A Disability?

[Sunshine709]

Hi im back again and wondering what kind of suppliment i need to take... im still having the loose stool and bloating in the day but by night im perfect.. it doestnt matter what im eating because i tried just going on a water diet for two days and i still had diareah.. so im wondering what to take to stop this besides Immodiam ever day.. im starting a job next month and am wondering what to do.. i mean to me IBS is a disability at this time for me... because who is going to want someone using the bathroom all the time during work... i'll be fired in a week... anyone here have any ideas as to stop the diareah or at least make it manageable... also is it normal for someone like me to really need to use the bathroom when standing up.. because ive noticed that the past few days only if i stand up and walk around do i need to use the bathroom alot.. if im sat down all day like watching tv or something i wont need to use it.. any info will be greatly appreciated this is definatly ruining my entire life...

First of all, cut out the Immodium. Long term use is not good.

Take Metamucil twice daily. This is water soluble and is safe to take. It will bulk up your stools and stop diarrhea. Drink plenty of water with it though so your belly does not get bloated. It may do at first, but your system will get used to it.

Also, start to eat live yogurt or take Acidophilus caps twice daily too. This will rebalance the good bacteria in your gut that you lose a lot of during diarrhea. Lack of this also creates bloating and gas. Keep them in the fridge and take them twice daily on an empty stomach.

If you have constant diarrhea, you may like to take a Calcium supplement. This helps the bowel to absorb more water naturally and will naturally make your stools bulkier.

When you move around and are standing up, you are doing more exercise and this will increase the peristaltic action of the gut, hence why you need to have more bowel movements. If you are sitting down all day, this slows peristalsis down and the bowel becomes more sluggish.

Take a look at your diet also and cut out junk food, soda and coffee. This can make diarrhea worse. Eat carbohydrates such as potatoes and also boiled rice is good and this absorbs within the stomach and will lessen diarrhea also.

[Katie G]

Hi, there. I agree with Sarah. Try all the things she mentioned and if you still have troubles, get to your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis/treatment.

Good luck to you with your new job; try not to be too anxious about it. Anxiety will only increase your diarrhea. Talk to your boss about your problems too, and let him/her know you may have to make frequent trips to the bathroom. My boss is very understanding when I'm late to work because I needed to be at home near the bathroom for awhile until my IBS was under control. IBS is a chronic condition, but being open & honest about it with your employer may really help your job anxiety.

Good luck to you,
Katie G

[Tat]

I have that same urge!! If I'm sitting, I might be able to hold it, but if I stand up, forget it. I'm also starting a new job in less than a week. I MUST get some sort of control!! I will try the suggestions posted, but does anyone know how long it takes before there is a change? I'm actually terrified of starting this new job because of this.