women conquering diarrhea - page eighteen
The tale of...Jennifer
I have a happy story I would like to share. This website is wonderful and has helped me learn a lot about IBS and other people's experiences, whilst keeping me smiling or at least trying to smile in the dark days.
I was diagnosed with IBS in 2001, but I can remember suffering as far back as 1997. I've tried everything and saw an incredible amount of ignorant and unhelpful doctors, nothing worked. I once had a partner get exasperated at me because I wanted to go home yet again, after experiencing a severe bout of diarrhea due to my IBS.
There is one thing that helps me more than anything else does: yoga. I never thought it possible really, I thought it was new age hoo-hah. But there are many positive effects, and a lot of friends who I know that have IBS also agree. If your IBS is triggered by stress, then yoga is wonderful, because it helps you learn conscious relaxation, such as breathing techniques and muscles stretches which will help ease stress, and can help control an attack and the associated feeling of panic which can increase the severity of an attack.
If you suffer from spasms, the basic twists and bends in yoga can help you relax muscles and bring your bowels out of spasm. For those that suffer from constipation, the twists and bends in yoga are very good at stimulating your bowel and easing the uncomfortable feeling of fullness. For those that have diarrhea, easing spasms helps calm down the diarrhea and can cause bowel movements to pass through more normally.
You don't have to be a super whizz at exercise. You don't need to be very fit or flexible or young or bendy. Anyone can do it, at any age or fitness level. A few basic poses will make you feel the difference. I won't say yoga is the only thing that has helped, but I feel it is the main thing.
I also kept a food diary for several weeks and identified several foods that seem to trigger my IBS. These days I avoid wheat and gluten, and keep my intake of dairy and refined sugar to an absolute minimum. I also make sure I eat only fiber-rich complex carbohydrates and have five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
These basic steps have helped me to 85% 'recover' from my IBS. I still get attacks, usually when I'm otherwise under the weather or stressed. But I am no longer reliant on stool softeners, narcotics or laxatives to ease my constipation, and no meds or other disgusting supplements to ease my diarrhea. I can leave my house without fear of having an accident. I still carry Imodium with me in case of an attack, but I take two a month, if that.
For me, this much of a recovery is an absolute miracle. For six months in 2002 my IBS was so severe that I was virtually housebound and I had to pad my underwear in case of not getting to the toilet on time. I suffer from ME also, and IBS is an unfortunately common symptom, so I don't expect to ever recover fully. I really recommend that people look into holistic therapies and herbal supplements for treating their IBS. Achieving whole body health can make IBS so much less of a problem.
I still suffer some days, and I have so much empathy for those who suffer more severely and frequently than I do. But please take comfort from this and know not to give up hope: it can take a long time, but IBS can be defeated or eased and you can live again!
E-mail Jennifer: wiccan.insanity[at]gmail.com
The tale of...Anouska
I first developed acute symptoms of IBS when I was 11. In retrospect I know now that it was completely stress-related, having grown up in a very stressful and fearful home environment. My IBS is the type where I get severe intestinal cramps in waves as the diarrhea tries to work its way out. The cramps are so severe that I actually think I am going to pass out. I wonder if childbirth is more painful than this, does anyone have any experience of that to compare? I'm hoping that one bonus to come out of this is that I now have a ridiculously high pain threshold!
I have never found the medical profession to be of much help at all with this illness. I was originally hospitalised at 11 for suspected Crohn's disease, but after exhaustive tests they could not find anything and half-heartedly mentioned IBS, which was very much in its infancy then. I was simply told to eat All Bran every morning! Over the years I developed the symptoms regularly, especially when in unhealthy relationships, and I suffered from extreme daily gas and colic. However after my experience with the doctors I didn't go back as I presumed they could not help.
I am definitely what you would call an emotional type and my IBS was always related to this, in that I was more susceptible to allergies from certain foods in stressful times. Also whenever I was afraid/anxious it would manifest directly in my stomach. However I've done a lot of healing work on myself over the past six years on an emotional, mental and spiritual level and my digestive problems have all but disappeared. Now the symptoms only reappear once or twice a year, mostly when I have been abroad, as every time I go abroad I get constipated and I come home with cramps for a few days from the change in diet. I have been prescribed mebeverine by my doctor which does help.
