IBS ruining my life...

I've had IBS symptoms since I was about 15.. i'm 21 now and am barely able to finish my last semester of college.  Every morning I wake up and spend hours in the bathroom before I can go to class or do anything.  IBS-D is my main symptom, which is followed by loud gurgling noises in my stomache and a bad anxiety feeling the whole day.  I cant sit in my classes because I'm scared of the sounds my stomache makes and if I'll have to run out to the bathroom... and I have IBS-D after everything I eat - no matter if it's a piece of bread or drinking water - everything upsets my stomach.  Life is especially hard for me because I'm in a relationship and my boyfriend doesn't know I have this problem.  If he stays over and I have class in the morning I don't go to class because I dont want him to see my morning routine of going back and forth to the bathroom 10 times or more.  I can't go certain places because I'm afraid I'll have to run to the bathroom, and this disease seriously runs my life.  I'm depressed, withdrawn, and feel as if theres no hope in getting cured.  I just want to live a normal college student life and be able to relax.  I've been to doctor after doctor, who have prescribed me xifixan, librax, pro-biotics, fiber supplements - you name it.  I started a homeopathic remedy out of desperation but havent seen any improvements.  I just want the noises and the constant urge to use the bathroom to stop.

Does anyone have any tips for my situation? it would be so greatly appreciated.

[hope4thebest818]

Hi there.  After reading your story I can definitely sympathize.  I have similar symtoms (symptoms), and experience the embarrassing loud gurgling noises.  I literally woke up with symptoms one day, about 5 months ago and have never been the same since.  Besides the gurgling noises, I experience constant bloating/distention, indigestion, and occassional diarrhea.  Now, indigestion is not a symptom of IBS, and I'm currently getting tests done to find out if my gall bladder is not working properly and the cause of my digestive problems.  Because doctors diagnose IBS without testing, make sure to have your doctor rule out all other possible digestive diseases/disorders, like gall bladder problems, ulcers, colitis, Crohn's disease, which all have similar symptoms.  If it is in fact IBS, I've heard psyllium fiber tablets work really well if you haven't tried it already.  Now make sure it's psyllium fiber and not your standard variety of fiber supplements. Make a food journal to find out what foods aggravate your symtoms (symptoms), and try to stay away from diary, fatty or fried foods, foods high in salts/sugars (no preservatives), and don't try soy as an alternative for dairy, I've learned that the hard way.  Drink either Almond/Rice Milk instead.  Try to plan out several meal times throughout the day, and make sure not to overeat.  Also, make time each day for exercise/yoga, something to release mental stress/body tension, even if you think you're not stressed out, just do it.  Also recommend taking enzymes whenever you eat a meal to help with digestion/absorption.  I find enzymes work best taking them right after I eat.  Also ask around for a pro-biotic called restore, see if it helps any.  Some of these things have definitely helped my symptoms,  but I still go through agony most of my week and have an idea of what you're going through.  I believe there is more going on with me as indigestion is a major problem for me, and this may be another problem.  Good Luck!

[ggbod31]

Hey, I've had the exact same things you've described. I would go to the restroom about 8 to 9 times a day... especially if I KNEW I had to go to school, take a test, wait in a quiet room... stuff like that. Any minute thing would cause my diarrhea and my stomach to make embarrasing sounds during class... that was my worst fear... everybody would always look at me... I would just say that I skipped a meal.  The thing that has really helped me is this stomach acid reducer called GAVISCON!!! It costs about ten bucks or so. CHEW, not swallow, one five minutes or so before classe and it should help a tremendous amount. Also, wear sweaters and warm clothing (even if its hot). Keeping the stomach warm really calms it down. Hope this helps.

[iambatman]

Two diets that have a high success rate:
Low Residue Diet- Heather Vanvorous has a great book on this diet called Eating for IBS
Low FODMAP DIET- This is a new diet discovered by Sue Shepherd in Australia and now America is getting info on it. Kate Scarlata has a great blog on IBS and this diet.

Common Triggers you should avoid if you aren't already:
Caffeine
Whole Grains
Chocolate
High FOD MAP Veggies and Fruits
High oil, high fat foods

IBS is a very specific condition but you can control the majority of your symptoms through changes in diet. The difficult thing is figuring out what bugs your digestive system. One tip is eat simple foods with few ingredients that you understand what they are. You'll figure it, gonna take time and hard work but you'll get it. Remember, suspect EVERYTHING until you can rule it out! Good luck.

