IBS or...what?

[howdykidd]

Hello! Alright, so here is the situation. I have extremely loud digestion - my stomach rarely growls when I am hungry, but right after I eat (and I have tried to determine the "problem food" but to no avail) my intestines go crazy and this can last for long periods of time. There is no pain involved, just lots and lots of noise. In the morning, I have a bowel movement (I only go once a day) and it is more often than not very loose. I would not constitute it as diarrhea because I simply go to the bathroom once and have no "repeats" after that. I have tried taking Gas-X after meals, as well as peppermint capsules between meals (I do not mix the medications though, so I def. do not go overboard), and this seems to help a little. I have been avoiding caffeine which also helps, though not greatly. So I have noticed this problem since this late summer/early fall, and have only been trying to correct it with medicine for the past month. I do recall very awkward situations last semester with my intestines gurgling during exams (no, I had no nerves) but nothing near as bad as what I have now.

Is this IBS? Any ideas? I plan on going to a gastro sometime soon.

[FurballsMom]

Okay, here is some more information about probiotics.  I don't know the name Culterelle, but I do know where you can find wonderful and useful information about IBS and probiotics.  Mercola.com has great information on just about anything and everything under the sun.  He has his own probiotic formula, but even if you don't use his product, he has great information that will help you choose wisely.  

The one my naturopath recommended is FloraStor.  I found one by Jarrow that has the same species as FloraStor in the same numbers for about half the price at the supplement store.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you can't get instant results with these things.  

You may also wish to use digestive enzymes.  There is a website called swansonvitamins.com that has a digestive enzyme for an affordable price.  

The two kinds of things are usually recommended together.

[howdykidd]

Oh, interesting (about the eggs).

I tried Beano today but it didn't do much. The directions say to take it "before the first bite" but wouldn't it be better to take it 15 minutes before your meal, because this way it sort of "beats" your food to your digestive system?

I was thinking of Culturelle. That's a probiotic, right?

[FurballsMom]

I think you'll find that the reason eggs aren't bothering you the way cream cheese or butter do is because they're not actually a dairy product (milk product).  Eggs aren't a milk product from cows or goats.  

Keep in mind, though, that many people have difficulty eating eggs, just the same, because they are a high sulpher food.

There are some other things you can try, too.  I find digestive enzymes and probiotics very helpful.  I also really load up on fiber.  I found that flaxseed meal is much gentler to the stomach and doesn't irritate my GERD, like psyllium fiber does.  It's much easier to take, too, since it can be added to just about any kind of food that has enough moisture in it.  I find that it has a pleasant taste, too.

[howdykidd]

I'm pretty much out of the Gas-X so I'll def buy the Beano today, thanks!

To the second poster - the only carbonated beverage I drink is ginger ale; no alcohol or tobacco; and not as much sugar. I actually find a dairy product - eggs - to work the best with my digestion. For example, the stomach noises are terrible after I eat a bagel with cream cheese or butter, but not bad at all after I eat an egg or two (and have a Gas-X or something).

[georgieboy_21]

Try the fruit guava.Should make a big impact on your stomach. This fruit is basically my vital drug for my IBS.This fruit has the most amount of fiber in it. Also it contains 4 times Vitamin C than an orange & 10 times Vitamin A than a lemon. Regularly taking this fruit helps help the stomach/colon preventing from cancer.

why don't you give a shot.

This could be related to a gastro issue too. Are you having your meals in time. If so refrain from skipping meals.

Try and reduce/refrain from Dairy products,sugar,Chocolates, carbonated beverages,Alcohol, tobacco and and food containing more acids(Mango,Apple,orange, lemon etc)


Try these and you should be able to improve with less or no medications.

[FurballsMom]

Sounds like IBS to me.  Beano is supposed to help, too.  It's not just for eating with beans.  If you also get a touch of nausea with this, I would say that it is IBS.  Consider yourself fortunate if you're not getting the awful cramping that comes with IBS.  A fiber that I found better than psyllium, which is actually simply too irritating for the stomach and the bowels of just about everyone I know, is simply flaxseed meal.  A healthy amount of fiber is supposed to help balance out the colon, regardless of which extreme symptom a person experiences.

When you see your gasto, you may be prescribed an anti-spasmodic medication.  My doctor has me using the generic form of Bentyl.  I hate it, because it sedates me too much.  But, I hate the cramps a lot more, since they have been bad enough to land me in the e.r. unable to even walk and throwing up at the same time.  I'll take the lesser of the two evils.