I also get occasional mystery attacks which I really cannot identify or link to anything - although I do know that I am wheat and especially dairy intolerant. In those situations I just have to rule out any new food that I've been eating and my rule of thumb is to throw away anything that is suspect. Interestingly I have also developed acute allergies in the last six years, such as to nuts, seeds, grass and bleach. These are all triggered especially if I am stressed, and I then need an epipen.
So I do wonder if perhaps I am the type of individual who has been traumatised as a child, and so my body is hyper-vigilant for any irritant or any substance it perceives as a threat? My allergy doctor did also say that it is hereditary to have a malfunctioning immune system where it is overly vigilant - again I do wonder if this is linked, as my IBS seems to be a response to something in my gut it perceives as a threat.
Anyhow since I have focused on my emotional healing through 12-step groups and therapy I rarely ever get IBS attacks and when I do it is directly from a food my gut is allergic too. I rarely have to take medication, I eat very healthily, I don't drink alcohol or coffee, I eat little sugar. I do eat dairy but I have to be careful. I'm very aware of my life choices and how much stress I invite into my life.
I hope this gives you hope. I am now 34 years old and my life is very manageable and my stomach is very happy most of the time. I've learnt to listen to it over the years and learnt to be kinder to myself!
E-mail Anouska: anouska_a[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Carol
It's been at least three years that I've been suffering with this. Like so many stories here, I've been running to every gas station, store restroom, etc. Yesterday I went to lunch with my friends and for the first time didn't have to run right home to the bathroom.
I went to a new doctor who really listened to what I had to say. I had seen a medical show about this woman who had all my symptoms. It turns out she was very low on Vitamin B-12. So I went in for some testing and while I too was low on B-12, the doctor also prescribed Welchol (a cholesterol-lowering drug) to stop the diarrhea. The dose is three pills twice a day. It's only been a few days but it's working! I've only had to take three pills a day so far but you can add fewer or up to six daily if need be.
I got to go shopping right after lunch yesterday without all the stomach churning and feeling of having to find a bathroom fast. I couldn't believe it. So I wanted to share this with your readers to see if maybe this will work for them. Thanks for your web site. It's so good to know others go through this too.
The tale of...Sarah
I suffered from severe cramps and sudden onset beginning in my early 20's. Working full time was miserable. I ordered a book about IBS and read it cover to cover. From that book I took one snippet of information that has changed my life. Take fiber. I began by taking three or four fiber pills a day. Now I have increased fiber in my diet with my meals and I only take two or three fiber pills a day. I am now 31 years old and go about my day in confidence and in control.
E-mail Sarah: shall001[at]satx.rr.com
The tale of...Jennifer
I consider today to be my official diagnosis day. I've always had a sensitive stomach, and I used to think I had IBS-A when I would get my period...so I went on the continual pill and stopped getting my period and things were amazingly good for many, many years. Then I got food poisoning (so bad I had blood in my stool for the first time ever). The next day I went to Mexico for a week. In Mexico my stomach first got better, then worse. By the time I returned to Canada I had constant daily diarrhea.
Two months later I was still having diarrhea almost every day (maybe one or two days a week without it). No alternating this time. My doctor did some tests for parasites and some blood tests to see if I was having an allergic reaction or an autoimmune reaction, and everything came back fine. I got a referral to a GI, but that took a few months since he put in his referral letter (and also told me in a very apologetic way) that he thought I had IBS.
While waiting for my appointment (after I finally realized that this wasn't going to go away easily) I started reading peer-reviewed journal articles and medical textbooks. Man is there a lot that isn't known. Regardless, there are a number of GI specialists out there who don't believe that diarrhea-only IBS is actually a form of IBS (I don't get constipation at all, unless I accidentally overdo the Imodium).
