What type of IBS do you have?

[Claudia]

New to the group.  I have type 1.  I had problems a couple of years ago and it got better after having a structure repaired.  I started again so this must be IBS-D because I tried all of the things that I reacted to.  The anti diarrheal does not work

 

[Monica Annette Rodriguez]

On 9/17/2016 at 12:46 PM, Jeffrey Roberts said:

Choose the type of IBS which best describes you.

I have mixtures of both and pain all the time everyday is struggle for me because I dont know how I am going to feel in the morning or how my night is going to be with sleep I meditated I breath to help my stress I eat never skip a meal I drink water all the time change my diet still no relief I take my meds my doctor told to me take still nothing how do any if you cope with this have found other things that help I cry because I want a normal life 

[ANDREW SAVAGE]

Hi 

I'm a new member and initially I had IBS D for years but then after a two year break I now have IBS C with the very rare attack of IBS D.  I am 67 now and I can honestly say NOTHING WORKS to change that. I have tried everything; prescribed and non prescribed drugs, Yoga, meditation, Fodmap diet, etc, etc, etc. I have to take mild laxatives' every other day (Fibrogel) just to ease the symptoms.  Can anybody give me something NEW please ?? 

Andy

[mbenny]

I am new to this forum.   I have had IBS_d for many years.    I believe mine is a symptom of an autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with several years ago.  Last year I had part of my colon removed because of sever diverticulitus.    That surgery changed my IBS.    Now it is not as frequent but seems to be worse when I have a flair.    I have tried every type of treatment and diet there is.    The only thing that provides some relief is getting outside and excising.     But that is hard to do with diarrhea and cramp.  

[IBSISTHETERMINATOR]

Female with Ibs-d, with multiple other symptoms ranging from migraines to back & torso pain, severe fatigue etc. I have been suffering for 13 years. I try to stick to a strict diet, & away from known triggers-however I am STILL HAVING FLARE UPS that hold me prisoner. I am not in control of my own life. Trying to stay positive, and keep fighting daily is wearing me down! 

[patrica]

I am new to IBS - 3 months post infection - older woman never had these kind of symptoms before.  Very bad pain on regular basis.

Need support and more knowledge. Very scary. although I know there is much worse out there.

[Livinglife]

I have ibs-d mostly but it has not altered my life thank God. I just get tired of all the gas, bloating and abdominal pain. Sometimes it makes you feel like there is something else going on. I get so bloated sometimes until it seems like it affects my speech because then my voice gets very raspy. I have been taking  Famotidine now for two months to help with the heartburn but I have no idea what to do with IBS. I have been exercising and I have changed  my diet to only meat,fruit and vegetables. I also had my gallbladder removed and wonder if that’s affects my digestive system. I have anxiety, muscle pain and get tired often. But I refuse to let this control my life. It’s just my new normal. 

[terbear]

IBS-M, lots of constipation and stomach pain followed by diarrhea and severe stomach pain. Hard to live with, never go out with friends


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[Esjie]

IBS -D (ish)
I say that because I guess I am really lucky and my symptoms are mild (ish) compared to what others have to endure.
I had something (??) in Spring 2018 which no doctor and no blood tests etc could work out. It felt kind of fluey. It never really went away and in the 4th week I got IBS symptoms. My gut had always been strong before.

After a few days my gut went back to normal (regular and normal daily.) I could eat anything. Though I still got the other symptoms and exhaustion.

Thought I might have ME/CFS, but in retrospect I think it's an atypical form of migraine as I get migraine auras.

Fast forward to March 7th 2020 when the IBS started again suddenly. Had black eye bean stew one night and from then on it's never been right (Plus Covid. in April).

I get lower abdominal bloating, some wind pains, masses of odourless gas every morning, and often get loose stools, but at their worst 6 on the Bristol scale. otherwise 5. At their best a healthy 4!

So I don't have it as bad as most, but it still bothers me a bit as I have to be so careful with what I eat. I can't eat what I like anymore. I had to give up being vegan and eat fish and eggs or I'd get no protein basically.

