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It’s very painful I don’t want to leave the house because I’m embarrassed to go to the toilet in public.

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Make a doctor appointment. Best wishes to you. Hope you feel better soon.
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There are medicines for different types of IBS. Ask your doctor which one would be good for you.
-All the best
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Life with IBS is challenging, even more so if it involves diarrhea.

I do not know why so many people do not like pooping in a public washroom. Everyone poops, hopefully every day. And poop is smelly and can be noisy, but is is a natural function. Many public buildings have single toilet rooms, either parenting, wheel chair or handi capped accessible. I look for those spaces, but will use the regular stall as needed.

I have been diagnosed with IBS for 20 years. It is basically a catch all diagnosis for there is something upsetting your digestive system. I have no choice but to poop in public toilets, or I would never leave the house. I have also had to pull over to the side of the road at times. Not fun, but the alternative of staying home is not an option for me. I need to work, I am going to school and I want a social life.

How long is a long time? Have you been in touch with a dietician to see if you can determine some or any triggers? Almost 3 years ago I met with a dietician who had me do an elimination diet. I already knew that dairy is not good for me and too much gluten in a day/week is not good either. I found other food triggers to avoid and it has made life a bit more manageable.

I discovered that I can eat Broccoli, but not cauliflower, nor Brussels Sprouts. I can eat cooked spinach, but not raw.

I do not let it keep me home. Each of the last 3 years I have gone on an extended trip, 7 weeks in 2017, 4 weeks in 2018 and 2019. Two of the trips were to Europe and one a 9000 km road trip in CA and US.
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I think with a dx. of IBS you are going to need to get over any phobias about public washrooms. Carry a disinfecting spray if you worry re "toilet seats". I don't know if you have ever tried citrucel but for me it is a godsend. It gives a daily BM that usually is in the a.m. if you take it at night, and it gives form and substance to stool so works well whether IBS-diarrhea or IBS constipation. Do NOT substitute metamucil, which is much like it but ferments differently in the bowel and for many IBS sufferers is a no no as it cause gas a lot. Another medication that works so well for me is dicyclomine (bentyl) which stops cramps and stops them fast. One or two 10 mg capsules as needed for cramping.
As a sufferer life long who let it rule my life for some years, afraid to go out to eat, out with friends, I found that the more honest I was with folks about the fact I take the seat on the aisle because..............and etc, actually let the whole stress of it let me go. And that helped it overall. I will say also that I got a case of diverticulitis years ago and had to take 10 days of cipro and of another drug I cannot remember the name of, and it seemed to change my bowel genome. Some people get intestinal overgrowth of bacteria, and this can make IBS worse. Wishing you good luck. There are so many more of us out there than you can imagine.
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Geaton777 Dec 2019
Alva thanks for the info. My 90-yr old mom has suffered with IBS her whole life (and is also very lactose intolerance as well). She takes metamucil but I will pass on your suggestion. My mom would also agree that taking certain antibiotics seems to change the bowel culture. She's tried eliminating certain foods that are triggers but nothing seems to make it go away completely. Because she won't take the prescription meds that supposedly address it, her internist has her take Imodium at the first signs of problems, and another if the first doesn't work enough. My mom's been satisfied with this strategy.
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I have had IBS-D for about fifteen years now. It truly sucks, but you don't have it ruin your life.

My tips:

Get to know your trigger foods-Mine is oatmeal, Raisins, Regular milk, Bratwurst, wheat products, certain products that have aspartame, The list goes on. Trial and error is unfortunately the way to go.

Back a survival bag for when you go out of the house-I pack usually maxi pads (for leaky butt), Personal cleansing cloths, Peppermint gum (for those sick to my stomach moments), Imodium AD IBS relief (for those days where you constantly are running to and from the bathroom), clean underwear and pants. If you have a large sized bag, pack some depends, you never know when it's going to hit ya. If planning to use Imodium AD IBS relief, please consult with a doctor or pharmacist first. (This brand or the generic brand of the OTC medication will help with the pain.)