I held on to that belief for a long time. I didn't want to have IBS. Like so many of you I wanted something they could name and fix (fix being the important part). But over the months, while I waited for the appointment, I came to a realization. At this stage the name doesn't matter any more. If they call it IBS or idiopathic chronic diarrhea or some other name, it all means the same thing. There may be some underlying cause/parasite/bacteria/allergy, but at this point it's not something that they can easily test for and treat (considering all of the tests I've had). And so the practical reality is the same, regardless of the name. I need to manage the symptoms myself.
And so I've taken the calcium carbonate and Benefiber. I've cut out all artificial sweeteners and almost all pop (I have the very rare glass). I've limited my alcohol intake (maybe a couple of glasses of wine every month, and definitely not all at once. I don't drink coffee or caffeinated tea, and I've cut out dairy. I've started relaxation training, and I have worked on prioritizing my life and decreasing my worries (not that I've seen a strong link with stress in my case, but it's a good idea regardless).
With all of that I'm down to about two days of diarrhea a week, although I'm still getting a lot of stomach rumbles - the fiber is pretty new, and I think my gut is just getting used to that, and getting used to have solid bowel movements again. Today I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy, and while the doctor took a few biopsy samples, it looked perfectly fine except for a few small hemorrhoids which were causing the bleeding I've been having the last few months.
So as of today it's OK. I'm not going to hide from it and I'm working on not being ashamed of it. I have IBS (or something that's close enough that it doesn't matter - funny how I still need that disclaimer). I don't like it, but I'm grateful that at this point it's become so controllable. I'll keep looking for things that will help, but at this point I'm just grateful for the stage things are at now.
Oh, and a bit of warning for people with chronic diarrhea...if you take Citromag as a colon cleanser before a procedure like a sigmoidoscopy, don’t be surprised if the effects just don’t stop. I’m allowed to eat again, but the food is going straight through me (like it did when I first took the Citromag), and it’s 24 hours later. I’ve kept the food simple, and I have taken some Imodium, so it’s a bit better now...
I think it’ll take a few more doses to get this under control. So just drink plenty of liquids and don’t get too surprised. I didn’t find this as a side effect listed anywhere, but I should have guessed! I mean, it’s the reason I was having the procedure in the first place.
E-mail Jennifer: jenk256[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Nina
I have been lactose intolerant since 1988 and I had the condition under control, meaning I could tolerate yoghurts, cheeses and ice creams. I had very little problems, if any, until February 2008. I'm a Nordic female of 42 years of age. Suddenly I got very ill and had episodes of diarrhea on and off. There was almost a pattern, I was fine for about six days and then I had a really bad case of D which lasted two or three days. My stool was never normal, it was either very soft or just runny (with some explosions mixed in...).
I went to see my GP and after stool and blood tests etc, I was diagnosed with IBS. I then went on the familiar route, by trying the Multibillion acidophilus, probiotic drinks, DiarSafe and the calcium carbonate treatment, which all seemed to work for about a week and then I would have another severe episode of the horrible D. It got so bad that I could not hold anything in, and all drinks and foods consumed would flush straight through me.
After the last episode, having suffered diarrhea and bed-bound for two and a half days I have finally understood to leave ALL dairy out from my diet. This has completely changed my physical condition as after just 48 hours all symptoms of IBS had gone. Just like that.
I can't believe how for so many years I could tolerate some dairy and then suddenly, out of the blue, this all changed?! Since February I had suffered with sinus and ear problems, nausea, terrible gas, grumbling intestines, tiredness, some dizziness, and insomnia to mention but a few. What can I say, I'm cured - life without ANY dairy starts from here.
So to all of you fellow sufferers: please don't give up on trying to find a solution - there must be a reason for your condition and hopefully it is fixable.
E-mail Nina: admin[at]polarheating.co.uk
The tale of...Deirdre
First I would like to thank Sophie for starting this website, and secondly thanks to all you very brave folks out there for sharing! When you have a problem like this, it is true, you never share it with anyone. But I had no idea this many people suffered from IBS.
My Dad's side of the family suffers from stomach problems and anxiety. When I started going through my family history (getting answers was a little hard - like I didn't know my Dad had problems with anxiety until a couple years ago) I started feeling some emotional relief! I thought I was going nuts or having a breakdown of some kind.
