Hi... this is my first post; I don't really have much of a story. I have been prone to dyspepsia at odd times through my life from childhood; years ago I was prescribed Lansoprazole for functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia but stopped taking it as it didn't work. This drug was eventually replaced by Ranitidine which I tended to take on an 'as and when I need it' basis. I still do.
Back in February my partner and I were both struck down with the Winter Vomiting Bug, or Norovirus; it was an unpleasant but mercifully short experience which lasted for perhaps 24hrs. Since that time my GI tract seem to have been completely re-wired and it's getting worse. A couple of months ago my GP put me on a beta blocker, Propanolol (for occasional BP spikes), but this had some unpleasant side effects. It was changed to Bisoprolol but I struggled with that too; breathing difficulties, lightheadedness and stomach upset. GP says I probably have IBS!
My experience is that I don't have a bowel movement for a few days (other than the occasional 'rabbit dropping'
and then my entire system empties out in one day which is grim to say the least. The trips to the loo become more frequent through that day but do not generally end in watery diarrhoea as such. The result of this activity is feeling like a mule kicked my gut and then the nausea starts and can last a day or two. This puts me off eating as I don't know quite what it is best to eat and I haven't found any obvious connection with what I put in my mouth and what happens elsewhere :-)
Other than my age, I have no 'red flag' signs; a few months ago I had a clear bowel screen (NHS sends these out routinely to people over 50 now I think). I have seen the occasion dribble of brown mucus (gross... sorry!) but certainly no blood. So... I am waiting blood test results and am to have an ultrasound of abdomen soon which the GP described as 'probably over the top' but he was very reassuring and quite sure of his diagnosis. I am hoping he is right as I had breast cancer five years ago and so anything 'odd' is viewed with fear and trembling :-) I'm going to investigate hypnotherapy next week, in case anxiety is contributing. I am generally a positive person so am determined to try and manage this as best as I can.
My question (!) is... if I do have IBS... would I be described as someone with IBS-C, IBS-D or mixed? The predominant features are nausea, wind (either end), constipation, diminished appetite and the occasional day of nuclear fallout. In the past three months I have lost a few pounds but I eat much less than I used to and also do more exercise (I retired from a sedentary job and now have taken on an allotment so am much fitter).
Sorry if I have burbled on but that, as far as it goes, is my story. If someone could put me in the right IBS 'box' I would be grateful as I am currently not sure how to manage diet, or anything else come to that. Thanks :-)
Hello Loppylugs (funny and cute name!)
Sounds like what I have which is IBS-C. I just wrote this in another post. But I will just get right to the point. I very rarely have such issues anymore although I did suffer with just what you experience for years. Nuclear fallout...yes!...with agony!
I do the following 3 things.
1. Drink water. As we age...and I am just recently retired...we lose our sense of thirst. Hint: I put a pitcher of water by my computer. Within 10 minutes of getting up I am checking my emails...and there is the water! I have to drink one or two glasses of water.
2. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake...to the recommended 6 - 10 servings per day. I used to make my daughter a colourful 8 vegetable salad for lunch every day.Your dinner plate should be jewel toned! Learn to make a smoothie for breakfast. Berries make the best smoothies!
3. Since I started taking magnesium citrate every night, I 'go' like clockwork completely emptying my large colon effortlessly. No pain and all is 'done' in 3 seconds flat and the world is a happy place! Btw we are all magnesium deficient so you are killing two birds with one stone. Read up on the benefits of magnesium supplementation. You will be amazed!
Thank God my IBS is well under control. I have maybe 1 or 2 attacks per year and that is likely due to dairy...which I cannot tolerate. (I drink almond milk.)
Good luck!
Robin
Hi loopy welcome to th site. You will find lots of support. I read with interest . And feel for you. I have lots of simler problems. All I can say is at least you are in the right hands! Your doc is being very through and taking care of you. X
Hi Robin
Firstly, thank you for informative reply :-). IBS-C it is then; I was confused with the classifications as I didn't think I had the 'D' but didn't know how else to describe the nuclear fallout! I have read elsewhere that IBS can just arrive as the result of a previous GI upset, which is why I mentioned the Norovirus. I also wasn't sure if newly diagnosed beta blockers could possibly precipitate a supposedly lifelong affliction - my GP thinks it unlikelybut the timing is one strange coincidence!
I agree about not drinking enough; I THINK I do but when we were travelling in India years ago, one of our group told us to keep checking to see if our urine was Sprite (clear) or Kia Ora (orange) because it was so dangerous to be dehydrated in that intense heat. Sometimes I fail that test these days :-) I only get thirsty when I am working hard on the allotment or something; probably, if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
I looked up IBS diets and saw that soluble fibre is preferable to insoluble. I love smoothies and have a gadget to make same so that wouldn't be a problem, plus I grow my own greens, salad leaves, tomatoes etc. I must admit that I probably don't currently eat enough of these though.
I hadn't heard of Magnesium supplementation; how does one know if one is deficient? Perhaps I should ask my GP. I am not a fan of self prescribing but then I spent years writing NHS guidelines along the principles of evidence based medicine so I should perhaps do some research!
What is your view on the role of anxiety in IBS? Although I hate to admit it, I do struggle with this. I am a complete mix of my parents; my mother was dominated by her fears and suffered agoraphobia, psychiatric illness and clinical depression for all the time that I knew her, whereas my father was very laid back. I try really hard to be like him but have to admit to falling into my mother's ways sometimes. This new ailment could get on top of me if I let it but I am determined not to go down that route if I can, hence being here, asking for help and I'm also trying hypnotherapy this week. I am a great believer in mind over matter - having a strong positive attitude got me through cancer so maybe it'll get me through this :-)
Thanks again for your help. It is very constructive to be able to 'talk'.
