Firt time posting on this board. Am currently suffering a horrible bout w/IBS (so it's been determined). I have been bothered for over 1 yr. w/IBS symptoms, mainly diarrhea!!!& the horrible intestinal noises, rumbles, spasms. I was given Levsin a year ago & suffered horrible side effects, which I do with a lot of drugs. Cannot take any of the anti- spasmodics. Today I visited the MD w/presenting symptoms of diarrhea approx. 3-8 bms daily and back pain. (left side this time, 1 yr. ago it was the right side). I have been waking about 4:30 or 5 am with this pain & a call to the bathroom. Dr. said this was not alarming as long as it was not every hour or 2 during the night. Also suffer from unrelentless GAS as stomach goes, snap, crackle and then pop goes the gas. Just returned from the hospital lab with 2 viles of stool for testing of parasites,& whatever else. I'm hoping it's bacterial & can be treated w/antibiotics. In the past, the IBS symptoms were not so bad, so long. Ever since Christmas morning, I have been having problems. I eat & RUN to the bathroom in extreme urgency with diarrhea. I feel like my food passes right thru me. Immodium works best for me but I don't like taking it all the time as I take other meds for unrelated health problem. Metamucil, Fibercon, yogurt are all in the house for use. Tried Fibercon before, but did not like the "feeling" of bloat. I know Metamucil will add the fiber needed to bulk up the stool, is it ok to take it w/Immodium? Suppose so. Blood work-up also done on today's date. Hopefully, a solution to this horrible problem will be forth coming. I've read a lot here & know so many of you are very educated on the subject. Does it sound like an IBS problem to have this back pain, feeling of never being totally emptied, yet have severe diarrhea along with several "normal" bm's in a day? It's always been "normal" for me to have at least 3-5 per day. Stress can trigger a trip to the bathroom, however, it's different now, an everyday occurrance of symptoms. I'm concerned mainly re:the back pain as most say they have abdominal pain. Any reply appreciated. Thanks and GOD BLESS AMERICA
Sorry about your problems. I would not find it surprising that you have back pain with diarrhea. With much diarrhea you deplete your body of minerals/ electrolytes such as Calcium, magnesium and potassium --lack of any one or all can cause muscle spasms. The minerals need to be replaced.
I think it's OK to take Metamucil with Immodium. They work differently.
As you know psyllium is a bulking agent and should slow your diarrhea down. I would not take Fibercon but as you know your intestinal friendly bacteria is out of balance so eat the yogurt and take a probiotic supplement to recolonize the friendly bacteria.
With the eat and run sounds like some trigger foods or a intestinal virus.
If it's a virus it does NOT make any difference what you eat but trigger foods only react to some foods--- wheat, dairy and coffee are bad actors for alot of people. I have found canned pears and yogurt OK.
God Bless---Harry
[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 02-17-2003).]
Thanks for your response Harry. You are of great help to many people suffering this condition. I can only hope my problem is related to either viral or bacterial as this can be treated. Well, viral, not so much but bacterial, antibiotics work. It's not food related, as it's anything/EVERYTHING, I eat, I run!!!!. Right now as I write this note, my tummy is popping, mostly on the left side, high up. If I eat, I'll run.(Already 2X this a.m.) If I could just get this cycle stopped, I'd be better. I'm guessing it's a flare-up of the IBS & I know everyone reacts differently to this syndrome. My back problems, to me, sounds like inflammation, possibly of the colon from so much activity. However, the gut spasms, are from something different. I don't believe inflammation would cause rumbles, gassy, popping & the toots!!. Thanks again for your feed-back & keep it up. I'll write again when I get the results from blood and fecal cultures. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
FYI: Just received the test results from earlier this week. Blood work-up and stool tests both w/in normal limits. Nothing "wrong". It sounds like good news. After having a barium xray, CT scan & an MRI, plus stool cultures & blood work in Nov. 01, Dr. says this is no doubt a flare-up of IBS. I started Metamucil Tues. & it (or something) seemed to help. I forgot to take it last night & today, I'm having worsened problems w/running to the bathroom w/diarrhea. I saw the probiotic "stuff" at Walmart, WOW $$$$$$. Is it worth a try along w/Metamucil? I'm taking 2 meds for heart related problems & a drug for Osteo. Is it all safe taken together? At any rate, thanks for reading my post & your replies. Have a great weekend. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Yes, Drea, I believe the Metamucil and Yogurt will be the solution for me (hopefully!!!). It seems to be the combo that is working now. UGH, yogurt is not my idea of ice cream!!! You are so right when stating that you should talk w/a pharmacist re:any meds. They are the ones who know, or should know, the interactions. Thanks for your comments. Nice day to all. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Back pain with IBS 
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