Any suggestions....i am new here!
#39470 - 01/21/04 11:51 AM
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I saw this web site and I am curious about whether I have IBS or not. I am a young mommy of three and my symptoms came after I had children. My GP says its IBS without any testing done but my symptoms arent the regular IBS symptoms. So I guess I am writing to see if anyone had ever heard of these symptoms connected with IBS. I have a regular normal BM in the morning with no strain. Then throughout the day I will go to the bathroom many times with only a very small amount of stool. Sometimes I am contipated (if on prenatal pills) and sometimes it is small but comes out fine. I have researched it and cant find this symptom anywhere. When this happens I have a continuous dull ache under my ribs that comes and goes. Untill I saw this web site I have been trying to fill my body with so much fiber I am going crazy and getting worse. Now I am confused about what to eat. Running to the bathroom every hour with a very small stool. It is totally irratating. Has anyone ever heard of this? No D and no blood. I will go buy the book if it helps. Any suggestions? I have a specialist appointment with a Gastro in Feb for Acid reflux. Thanks for your help! Stacy P.S I meant to say that sometimes my bowels with start working about the time I am to go to sleep and I will go and then my body cant rest because I have to go again and again. Its like an attack I feel like. I dont know what to do. I have been up to 5 in the morning going to the bathroom. It happened after my 2 child right when I came home from the hospital and the 3 one as well. I am so confused...
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Don,t try an do any thing until you see your doctor in Feb.
but Heather recipes won,t hurt an even may help you an the books are very good.they help me out a lot.Gerry 
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Neta G.Yale
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I feel for you! I am new to board too. I was diagnosed. Same as you..weird poops but a lot of stomach pain. It really made my insides feel "bruised" almost. And I now have hemroids from h*ll yet I am not a strainer. It has gotten worse over the past few years. I am not sure that childbirth worsened it but it seems to have added...def to the hemroids. Yours does sound like IBS...I had a ct scan to diagnose mine ("constipation w/ibs)...maybe they will do that for you. Warning...they make you drink 3 16oz. cups of this nasty white stuff beforehand. Getting a confirmed result does make it worth it though. Funny...I am still pretty regular...but not like it used to be...I was surprised at the constipation thing. Your situation sounded a little like mine. I am on zelnorm now (so far seems to help)...I will let youknow how it does. Good luck...at least you are seeing the right people to find out something.
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I agree, the books are a great start. I just started reading the books myself and they are a huge help. I have a lot more to read, but what I read so far is fantastic. I can't wait to try some of the recipes too in Eating for IBS.
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Welcome, Stacy!
#39503 - 01/21/04 01:13 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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First of all, you SOOOO need a good GI. You say your GP told you that you have IBS -- did he refer you to the GI for the IBS or the acid reflux? I hope the GI knows you are going to see him also for the IBS.
Your symptoms sound familiar to others I've heard on these boards. They're not similar to mine, but I'm a "D". I think your idea of buying Heather's book is excellent; her book is SOOO well written and very easily understandable. She just might hit upon your symptoms in it -- and the diet (and of course these boards!) should give you considerable relief.
The thing that concerns me is your comment that you've been "trying to fill your body with so much fiber." I hope you are doing this GRADUALLY; you can't just throw a lot of fiber down there and expect your poor gut to deal with it gently. Also, what kind of fiber is it?
Don't self-diagnose and don't self-medicate. Good that you have an appointment with a GI next month; if the GI suspects IBS, schedule a colonoscopy as soon as possible.
Again -- welcome!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I agree don't self examine get those test done, in the meantime the diet won't hurt you. I would hold of on firber therapy and if trying the diet is not what you what now untila proper evaluation is done to rule IBS, stick to well balanced diet with all the proper food groups. Try taking a multiply vitamin instead of the prenatal. You said your having to see a doc for reflux..so you have been properly tested for reflux? Try some chamomile tea at night after dinner before bed time it will help relax those muscles and maybe give you somerest. Don't peppermint it will aggrevate your reflux,I have it too. Try not eating after 6pm and cut down your meals so they are slighlty less and have snacks.
Sometimes the reflux can play a role in b/m as well.
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Thanks everyone for all your comments. SOmeone said that my symptoms are like others here on the board. Where can I find those? Also can they do a CT rather than a colonosopy? I am scared and I dont want to be put out but I have to get scoped for my reflux. I dont want all these tests done...i am scared.......
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What is Zelnorm? Is that a drug for IBS? Did you have a lot of small bowel movements throughout the day? It just seems like I cannot find anyone with these symptoms. I am currently on a PPI for my reflux and that could also be a reason why I am still having problems even though I am off the prenantal. Constipation is the second side effect listed. I did read one thing that stated you can be C and have a lot of small BM's all day long. That must be my problem. Thanks everyone!!