I have come to realize my IBS comes in conjunction with stress. I have talked to my GI doctor, and because colon cancer runs in the family I have a colonoscopy every 5 years. I have found that daily exercise, meditation (I read the Bible), and being open with my family about my anxiety and IBS has actually made me feel better. For years I never told anyone I was having panic attacks or IBS symptoms. I was highly embarrassed. But now that my family and friends know, I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Right now I am going through a terrible time with the IBS. I have been under an amazing amount of stress. I talked with my GI doctor today about making an appointment to get on some drugs. I may still take the drugs, but from the past (I go through cycles of IBS) I know that it does eventually pass. I am working on eating better, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms, doing the Lactinex everyday, sticking to a more BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple sauce, toast) and working out.
The other day my husband and I were walking around the neighborhood. I started to feel crampy and actually had to stop a couple times. I kept repeating to myself "It's OK, if something happens I will be OK". One of my greatest fear triggers is going on a long walk because I too lost my bowels. I was so mortified! But I try to decide every day that I can go on, I'll make it, everything is going to be OK. But some days are harder than others.
For all the people who don't support you or understand you, God help them! I have been fortunate that my husband is very supportive, if not, I would probably want to kill myself. You all keep your chins up! Everybody has some poop that hits their fans too.
E-mail Deirdre: chatttalk[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Louise
I'm 27 and from the UK. I've been suffering from IBS for the last three and a half years, coincidently just after I had my second child. During my pregnancy I had severe morning sickness day and night and found it a real struggle to get through most days. Shortly after my daughter was born I started experiencing severe cramping and explosive diarrhea.
This went on on an almost daily basis for around three or four weeks before I saw my doctor, who gave me mebeverine, which seems to calm the cramping but I continued to get the diarrhea. The doctor did a blood test to check for allergies which came back negative for the obvious - dairy, wheat, eggs etc. Through my own elimination process I have found that milk and dairy products are the main problem, and after cutting these out my diarrhea episodes at least halved.
My doctor also mentioned another food sensitivity test I could have done, but I could not get it done on the NHS. I researched this online and found it to be very expensive, but later that week I was walking past a health shop in our high street with a poster in the window for food sensitivity testing and thought I'd give it a go for £39.
It involved a lady who placed what I can only describe as a pen-like metal object onto my finger, and the object was attached to a machine which she then placed small test tubes labelled with different foods on. As she touched my finger with the pen-like thing the machine made a beeping noise and by the sound it made she could tell what foods aggravated me. I was amazed by how accurate it was. The trigger foods I suspected all came up on this test plus a few other surprises.
After going to my doctor on an emergency appointment as I kept getting dizzy and faint, he referred me to a gastro doctor. The dizziness was later found to be the result of dehydration because of the diarrhea, although I do drink plenty. During my consultation I mentioned the food test and he told me it wasn't worth the paper it's written on and I was conned, but I believe it worked. [Sophie's note - this is something called the Vega test, and I'm sorry Louise, but your doctor's right!].
The GI doctor also sent me for a lactose intolerance test which came back negative (the most boring three hours of my life). He's now told me that I have intolerances and to avoid what upsets me, and diagnosed me with IBS. His exact words were "I don't like French films so I avoid them. You should do the same". Some help he was.
I know when I am going to get an attack as during the night I get cramping, and I feel as if my intestines are expanding like a balloon blowing up and then going down, and if I press down on the right-hand side of my tummy I can feel it. It feels like when a baby kicks in your tummy. I wake up the next morning and have to go and can't stop until I take two Imodium. Eating late at night causes problems too.
After three and a half years, after finding most of my trigger foods and avoiding stress as much as possible, although I do still get an attack on average once a week, and more during my period, I can cope with my symptoms better. Imodium is my best friend and I take it as often as I need to.
I feel for anyone who suffers like me, only other sufferers seem to have any sympathy. I am going to try taking calcium next as I completely avoid dairy. If anyone else has any other ideas on a cure feel free to message me. Thanks for reading.
