's no point in ending your life over something that could very well be temporary.

What medicines are you taking? I dunno if you are taking fiber, but it helped me with that incomplete feeling. Super Sarah suggested it to me..

I read it's rough surface kinda brushes your intestine clean as it goes through... I know fiber's no cure, at least not for me, but it helps, and there are plenty of other medicines for you to try, so keep up hope.

ben

12-01-2002, 04:34 AM

Sounds very much like you have IBS and acid stomach. Fatty food with make your stomach worse and fruit contains a lot of acid that will also make your stomach worse.

You need to start Metamucil which is water soluble fiber. Take it twice daily with water and it should help you stomach. Also, the fact that you have a bloated belly and gas means that you need to rebalance the good bacteria in your gut. Start eating live yogurt or taking Acidophilus caps twice daily on an emtpy stomach. Keep it in the fridge also. You should start to notice a difference in about a week. This could help your diarrhea also.

Try cutting out junk food from your diet, and eating a fresher diet with plenty of fluid. Do not drink coffee as this really makes your stomach bad and don't drink alcohol either.

You also need to work at reducing your stress levels. This contributes to IBS via the mind/gut link.

You may also like to consider taking Sodium Docsate with Metamucil if your stools are hard. This can soften your stools and make them easier to pass.

IBS is not a disease, so in that respect cannot run in families. It is diagnosed by eliminating other more serious causes of your stomach problems, so even if noone else in your family had it you could develop stomach problems.

Anyway, try my suggestions and see if they help;.

Dannish79 · 12-01-2002, 05:35 AM

Hi folks !

Thanks for replying.
Right now my doctor has precribed the follwing medicines.

Lomotil 2+2+0 (for diarrhea & frequent bowels)
Motival 1+0+1 (mild sedative)
Librax 1+1+1 (antispasmodic)
NoSpa 2+2+3 (antispasmodic)
Debridat1+1+2 (antispasmodic)
Renidin 1+0+1 (for acidity)

So like its lots of tablets per day.
I also take fiber at night.

I'm gonna visit my doctor today and ask him to remove me from Renidin as i dont have heartburn/acidity etc.

Now coming to the question if IBS is a disease or not.I've done lots of research on this.Most doctors don't beleive it to be a disease and some do, so its kinda controversial.
Personally i dont like calling it a disease, i like calling it a disorder coz i dont consider myself a patient or something

Wishing everone good health and happiness
Dannish.

12-01-2002, 04:45 PM

IBS is not a disease, it is a syndrome and a group of symptoms. It cannot be truly classified as a disease as there is no pathology to be found.

As to the amount of tablet that you are taking, you don't need to. A lot of what you are taking can be substituted by natural remedies, such as Metamucil and Acidophilus for diarrhea and stomach pain and to rebalance the gut flora.

Do not take Immodium (Lomotil) long term as this can do damage to your gut taken on a long term basis. If you have diarrhea then it is better to control it with the Metamucil but also taking Calcium supplements. This will stop diarrhea naturally, as it helps the bowels to absorb water back naturally, thus increasing the bulk of your stools.

Try cutting such things as wheat and dairy out of your diet and seeing if this helps. Also, cut out junk food and caffeine.

You don't need to take all those meds at all if your don't want to, but then again, it is up to you.