[tialee15]

Ahhh IBS, the worst feeling ever to have and with very little help from doctors. My doctor told me to eat more whole grains and fiber. WORST ADVICE EVER!! if you have someone tell you this, don't listen to them. GRAINS or a food intolerance are the most common culprit in IBS. I no longer have IBS symptoms.. what I did was changed how I ate... it was a miracle! Not only is my tummy happy but I've lost weight, I have clearer skin, I have more energy, no more headaches and no more muscle, joint pain. What do I eat, Fruits, Vegetables, Protein, eggs, cheese, cream(on my fruit) yogurt - plain, healthy oils such as coconut oil and olive oil, nuts and seeds. I don't eat processed foods, milk(I drink coconut milk instead - soo delicious coconut milk in the carton is great)I've cut out grains, so no rice, corn, WHEAT(the worse culprit for IBS) and oatmeal. Cut out these foods, see how you feel. Give it 30 days if you don't feel better I'd be SHOCKED!! Message me if you need more advice. I cook my meals on the weekend and freeze them, take them to work, heat them up. Hope this helps!

[PinkHeartLove]

I have had IBS-D for over 10 years, my husband is amazing about it! I recently moved to a new city, new job.. New life! I have never had a control of my ibs, but life was tolerable. Now that I moved, ibs controls my whole life. I am so down and frustrated. I need to try a new diet and be strict. What do you eat as lunches and dinners? I need a book to tell me exactly what I  need to be eating, and I will do it! No one I know has ibs, so I feel so weird not eating out, telling people I am not hungry or I only like  to eat small portions. My husband picks up dinner or we eat at home all the time because if it, and i cringe at the thought of traveling. I really need a solution, I can't handle it anymore!

MP

[SearchCare]

I also keep a daily diary of what I eat and what symptoms I have after eating certain foods. I have tried to narrow down what could be the cause but to no avail. I have found it helpful to stay away from alcohol, milk products, foods that are high in sugar, fatty foods, gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli), and definitely stay away from artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and xylitol (These can have a laxative effect).

FYI! Undigested sorbitol in the small intestine acts as a platform for the fermentation of bacteria. Hydrogen gas is produced causing abdominal cramps, bloating and severe flatulence. In case you did not know, Sorbitol is neither digested nor absorbed by the small intestine. It passes unchanged right through to the colon (large intestine) where it drives an osmotic purge. This means it leaks through the lining of the intestine wall which causes fluids (mostly water) to pass through in the opposite direction via osmosis.

Drink plenty of  water, stay away from artificial sweeteners and get regular exercise.

Good Luck!  

[hopeful644]

Hi.  I've had some success with eliminating dairy and increasing fruits and vegetables.  I'm not eating processed foods any longer.  I'm about to eliminate grains and would like to know more about what you do eat. You mentioned cooking on the weekends.  What do you tend to cook?  What do you eat at restaurants?  I would appreciate tips on how to stick with this diet in a society that is obsessed with fast food.  Thanks!

[shamenmedicineman727]

Basically .. No wheat gluten, no Rye Gluten, no cow dairy products, Steam your veggies and the only grains you can have are Red rice,brown rice,amarath, and quinoa which is the worlds only plant based protein to provide all 9 essential amino acids      Otherwise you have to seek an IBS specialist dietician to find out what meats,beans,nuts,fruits,legumes you can or cannot eat but likely you will be only eating fish,chicken breast, turkey breast for meat sources because you have to avoid negative fats !

[Lou3698]

Hi, I am 21 and I am suffering from all the same symptoms and it's really getting me down I can cry day after day about it.

I have been to the doctors and they gave me so many tablets but nothing worked so the referred me to the hospital and I had blood test done but they found nothing. They told me to start drinking fybogel, it helped at the start (I have been taking this for about 3months) but now feels as though I'm back at square 1! I also went to hypnotherapist to help me relax and de stress but that never worked either. I have cut out wheat from my diet before for a while but was still experiencing ibs.

I have stopped working because off it and don't really go out. Now summer is coming I'm scared if my friends ask me to go out for the day or go road trips! It's really depressing me and feel as though nothing will help. I don't want to go back to the doctors because I know what they will say!

I don't think a day passes where I don't think about going to the toilet! I carry Imodium (immodium) about with me everywhere and sometimes it doesn't work as well!! But then after taking it I always feel bunged up :(

I just want to know if there's anything anyone has tried that has stopped the symptoms? Or controlled it better?

Please help!
Thanks
Louise