Get to know what is in certain foods, especially when dining out. Ask for the ingredients in the food that you are interested in eating. Some foods may okay to you but may have a few triggers hidden in them. Be sure to frequent places that are gluten friendly (ask around for suggestions.). Get to know the grocery store. Some grocery stores have a good sized organics and vegetarian food aisle. Ask for the store with the largest or best selection in Vegetarian and Organics products.

Be sure to get your colonoscopy! IBS sufferers have a increased risk of developing colon cancer. It sucks to get one but it's worth it in the end. I have had two in the last ten years and I feel so much better after doing them.

Make your own wipes: The ones I have made for these days consist of Viva paper towels, rubbing alcohol, Dr Bronners peppermint castile soap and heated distilled water. These are soft, don't rip and are gentle on your rear end. Way better than store bought baby wipes. https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/homemade-baby-wipes-recipe/

Request a card for using a bathroom: I have a IBS-D sufferer card that politely lets the owner of a store or business know that I need to use the bathroom. Some businesses will not allow you to use your bathroom and when you have an attack, hearing the words "No" is the not the thing you want to hear. I have the card and it works. Here's the link, I am not sure if they will send it to you: https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card/ (you can also ask for a doctors excuse for you to use the bathroom in a business to carry with you when you are out and about.)

Some people that have IBS usually have to go on a antidepressant because this condition will never go away. If you feel hopelessness or depression, please see a doctor and ask him about anti-depressants.

Please don't isolate yourself because you have IBS, do go out and be with people. Being with people helps you deal with the situation a little bit better. Please don't let this condition end your social life-I have never let it ruin my life and I am living a full, active life.

If you need more info or just want to talk, feel free to Private message me. Sorry for the long read. I tend to get carried away when I am writing.

