What is an attack?
#269792 - 06/16/06 07:35 AM
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chupie
Reged: 05/30/06
Posts: 301
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I would just be interested to see what different people define as "an attack". It seems like perhaps this is a hugely variable and personal thing. Do you still have *some* symptoms when you are stable but because they are not extreme you feel stable?
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Hey, good question! I've been wondering how others define an attack, too.
I consider it an attack if it's an "OMG, where's the bathroom? I need it NOW!" moment. Or, if I feel the painful waves of gas, I know that moment is coming. I had a couple of attacks last weekend, but I wasn't surprised because I'd eaten some questionable things.
Anyway, I do still consider myself stable. I have been fine the rest of the week, and eaten safely. Occasionally, I still get gassy, but not painfully so. Also, I haven't had to take a Levsin since December.
If I had attacks every day for about a week, I wouldn't consider myself stable anymore.
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Personally speaking from an ibs-d person. I consider an attack where the pain starts right around my solar plex(right in the middle kinda below the ribs) and then it moves down into my lower intestins/lower back. From there the pain/spasms come in waves until the D starts and after about 2-3 d movements i'm usually fine.
Personally other than the bad timing D can have, if it was just the d i could handle it alot better, but it's the blinding pain, hot flushes, and nausea that really make the whole ibs thing truely depressing for me. Sometimes i will have minor attacks that consist of minimal pain, 1 d movement, then done everything is back to normal those are the happier days. (and i'm damn near jumping for joy when i have a normal bm.. <sigh> that almost seems like a dream now haha  )
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Yes !!!!! It would help me a lot if an IBS-C describes an 'attack' for me. What's the difference between a spastic colon and IBS? I really appreciate the info. Also looking for a support group in the Orlando,FL area.
Thank you,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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As far as I am aware (and pls others feel free to correct me on this) but i'm pretty sure the two things go hand and hand. People with IBS have a spastic colon which is usually the culprit to most of the stomach problems.. (pretty sure anyways)
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The way I understand it is "spastic colon" is what doctors used to call "IBS". They are the same thing.
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>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<
Michelle
IBS-A, pain predominant
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I am a C. When I get an attack there is a familiar twisting in my gut. Being a C when you have to 'go' it is not fast, it's a long slow process. My intestines knot and squeeze and take over my whole body. I get hot and sweat and sometimes pass out. This goes on till I am empty. I am left drained of all energy and have to sleep for a while to recover.
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Carol
nós somos o que nós somos e o descanso é merda
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To me, an attack is when I start to feel that 'oh no, pain is coming sign' then, the pain comes, as does the nausea and the instant need to find a bathroom and fast! When Im having an attack, the pain starts in my middle belly, then around to the sides, and usually radiates to my legs.  Pain....
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Hello Lyndeigh,
Thank you for the info. Are you IBS-C or D? I'm IBS-C and I'm still trying to figure out about an attack. I'm confused  I go to the bathroom every morning(after I wake up and after breakfast). Some days I feel just fine after a BM in the morning, but some other days and have the pain all day and all night long until the next morning when I have a BM again. Sometimes I get the pain later during the day or night and won't feel better until the morning BM. And some other times I get the pain after my BM in the morning and gets better later in the afternoon or night time, but I only seem to be able to have a BM in the morning. I eat about the same things everyday to keep it safe, but I never know from one day to another about the pain. Any ideas????? I appreciate the help...
Thank you,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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OK, this is more like me. It's a slow thing (although it can get bad quick when my period hits). I used to have periods of time of what I called 'raunchy gut'. Not pain, not heartburn, but I would just get this raunchy yucky squishy feeling in my gut. This is I guess why I think maybe this has just gotten worse and worse. HOwever, I don't feel AS bad as it seems the rest of you do, and yet, it can still seem nearly debilitating at times. Like you are just tired but not sleepy?
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An attack for me is a sudden bout of D. Other times I'm just a bit loose and my tummy aches or I feel a bit bloated. Recently I've felt fairly stable and my BM is almost normal.
