Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi there,
First of all, take a deep breath. We have all been there, and you're not alone. It is so frustrating and disheartening, I know, but you WILL figure it out and we'll help you get there.
Okay, so the first thing I would do if you aren't already doing it is to start a food diary. Record every single thing you put in your body, including drinks and medications - Everything. The record what happens - no attacks, one attack, attacks all day...
You said you are eating safe food.. maybe you could give us a meal plan for a day and we can try and see if there is anything that other people have reacted badly to or something.

The other thing I would do is to go on a SFS. I think your bowels are probably really 'confused' and a fiber supplement should help bind stools together to help you have more regular BMs.
Another thing that has been really helpful for people are probiotics. You can get them at the drugstore usually, make sure you get the ones that are lactose free.
I also have had a lot of success with calcium supplements. That may also help make you more 'regular'.

Drink loads and loads of herbal teas right now, too. And lots and lots of water.

Are you on any sort of medication? Many people go on anti-spasmodics, which seem to help a lot of people.
You mentioned that you are feeling so stressed out, are you on/have you considered going on some sort of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication? I found that when I went on a really low dose of amitryptiline (waaaaay lower than the doseage for people who actually take it for depression), it decreased my anxiety which also decreased my number of attacks. AND bad for me, but good for you.. it made me gain weight.

The stress and anxiety over getting an attack definitely put people into a vicious cycle that is often hard to break. Other stress management techniques are a good idea too.

Okay, as for the tests... You probably don't want to hear this, but you haven't really had enough tests done to get a definitive YES to IBS. You should definitely get a colonoscopy done. The prep is yucky, and it's not pleasant BUT it will rule out things with Crohns and Colitis and that will really help to put your mind at ease that you aren't trying to treat the wrong thing. Also, the test is NEVER as bad as people think it will be.

Do you ever take anything like Immodium? I would try taking some every morning and see how you do... ESPECIALLY around your period. This has really help a lot of people stabalize.

Hope this helps!!

--Steph

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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.

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