IBS (Spastic Colon)

[lindaM]

Does anyone else suffer from this? I used to have alot of bouts with it. But for the last 4-5 weeks its been awful. I'm wondering if anyone is on any meds for it.

I went to the doctor and they gave me a med to stop the spasing but it doesn't stop all the other symstoms. I've lost 12 pounds in one month (people this week have asked me if I feel okay because I really can't loose 12 pounds I'm down to 117 and my clothes are hanging off me.) and it just hurts all the time. She said it's probably hormonal imbalance and once I go through a cycle it should improve. Augh just want it to stop.

Thanks to anyone else who suffers with it.

[littlesista06]

Linda, I'm no help with med. advice, but I hope it passes soon and you get some relief.

[AnnW]

Have they talked about steroids? That would also help with the weight loss
In searching for my ds, I found this site..it might help you, lots of info
http://www.panix.com/~ibs/

[Leigh]

{{{LINDA}}} Sorry, I am no help either, but I hope you find relief soon.

[BevJ]

Hi Linda. I suffer from IBS as well. Haven't been properly diagnosed, but the doctor has suggested it. I try to control mine mostly with diet. The last couple of days I've been suffering a bit too, but I haven't been eating properly (taking advantage of the fact that now that the students are gone I "can" go to the bathroom whenever I want). Yesterday was pretty bad, but I did have Poutine for lunch . I actually found that after my colonoscopy last summer, I've not been suffering as often. I hope you find some relief soon, I know how awful it can be.

[Diane]

Sorry... I am no help either, but I also hope that you find some relief soon. {{{{{{{Linda}}}}}}}

Diane...

[MK]

Linda, I am so sorry you're suffering so. I can totally relate; my dh had IBS for six years. I had to modify every recipe, couldn't buy any prepackaged "instant" foods, had to read the labels of everything carefully, and when we did eat out, there were very few places we could go, and where we did we had to explain to the smartest worker we could find what he couldn't have in his food, and if they had had contact with the offending items, they had to change their gloves and clean any food prep surfaces. The reason for this is that even trace amounts of onion, pickles, garlic, pepper, etc. would cause not only excruciating pain and spasms, but bleeding as well.

There were no medications that helped with this, although Nexium (the purple pill) helped with the GERD that was also related to the IBS. Sometimes we found when he had really super bad attacks, that bland, soothing "comfort" foods tended to help a bit: broth, mashed potatoes, jello, and believe it or not, dark beer! (not light beer, only the dark seemed to have the soothing stuff, particularly an oatmeal stout)

I'm glad to say dh has been miraculously healed, and now he can eat whatever he wants. But he sure did suffer before, and it was awful. Take care, I hope you feel better real soon!

[Marla]

Linda, I'm sorry that you are having to go through all this.

[lindaM]

Thank you for all the suggestions!