I haven't even been officially diagnosed although all my symptoms point to IBS-D. Seeing the specialist in August. By that time I'll probably be more knowledgably that him, thanks to this board!
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Never EVER give up!
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For me there is a lot of pressure on my tummy and it sounds like a volcano is getting ready to erupt, and then it does. I have wicked sharp cramps that make me holler out loud. I have to find a bathroom quick. The pain sometimes will last and last and last and last. I usually end up with my nails dug into my palms. Then the hot flash and sweats immediately followed by uncontrollable shivering, teeth chattering and so cold I have to wrap myself up. And yes, I get super exhausted after an attack. This has been a bad week, again, for me. I had to leave work on Wed. it was so bad. And I've never missed a day of work in 12 years b/c of my IBS. I missed 2 days of highschool when I had my colonoscopy, that's it. I'm a trooper like the rest of us, but I'm exhausted...
Cassandra
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Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up! 
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hey there. I am IBS-A. I literally change from C to D in a matter of days. Im sorry about your pain. My best advice to you is to make sure you do not have an intestinal blockage. About a year ago, I was IBSC only, i ate safe foods, but i constantly had pain.. even after a BM. I finally got me doctor to give me an xray and he said that i was so constipated that i had an intestinal blockage and that was causing me all the pain. Get well soon.
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intense internal pressure and pounding abdominal pain. those are so bad I couldn't even care about the d or c that comes with them.
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For me
#269911 - 06/16/06 09:32 PM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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I usually start with painful cramps in my lower belly, I have instant D which mean I better hit the bathroom quick (within seconds if possible) or I won't make it. Then the sweats come, my mouth waters, I feel hot all over and my belly feels like I am going to barf.
There is nothing worse especially if I am not near a bathroom. I have been caught in the car to many times to count and then the race is on to get to a bathroom, preferably at home, before the explosion.
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Janey
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Hello there,
Thanks again for the advice. In Jan. of last year my GI Dr. sent me to the hosp. for an xray and he said everything looked normal. I also had colonoscopy and many more test done. Have you use peppermint teas or pills for the pain? Does it work? I might try it. I been having a BM every morning and don't feel C and that makes it more confusing. I used to have pain when I was C and not going regular, but now the pain comes at anytime. I had to quit my job last year when the pain started and I want to go back to work, but I can't until I find a way to keep it under control. I had a good day today, thank God !!!!!!!
Thank you so much,
Abi
p.s.Can you help me post my picture?
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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Hello! I use Heathers tummy tamers, and drink lots of peppermint tea, and do find them to be real helpful. Fennels supposed to help a lot with gas, so Id try fennel tea if you havnt yet as well. Also, a lot of times, i know that pain can come from trapped gas. I believe fennel can help with that too. About your picture.. I think that the user AtomicRose is in charge of the pictures (Kindof like a picture pixie) I would consult her.  God Bless!
-Lyndeigh
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Personally, I think the teas (and though I don't use them, probably the caps) make a tremendous difference.
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I could not believe the sweating ~ It was terrible. I would sit there and strip in the bathroom at home ~ fanning myself... and feeling so sick to my stomach that I didn't know which end was going to be worse ~ so I always had a trash can ready too.
I also always felt pain afterward too. Not as intense but sore like the worse ab workout you ever had ~ only deep inside. And it hurt for days afterward. Making you feel... hesitant to eat because you could still feel the pain of the attack.
I may have a little gas or a little bloat (especially if there is some trace dairy in something I eat ~ hate that) or of I eat a bit too much of something ~ or too much fat... but the post Janey had and what I added is what I call an attack.
I also swing sometimes to constipation. Then I may not be able to go for a week or more. I swell up like I'm 8 months pregnant ~ I have terrible pain that lasts until I can go... and sometimes gas with that too. Not fun at all.
Luckily I am stable and don't have to deal with either one very often.
