topic Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU? in Wellness

IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 04:54:35 GMT

I have IBS and am wondering what works best for this condition?

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

Foxxee — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 13:47:34 GMT

Has your doctor prescribed any medication for you? There is some specifically for this disorder. Don't know if it works on everyone, but worth a try.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

Slainte — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 10:38:17 GMT

My gastro recommended IBgard peppermint oil capsules which have really helped. He also suggested a low FODMAPS diet. https://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/what-is-fodmap#1 I read up about it and started the diet. Within a week I noticed a difference in how I felt. Monash University in Australia and King's College London have very good websites and apps for following low FODMAPS. The diet is restrictive, but you do see results if you follow it. It's becoming the first line of treatment for IBS.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

KingstonsMom — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 10:44:22 GMT

@fortune

DD has had IBS w/constipation (IBS-C) for most of her life and has taken both Linzess and Amitiza.

She found the Amitiza to be too harsh to take every day as prescribed (turned to diarrhea), so her Dr. put her on a lower dose Linzess and it works very well for her, without throwing her system in the opposite direction.

Talk to your Dr. and he can probably give you samples of each to try, to see which works better for you.

Hoping you find relief and wishing you the best!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

SilleeMee — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:30:42 GMT

I've been taking berberine. Improving my gut health is only one benefit of taking that supp. There are several others but I won't go into those here.

Berberine, for me, works mostly for my bouts of diarrhea. But it has also helped my bouts of constipation because that supp seems to even things out for me. Generally, however, berberine is mostly used as a treatment for IBS-D.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

itsmagic — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 11:50:02 GMT

Per my doctor’s instruction, I drink a tablespoon of original Metamucil mixed in water every evening (stay away from the flavored Metamucil that has Aspertane). It takes a couple weeks to get used to it but it works. You can ask your doctor about it.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

sidsmom — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 11:50:49 GMT

Low Fat Plant Based Whole Food Eating.

Even though supplements might help,

nothing will help if the wrong foods are ingested.

‘Spastic colon’ or the ‘sense of urgency’ is one of the major reasons

why I adopted this lifestyle. Throughout the decades, I could tie back

by issues with a higher fat diet.

In the 80s/90s if I lost weight doing Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers,

it always got better (I was eating lower fat to lose weight)

even though I was still consuming meat. Better...but it always

came back when I stopped the diet.

In the 90s, when I discovered Dr. John McDougall, not only did my

issues go away due to the low fat, but my weight dropped without

effort..and eating lots of food.

In the 00s, though, I started to eat lots more PB fats, including the

new Vegan processed foods...and some of the issues started to

show up again. As soon as I went 100% LFWFPB, issues went away.

I began to learn more about the Gut Biome...where it all made sense.

The biome doesn’t thrive in a fatty environment...and meat/dairy/eggs

causes so much inflammation to the gut lining.

If Low Fat is good, Low Fat Plant Based is better, than

Low Fat Whole Food Plant Based is the Gold Standard.

Dr. McDougall’s website will have the information, meal plans,

grocery lists, success stories. Free...no need to buy anything.

If you do want a book, he does address the gut specifically in

his Digestive Tune-Up. Food made ALL the difference

with me....just sharing what worked..and WORKS for me.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

cherry — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:38:55 GMT

You also might try a probiotic. Mine was caused by medication and it really made a difference for me

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

software — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 14:46:23 GMT

@fortune wrote:
I have IBS and am wondering what works best for this condition?

What kind of symptoms are you having?

I was diagnosed with Crohns & every day is different but I mostly suffer from diarrhea, constipation & extreme gas.

Metamucil is my friend. My doctor suggested more fiber and I can't eat enough to make a difference. Eating fiber is difficult for me. But the Metamucil is perfect.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

Fressa — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 14:54:41 GMT

When I started with this condition I purchased the OTC Mylanta tablets or Zantac tablets. It gave me some releif. I found peppermint anything (especially tea) or spearmint tea helped soothe my system at night or after dinner. Check your diet and what foods you are eating on a regular basis. You will find spicy foods will irritate a bit. I did a food diary quite a few times to track what I was eating during some bad "spurts" with my condition. It gives you informtion that might help.

See a doctor and make sure you are both in agreement on the treatment. If not, then see another doctor. It may take a few times before you find the one that works for you and your condtition in it's current state.

Good Luck!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

Still Raining — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 18:31:53 GMT

If it is just IBS D, try the FODMAP elimination system.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

sassenach1 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 18:42:40 GMT

I've had IBS since college. I found an excellent gastroenterologist and had the appropriate tests done. He gave meds to for the issue plus recommended Metamucil twice daily. Back then, Metamucil only came in powder form. He said that many people with IBS would not need him if they took Metamucil and lots of water every day. I've stuck to that faithfully for many years now. And, he was absolutely right. I haven't used powder in years - I take the capsules now. I take about 8 capsules three times a day. (Bottle has the dosage.) Tons of water throughout the day. And, it has made a huge difference. The few times I've run out and had to go without, IBS kicks in again.

Recently, daughter and cousin finally took this advice. They each take a probiotic and Metamucil. Cousin called me to thank me and that her life has changed in a good way.

