Needing help with IBS

[bouchard01]

Needing help with IBS

I have Ulcerative Colitis that is in remission for now. I used to drink lots of milk but I stopped over 10 years ago and cannot drink it anymore. I can eat yogurt, cheese, but no ice cream. I take Calcium and Vit D. As well I take a daily Multi Probiotic to restore Intestianal Flora Balance. I cannot take Pennicillin as it sends my bowels into a terrible spasm. I sure hope my not drinking sets off another attack, it's terrible. I hope you get some relief soon.

[nancy]

Needing help with IBS

I think a lot of health problems are caused by lifestyle issues. Like with IBS, there are lots of people who will sell you expensive supplements or alternative doctors who will put you on weird diets.

But when it comes to IBS, which is so common, I thought it was interesting seeing Suzanne Somers on TV describing how horrible it is for your digestive system when you fail to chew food.

I know exactly what you mean about failing to slow down while eating. I am exactly the same way. And I also know what you mean about the drinking for anxiety.

I found that taking 5-10 minutes before eating to just breathe did help me relax and I try to avoid huge meals. But learning how to eat slowly is a work in progress. I am hoping meditation will help and I am doing it almost every day now. We need to become more mindful in everything we do.

It takes a lifestyle change to avoid those rushed meals on the go you describe but it really is essential if you don't want to be in pain.

While I would try to avoid too many alternative doctors, I did find visiting a complementary center affiliated with a major medical institution helpful. However, I have just shared some of the advice I was given there.

Through that center, I also got some expensive probiotics but I am not convinced they work so I discontinued. There is something called General Medical Food that was also advised and quality high-dose omega 3.

But you know if the main problem is the anxiety, i don't think supplements are going to help with that. I hope you check out the mindfulness based stress reduction. The thing driving the fast meals is probably the same thing driving gulping down of alcoholic drinks.

Nancy

[veritas]

Needing help with IBS

Nancy, I tend to agree with everything you say. It has been a help for me to write this down so that I can read it myself. After just saying a few things about my lifestyle, this little voice was saying, "come on, it's not that bad".

I do try to take time out during the day, but I have never linked that period of relaxation to my meals. Eating has never been much of a priority for me, even though I do try to take in nutritious foods. It probably says something about many self care issues. I honestly think that were it not for having to care for my children, I would probably never cook at all and live on scraps.

[AstraiaJ.]

Needing help with IBS

I was diagnosed with IBS several years ago. It hasn't been much of an issue UNTIL the past several months -- when I began to try to quit drinking, within the first few days IBS symptoms would flare up. Anxiety as well -- I would be anxious about all kinds of things. The two could be related, of course. From what I've been able to read on the connection between alcohol withdrawal and IBS (and there sure as heck isn't much on that subject), all of the re-balancing your body is trying to do can temporarily impact your digestive system. It's ironic to me, because I stopped AL to help my digestive system, and the first few times I tried to quit I wasn't successful long term because I was so anxious and/or my digestion got so out of whack. Once I realized what might be going on, I persisted with the AF and EVENTUALLY things straightened out.

HERE IS A GREAT BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF IBS: Shirley Trickett's "Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulitis: A Natural Approach" -- it is EXCELLENT. She's also written books on anxiety too.
Best wishes, and hang in there!!!

[boozehag]

Needing help with IBS

You might want to check out fructose malabsorption. I have fructose malabsoption which mimics the symptoms of IBS. I have to avoid certain foods as I cant digest foods with a high fructose content and if I do they cause IBS symptoms - bloating, cramps etc. It can be hard to figure out which foods cause the problems but I am particularly allergic to anything with onions in it or anything in the onion family (asparagus, leaks etc), garlic, lots of types of fruit (watermelon, apples etc) and of course wine is major culprit. What a surprise! I have been taking MWO supplements including l-trytophan (for anxiety) and l-glut (for cravings AL/sugar) since I joined MWO and by sheer co-incidence these really help with my digestive issues (and the lack of wine too of course). I keep the buscopan handy though just in case as I find it helps.
BH

[veritas]

Needing help with IBS

I saw in the research threads that L-Gltamine helps in restoring the gut wall and facilitates healing.

Is there anything L-Glutamine cannot do It really does seem to contain some remarkable properties.

I suppose our poor bodies really do have some major healing work to do. Today I have been feeling really great at some level, but also very, very tired. I cannot help but wonder whether this is not a part of a delayed withdrawal from alcohol.