E-mail Louise: lou060381[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Amy
I've had IBS-D for about nine years now (I'm 27) and it basically sucks! It is especially difficult for me as I am a teacher (so I cannot go to the washroom when I need to) and the fact that most people cannot relate and understand what I struggle with adds to the depression of this syndrome. In the last two years I have developed severe anxiety as I am now so afraid of being embarrassed by my stomach acting up that I cannot cope. I am waiting for the day that I can afford therapy for my anxiety.
I have tried many, many things over the years, and I finally found something that helps a lot, is all natural, and is safe for long-term use. It is called Florastor and it is over-the-counter here in Canada. It is basically yeast/bacteria that helps your stomach restore its natural balance. You take it two times a day and I have found it to be quite helpful. I take it with calcium caltrate also twice a day. I find that with this I go to the washroom two or three times in the morning...but after that, that's usually it for the day. Mind you, I watch what I eat for any trigger foods, etc.
My next goal is to try to add digestive enzymes to this mix of things I take. I really want to keep my treatments as natural as possible since this is a very long-term syndrome.
The tale of...Ali
I just would like to say a big thank you to this site. I was diagnosed with IBS about six months ago and the first four were hell. I considered giving up my job, my social life nearly stopped, and I was being really quick-tempered with my kids, all due to the awful pain, cramps and diarrhea I was suffering from. The doc did not understand how much this was affecting me and at one point put me on steroids, which resulted in me being constipated and again doubled up in pain, but he thought that was a good thing as at least I didn't have D.
After several lots of tablets from him, in desperation I turned to the internet and found this site. Thank you. I started taking Caltrate (calcium carbonate) which is pretty hard to get in the UK. After I would say three weeks of getting the dose right my life has changed. I sometimes have a little pain in the mornings, but I normally go once or twice when I get up, then I am normally fine for the rest of the day.
I cannot thank everyone who recommended it enough. My heart goes out to the people out there who have not found any help yet. If you suffer from D and haven't tried this yet give it a try, you have nothing to lose.
E-mail Ali: alexandra.wright[at]tiscali.co.uk
The tale of...Lynn
I have been an IBS sufferer for 30 years. Although I have missed some traveling, I decided long ago not to allow anything to impact my life and stop me from living! Life is too short and I have friends who have basically become housebound because of their infirmities, no matter what they are.
I have found that here and abroad, no one will deny you use of a loo if you simply say "Please, this is an emergency". In 30 years, I have never had an accident because I couldn't get to a bathroom. However, I do have an emergency Port-a-Potty (get it in any durable medical supply store) in a tote in the car with a towel, extra underwear and handwipes. Just the comfort of knowing that it is there is enough to not go through the panic attacks.
Also, simply make yourself aware of where all public bathrooms are wherever you are. I have been in board meetings and just excused myself to use the loo, even in the middle of a meeting. You would be surprised at how many people understand an emergency, especially when you just say the words. In other words, IBS is a terrible thing, but no disease should stop you from living. You are not alone...just look at this website!
E-mail Lynn: lrkaplan[at]optonline.net
The tale of...Tammy
I have had symptoms of IBS for three years. I couldn't even eat a grape without getting cramps. I had my gallbladder removed two years ago and the symptoms got worse. I don't have any health insurance so the doctors just guess at what I have. One doctor said it was from my gallbladder not working, and one said it was IBS.
Finally a doctor put me on Colestid three times a day, and it has worked wonders. It is for cholesterol, but it also has something to do with bile. It is not really that expensive and it has made my life a lot easier. I still have tenderness and I get a sore feeling in my stomach sometimes, but if I take the Colestid as directed I can eat without worries. It is definitely worth checking into.
E-mail Tammy: ting190[at]aol.com
The tale of...Lisa
I am 26 years old, and my first experience with IBS was when I was 17. I got very sick while I was out with my boyfriend at the time (he is now my husband). Long story short...I had it for six months to a year the first time, and then it eased up for a while and I didn't start having it again until years later.
I have been diagnosed with it. I have had endoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and a full colonoscopy. I have had stool studies, tons of blood work and been through hell, all for yet another doctor to tell me that I, along with many other women out there, have IBS.
