IBS Tales Home > Read The Tales > Happy Tales: Men with IBS-D Page Six
happy tales: men with ibs-d page six
The tale of...Gary (25 August 2009)
I have had IBS-D for over 50 years. Opioids and anti-spasmodics work to a certain level but have dire side effects. Diazepam should be in the tool kit. So should hyosophen. But these are rarely used. Some days are extremely conducive to IBS-D.
I took part in phase I and II trials for Lotronex in late 1999. Lotronex was approved and used, but then it was pulled from the market. I use it now off label. In early 2000 I took part in phase I and II trials for cilansetron. I think that this is a much better treatment for IBS-D, but the brains at FDA think otherwise. They obviously have not experienced IBS-D for themselves.
My protocol is 1mg Lotronex in the morning, 20mg dicyclomine at noon and 1mg Lotronex at 6pm. It is not perfect but makes a huge positive difference. My alternate protocol is 1mg in the morning, 1mg at noon and 20mg dicyclomine at 6pm. Which protocol is used is based on a 'gut feeling'. Travel is possible now and life is better.
E-mail Gary: [email protected]
The tale of...Deepak (10 January 2010)
I was diagnosed with IBS about 14 years ago after a colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy. The tests were repeated after five years with the same results, essentially saying that there is no problem and you have an increased intestinal motility. However with every passing day the situation was getting worse, with five to 10 loose motions every day, bloating and gas along with other symptoms.
I asked my GI specialist about all possible causes including celiac disease. The answer was always that celiac is rare in India. However I finally decided to go on a completely gluten-free diet. To my relief I am observing a week-by-week improvement in symptoms. Although it's still far away from getting back to normal there is considerable improvement. To me it's clear after 14 years of suffering that my IBS-D could be gluten intolerance. My IGg blood tests are normal so at the moment I have non-celiac gluten intolerance.
E-mail Deepak: [email protected]
The tale of...Spike (15 February 2010)
Hey, I'm a representative for the men who suffer from IBS...yes, we too are diagnosed with IBS. I'm a 35 year-old USA veteran from Somalia, Iraq (two tours) and Afghanistan. So I don't have to tell you that stress is part of my life. I was also diagnosed with PTSD. I was suffering with bloating, cramps and occasional runs, but then I started to feel a pain on the left side of my abdomen that made me feel like I was about to faint. I found out that this is called 'vasovagal'.
Anyway, I had an endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan and a HIDA test. After a lot of visits to the ER and MD offices I was finally diagnosed with IBS. Librax and Protonix came into my life and now I'm free, finally free to be myself again and be the father that I want to be. I can go to the park with my son, be normal. So if there any doubters out there, don't worry - Librax has given me my smile back!
E-mail Spike: [email protected]
The tale of...Dat (6 April 2010)
I have read with interest about the IBS sufferers' experiences and I really identify with the stories. I have had Crohn's/IBS for 30 years. I noted no-one has mentioned preservatives? I found, by the process of elimination, that preservatives in foods really ensure a guaranteed 'crash' for me. Over the years, I have learned to read the labels and avoid preservatives...all kinds that are manmade.
Sugar and salt are good preservatives that I can tolerate but not nitrites in bacon and preserved meats, and the 221 and the 223 and the sulfites and benzoates that are added to foods and drinks. If I am very vigilant, I can go through two weeks without pain at all, until the next trip-up...although the bloating and the wind are still there. That, by anybody's standard, is very tolerable, although not quite socially friendly. I hope this may be of help to someone out there.
The tale of...Bob (9 June 2010)
I developed IBS symptoms at 13. I lived with it until age 34. As I remember I had seen GI specialists a few times. Every time I saw a doctor they kept doing endoscopies and colonoscopies. The results were negative, and there is no problem with my GI system...the problem they say is 'IBS'. I have a problem that I need to clear my stomach before I go anywhere, and I am sometimes worried about stomach pain if I go anywhere. Until now I did not get married because I was scared of this problem. I also don't meet anyone and I don't go anywhere by bus.
Someone asked me to see a psychiatrist, and I did tell the doctor everything without hiding anything. He told me I had agoraphobia and gave me a medicine called Lexapro or escitalopram. I wasn't sure about it at first but after a few days taking this medicine I felt like I had gained back my life. This medicine solved my problem 95%, and I don't have any worries like I did before. Lexapro also solved my generalized anxiety disorder.