Keeping you in my thoughts.
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AlvaDeer Dec 2019
Triggers for me, too much wheat, too much pasta, etc. Bentyl is in my survival bag as it stops my cramps dead which also seems most often to stop the diarrhea. You are a warrior. Thanks for your write up.
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My daughter was sort of "pigeoned holed" as having IBS. She started about 4 or 5. Over the years she has been able to pin point what causes her problems. Tomato Sauce is one. A few years back she found eggs kicked it off. She went on a Vegan diet and doesn't seem to have as many problems.
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Harpcat Dec 2019
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family and many of those can cause issues.
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My dear husband took too much aspirin, hoping it would help his heart. It ended up irritating his intestines (aspirin can cause intestinal permeability). So be very careful with aspirin.
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If you haven’t seen a good (and by that I mean one who is compassionate and listens) gastroenterologist, then by all means make an appointment.
as you know stress can exacerbate and bring on symptoms.
My sister has had it forever IBS-D and has gone vegetarian and eliminated coffee but drinks tea.
Suddenly I was diagnosed 2 years go with Microscopic Colitis and it causes flare ups of diarrhea which can continue for weeks on end. They suggest eliminating certain foods and medication. Caffeine,alcohol, dairy, gluten, NSAIDS. It really is a shotgun approach because they don’t know what causes it. I do think it began when under a ton of stress from my dad and was on big doses of Aleve for pain.
A holistic approach is good: medication, diet, stress reduction, meditation etc. you can regain control.
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IBS-D here. Plus BAM. Also three times hospitalized with acute diverticulitis, one of those with salmonella poisoning along with it. I am the bathroom queen, sadly.
If you aren’t seeing a good, empathetic gastroenterologist, please do so. There are antispasmodics that can help relax the painful contractions. Imodium can slow things down. Dietary counseling, eliminating problem foods from the diet, can be helpful. Some get good results eating the low FODMAP diet. There can sometimes be more than one condition causing gut problems, so, if you don’t respond to the various medications and dietary changes, you could be one of those doubly unlucky people. I suffered more than fifty years, and was dismissed by way too many unknowing gastros. Do not settle for ignorance, if that happens to you. Move on, and find one who employs the whole toolkit. I was even told by a gastro, I wish you could get better control, when I took too much of his time. Well, duh, it’s not the person’s fault, not all in the person’s head. The next hospitalization for diverticulitis, different locale, the gastro checked me for parasitic infection, had salmonella. Not hardly in the head. Had a round of Cipro plus Flagyl, to attend to the infection. But still, the IBS persisted. When I still had diarrhea, he arranged a trial of Xifaxan, to make sure I didn’t have SIBO, too much bacteria in the small intestine. Very expensive, could not afford the copay. He persisted, managed to beg a two week trial from a drug rep, as I couldn’t qualify for the assistance programs. Still didn’t resolve my diarrhea, not a bit. The gastro finally decided on a trial of Cholestyramine, suspected I might have excess bile acid. Bingo! Somebody finally gave a chit, after my decades of suffering. We aren’t permitted the nuclear medicine test here in the US, to diagnose it, so most good gastros suspecting BAM, will order a trial of one of the binders, like Cholestyramine. So my IBSD was never in my head! I have to be treated for both IBSD and BAM, and they are lifelong conditions. Treatment isn’t perfect. In fact, I do not sleep through the night. Generally the binder works well enough to get me maybe six hours of sleep, then terrible stomach pain wakens me, which will not resolve until I get the medications and a few bathroom trips in the early morning.
I can no longer make the long trip to visit my sons and grandchildren, by car, or air, due to the bowel conditions combination, plus I have hypoglycemic unawareness. I cannot drive the hours and hours alone anymore, even with constantly checking my blood sugar, every single rest stop, and having all the right foods with me to treat my diabetes. When my blood sugar goes low, it sneaks up on me until it becomes dangerous. By the time I realize I am disoriented, I am beyond just taking glucose tablets. I need a full meal and sleep. With all these severe symptomatic conditions, I’m pretty much homebound, at times. I can no longer work, despite badly needing the income. So, I have to tell friends I am sometimes unreliable, due to my medical conditions, as they sometimes come on suddenly. Very embarrassing. Not all friends will stick around a person who cancels often, and last minute. But when I am able, I do go out. Just can’t be predictable, or on a schedule. Right now I’m having post hip replacement physical therapy in afternoons, as mornings are the worst for people with these bowel conditions. I try to schedule all doctor appointments in the PM.
Fasting bloodwork is hard, not being able to mix the Cholestyramine with liquid, to drink it, until after the bloodwork. But diabetes requires fasting bloodwork.
Please get medical help, which can also include low dose antidepressants, commonly prescribed for IBS. And please don’t let it make you a recluse. Last evening I went to a post-campaign victory party, for a local political campaign I worked on. It really keeps a person grounded to continue going out and mixing with people.
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AlvaDeer Dec 2019
I so enjoyed your writeup and it shows so perfectly what we all go through with this ongoing problem/disease. Does bentyl help your cramping at all? For me it is a lifesend. It is great. Works so very fast. Occ. I need two, one, and in about four hours another, but two almost always gets the cramping stopped, which for me has so much to do with the diarrhea.
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My mom had unrelenting diarrhea and ended up hospitalized a few years ago. I know it's not the same situation, but the only thing that made it stop was Questran. Her gastroenterologist said it's used for high cholesterol but it works to stop diarrhea as well. Here is a quote from a website:
"Cholestyramine (aka Questran) is a bile acid sequestrant that is generally considered as the first-line treatment for bile acid diarrhea. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have significant benefits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea."
Ask your doctor about this medication. It was a lifesaver for my mom. Literally. Good luck.
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Seems so a Doctor would Prescribe for this.
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Fiber — LOTS of it. IBS runs in my family and taking fiber regularly is necessary. I take 2 fiber capsules every morning, without fail, otherwise I ping-pong between diarrhea and constipation every week or two. My half-brother takes a LOT more (like 16 or something??). My parents take Metamucil every day. Try it, but start small, because taking too much too soon gives you gas! Good luck.
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RoyaB19 Dec 2019
After reading all the other responses, I realize I’m way out of my depth here. I’m sorry for your suffering. If you haven’t checked for food allergies or sensitivity, that might be helpful too.
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The only permanent "fix" is a colostomy - removal of the colon and wearing a colostomy bag for the rest of your life. The better option is management: lots of fiber, avoiding trigger foods, and medications when needed. Yes, it is a pain in the a** to have to regulate your life so strictly, but it is do-able.
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Tothill Dec 2019
A colostomy is not a fix. It will not stop the waves of cramping, which for me, starts in the small intestines. It will not stop the gas.
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IBS is manageable but not curable. I was misdiagnosed last year as having IBS and in my research came across this website. I subscribe to emails and have purchased the Peppermint Oil capsules and I find them very helpful for my condition. They are available at CVS as well as Heather Van Vorous is on YouTube as well with recipes videos and other info. This is the most helpful website I have found and testimonies are proof that Heather's products and recipes are a great source of relief. Heather developed IBS at age nine but went undiagnosed for six long years. Her story and how she came to cope and help others is amazing. She has a book out "Eating for IBS" that is a best seller. I urge you to visit https://www.helpforibs.com and educate yourself on IBS, learn about triggers, cooking for IBS. I find Heather's information invaluable. She went from being unable to leave the house or hold a job to living a normal life, she really knows what she is talking about and everything in her approach is natural, not medication based. Take care of yourself.
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cak2135 Dec 2019
As for IBS, a lot of people are ashamed to leave their homes because they don't like going to the toilet in public. I have IBS, too; I go where my rear end will fit and let it out there. I have made some lifestyle changes as well; it hardly ever rears its ugly head now. I had it big time when an aunt and uncle of mine died, a stressful job, and when I lost my parents. I also cannot drink the soft drink Mountain Dew because it will upset my stomach
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You may need to do an elimination diet - where you find out which foods are triggering the IBS. Or, you can just take notice of when it's worse. I found that I can eat chicken without problems but I have to watch and try to avoid all Soy products - not as easy as it sounds because Soy is in everything. Also, I no longer mix my meats at any one meal as that triggered IBS. I think it sent my stomach into constricting and cramping.