When I first had it, after months of being afraid to go out, because I would get diarrhea, I decided that I must be making myself sick. I kept a food journal and wrote down everything that I ate all day long. I noticed some things that would bother me that I never thought about before. Not just dairy, but greasy food, things that weren't really that spicy but were too much for me, and little things like pizza sauce or thousand island dressing (that kills me!).
Anyway, I eventually just stopped having episodes. Then of course years later they popped up again. I got to the point that I hated the way I was. I felt like I was young and should be out enjoying my life, instead of being stuck at home, afraid to go out, because as soon as I got a certain distance away from home I would feel that old familiar cramping, burning feeling that told me I was gonna get sick.
I really like my medical doctor that I am seeing now. He takes the time and talks to me about my problem. He said that it is safe to take Imodium to prevent diarrhea. He jokingly told me that I should have a baby, because that would stop me from worrying about myself. Then I decided that he was right. Why do I worry about getting sick all the time? What was the one thing that started all this?
I sat down and thought it over. The first time I got sick, I had broken up with my first love for my now husband. Us women are so emotionally attached to people that even though it is the right move, we still have a very hard time letting go and moving on without carrying around the stress of the past. I realized that I stopped being sick when I got over him.
So, years later me and my husband went through a hard time, where I was very stressed out. Shortly afterwards, I started getting sick again. So, a lot of the reason that I have gotten sick and stayed sick in the past is because there is something that is bothering me. It sounds crazy, but if there's something that you have been through that really has bothered you, whether it was a divorce, marriage problems, children, jobs...whatever - you may not realize just how stressed out you are, because you just keep working and keep going through it.
But stress does manifest itself in some way, and many times, that way is through gastric upset and sickness. Think about it...haven't you ever made yourself sick worrying over a presentation you had to make in front of the class, or a trip you have to take? Ever notice that when you are off work and at home and relaxed, without stress, knowing that you don't have to go anywhere, you don't get sick on the days when you can stay home. You get sick right before you go to work, or an appointment, or anything new or out of the ordinary that worries you.
We sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes do it to ourselves. We usually can't help it, but we do. Although IBS is pretty much chronic, and I will always have occasional flare-ups, I don't have to let them control my life. I have learned that when I am going down the road, almost at my destination, and I feel that cramping, burning feeling that I am all too well familiar with, I just take deep breaths and tell myself that I can do this. It's going to be alright and I am stronger than this.
I think about what is the worst thing that could happen (I have had panic attacks in the past too) and I decide that the worst thing is that I will get diarrhea and have to go to the bathroom. It's not going to kill me, It's no big deal. There are tons of women out there like me, and it is OK if I have to go to the bathroom. Once you feel this way about it, it's like it doesn't have this power over you anymore.
You control your mind and your thoughts. Your mind controls your body. You can make your condition worse by freaking out and panicking about it, or you can take control of it, and make it through it. I know a lot of people out there will disagree with me and think that they've tried everything, and haven't been able to control it, but I wanted to share my story and tell you that I too went through a period - long periods - where I felt hopeless and even became depressed.
But I am stronger than that and so are you. I am working full time and living a normal life, and have a happy marriage, because I made it through it. I didn't dwell on the worrying, I pushed through it and took control of it.
E-mail Lisa: Lhwhitesides[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Guinnivere
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this site. I can't tell you what a relief it has been to hear everyone else's stories. Special thanks to Adrienne in the sad tales section who mentioned splenic/hepatic flexure syndrome.
I had been suffering from the usual IBS terrible cramps, but I also felt this heaviness and pain in my chest that seemed like I was having a heart attack. After an embarrassing ambulance trip to the ER in the middle of dinner with friends, I have officially had my heart checked seven times over the last 12 years at ERs across the USA. I swear no-one with a healthy heart has been on a heart monitor more times than I have. Of course, the heart pains go away as soon as I pass a lot of gas or go to the bathroom.
I have been so confused and all of my friends have dubbed me "the resident hypochondriac" because I always seem to think I'm having a heart attack. I have had these syndromes along with IBS for about 15 years...and I am now 34. I should have known it was the IBS...everything that's ever wrong with me is because of this IBS. I'm putting this in the happy section because I'm happy to know the chest pains weren't all in my head.
