What is the best thing for a severe bout of IBS?
#44008 - 02/10/04 06:25 AM
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d15c0
Reged: 02/10/04
Posts: 6
Loc: Birmingham, UK
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When IBS is really severe, what is the best method(s) for getting your digestive system back to "normal"?
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My Fix
#44041 - 02/10/04 08:07 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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For me -- and everyone's different -- but for ME, if the attack is severe, my fix is 6-part:
1. Donnatal immediately (it takes 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. to kick in).
2. Equalactin (it works right away).
3. Hot bath.
4. Peppermint tea.
5. Heating pad on my tummy.
6. Go to bed and sleep it off.
Works every time.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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what exactly is equalactin?
I definately use the hot bath
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Gretchen
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Equalactin
#44054 - 02/10/04 09:09 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I got introduced to Equalatin by Heather, who enclosed a sample with my order for peppermint, fennel and acacia.
Equalactin equalizes the water balance in the bowels to restore normal bowel movements. "In the diarrhea stage of IBS, Equalactin absorbs water and gives the stool bulk and substance, leading to normal bowel movements. In the constipation stage, Equalactin binds the water to the hard, dry stool, creating softer stools that are easier to pass." "When you feel the onset of IBS symptoms, take Equalactin to provide relief and to prevent the episode from becoming severe."
Active ingredient: 625mg. Calcium Polycarbophil (equivalent to 500mg. Polycarbophil).
It's great stuff! I had a hard time finding it locally, even though it's "over-the-counter." The pharmacist ordered a supply of it for me. I keep the sample that Heather gave me in my emergency medicine cabinet in my purse, and the box of Equalactin I got from the pharmacist I keep in the bathroom. One box of 48 chewable tablets (they're not bad tasting, actually!) cost me $6.87. A bargain at ANY price!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Re: Equalactin
#44056 - 02/10/04 09:14 AM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Isn't Equalactin just another soluble fiber supplement? Or does it also contain something else?
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Re: Equalactin
#44062 - 02/10/04 09:28 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Yes, Kree. Equalactin
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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hi; FOR ME,I just have a peice of sour dough or french bread then I know there is something in my stomach, when I feel like I have had enough to eat than I will have a big glass of water to work it all through.
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Re: My Fix
#44073 - 02/10/04 10:19 AM
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louise
Reged: 02/05/03
Posts: 836
Loc: canada
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where have you been? equalactin is a fibre supplement that can be ordered through hardtofindbrands.com.
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Welcome to the board!
First are you IBS-C or D? I'm D and I take
2 Imodium,
1 Bentyl ( a prescription anti spasmodic available here in the US, generic name dicyclomine)
2 Phazyme.
(...and a partridge in a pear tree!!)
Then I drink a glass of Metamucil.
Then I eat only Heather's super safe soluble fiber food list for two days.
Good luck and keep coming back!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Here's mine (I'm IBS-C):
*I try to eat as little as possible. I need to give my digestive tract a rest. If anything, I have some sourdough toast.
*Strongly brewed cup of fennel tea. Then a cup of strongly brewed Yerba Mate' tea.
*Citrucel powder 3-4 scoops/day.
*Exercise. Even if it hurts like hell. I stair step, Pilates or Yoga. It hurts, but I might as well be exercising if I'm hurting anyway.
*Heating pad, magazine and/or DVDs. I've spend entire weekends on the couch.
*Peppermint Oil capsules (enteric coated)
*Alka Seltzer. Surprisingly, this worked for me. I was feeling "full" and was scrounging around my medicine cabinet and found this. Said to take it for overindulgence in food. Well, it felt like I ate Thanksgiving dinner after a two-slices-of-toast breakfast. It worked. The fizzies might not be tolerated for everyone, though.
*WATER WATER WATER !! At least 72 ounces daily for me. If not more.
*Hot bath with scented oils, dim lights and a candle. Lavender oil is an anti-stress oil, and is calming. Lots of bubbles, too, for making bath mohawks.
