Any IBS/IBD sufferers here?

[Geekbabe]

need tips on managing bad flare up please

 

[Scouzer]

IBS here...well, for now. I keep pushing my doctor for more testing in regards to it...maybe it's something else.

As for flare up...I always have a massive stock of laxative, pepto, metamucil, and anti-diarehha goodies in my cabinet. When it's flare up time, they are my candy.

No other useful tips though... don't avoid going though or it just gets worse. I do that a lot...

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Bentyl. I've been taking it whenever I get a flare up for about 4 years now, and it works wonders. Other than that, I have found that holding your breath as long as you can, and then releasing slowly helps a lot.

 

[nonameo]

Are you sure you have IBS? My mom was first diagnosed with IBS, but was later found to have celiac disease.

But... it's pretty rare, so you probably don't have that.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: nonameo
Are you sure you have IBS? My mom was first diagnosed with IBS, but was later found to have celiac disease.

But... it's pretty rare, so you probably don't have that.

It's much more common if you're of Irish descent.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: nonameo
Are you sure you have IBS? My mom was first diagnosed with IBS, but was later found to have celiac disease.

But... it's pretty rare, so you probably don't have that.

It's much more common if you're of Irish descent.

I am of irish descent. I had some preliminary stuff done but it looks like it time for a more extensive workup.I'm not a doctor runner or pill taker but was a hair's breath away from an ER visit this weekend.I've got RX lomtil and am praying I can get thru work tomorrow.I thought I was going to die in the restroom earlier today.

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: nonameo
Are you sure you have IBS? My mom was first diagnosed with IBS, but was later found to have celiac disease.

But... it's pretty rare, so you probably don't have that.

It's much more common if you're of Irish descent.

I am of irish descent. I had some preliminary stuff done but it looks like it time for a more extensive workup.I'm not a doctor runner or pill taker but was a hair's breath away from an ER visit this weekend.I've got RX lomtil and am praying I can get thru work tomorrow.I thought I was going to die in the restroom earlier today.

an endoscopy is the only thing that can give you a sure negative AFAIK.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

You should ask your gastroenterologist if he/she can put you on Librium. That has been known to help IBS sufferers.

It is also called Librax. It has an antispasmotic and antianxiety combined, and also helps block the acid secretion of the gastrointestinal tract.

 

[Tipsy Turtle]

Go get yourself some Aloe Vera juice from a reputable whole foods or health foods store.

Drink 4 ounces twice a day. It will help.

I was diagnosed in 2001 and suffered through all kinds of pain, medication and other treatments until my wife's grandfather told me about Aloe Vera juice last year. Since starting to take it I haven't had a single flare up.

 

[JJChicken]

take care. One thing I found helpful when I am sick is to think I'm healthy. It does wonders.

 

[MisterJackson]

Speak of the devil....I just shat myself on my way into work this morning!!!

 

[LeonarD26]

I have ulcerative colitis and it can be a bitch. It seems to be seasonal for me (spring and fall are the worst) and can also be brought on by stress or when I get sick (weakened immune system?) It hasn't been bad for me in about 2 years though. I would lose a lot of blood, and also lose a decent amount of weight. A low residue diet helped and I would also take Asacol, which helped some. Good luck.

 

[mrjminer]

I have ulcerative colitis. Sucks to have when you're 22, but I've only had one flare--the one that got me diagnosed.

Coming from someone who went to two doctors and had two ER visits without anyone finding anything wrong, go to a gastrointestinal specialist doctor and get an endoscopy. Don't worry, you won't feel 'it' afterwards.

If you've already been diagnosed, go to your doctor and get some meds or something.

I don't know what meds I'm taking, but I don't really take them all the time like I'm supposed to. One is something like azulsulfadine and the other is some little white one.

 

[Wapp]

ATOT: Offering IBS support since 1998.

 

[jhayx7]

My wife has it. A change in diet has helped a ton. Meat was causing problems (esp. red meat) so we became vegetarian.. sort of... We still eat fish (which is ok for her tummy). Stay away from spicey foods as well. It seems that if she goes a while without eating (skips breakfast and lunch) and then eats dinner, it makes her upset.

 

[nakedfrog]

shinerburke mentioned that drinking aloe vera juice has been very effective in helping with his Crohn's disease.

 

[49erinnc]

I have Crohn's and for me, diet/exercise play a huge role in controlling it. I avoid a lot of dairy products, nuts, super spicy foods and excessive alcohol. And I work out at least 3 days a week. Seems to help a lot but I still have to take my meds (Imuran/Entocort). Alcohol consumption/dairy are the worst for me though. If I drink a milkshake or drink a few liquor drinks, I may as well roll a TV into the bathroom the next day.

 

[patentman]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
need tips on managing bad flare up please

Buy lots of TP.

 

[dennilfloss]

I have IBS. It's common as a tag-along for people with ME-CFS. :|

 

[eits]

my best friend has it.

try prednisone, prozac, relaxation exercises, and chiropractic care. it helps my best friend a ton.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

I have serious stomach and abdominal discomfort. i get it everyday and its so bad and embarrassing. I'm on my third GI doctor and had all sorts of exams. They are still saying no IBD but some form of IBS with something else they can't figure out.

 

[apepooooop]

I have had crohns for 15+ years, I would say monitor your diet and keep track of what bothers you, typically people will have problems with dairy, spicy, high residue foods(fibery stuff and steak), and alcohol. And most defiantly keep communication with your gastroenterologist, if things aren't getting better they should be giving you more drugs (steriods like prednisone and entocort are fairly quick working) or running more tests and if it is really bad, you should be able to get pain killers (vicadin, codeine). Never wait to see the doctor because you think it might pass, copays are cheap. I have also taken Hyoscyamine to calm down spasoming intestines. I also like to drink calming teas, and I have heard "herbal" supplements help (if you know what I mean).

 

[Mark R]

You need to clarify whether you mean IBS or IBD. The two are totally different although, the symptoms may be only subtly different, they have totally treatments; what is recommended for one is unlikely to help the other.

Anyone offering any advice without specifying the condition is unlikely to be competent to give such advice. And yes, there is some pretty bad advice meeting that fits this condition in this thread.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Diet is a biggie, although I don't have the foggiest idea what's good and what's bad as I think they differ from person to person.

I think I'm going to try that Aloe Vera Juice though....find it @ a Natural Foods Store?

<--- IBS sufferer for years.

 

[FreshPrince]

my dad thought he had IBS for years until he finally saw his doctor...

he gave him some pills that he had to take for a week and it fixed what every ailment he had...

now he can have a normal meal and not worry about pooping it out within an hour.