Some questions: does everyone else live on antacids like Tums? It's the only thing that helps quell my cramps...of course I have to eat nearly an entire roll. I have Tums in my purse, in my car, at my house, and in my travel bags...just in case.
I have read tons of stories where people suffer from unexpected diarrhea, and although I get that occasionally, what I usually experience is intense cramping, intense abdominal pain, increased heart rate, dizziness and immediate weakness, and this goes on for an hour or more as I belch, pass gas, and feel every twist and turn as gas passes through my intestines...and I eat Tums or it goes into a full-blown panic attack. Does anyone else get more of the painful gas like this that doesn't always result in a bowel movement?
Good luck to everyone...feel free to email me.
E-mail Guinnivere: gogogypsy[at]gmail.com
The tale of...Carol
I am a 62 year-old Australian woman, and I have had this problem since 1994. What I have found is that nerves appear to be the first thing that trigger the problem. I also find that MSG (a flavour enhancer used a lot in Chinese foods) and chilli are triggers as well. Lots of foods like tinned soups can contain MSG, and reactions from this can take minutes.
Upon my husband's transfer to the UK in 2000 I had to have surgery, and the subject of IBS came up with the surgeon. He stated that there is no such thing, there is always an underlying problem in the gut. I have to admit I am now finding out what can affect me personally, and lactose is one thing that I stay clear of. Also it appears that a lack of biotin and the multivitamin Bs can cause the runs.
Some IBS attacks are very traumatic, so much so that I have had to go to emergency in the local hospital as my pulse rate went over 122. I passed out and cannot remember one and a half hours, and I was dehydrated.
It stands to reason that when the body hates something and wishes to get rid of it violently all the minerals and vitamins are going to get washed down the toilet too. These need replacing, so I keep handy Megadophilus, a large dose of lactobacillus organisms. Very good for going travelling when different water is alien to our bodies.
I am no expert, but I have continually researched what is good for my body, and what assistance I can give my body. Having had three colonoscopies and bowel x-rays I delight in finding what affects my own problems, as I feel this continual sensitivity to some foodstuffs and colorants triggers off side effects and leaves the body with an unbalanced flora.
Diagnosed with a heart valve problem some years ago, I was for years given mega-doses of antibiotics that turned my flora upside down, and I am sure this was the beginning of my problems. As it turned out five years later the diagnosis was wrong, and my heart valve did not have a problem!
I can only finish in saying that if I was able to put the clock back I would restrict my intake of antibiotics, I would keep Megadophilus handy when travelling, and I would eat as many natural products as possible. The sprays farmers put on our crops do have an effect on our bodies after several years. For that reason I much prefer to eat organic vegetables, fruits and manufactured cereals, and it does help me.
E-mail Carol: waadin[at]bigpond.net.au
The tale of...Jan
I am 28 and I have been recently diagnosed with IBS. It all started in November 2004 when I was out with friends. We had been for a pizza and we were going on to a club. We stopped off at a bar and all of a sudden I needed the loo. It was a pretty crowded bar so this made me panic. Luckily, I was able to make it to the loo on time - several times over! In the end I had to ring my dad and get him to pick me up; by the time he arrived there couldn't have been anything left in me.
I treated this as a one-off, but sure enough a week later I was going to a friend's house with my boyfriend and we had to stop off at the local supermarket, where I spent a good half an hour in the toilet. I got my boyfriend to take me home and spent the rest of the night by the loo. I was gutted. It is then that I decided to go to the doctor as I had never had toilet problems before. (Needless to say that after the second attack I was afraid of going out again).
The first doctor said I was probably stressed and it was when I began to relax (at the weekends) that everything else relaxed too - including my bowel. This was plausible since my job has a reputation for being incredibly stressful, but I did not feel stressed as I enjoyed it.
Over the next few months I saw three other doctors who all had a go at prescribing a different anti-spasmodic each. None of these worked. I found out about Imodium - having never had diarrhea previously I had never heard of it. It turned out to be my saviour, especially in getting me to work.