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

sidsmom — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:14:14 GMT

This is a good 20min video which might help gain more knowledge

about the condition in addition to practices which might help.

https://youtu.be/OJj0N2NJQYU

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

QueenDanceALot — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:21:14 GMT

I have struggled with IBS for most of my life. There have been periods where it was not apparent (apparent being outright gut distress) and others where it was debilitating. I have read a lot over the years, trying to find a solution, but it is still elusive. As information on and research of the microbiome is just growing by leaps and bounds, the understanding of these (as they are multiple) issues is increasing.

This link is a video of an interview with Dr. Michael Ruscio, a functional medicine md, which I just finished watching and I would highly recommend the 48 minute investment of your time if gut health is of interest to you and if you suffer from IBS. As you will learn, gut health is not always manifested as gut symptoms, but often as other symptoms in other parts of your body and mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Hsmhq73Uk

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 02:31:34 GMT

@Slainte wrote:
My gastro recommended IBgard peppermint oil capsules which have really helped. He also suggested a low FODMAPS diet. https://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/what-is-fodmap#1 I read up about it and started the diet. Within a week I noticed a difference in how I felt. Monash University in Australia and King's College London have very good websites and apps for following low FODMAPS. The diet is restrictive, but you do see results if you follow it. It's becoming the first line of treatment for IBS.

@Slainte

I did order some IBgard just recently and haven't started it yet! I will research FODMAPS. Thank you for your info!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 02:35:42 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
Low Fat Plant Based Whole Food Eating.

Even though supplements might help,
nothing will help if the wrong foods are ingested.

‘Spastic colon’ or the ‘sense of urgency’ is one of the major reasons
why I adopted this lifestyle. Throughout the decades, I could tie back
by issues with a higher fat diet.

In the 80s/90s if I lost weight doing Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers,
it always got better (I was eating lower fat to lose weight)
even though I was still consuming meat. Better...but it always
came back when I stopped the diet.

In the 90s, when I discovered Dr. John McDougall, not only did my
issues go away due to the low fat, but my weight dropped without
effort..and eating lots of food.

In the 00s, though, I started to eat lots more PB fats, including the
new Vegan processed foods...and some of the issues started to
show up again. As soon as I went 100% LFWFPB, issues went away.

I began to learn more about the Gut Biome...where it all made sense.
The biome doesn’t thrive in a fatty environment...and meat/dairy/eggs
causes so much inflammation to the gut lining.

If Low Fat is good, Low Fat Plant Based is better, than
Low Fat Whole Food Plant Based is the Gold Standard.

Dr. McDougall’s website will have the information, meal plans,
grocery lists, success stories. Free...no need to buy anything.
If you do want a book, he does address the gut specifically in
his Digestive Tune-Up. Food made ALL the difference
with me....just sharing what worked..and WORKS for me.

@sidsmom

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me all kinds of good advice!!! I certainly will look into all the info you gave me!!!!!!!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 02:37:50 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
I have struggled with IBS for most of my life. There have been periods where it was not apparent (apparent being outright gut distress) and others where it was debilitating. I have read a lot over the years, trying to find a solution, but it is still elusive. As information on and research of the microbiome is just growing by leaps and bounds, the understanding of these (as they are multiple) issues is increasing.

This link is a video of an interview with Dr. Michael Ruscio, a functional medicine md, which I just finished watching and I would highly recommend the 48 minute investment of your time if gut health is of interest to you and if you suffer from IBS. As you will learn, gut health is not always manifested as gut symptoms, but often as other symptoms in other parts of your body and mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Hsmhq73Uk

@QueenDanceALot

I sure do appreciate your taking the time and trouble to share your advice!!! I will look into all that you've shared! Thank you!!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 02:40:38 GMT

@sassenach1 wrote:
I've had IBS since college. I found an excellent gastroenterologist and had the appropriate tests done. He gave meds to for the issue plus recommended Metamucil twice daily. Back then, Metamucil only came in powder form. He said that many people with IBS would not need him if they took Metamucil and lots of water every day. I've stuck to that faithfully for many years now. And, he was absolutely right. I haven't used powder in years - I take the capsules now. I take about 8 capsules three times a day. (Bottle has the dosage.) Tons of water throughout the day. And, it has made a huge difference. The few times I've run out and had to go without, IBS kicks in again.

Recently, daughter and cousin finally took this advice. They each take a probiotic and Metamucil. Cousin called me to thank me and that her life has changed in a good way.

@sassenach1

Thank you so much for sharing this info! I have looked into probiotics and don't know the exact one to take. I hear that it has to be fresh and active and be the right organism for it to work Any info?

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

fortune — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 02:43:11 GMT

@Fressa wrote:
When I started with this condition I purchased the OTC Mylanta tablets or Zantac tablets. It gave me some releif. I found peppermint anything (especially tea) or spearmint tea helped soothe my system at night or after dinner. Check your diet and what foods you are eating on a regular basis. You will find spicy foods will irritate a bit. I did a food diary quite a few times to track what I was eating during some bad "spurts" with my condition. It gives you informtion that might help.
See a doctor and make sure you are both in agreement on the treatment. If not, then see another doctor. It may take a few times before you find the one that works for you and your condtition in it's current state.
Good Luck!

@Fressa

Thank you, Fressa!! I've not had very good luck with gastroenterologists. But, I will research this and look for a new specialist!

Re: IBS--WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

panda1234 — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 05:48:01 GMT

@software I am going in for a colonoscopy this week to confirm a Crohns diagnosis. I have been suffering, a prisoner in my own house. I would get to stores and have to go home to go to the bathroom because their bathroom was too far of a walk, I would not make it. Do you have any other tips?