I started writing earlier, but the post ended up too long and really I don't know how much you'd want to hear me go off about my early treatments with IBS (about 10 years ago). I had uncontrollable IBS for about two or three years, from age 17 to 20. At that time, my doctors had me on a tricyclic AD, Lomotil, Donnatal, Pepto, Tagamet, and ibuprofen for pain. The interactions, the side effects, suddenly becoming C for a couple of week which led to a horrible D attack left me feeling even more miserable and alone--I swear it was so traumatic I have flashbacks!
Another result of unmanaged IBS and the side effects of all those meds: I began to suffer from anxiety and then panic attacks. Today, I'm still dealing with that as well although now I feel more in control of the IBS and the anxiety.
A few things that worked for me, was stopping most of the medications (tagamet, pepto, ibuprofen, and the ad, donnatal, eventually Lomotil) and following a safer eating plan (Heather's diet pretty much) and eating at the same time everyday and having peppermint tea with meals. Something else that helped was going on the BC pill--I had really bad and long periods, but now they're shorter and I know when they're coming so I can take Imodium as a preventive and eat as safely as possible during that time. This has really cut down on those nasty period attacks.
I'm currently taking Buspar for anxiety; however, it has been mentioned in IBS literature that it is believed to reduce the responsiveness (sensitivity) of the sensory nerves to what's happening in the intestine. NO studies on its effect on pain-predominant IBS have been done yet, but I did notice a tremendous decrease in my IBS symptoms when I started taking it. Less pain, less rumbling, less urgency.
Hang in there. Please know that we take your pain seriously and it's alright to have days where you feel fed up. I have friends and family members who say it's all my head and like you I've kindly invited them to join me in the bathroom. Our pain and suffering is very real and anyone close to us who can't see that--well, that's their problem.  I'm glad I have a few good friends and understanding family members who respect me and want to help me.
Ack! This still turned out to be a long reply. Sorry. 
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Re: Can't take it anymore