That's all I got.
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~jules
Edited by jules (02/10/04 12:48 PM)
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I'm C & D unfortunately. I can go one way or the other quite spectacularly. The other week i had a severe bout of D lasting 3 days and the end of last year i had a bout of C which lasted over a week (ouch!).
Problem is when its bad it causes me to take time off work (and as my employers don't appreciate how bad IBS can be it creates anamosity at work)
I have taken fibregel for years, but until recently that is about as much as i knew. I have always avoided anything i could identify as causing a problem and it has only been since i found this site that i have started to re-evaulate my diet again (ie. cutting out Coffee, some of the remaining fats in my diet). The prospect of cutting out cheese (even low fat varities) is non to appealing to me. But if its worth it i'll give it a go.
I also have not heard of or come across most the remedies mentioned on this site. Such as sourdough and some of the other items mentioned in replies to this post.
I am learning but its alot to take in.
Sorry to blab on and thanks for the advice.
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Its better to have loved and lost, than never to have had the pleasure of my company at all.
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Re: My Fix
#44275 - 02/11/04 08:40 AM
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d15c0
Reged: 02/10/04
Posts: 6
Loc: Birmingham, UK
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Quick query:
1. Donnatal immediately (it takes 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. to kick in).
2. Equalactin (it works right away).
I have never heard of either of these two remedies. Are these brand names (ie. what are they, whats in them) and what effect do they have. Ie. do they work with someone who has C&D, just C or just D?
I'm sorry if these brands are familiar to you but ive never heard of these in the UK. I may just be ignorant?
Many Thanks
David
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Its better to have loved and lost, than never to have had the pleasure of my company at all.
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Re: My Fix
#44298 - 02/11/04 09:33 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi David,
Donnatal is a medication that my doctors have prescribed for me. I'm a "D" and when I have severe cramps and "D", this is the only drug that works for me. However, it's my emergency drug; I take it ONLY when the Lomotil (for diarrhea) or Hyoscyamine (for the cramps) don't work. My GI did not want to give me Donnatal (for both diarrhea and cramps), claiming it was addictive, but my regular doctors, both in California and up here in Washington, apparently disagreed. Also, my one little bottle lasted me over 2-1/2 years, so it was obviously not addictive to me. Again, I only take it on emergencies.
I would think you could get any these drugs in the U.K. by prescription? You might ask your doctor about them if you're truly interested.
Equalactin is a soluble fiber supplement: web page I really like this stuff more than any other because, for some reason, it makes me feel better, almost instantly. I don't know if it's available in the U.K., but have you ordered anything from Heather, such as her tummy tea or acacia? She sends you a little sample of the Equalactin with your order. It's a great way to see if you like it and if it works for you.
Lastly, and most importantly, I can assure you that you are most definitely NOT "ignorant" at all. These are very good questions you posed. I hope you can find out more about Donnatal from your doctor; it's really great stuff for those excruciating attacks.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I believe it is basically the same as fibercon!
The only other thing I can add is 2 vicodin, heating pad and BED! If the nausea(sp?) get bad I have a precription for phenegran(SP?).
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Vicodin
#44312 - 02/11/04 10:38 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi Michele,
Yes, Equalactin is a soluble fiber supplement. But, unlike Fibercon or Citrucel, it works for me like the others do not. I feel better almost instantly after taking the Equalactin; I cannot say the same for any other.
Watch out for that Vicodin. While it works great on pain, it's terribly, TERRIBLY addictive! I used to work for a law firm that handled personal injury cases, and my job was transcribing medical record summaries. I cannot tell you the number of cases that we handled of people who were addicted to Vicodin, so much so that they were lying to their doctors and to their pharmacists to get the stuff any way they could. I don't mean to scare you, just to alert you to the fact that it is really very addictive.