Hi Roberta
Thanks for 'speaking' to me :-) I am glad to have found a forum; it is not something I would ordinarily think to do but this is a difficult and possibly embarassing ailment to talk about. It wouldn't bother me to discuss it necessarily but I wouldn't want to bombard my friends with it in case they found it difficult!
I agree that my GP is being thorough; having had cancer though it does ring alarm bells when scans are ordered and I hold my breath each time, hoping that I am not going down that route again. Hopefully everything will come back normal and the IBS diagnosis will be confirmed. Hard to imagine that it would actually be good news to 'just have IBS' but for me it certainly would, however grim the symptoms.
Thanks again for writing; as they say 'it's good to talk' :-)
Hi and thank you for replying. I love the site. It's great to be able to write things down. I can't wait to put my I pad on when I get up to see who has replayed to me. And what suggestions I have. I always try to reply no matter what. I do hope you get the results you want. Please let us know how you get onxx
Hello again Loppylugs,
You have a blender to make smoothies or maybe the new 'Bullet'... Great! Since you grow greens, why not throw some into your fruit smoothie. I make enough for 2 glasses and keep on in the fridge for later if I need a pick-me-up later in the day. I always add protein to offset the sugars in the fruit which can precipitate cravings; my personal issue.
As far as water intake goes, what I have read that if at our age you feel thirsty...you are already very dehydrated. If I didn't have my jug of water by my computer I would not drink water at all. It's here beside me but I still have to push myself to drink it because really, I am not thirsty at all. You want to keep hydrated not just for your bowels but for your skin. And really for all the systems in your body.
Please do check on the internet about magnesium. I have learned a lot in the past while. After vitamin D deficiency, magnesium is next in line. We are almost ALL deficient. One reason I read is because pesticides used in farming have depleted the soil of magnesium...or rendered it unavailable to the plants. If I include a link to specific sites, this post will be set aside to be monitored by the site's staff. Instead, you can google 'magnesium and its effect on the brain' for example.I think you will be amazed...and excited about what you read. You can also watch YouTube videos on the subject.
I also highly recommend TED Talks Dr Li whose research reveals what one should eat to avoid cancer or its recurrence. This is a life saver.
I have been taking magnesium citrate (2 tabs) every night for several years and every morning I am regular and I sleep well and my mood is excellent...but I think it always was.
I would be interested to know how things go IF you do take magnesium. It's a mineral just like calcium. We generally get pleny of calcium from our diets and that is a problem for magnesium absorption....so I have read.
Keep in mind that doctors are not trained in nutrition. You would want to ask an enlightened dietician, naturopath or a pharmacist about magnesium if reading about it from reputable sites is not convincing enough.
Good luck!
Robin
Hi
Thanks for this additional information. I wil make some enquiries with my local pharmacist. I am (or rather have been) Vit D deficient because I take anti-cancer drugs.
Happily taking the smoothie maker back out the cupboard where it has languished too long! Fortunately I have some fresh strawberries, some carrots and banana. Sounds like a good start :-)
I agree about the water. I've got the water juug out of the cupboard too; my study is upstairs and I'm often too preoccupied (sounds better than 'lazy' to go downstairs to top up my glass!
All good tips... thanks :-)
I wish you a complete recovery, Loppylugs!
Thanks and good health to you too :-)
Quick update.... I have been thinking (probably too much) but I have hit on a theory that, at least for me, there is a huge element of anxiety which is triggering off my IBS.
I have had functional dyspepsia and fibromyalgia for decades, both of which I simply just 'get on with it'. These are called somatisation disorders - broadly speaking that means psychologcal issues manifesting as physical problems. See: http://www.aboutibs.org/site/what-is-ibs/other-disorders/non-gi-functional-disorders for an explanation.
I have a positive outlook and don't dwell on my ills but I must admit that now I have a new problem it is a bit much!! So, anyway, I have been to see a hypnotherapist :-) I am going to see him regularly. Treatment guidelines state that there is evidence that this an effective treatment for some people - I intend to be one of them. If I see any improvement I will report it on this site. Feeling positive :-)
Hello again Loppylugs!
WHat a positive outlook you have! Mind over matter! I wouldn't be surprised if hypnotherapy helps you.
If your IBS is constipation and then PAIN and diarrhea, like I have had since I was a 13 oe 14 eyar old, keeping regular (with 2 tabs of magnesium citrate) has done the trick and I am as right as rain every single morning...never with pain. it is also good for anxiety and helps one sleep better.
Did you watch TED Talks Dr Li? There are so many TED Talks that you might enjoy for example on natural science...even if they are often superficial and just graze the surface of any topic. One could go on and read more in depth articles on the subjects.
I told you I was signing off the site (my BP was soaring with the stress of reading posts from very distraught or suicidal people...) but I can't seem to get off. I asked the moderator to remove me...but it doesn't work. I keep getting messages and often feel tempted to answer; spending 3 or more hours per day on the forum...while my garden is running amok with overgrown hostas, vinka, anemones, black eyed susans etc.. ! I have tried to un-subcribe...but it doesn't work.
I am going to try again tomorrow morning. If I ever do get on Facebook (I was on it, but quit) I will contact you. And I have photos on Flickr...so you google 'Flickr' and my name. I can't send you a link because it will be pulled.
All the best!
Robin
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A gluten- free fodmaps diet helped me a lot.