You also need to be using a decent Probiotic and maybe even a Prebiotic (I use tigernut) and I have been using NOW Candida Support for well over a year and no longer suffer with IBS.

Lastly, I add a pinch of Flax Seed to my food and it helps to keep me regular. I found it quite by accident when I bought a different brand of Oatmeal greatly reduced and Voila!, I was able to go without problems. I figured it had to be the Flax Seed and it was! I now use about 1/8th teaspoon daily and rarely need anything else to assist. I used to use generic milk of magnesia, but the Flax Seed is cheaper and easier to use. You can add it to anything you eat.

Good Luck to you, I hope it helps.
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My siblings and I went through the same thing. We all had our gall bladders removed before it started. I wonder if there is a correlation. Mine completely stopped a few years after retirement from a very stressful job. I also stopped using splenda at the same time so I am not sure what really stopped it. I feel bad for you. I suffered for 21 years.
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AlvaDeer Dec 2019
Yes, there can be a correlation. Some people have problems with diarrhea after gallbladder removal. There is a medication you can take; speak to your doctor. (cholestyramine)
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For a natural treatment
1. Water, lots of water
2. IB Guard, this is an OTC capsule with peppermint oil, really helped with pain for me.
3. Fiber, look it up there are different types.
4. Probiotic, for this to work you have to try the really expensive ones in my experience. I think after a while you do not notice any difference, maybe the flora in gut is balancing out?