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Zelnorm is IBS-C medication, some people can get relief from this med. I don't have a C problem I have a D problem with alternating C. I control it with diet and herbal teas no meds or fiber supplements. Ibs C they do have this problems with pebble like b/m's or thin structure. Problem feeling satisfied wtih a b/m and going enough to feel this way. I had a ct scan of the abdomin, this should be the Docs first choice depending on your symptoms. It's not that bad you drink a solution and them they start erays through a open mri looking machines, then they will inject iodine through your viens to take pictures. The whole procedure last about 30 minutes or less an they will look at you tummy,gallbladder etc. But don;t get yourself worked up about the whole thing..I wish I would of had this board to help me, Ithink the stress would of been lifted somewhat. Hope you get a good outcome and others will lend their advice.
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What herbal teas do you drink that help you? I havent gotten the book yet but does it really help avoiding all the fiber foods they tell you to eat? It's very confusing to me. The world says bulk up on wheat and bran and veggies and fruit and she says NO. I want relief so bad. I honestly believe in my heart that its IBS because it flares up around stressful situations. I just had a baby 5 months ago and I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I am so stressed out with my litter!!!!! But tests to confirm will be nice. Thanks for your help...I appreciate it!
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Hi Stacy!
Try not to get too stressed out. Stress can just make your symptoms worse.
Since you have reflux, don't try the peppermint tea. That can make it worse. Try chamomile. Very soothing.
When I first went to see my GI, I was sent for possible reflux, but I didn't have that. (LONG story.  ) Anyway, while I was there, I just told him about my other symptoms, and he took it from there. I had to do a stool test (to check for blood), an upper endoscopy, and colonoscopy.
All were a piece of cake. Don't worry about it. Believe it or not, I thought the endoscopy was neat. I don't expect many (if any LOL) people to agree with me. I told my doctor, and he thought that was interesting. LOL He even gave me copies of the pics from both of my procedures. Anyway, the point is don't be ascared!
While you're waiting for a proper diagnosis, it shouldn't be bad for you to try Heather's diet. Read here about the fibers. You still want insolubles, just carefully.
Good luck and keep us posted on your appts!
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Stacy -- I am hoping that Heather will comment to you. I hear people telling you to get diagnosed and I would not contradict that at all. However, that takes time, and you have babies and are feeling bad. I don't want to confuse you, but....... my thought is to get as educated as you can on Heather's diet, so you can start understanding the principles and putting them to use. I would suggest using them right away. Even and especially the fiber supplements. Even if you don't end up being diagnosed with IBS, the diet and supplements are good and soothing for anyone and helpful for any bowel troubles and won't ever hurt you and I think you may get great relief from them very soon. My daughter did, immediately. The books are great and should be read, definitely, but in the interest of time, we got educated from the web site. It takes some focus and studying to "get" the principles, but it is worth it. Read especially the pages about fiber supplements, soluble and insoluble fiber. Heather's methods really really work. I take the fiber supplements also -- I am not IBS but have always had constipation problems and it has completely cured that for me. Remember all the details - start with a low dose and slowly work up to a larger one (I would recommend ordering Heather's fiber off of the website), drink tons of water with it to make it work. Start all your meals with soluble fiber (white rice, white bread, oatmeal (works for most folks - but not all),applesause, bananas etc and use it as a base for all meals. (If/when you are feeling very "off" eat only soluble fiber for a while till you feel more stabilized). Add the insoluble fiber in carefully in a soluble fiber base. I think the fiber supplements help the most of anything with constipation. And people on this message board talk about probiotics helping alot too. Study the "triggers" and try to avoid them completely -- coffee, alcohol, red meat and dairy are the main ones. Read the website - study the message board -- start trying fiber supplements and the diet -- and get tested as you can. I hope the conflicting advice is not confusing -- try to sort it out in the way that works best for you. Hang in there, and stay in touch with these wonderful, caring people on this board -- you will get better in time. Good luck. Feel free to ask all your questions here.
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Don't be afraid of a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I had them done at the same time and there was nothing to it. Everyone says the prep is the worse part and that is definitely true. Having kids was much worse than these procedures. As soon as I was done we went out to eat because I was starving. Had this all done before IBS got worse and the IBS now is worse than these tests were. I'm pretty new to this, but the day after I started eating just the safe foods to try and get stabilized I was feeling much better. I'm still struggling with trying to add more to my diet, but always feel better when I eat from just the short list of safe food. I printed out that list and took it to the grocery store and only bought stuff from that list to start. Good luck!
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I only had the Scan...It was v. interesting...easy, painless. Just drinking the stuff beforehand wasn't fun...But I have drank worse! It was worth it to get results (which I wanted to say "DUH" when they told me IBS) I am like you with bm's...that is why the constipation diagnosis threw me a little...I am still fairly regular but HORRIBLY gassy. I have been on Zelnorm for a little over a month now...so far it does help. I have not had any of the attacks that I used to. (it used to be that I thought I had some dairy...I was bloated, constipated, crampy and miserable) The Zelnorm seems to have normalized things a bit...I don't get the random bloats that I used to get. I am not a tea person...I defintately don't like flavored teas. I did read that you can buy a coated peppermint tablet...coated so it makes it through the stomach intact..that can help and likely not exacerbate the upper GI. I would like to try it. (Healthfood stores?) I think light exercise helps too...I am able to walk a little more now that weather is better. I am lucky cause my boys (3and a half) don't mind the stroller. Good luck with your tests. Just finding out is half the battle!
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Peppermint Caps
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