After a while I had not improved and I was relying on a daily dose of Imodium to get me out of the house. I couldn't understand how I had gone from being very regular and 'normal' to this! So I went back to the doctor because I really wanted a second opinion and I was worried about the amount of Imodium I was taking. She passed me on to a specialist who said that a daily dose of Imodium was fine, but the liquid version would be better as you can get the dosage more accurate.
The specialist then refered me to a dietician who put me on a low fiber diet (she was meant to put me on an elimination diet). The low fiber diet worked thankfully, but not to any great extent as I was still getting diarrhea and taking Imodium (although these had reduced from every day to on average twice a week). I went back to the doctor as I had developed bleeding, and she sent me back to the specialist who, after subjecting me to a colonoscopy (it's not actually that bad - the worst part is the taste of the bowel cleanser), sent me back to the head dietician with strict instructions.
The elimination diet made me worse, even when I was using Imodium (almost daily) as well. I kept with it just in case but she took me off it straight away when I went back for a check-up. It turned out I was severely allergic to soya (which had been one of the few things I was allowed to eat on the diet, so I had been consuming more than usual), and intolerant to dairy. I was also advised to leave out monosodium glutamate and yeast.
This was all diagnosed last month. After three years of diarrhea I am now combatting the psychological dramas that come with the urgency of needing the loo (or next bush) ie: panic attacks. I have developed these in the last three years which has made it all worse - even though I have left the offending ingredients out of my diet I still panic in case I do feel ill when I am out - I have become so used to it.
I cannot go to crowded places in case there aren't enough toilets or there's a queue. I have not had an accident yet but I am prepared: I have an 'emergency pack' which fits in my nice, fashionable, large handbag. It contains: Imodium Plus and Instants (normal Imodium doesn't work with me - I am told this is because they work in different ways), wet wipes, lots of tissues, and a plastic bag (and my car also contains a large ice cream container for traffic jams). I am also about to take up hypnotherapy. I will let you know how this goes.
The tale of...Louise
I was sitting here this evening thinking: "Ouch! Why are you hurting tummy? There is nothing wrong with you!" I typed "Fix my IBS" into Google with the hope that someone had finally come up with a miracle cure, but sadly no such luck. I did come across this site though, which has made me realise I am not alone.
I really feel for those who are terribly affected by IBS because I thankfully can have days when I am unaffected. I am 19 years old and I have had IBS since I was 15. It first started during my mock GCSE exams - I sat in the examination room with terrible cramps, and desperately needing the toilet. It was awful and most embarassing to have diarrhea at school!
When I was diagnosed the school arranged for me to sit my exams in a separate room, and this eased my sypmtoms a lot. My IBS is mainly triggered through stress, although I find eating and sleeping well a key as well as avoiding alcohol (tough as I enjoy a drink!).
I have days when I want to shut myself away forever but I can't let this beat me. I find going for a drive useful because you can not think about it anymore. As soon as I think about it it starts again!
I managed my GCSES and A levels, achieving high grades, and I am now at university and loving it. My IBS has affected me and lectures terrify me, the thought of that silent lecture hall where people can hear my stomach and I have no easy escape to a bathroom! But I managed last year, only missing a few, and I'm not giving up the life I love this year!
I never thought I could have a boyfriend and to be honest when I first started seeing mine I thought the IBS would end it. Spending the night together did upset my stomach but he has been great and the more we're together the better it is. In fact I went to stay at his house for a week, thought I would need the bathroom all the time, but it was like I wasn't even a sufferer! I was amazed! I'm at home for the summer and I am working as a cashier, and it's fine when we're busy as my mind is occupied. If I don't stress then I am fine.
I still go clubbing, see my friends etc. My advice is to let your friends know. It may be embarrassing but it will ease your anxiety, and they will understand if you need the toilet! I hope that I will eventually beat this horrible condition, it really does affect everything, constantly thinking "I can't do this because it will affect my stomach".
Krispy Kreme doughnuts are ones to avoid! I've been in casualty in pain because of them! I hope that everyone can find a way to deal with their IBS, and if people were open about it more, maybe we would all relax about our condition.
E-mail Louise: angelblue[at]qguides.com