major bloating/side ache

[BetsyC696]

I have been bloated for the longest time.  I have been told that I have IBS and also diverticulitis.  Anything and Everything I have tried not to eat or drink has failed.  I have been put on librax and metoclopramide  but neither seems to be working.  Should I try any other OTC meds besides gas-ex??  That seems so help some but the bloat is always constant.

[SB27]

I've had IBS my entire life (almost 28 yrs now) and nothing I found had worked until my doctor recently told me about taking Citrucel...it's just a fiber supplement, but it actually does make the attacks fewer and further apart and the bloating that goes along with them.  The bloating it awful, it actually makes me look like I'm pregnant almost!  And it's SO uncomfortable....even if the Citrucel doesn't work for you it's just a fiber supplement, so it won't cause any harm..it's actually been known to prevent colon cancer too so there's no harm in trying it certainly!  you may be surprised...I just take one capsule a day (I can't get the drink stuff, it's nasty...i buy the pills!) and it really does help.

Also a recurring suggestion everyone keeps having on here is to drink LOTS of water every day...it will help flush out your system and make things run more smoothly.  By the way, don't let them put you on Bentyl...they did that to me back in college and man does that drug have some nasty side effects! (not to mention it really did nothing for my IBS!)  Hope you get to feeling better!

[Nlyly]

Do a colon cleanse,its basically doing what ^^^^ said. Take lots of fibre, i mean LOTS to heal your bowel.Ive heard its worked wonders for lots of people with bowel related problems.

[louis525]

I have suffered stomach problems been diagnosed with NBS when I was younger when it was worse, with lots of tests and visits to doctors and research on the internet.  I have found that not eating certain foods has helped wheat can be a problem so only have one slice of brown bread a day.  Live yoghurt helps acidopholus can be bought from health shop in tablet form.

Hormones with the monthly cycle can cause bloating, I have hypothyroidism diagnosed 7 years ago since dosage increased my stomach has settled, but still not 100%.  It can be nerves and stress so lots of factors to consider maybe phsychological, would get checked by specialist to make sure there is no physical problems and then look at diet as you could be intolerant to some foods.  I do not believe drinking lots of water is the answer or eating bowls of cereal, my stomach is better without the cereal as there are lots of additives in cereal and yes water is great but drink when thirsty, or spend half your life in the toilet.

[Di7591]

I have major bowel troubles for years (58 y/o). I take 3 Tablespoons of Lactulose everyday in orange juice. I take 2 Senna-kot and 1 colace in the evening. I have tried the Activia challenge and after using it for 2 weeks I could drink a glass of milk w/o the bloating and stomach pain. I had used lactaid tablets other wise. Now I eat about 2-3 weekly to maintain but find I must use the lactaid again. How I ever got along without the lactulose/Kristaslose all those years I will never know. I have to be careful how much cheese I eat(very constipating) and am limited to 1 glass of milk per day. So I take alot of calcium supplements. It's a vicious cycle.  Episodically, I have vomitted from being constipated and miserable abdominal pain.  I hate it but what are ya gonna do but continue on all this "stuff" to stay fairly regular.

[NC44]

I've been through everything you have, including the meds and even lasix because my feet were starting to bloat!  You may need a colon cleanse. I had abdominal bloating and this was my life-saver!  I was so swollen I couldn't eat some days because I felt full after just a bite or two.  Many times abdominal bloating is just backed-up old feces making fumes that swell your stomach and then cause acid reflux.  

I am now off all those meds and have made Colonix fiber a part of my lifestyle. You get a lot for the money and it is worth every penny!  I hope this helps.  Many people do not know how much a colon cleanse can help!   Good luck!

[sharriso]

My doc specifically recommended Imodium (immodium), as needed.  It helps a lot.  I have now figured out which foods I KNOW are going to set it off and take this just as I am starting the meal to prevent problems.

[Teetrea]

I have also dealt with the horrible bloating and cronic constipation for more than 9 years now.
It doesn't matter what I've tride absolutly nothing has worked for me to date. I have almost given up intirely. There have been times I have wondered if this can cause me other more serious medical problems?
I have been living on a straight liquid diet most of the time, or choosing not to eat at all. but I only become cranky!! because Im not getting the nutrition I need to have the energy I need to function in my daily life. I have been living on a multitude of colon cleanses, fiber supplements,
laxitives. You name it I've tride it. And on top of all of this I am gaining weight!!!  Does any one know of any natural healing options?

[celiac_man]

My wife was misdiagnosed with Ibs 2 years ago we went to all the docs Gi doctors pain specialists everyone and we could not figure it out. Her symptons were weight gain, severe bloating, diarhea (diarrhea), gas, nausea, vomiting every morning for hours, and many more. We finally met a person who told us she had celiac disease and she was right. It's an allergy to wheats, barley, spelt and 2 other grains they call these glutens. You have to go gluten free. No breads and a lot of sauces. Veggies, fruits, nuts, meats with certain seasonings, and beans are all ok. Try doing this for a few days and see how you feel. If you eat any processes food read all labels carefully. Gluten hides in everything barleymalt is bad. Most labels will tell you allerfy facts at the bottom of the ingredients. this contains gluten or wheat are bad. Stay away from restaraunts for a few days too. Because they put sauces and seasonings on your food and you don't know it like salad dressings and even croutons. If you were allergic to nuts you would know you just can't cut back on them you have to eliminate it. They body sees gluten as a toxin and triggers the immune system to destroy it. It also destroys the villa in the small intestine as well which is what is used to absorb nutrients from foods thus your body does'nt get proper nutrients and you get all these terrible side effects. Good luck to you all. THis is a terrible disease but is curable with a little diligence and careful reading.

[FurballsMom]

Fiber supplements are important.  Metamucil and Citracel are commercial brands that use psyllium fiber as their main ingredients with chemicals added for flavor and sweetness.  Psyllium fiber can be irritating to the gut, especially if you have GERD in addition to your IBS.  There are other fiber supplements out there, such as the kind that you can simply stir into a glass of plain water.  Flaxseed meal doesn't seem to be irritating like psyllium fiber is.  And, you can add it to just about any food that you eat.  The person who said that one needs lots of fiber is absolutely right.  You may also wish to add probiotics to your regimen.  My naturopath recommended FloraStor.  Mercola.com has a really good probiotic, too.  Not all are created equal, and my naturopath said that some have bacterias in them that will make people sick with a bacterial illness.  Adding flaxseed oil in addition really helps, and it actually tastes good.  It's wonderful added to soups and salads or over your rice.

I haven't tried a colon cleanse, yet, though, because my naturopath told me that my body can't handle a cleanse right now.  Maybe she'll recommend one soon and will tell me which one I should try.  But, that is next on my personal healthcare agenda.  I hate the pain from the cramps in the descending colon.  That's the familiar pain that people with IBS with constipation know all too well.

[FurballsMom]

I am on Bentyl right now.  I hate how much it sedates me.  I would prefer not to take any pharmaceuticals for the cramping, but at this point I have no idea what else to do to keep out of the e.r. with such severe cramping and vomiting and not being able to have a stool.

What are the other side effects associated with the Bentyl that I should be aware of?  I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, so I would prefer to avoid taking any pharmaceuticals at all.  

When I can, I will certainly do a colon cleanse.  I can't use psyllium for this.  It doesn't work for me and irritates my GERD.  I wouldn't mind information on a good colon cleanse that doesn't involve psyllium husks.  I do take lots of fiber, as I've already stated, so I know how important the fiber, enzymes and probiotics are.