For an un-natural treatment Linzess is good for opiate constipation and blockage. Amitiza works for other types.
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See a registered dietician or "RD". Doctors are the worst when it comes to diet and nutrition. They spend all of about 5 seconds on it in medical school.
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Life is nothing if not ironic.
My daughter has IBS, has for years and years. She is married to a gastroenterologist. Does she take his advice and is careful with her diet and such?

Heck no! It's much more fun to what you want and suffer (loudly).

She is on the KETO diet right now and I think she is doing well. If she's not, I hear about it.

Definitely see a specialist and be patient. Yes, there are a lot of foods that may trigger your bouts of IBS, but you can manage.

Just got home from a trip where I was hit with awful bowel issues over Nebraska somewhere. I was in the airplane lav for 45 minutes. I thought they were going to have to land the plane early, it was so bad. (I was just coming off chemotherapy and still having gut problems-shouldn't have gone cross country).

Made me so much more sympathetic to truly ill people.
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You won't actually get rid of it, but you can work on managing symptoms. Learn what foods aggravate your symptoms and avoid those. It often starts with dairy (soft dairy like milk; you can probably tolerate regular cheese) and cruciferous vegetables and soy. The Low FODMAP diet gives you some additional guidelines. You may need to avoid onions, garlic and fructose.
Eat lean protein like chicken breasts and grains like brown rice. When you have bad IBS days and diarrhea, switch to white rice for a couple of days until your stomach and gut settle down.
Imodium can help get you through activities and appointments when you need to go out, but if you can lessen symptoms with dietary choices, you won't need the imodium too often.
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I have Ulcerative colitis. My triggers are anything acidic and dairy, icecream is the worst. Every once in a while I have some. The next day is unbearable painful gas and flu like cramps. I take 4-6 digestive advantage a day (probiotic) this with avoiding triggers manages it pretty well. I know where every restroom is where ever I go :(
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NeedHelpWithMom Dec 2019
My daughter started with UC. Now it’s full blown Chron’s disease. Plus she has diabetes. I feel for you. It’s very hard watching my oldest daughter suffer with these issues.
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I did not mention stress in my first post, but several people have brought it up.

Stress used to be a huge trigger for me, but at the time I was unaware of how badly it was impacting my gut.

5.5 years ago my marriage ended, I was blindsided and it was ugly. I had to go off work due to a mental breakdown, It was hell. Yet, my IBS calmed right down, I went 2 weeks without having to run to the bathroom multiple times a day. I had been internalizing the stress in the marriage for years.

From the outside and at the time I would have said my situation was extremely stressful, but my body knew I had less stress after he left.

Midkid, I can understand your daughter on occasion eating something she knows will be a trigger. I love baked Brie, once a year or so I will have a few bites, knowing within 20 minutes I will be on the toilet for the first of many trips.

