IBS -D

[abouttogiveup]

I have had this crap since i was about 14, I am now 50. I had ulcers at 10 yrs old, missed a lot of school and have lost several good jobs and a wife because of it. I have been to several family and gastro doctors with no help. I have had meds that helped tremendously, (paregoric) only to have the FDA pull them from the market to "re-evaluate".
If we can send a man to live at the space station, why can we find something to help with cronic (chronic) diarrhea. In the last year I have tried every concoction imagineable. Organic apple cider vinegar, Digestive Advantage IBS, Iron supplements and L-Glutamine powder. I might get a day or so with so relief but no help. Rx wise I have taken Librax, Levsbid and every other script you can think of. i have tried Lexipro and even Lotronex, of which I am the 1 in a million that it caused an Ischemic heart attack in. I just want to be able to keep a job and go inside a restaurant for once. i want to see how real people live and be social. Does anyone know anything that will help with the diarrhea, its getting less controllable. This life handcuffed to a restroom is getting unbearable.

[hopeful644]

Hi Abouttogiveup,
I fully agree with your first sentence!  Thank God for the internet because I swore I was the only one in the world with these problems when it all started.  It's so nice to know it's not just me, but of course, I wouldn't wish this on any one either.  Regarding the lactose issue, I suspect it's the milk proteins that bother me because the lactose free milk is better, but not by that much.  I definitely have anxiety around going out and it's simply the fear of not knowing if my stomach will act up and if it does, will there be a bathroom.  It really has limited me, which is annoying.  I haven't heard of the L-Glutamine.  What is it suppose to do?  I think I am going to look into that died that's been referred to - FOD or something like that.  I'm wondering about gluten.

[abouttogiveup]

I would like to say it's nice to know I'm not the only one but I wouldn't wish this life on anyone. I have been tested for lactose intolerance several and have been told numbers not even close- negative. But I can't even touch the lactose free products. Tried the lactaid pills with no luck. As for anxiety, I don't think so, 18 yrs ago I lost my dad and uncle to colon cancer and decided then I don't think it will get better so who cares, it's not worth worrying over. My only anxiety is when I have to go somewhere and not knowing where I will stop for bathroom breaks. I will say the L-Glutamine has started to show an inkling of promise, I have started my second bottle before any progress. I am also using 2 HEAPING table spoon fulls a day. The recommended dose is a quarter teaspoon 2 times a day.

[hopeful644]

I also have had this ruling my life since I was 14, now 53, and it also contributed to my divorce.  It sounds like you are lactose intolerant based on what happens when you have dairy.  I haven't been tested, but discovered the problem by eliminating dairy.  Lactaid milk helps (no lactose in it) but still causes some problems because (I think) milk proteins may also bother me.  I was also tested for Celiac (negative) although I am really considering eliminating wheat to see what happens.  I feel like giving up too.  I have lost many jobs because of this too! And trying to go out is so uncomfortable because I have no idea if my belly will cooperate.  It has really affected my life and I'm sick of it too!  It's really hard but I do know that if I eat baked chicken, vegetables, rice and fruit I do better - not perfect, just improved.  It's very hard to stick to though.  By any chance, do you also have a problem with anxiety?

[abouttogiveup]

I have been tested several times for Celiac, don't have it. Been checked for lactose intolerant, not there, but I can't touch any dairy, even the soy milk will send me to the bathroom within 10 minutes. Yogurt has me running in  5 minutes. I have had 18 colonoscopys (family history of colon cancer) I have one every other year, lucky me. I'm not over weight, food doesn't stay in long enough for that. Tried to change eating habits over the years with no luck.

[Caryopteris]

Did you get thoroughly tested for Celiac disease?  Have you tried an elimination diet?  Every tried stopping dairy at least?  

I have Celiac so have to be religious about avoiding wheat and can't handle much dairy or nuts.  Maybe you have Celiac or maybe just gluten sensitivity or maybe some other food issue?  Have you tried a green smoothie, heavy on greens and a little whole fruit and maybe avocado, that kind of thing?  

My boyfriend is allergic to fruit (all!) and he has trouble if he drinks much coffee.  Can't handle much fish or mayonnaise either.  It's odd how many foods can be culprits.  

Mine is different because I'm actually battling constipation at the same time I have Celiac, but it is exhausting to stay on top of it.  

Now my ex couldn't go anywhere without having to go to the bathroom, and he insisted on going straight home.  Didn't want to use a public rest room.  That was a nuisance.  I'll bet he has Celiac, but he'd never get tested.