Possible Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Cure?

[Teresainpain]

My doctor informed me that I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (by means of testing for other diseases and cancelling out other possibilities).  I have been taking Dicetel for regulation and pain relief but I haven't found that it has helped that much.  I'm beginning to get a little frustrated with this problem since I have had it for so long and there are no known cures for the functional disorder.  I often have sharp flashes of pain just below my left rib cage (point of splenic flexure) and almost constant problems with gas that worsen when I am stressed or when I eat certain foods.  

IBS is affecting my overall quality of life.  I am in a long-term relationship with a man and, while we are comfortable with one another, I am humiliated by passing gas at night (by accident) and by my frequent trips to the bathroom (especially in the morning immediately following breakfast).  Although there is no miracle cure for IBS, I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to improve the symptoms so that I can lead a relatively normal lifestyle.

Any thoughts would be appreciated since I have been fighting this for so long.

[Bella Donna]

They absolutely told me I had that years ago, but several miserable years later of being in agony all the time, after a lot of proactive pushing to see specialists, it turned out to be... food allergies.

They made me cut out cow dairy, bell peppers, hot peppers, paprika, cayenne, pimentos. And cammomile tea, which I used to drink hoping it would calm my gut. Turned out I was allergic to ragweed and shouldn't have echinacea or chammomile tea. Then, through more research, I cut out breads and wheats (including beer) (grass allergies), and sugar (cane sugar and any kind of artificial sugars and corn syrups). And finally most processed foods. Immediate relief.

I found that sometimes things like too much sugar, and also alcohol and coffee (or caffeinated things in general)  cause chronic diarrhea in some people, and I read something about excess seratonin production causing diarrhea too. I still have occasional bouts when I back-slide on the diet or have a coffee or a drink, and still have some bloating and gas in general, but it's not nearly as bad as it was then.

I try a hot tea with fenugreek seed, and a little ginger (and sometimes a dash of cinnamon), to clear up gastric distress. Anything astringent seems to do well, or anti-carminative. And I tried a tablet I got at Whole Foods, that's called super cleanse, that smells like licorice that works extra well for the gas, in combination with activated charcoal. And occasional green tea.

Or Probiotics work really well.
I can't believe doctors were content to just medicate my symptoms instead of trying to find my root problem.

[countryrose]

HI, I have suffered with IBs for years, and have never been prescribed a med for it...Most of the time, I am on the constipated side, which can be excruciatingly painful. I am very sensitive to meds,so in my case, I would be worse off than better on any. I would like to share one very helpful natural way that helped stop my diarrhea when it does hit (once in a blue moon), a banana or as many as it takes to stop it, and it will.

As for the constipation, I tried aloe vera juice, and it definitely helped and loosened the bm to reduce any pain or cramping...I suggest that you make sure to keep your potassium and other electrolytes under tap as aloe juice can have a laxative effect. I only use when I have gone over 6 days or less without movment.

hope this helps!

[Teresainpain]

Thanks a million Charley (and the rest of you as well).  I will keep checking the posting to see what you find out.  I can't wait to hear what you have to tell me!

Teresa

[charley1986]

Hey - I am going to email her right now.  Should know something in a day or two.  I will post with the name of the powder - hope this will help you.
Charley

[myproblem]

Many Dr.'s now reccommend pro-biotics. These are the "good" bacteria your body needs. They are available in capsule form online, and from health stores. Your gastrointerologist may even have free samples, mine did. You can also eat some of the newer yogurts that boast having several types of live cultires, like Activa (I think that is made by Yoplait). Most insurance will not pay for the pro-biotics, even though they are now being used in "conventional" medicine. They still see them as not being a drug. The one my Dr. reccommended was Flora-Q. I never tried it because I think my problem was related to something else and my gastro wasn't listening to all of my symptoms. Anyway, it costs about a dollar a day, but I heard there are cheaper ones, like 50 cents a day.
The powder someone mentioned might be Prevalite. If so, It is used "off label" for chronic diaharrea. Normally it is used for high cholesterol. It also has a few other "off label" uses. I had to use it for a while for something else, and boy did it stop me up. I thought it was horrible to swallow, but if you're desparate...
Anyway, good luck.

[waytoomuch]

i understand some people can not tolerate vicodin very well, when i was pregnant my doc prescribed these meds for my i.b.s. that are very safe with min. to no side effects; dicyclomine, (bentyl) & hyoscyamine,(levsin).they did help, maybe worth mentioning???

[Teresainpain]

Thanks to everyone so far for the comments.  

Charley1986 - can u possibly ask your sis what the powder is?  I would like to look into that.  I wonder if it is a form of powdered fiber (like Metamucil) that she puts in her drink to camouflage the bad taste...  The medication I am on is called Dicetel (also known as pinaverium bromide 100mg) and it is a calcium antagonist.  I think it is meant to smooth out the intestine and relax the muscles to prevent the pain.

waytoomuch - I have never taken Vicodin before but I have taken percocet and I have been on Demerol and Morphine before...let's just say that narcotics are not for me.  :)  I suffered some pretty bad side effects from them...esp. the percocet (because it slows down the contractions of the intestine, I was incredibly constipated and had some serious abdomen pain) BUT I appreciate that suggestion...I suppose the side effects are sometimes worth it when the pain gets bad enough.

Your tip about fiber is a good one..and one that my doctor actually suggested as well.  I have already integrated more fiber to my diet and it has helped, but I still experience pain fairly often.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.  I appreciate your time.

[waytoomuch]

I HAVE I.B.S., AND I KNOW THE PAIN CAN BE INTENSE! MY DOC HAS GIVEN ME VICODIN FOR THOSE EXTREAM TIMES WHEN NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK, AND THE VICODIN HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER!ALSO, TRY A HIGH FIBER DIET TO REGULATE YOURSELF, THIS WILL CUT DOWN ON YOUR PROBLEMS.

[charley1986]

Hey,
Just a question.  My sister has IBS - she has a prescription for this powder that she mixes with her orange juice every morning.  Is that what you are taking or took?  I ask b/c my sister had the very same problems and with the embarrassment as well.  This seems to have taken care of her problems.  I wish you well in finding some answers,
Charley

[Teresainpain]

I have never considered going to a chiropractor but it makes sense so it is certainly worth looking into.  I'm pretty open-minded at this point b/c nothing I have done has worked.  I will definitely set up a consultation to get some more information on how it can help me.  Thank you so much for your suggestion!  If you have any others in addition, please keep them coming!!!

[berngar]

I know this is out of the ordinary but have you been to a chiropractor? I don't mean the bone cracking ones, I mean the one's that align your body. That has helped me tremendously for so many medical problems. Your body may not be in it's proper alignment therefore it is not working properly. It's worth a try..come to think of it..I think I'll call my chiropractor right now...God bless and I hope you feel better. PS Acupuncture is another terrific means of healing.