IBS? What kind-

[tnade]

Just wondering for those who have ibs, how many of us have constipation vs loose stools? How many are taking meds? What kind? What is working?

Thanks for any input !!

[WendyKay]

I have both C and D. No meds, just trying to eat enough fiber and drink enough water.

Wendy

[Eva35]

Hi

I tend to get either way. Either constipated, or loose. Just depends.............

Eva

[shenacat]

True IBS is actually a combination of the two. You have periods of constipation, followed by periods of loose stools. The transition between the two is often painful and explosive. There is a lot of tummy rumbling after meals, which can be somewhat embarassing. You often have feelings like you just gotta fart, but it ain't coming!

Loose stools in themselves are often caused by specific things that can be cured, as is simple constipation. (Good news, right?)

It is often related to hormone issues. A menstrual cycle has widely varying hormones and many women w/IBS notice trends, like constipation after ovulation and before a period, and loose stools during/after a period and before ovulation.

[tnade]

Just started taking levsin again. That and fiber and more water.

[tnade]

I am so surprised that more people haven't responded to this seeing as how many people have ibs when I searched the post of what else have you been diagnosed with...............
hmmmmmmmm......... come on ladies, please help me out here........ I've now been off work, well today will be the third day, of constant loose stools and belly pain!! Levsin isn't helping too much and I just started w/benefiber.......

[Barbi Cee]

I have had IBS for many years, but it almost seems like I have gone into "remission" as of the last 6 years or so.

When I am suffering I have diarrhea and terrible cramps. Occasionally, I've had alternating bouts of constipation followed by diarrhea. Now that I am PG I am dealing with constipation all the time. I have increased the fiber in my diet, and I also take Citrucel 1-2 times a day, it is much gentler than Metamucil!

In the past I've been on Levsin, Levsinex (time release) and all of the following stomach acid reducers: Axid, Zantac, Prilosec, and Prevacid. The Prevacid/Levsin combo seemed to work especially well for me. I also went on BCP shortly after finishing these meds and I think it helped the most.

I am almost definite that my IBS is hormonal. It really reversed itself once I went on the bcp. When I went off BCPs after 7 years and found out I had PCOS, my IBS was back in full swing.
HTH,
Barbara

[DianeJ]

I haven't been "officially" dx with IBS - but after reading these symptoms, I just know I got it.

Last year when I started taking iron in a ferrous sulfate form, my doc prescribed me a couple of things, one being the usual colace. I never took that. The other one was polycarbophil - and it worked wonders! I've never been so regular in my life! I still get a few bouts of diarrhea around AF, but that's it. I ran out of the polycarb. about a month ago - and the new place I go to doesn't have it - and never really told me what it was so I could buy an OTC version. I didn't even know the full name WAS polycarbophil; prescription bottle only said "calc polycarb" - I had to do a LOT of research. Anyway, in the past month, I've been miserable, bouts of both. So - after doing some research I found out that what I had had prescribed to me was the same stuff in FiberCon - it's a bulk-fiber laxative. Bought some (actually bought Walgreen's version - cheaper and same ingredients). And I'm better again after only about 3 days on it.

FiberCon has info on their website specifically geared towards IBS; it says that most products for IBS usually only relieve one symptom whereas they address both concerns: http://www.fibercon.com/ibs/help.asp

Just something to look into. It might help.

Hope you feel better soon!

[mr bump]

I get spasms and then either very loose stools or normal ones but it's a case of I feel ok one moment and then I have GOT to go - no warning. this happens every morning and whenever I am really stressed about something. Cola and eggs and orange juice cause this too

I get Meberevine which does help if I take it properly, I have also started taking 2 x 'non-dairy Acidophilus' complex daily - and I take another 2 after a bout if I feel I need it - this is really helping me.

[loofah]

I have it bad both ways at times, sometimes in the same day LOL




I take anti diarheoa pills when i absolutely have to.