My migraine medication can be a trigger and IBS can leave me dehydrated, which leads to migraines. It is a viscous circle.
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AlvaDeer Dec 2019
Yes to the stress part for me as well Tothill. In fact anxiety will surely bring it on and then you are in the cycle of chicken and egg. Which comes first. The anxiety or the certainty that anxiety will bring it on, and then there it is. Do try bentyl for those trips that go on and on with the spasms. It is so helpful for me.
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I started taking Greens first , It’s a vegetable powder that helps with your IBS. It’s made a world of difference for me
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Harpcat Dec 2019
Is that the brand name? Greens First?
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Two suggestions. After having your doctor check for anything else going on (e.g. celiac), talk to your doctor and/or a dieatican about trialing the Low FODMAP diet (developed by Monash University Australia - scientifically proven to improve IBS in 75% of cases, see https://www.monashfodmap.com/ ). There is a Monash app (beware of other websites without up to date info!). Working with a dietician is the best way to fine tune things as it takes a while to get used to what food and drinks you can and can't have. Second... keep a diary of when you are stressed and your symptoms (you can do this on the Monash app) to see if stress makes things worse (issues with my mother's health is a trigger for me) - then try to find ways to relax which is easier said than done!
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AlvaDeer-
Thank you! Yes, Bentyl is a very good medicine for the IBSD pain. So glad it works well for you as it does for me. These fit conditions are a pain!
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Probably unlikely, but my mom suffered for decades with what they told her was IBD etc. We took her to local hospitals, Mayo, Duke Univ... and even had a person gastroent. friend review her records. Nothing worked, no medication, no natural remedies. Finally, one day, at age 88, I brought her home from the hospital and got out her favorite angel food cake and some bread, thinking that was bland. It occurred to me that maybe that was the issue. It was... she was gluten intolerant and after removing all gluten, she never had another problem. It also got rid of her fibromyalgia. Due to age, and the fact I was unwilling to do a trial of going back on gluten for 30 days ... we couldn't have a diagnosis. But obvious that it worked as she didn't need any more prescriptions for the next 10 years. I'm sure she was one of very few that this worked for ... but Dr. friend found that he did have patients that actually had this and he had not thought that a senior citizen would not have it diagnosed. (it is fairly difficult to really figure out where all gluten comes from ...and we had to ask people not to bring
her any food).
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Tothill Dec 2019
SPA,

I went 100% Gluten free for 5 years. I already was cows milk dairy free. I can consume Goat's milk cheeses without issue.

When I was 100% gluten free it helped, but did not clear up all my symptoms and flare ups. The FODMAP elimination diet helped to to learn that many fruits and veggies are also a problem for me.

As a child, I could never understand why people gave me soda crackers when I had an upset tummy. When things are really bad I eat white rice with soy sauce (wheat free) or salt and vinegar potato chips.

As an adult I love most Asian foods, as generally they contain neither dairy or wheat. I like Middle Eastern foods for the same reason.


I was thrilled to discover Injera and Ethiopian food. Something about the Teff flour pancakes calms my tummy. I have looked at making them, but it is a multi day process.
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- First step - gastroenterologist.
- Upper endoscopy.
- Probiotics.
- Otc Omeprazole.
- Dietary changes
- Watch for changeover to Chron's, which can be deadly.
- IBS IS painful - know what food stuffs you're allergic to and eliminate them from your diet.
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There is a condition called lectin intolerance that mimics IBS and glutin intolerance. It is too complex to go into here but look it up on the internet (forget the ads). All foods, plant and animal, have lectin but the amount varies by food. Some food groups have foods I can tolerate but others I can't such as nightshade. Most I can do well with but don't put mushrooms in front of me. I also have DM and some of the do eat foods for DM are on the don't eat foods for lectin intolerance. Such as don't eat tree nuts, whole grains, beans (especially red which has the highest lectin they have found.) BUT much of it depends on how the food is prepared. Red beans are fine if soaked overnight and heated to a certain temp for a certain length of time. I take probiotics (Align) daily. I keep Imodium on hand and use as soon as the pain and cramping begins with excellent results. Simethicone (Gas-X) also helps with lesser symptoms. What to you have? Who knows? A good gastroenterologist may be able to figure it out but for the most part your can do it yourself by trial and error. Keep a food diary of what to eat and what not to eat and the effect it has on you, Don't assume automatically because the symptoms are so similar that you have IBS. Or you may have more than one issue
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Linzess
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Mmmmsssss: I thought my list was a good one. What plan of action did you take? IMHO, you shouldn't wait. You do NOT want Chron's.
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AlvaDeer Dec 2019
Irritable bowel almost never goes to chron's disease. One is auto immune but the other not. They are different animals. Motrin and other NSAIDS very bad for the bowel as well, block a needed enzyme forget the name but something like oxygenase. Tear up the mucus lining of the bowel. People thing them harmless but they are not a can cause real problems for those with diverticulitis.
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