I'm with you on the heating pad and bed. They work for me too.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Re: Vicodin
#44316 - 02/11/04 10:53 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Yeah, I know about the vicodin, but thanks for the warning! My last bottle of 30 lasted me almost 6 months, and it makes the constipation worse for me so I do use it only for SEVERE pain! My doctor also gave me some ultracet, which is also a pain pill but not nearly as strong, so I use that instead when possible.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: My Fix
#44325 - 02/11/04 11:25 AM
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Gisela
Reged: 02/10/04
Posts: 5
Loc: Portland, OR. USA
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What are Donnatal und Equalactin, prescription drugs? I take Levsin, but it doesn't do that much. Gisela 
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Re: My Fix
#44331 - 02/11/04 11:40 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi, Gisela,
David just asked me the same question, and here's my response:
(Quote)
"Donnatal is a medication that my doctors have prescribed for me. I'm a "D" and when I have severe cramps and "D", this is the only drug that works for me. However, it's my emergency drug; I take it ONLY when the Lomotil (for diarrhea) or Hyoscyamine (for the cramps) don't work. My GI did not want to give me Donnatal (for both diarrhea and cramps), claiming it was addictive, but my regular doctors, both in California and up here in Washington, apparently disagreed. Also, my one little bottle lasted me over 2-1/2 years, so it was obviously not addictive to me. Again, I only take it on emergencies.
"I would think you could get any these drugs in the U.K. by prescription? You might ask your doctor about them if you're truly interested.
"Equalactin is a soluble fiber supplement. I really like this stuff more than any other because, for some reason, it makes me feel better, almost instantly. I don't know if it's available in the U.K., but have you ordered anything from Heather, such as her tummy tea or acacia? She sends you a little sample of the Equalactin with your order. It's a great way to see if you like it and if it works for you."
(Unquote)
Gisela, are you a "C" or "D"? Talk to your GI or your regular doctor and tell him/her that the Levsin isn't working for you, and ask about Lomotil, Hyoscyamine, and/or Donnatal. The Lomotil and Donnatal are pills that you swallow, while you dissolve the Hyoscyamine under your tongue.
I hope this helps. I don't know where you're from, but if you're in the States, you shouldn't have any problems finding Equalactin. Check in the web site here under "soluble fiber supplements" because Heather mentions it, along with her acacia and other goodies. For me, the Equalactin just makes me feel SOOOO much better than Fibercon or Citrucel does.
Good luck!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Anyone know if there's a Canadian equivalent? Equalactin is not available here, I just checked.
I've been lurking for two weeks now, but following ALL topics on this site with great interest. I'm amazed and impressed by everyone's enthusiam and willingness to help.
Glad I found you all!
Jen
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Order online at Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Where do you get your lavender oil? I've been wanting some for a while, but I'm stuck in a college neighborhood with limited shopping options and no personal transportation. If you tell me where you get your oil, maybe I can manage planning a shopping trip around it or something.
Thanks!
*evie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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My fix is two Librax, a cup of chamomile tea with two tablespoons of benefiber, rest with a hot pad on my belly, after it passess, i slowly add back my foods, starting with soluble fibers and bananas. The baths are good too  maryh
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Whatever doesn't kill me will make me stronger!
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Re: Vicodin
#44415 - 02/11/04 06:14 PM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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What is Vicodin? I guess it's codeine and something, yeah? I use co-codamol (paracetomol and codeine) which is great, but taking it too much means it doesn't work as well 
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or hardtofindbrands.com.
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Re: Vicodin
#44553 - 02/12/04 08:41 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Vicodin is a narcotic drug, I don't think its codiene, I think its in the opiate family. It is used for pain.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: My Fix
#44579 - 02/12/04 10:05 AM
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sherr1
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 586
Loc: Southern, Calif
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So funny you would mention this. I been gone traveling for a business and found this by accident on a shelf at a Sav on Drugs. I bought it for an emergency, if all else failed.
I read and was impressed. I can't take immodium or pepto, it dosen't work. Wondering though the box says not to continue for more than two days of use. How often do you use it? I'm IBS D and C.
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