Hi everyone... First time posting. I am 34 (today) and think I am suffering with IBS. I have always had reasonably regular diarrhea (before and after menstrual cycle) and I thought it was just hormonal... But shortly after the birth of my daughter 3 1/2 years ago I developed gall stones. The following February I had laparoscopic cholecystectomy and that's when my problems really started... Couple of weeks later everything I ate seemed to make me need to go within around 10-20 minutes of eating. Spoke to go and they said it was probably to do with my body getting used to the new constant flow of bile and should settle soon. However, it didn't. It is no longer everything I eat, but anything I eat. It might be a salad, it could be a burger or curry, could be a mince pie, glass of water or skipping breakfast... Every single day I have loose stools, sometimes with pain and urgency, others without. On a number of occasions I have had the first grumble and realised a I was 5 minutes from the nearest loo, only to not make it resulting in accidents.
After having my my daughter I chose not to return to work, opting instead to return to education. I did an access course and then began university to study a degree in midwifery. I have been very lucky to have some very good friends who understand the need to turn up the to and avoid the bathroom for a while after I have dashed out, but in public places it is a nightmare... Dirty looks for going to the disabled loo after an accident or knowing it's going to be a clean up job.
As as many of you will know, with these daily bouts come fatigue, dizziness, inability to concentrate and although I am waiting for endoscopy at the end of January the condition has take its toll on my studies and I have been forced to withdraw... Fainting as a woman is in the latter stages of pushing a baby out is never a good career move, nor is dashing out of theatre... Just completely embarrassing and unprofessional!
it has put us under immense financial strain, given that the very idea of interviewing for a job sends my bowel into spasm, and I struggle to get through a 40 minute PTA meeting at school (thought I should try to do something to get myself back out there)... However, first PTA meeting resulted in me ducking out!
this whole thing has me so down and miserable. I am constantly I'll and have dropped us right in it financially before Christmas... My partner is very understanding, but I feel such guilt and feel like I have wasted the last 2 1/2 years of my life when clearly this illness is incompatible with my chosen career!
sorry everyone, I just needed to offload xxx
Hi , kezwil
Wife had same..Lap not open...5 ports vs 4..Prophylaxis antibitotics 2 days before and 5 days post.
We followed the same antibiotic prophylaxis protocol with both non and enteric coated probiotics
x 3 daily 3 days pre surgery and 4 weeks post although we weened the probiotics after 2 weeks, and also consume yogurt and kefir regularly. no bowel disturbance although, first few days
no bm's...and we refused any prep with glycerol or its derivitives.
My daughter in law, RN (masters) suggested this protocol because of her "observations working closely with social case workers... patients post antibiotic treatments, from a few days to a week
developed IBS symptoms and some severe cases including cramps etc....*she suggested the good gut flora is mostly destroyed via the antibiotics and the bad bacteria as well as yeasts
take over the invironment.
Having stated this, of course I don't know if any of this may apply to you...theories on IBS cause/s have not been validated in any of the recent National Institutes of Health publications.
Oh, I did forget, we used a tad of psyllium husk powder..like 1/4 teaspoon daily shortly after her first bm since it was loose but not excessively liquid...I'd need to get out my daily diary to be sure when but my guess ought to be near actual. I believe I stopped this after a short while but I'm a "weener"...would have reduced it to every other day for a bit...regardless bm results are the best guide vs time.
I don't think the above protocol will do any harm, however I'd not start my wife with probiotics x 3 daily...maybe 1 or 2 until I was certain she could handle it...the non enteric coated was for stomach bacteria and enterics for the intestines.
claudio
*(Tessler as far back as 1899 recorded a big difference in newborn's having the beneficial lactobacilli in their gut and no diarrhea in comparison with those without this bacteria)
Dear kezwil,
Your symptoms sound absolutely terrible, I feel very sorry for you, particularly as it has messed up your education for a new career.
I have IBS and type 2 diabetes. I can only say that you need to be properly diagnosed before you can assume you have IBS. Some of your symptoms are completely different to mine and this makes me hesitate.
Claudio is right when she talks about probiotics, they have helped me enormously. I have been on the low FODMAP diet for some time now and my symptoms have almost gone away except just a little discomfort just above my left groin.
Stress is my biggest problem, stress is worrying about things too much and this causes my IBS to get really bad.
Probably the biggest improvement I made was when I gave up wheat, rye and dairy products. This did make an enormous difference and I also had lots more energy.
I really do hope things go well for you and that you feel better soon.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas
robert
Hi Kezwill,
Donclaudio and Roberts suggestions are spot on. If you have been on antibiotics they can thoroughly mess up your digestive system. Your IBS seems very severe. You should definitely continue with your doctor to rule out any other cause. but there are things you can do to try to control whats happening.
My IBS is similar to yours, although not as severe, varying from normal to loose stool. I never get constipated. I control it with daily fiber and probiotic supplements. Donclaudio mentioned psyllium husk powder. I use this for fiber. Started out witth the powdered form but switched to a capsule later as it was less messy, more convenient, and easier to take. I also take a proboatic called Saccharomyces Boulardii. Yogurt may work just as well for you, but make sure the container says it has live cultures. A lot of the yogurt out there today is nothting more than milk based sweetened pudding.
For a while also took a digestive enzyme , but eventually had to stop as it is very expensive. It may also help you normalize your gut. I wish you luck.