no hope left......levbid isn't working - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

tennis14 · 10-25-2003, 01:24 PM

I have been struggling with my IBS for such a long time. I am a student and can't take much more of this. I can barely do normal things. I have tried zelnorm, probiotics, and more fiber. I cut dairy, high fat, coffee, and soda out of my diet completely. Currently my doctor gave me levbid, but this is giving me IBS D. I go to the bathroom way too much and i get bloated every time that I eat. My pants are so uncomfortable. I have destressed myself as much as I canl, but nothing is working. I am about to give up hope.
Any suggestions? Should I still take the Levbid? My doctor is on vacation and I am not sure if I should stick the D out or not.

Laura67 · 10-25-2003, 04:42 PM

Wow, i'm amazed that you've done so many things, and it's not helping. One of the things I did was learn to cope. I could barley do anything. So when ever I could feel that it's coming, you know a pain, I tell myself, and I slowly calm myself down.During class, I would get so nervous any sweaty, and upset. So I sat in a comfy position, and quietly took deep breaths.Sometimes it's really hard to focus..because it hurts so bad.Somtimes I just had to ask if I could be excused. But at my home, I lay on the couch alone, quietly, and think about something peaceful laying on the warm sand on the beach. I lay on my back, and just dream on with my eyes closed. I remembered it being so hard because none of my friends understood why I couldn't go out and hang. But try the teq. coping.

JeffH · 10-25-2003, 10:36 PM

Yes,as Laura said, learn to do relaxation exercises. There is most certainly a mind / gut connection. At this point, it sounds like the stress that the IBS is causing in your life would almost certainly also be making it worse.

If need be, see a mental health therapist. They can help you learn these relaxation exercises. I do speak from experiance. I have been helped by doing these exercises. As Laura said, it's mostly visualization, you will learn to "go to a calmer place." In time this will help control your IBS. It won't cure it, but it will help with the more stressful times.

It does take some time and effort to learn this. Please give it a try. See a good therapist. It should help you a lot!!

tennis14 · 10-25-2003, 10:53 PM

thanks so much for the advice! i am really trying to destress and relax. i just started going on daily walks and just try to take some time each day to be still. i guess i get so stressed about what to take and eat versus what not to take or eat. my IBS stesses me out and makes it just a vicious cycle. do yall think that i should stay off the medicine and just try to control my stress? or both?

JeffH · 10-25-2003, 11:03 PM

Only your doctor can tell you if you should stay on or go off your meds. Call him Monday. If he's still on vacation, ask to speak to the doctor that's "covering" for him.

Yes, you sure sound like you are on a major "stress cycle." I'm not being critical, I've been there. Believe me, I've REALLY been there. I can't overstate how I feel about the relaxation therapy. It can only help you. Please, do it.