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Hello Lyndeigh ! I bought some peppermint tea and caps, but aren't Heathers. Should I buy Heathers? or Is that going to make a difference? Should I only drink the tea or take the caps when I'm not feeling good, or at any time? Sorry for so many questions. Thank you sooo much for the help. I did sent AtomicRose an email to post my picture a few days ago, but nothing yet. Also, I was reading about IBS-C in the A&Q and Heather recommends to exercise daily for an hour or two. I do walk one hour every night and it seems to help with C, but I been trying to gain some weight and doing all that walking won't help. Do you exercise? Any ideas...God bless you !
Thanks again,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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I bought Heather's fennel tea as I don't think that is so easy to find, but use Celestial seasonings for chamomile and peppermint, but I think next time I'll just buy her peppermint too. I haven't done the math but I think it is less expensive in the longrun actually and I am pretty sure it is higher quality.
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Hello Chupie,
I bought some peppermint tea and caps but aren't Heathers, I hope that's ok also. Can I take the caps and tea together? or Should I only take one at a time? Should I only take them when I don't feel good or at any time? Thank you for the help and the info...Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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I don't know about taking them together. I just drink the tea througout the day. I start off with water and fiber added, then I have some hot tea of one or the other. I drink the tea every couple of hours, whichever I feel like, but fennel if I am really having gas, peppermint if I feel crampy or gurgly. Others may have input on the caps.
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Hey Abigail!
When I am not feeling well, I actually take the peppermint caps and the peppermint tea. Peppermint is great because it relaxes the gut and spasms, and reduces pain. I dont think it really matter if you buy heathers caps or different ones, as long as its real peppermint oil and that it doesnt contain any triggers. The thing that differnt about heathers peppermint caps, is that it doenst just contain peppermint, they also contain fennel and ginger.. which are really good for digestion. Im so glad to you that you are exercing, it does wonders for C. Walking is great, especially after a big meal. Like you, I too am trying to gain weight.. however i dont think that walking is going to stop you from doing it. I can see if you were doing other things, such as running or extensive exercising, but walking is nice and doesnt cause your body to burn too many calories. If you are looking for something else, however, i would try maybe yoga. I hear its great for digestion as well. If you are still having problems with your user pic, i would love to help See you later, and Good luck.
GodBless,
-Lyndeigh
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Also, i know what helps me to gain weight- angel food cake..
fatfree.. totally safe.. and full of empty calories (from all the sugar)
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Hi Lyndeigh !
Thank you for sharing all this wonderful info with me,it helps me a lot. The Peppermint caps I bought have O.2 ml peppermint leaf oil extract,0.02 ml Rosemary oil extract and 0.02 ml Thyme whole plant oil extract. They are enteric-
coated softgels. I hope they are as good as Heathers. If not I might have to order Heathers because I can't find any of her products here in Orlando,FL. Yes !!! I do walk every night after dinner, makes me feel better. I find my self eating dinner late at night and I don't like it, but I can't eat while I'm out because of my strict diet and I feel safe eating at home, you know !!!!! Have you tried yoga or acupuncture? I think we found a way to post my picture, I will let you know. Thank you for trying to help.
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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the pepp pills you have found sound great! I have yet to find any type of peppermint pills at all sold around stores here. You are so lucky! No, I have not tried yoga or accupuncture, but ive always been interested in it.
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Hello Lyndeigh,
How are you today? I was finally able to post my picture with the help of my husband. I haven't used the peppermint caps or tea yet, I'm waiting to see how I feel and I will take them as I need them. I hope to God they work for me. I can't believe you can't find any type of peppermint pills in your area. You have to find a Health Food store around there that sells those. I go to a Whole Food Store about 30 min. from my house. There are a few of those stores in New York City, go to their website www.wholefoodsmarket.com and find out more. Have a great day !
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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Hello Lyndeigh,
Hope you are doing great ! If you still have not found the peppermint pills in your area, I would be glad to mail you some. If you are interested, just email me aft98@bellsouth.net and let me know. I have an appt. with my GI doc this afternoon, I pray something good comes out of my visit today. It's not been fun lately enduring this pain :-)
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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