I get good times and bad times. The only way I can calm my gut during bad times is to eat all the foods I used to hate and which aren't so healthy: white rice, plain cake, white bread toasted, but can get away with a few green beans hard boiled eggs and poached fish. Then I can feel not so bad and the symptoms slowly go away.
When they do, I can introduce slightly more fibre, and can expand my veggie/fruit intake carefully.

I have to play this balancing game with my food, which feels strange as I never used to deal with food that way. I used to enjoy it and ate such a healthy diet for 40 years!

Meanwhile I also have weird atypical migraine symptoms which don't just flare for 3 days then go away. Mine can last for weeks, then fade out for a while before relapsing. It's horrible sometimes plus IBS.
I guess the two things are related, and I think the relationship is serotonin.
But I don't want the SSRI's. Pharmaceutical drugs can give me a VERY bad time indeed.

Edited August 21, 2020 by Esjie

[Deborah Claggett]

I am new to this group was diagnosed a little over a year ago with IBS M. Prescribed Bentyl at the time never had to take it. Now I have had a flare up for two weeks with no end in site. The spastic colon and intestines are the worst. My next appointment is on Monday. No end in site did I say that already? Lol

[Jeffrey Roberts]

10 minutes ago, Deborah Claggett said:

I am new to this group was diagnosed a little over a year ago with IBS M. Prescribed Bentyl at the time never had to take it. Now I have had a flare up for two weeks with no end in site. The spastic colon and intestines are the worst. My next appointment is on Monday. No end in site did I say that already? Lol

Welcome Deborah!

I hope you get some answers to your 2 week flare. I use Buscopan, which is similar to Bentyl. It does help with abdominal pain and urgency, but it's complicated when you have IBS-M because you can become too constipated pretty easily.

[Zandranna]

IBS-D for me which started 5 years ago for no apparent reason.  It's a constant daily occurrence with the occasional week or so of relief.

I keep a food diary and have cut out so many foods that I have thought might give me some relief but to no avail so far.  

What I find the hardest is that sometimes I have to lock myself away from neighbours visiting for tea and chat because the constant rushing to the loo is so embarrassing.  That and the fact that I very seldom can go far from home incase I need the loo.  I am retired and I have no idea how those of you that have to go out to work cope with IBS-D.  

[damjan193]

Still not sure what type I have as there are a few more tests to be done in order to be actually diagnosed with IBS, but I think I probably have an IBS-M. Thankfully with not very severe sympthoms thus far, as I rarely have proper, watery diarrhea, mostly just loose, cake-like stools and only once a day, while I've only been constipated once for a week in the past 6 months. The stomach pain/cramps are thankfully bearable but the bloating and gasses that I have difficulty to release is sometimes difficult to deal with.

I've lost a significant amount of weight in the past 3 weeks however, and that is a sympthom of an IBD like Chron's or Ulcerative Colitis, though it could just be down to the fact that I've been under enormous stress during this time. I have no other sympthoms of an IBD (blood in stool, fever, exaustion etc.) but I guess the only way to know for sure is by doing a colonoscopy. Anyone on here suffering from an IBD or has had sympthoms that are atypical for IBS (like the weight loss in my case)? 

[Whiplash]

I have post-infectious IBS that started after a c.diff infection.

[Alexa]

I was diagnosed with IBS-D about three years when I was 15, and I’m 18 now. I think I’m actually IBS-M now cause I’m all over the place, and it’s hard to manage, even with my prescribed medication. I just joined this group because I’ve been feeling really alone in this process, and I don’t like talking to anyone about it, not even my doctor. I just say everything’s fine. I don’t know why I get embarrassed because so many people deal with it, but I do. I hope that now I can feel less depressed about it, and be more open to people. 🙂

[M Annette Rodriguez]

On 9/17/2016 at 12:46 PM, Jeffrey Roberts said:

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Choose the type of IBS which best describes you.

 

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On 9/17/2016 at 12:46 PM, Jeffrey Roberts said:

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Choose the type of IBS which best describes you.

 

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I been diagnosed with ibs for about 3 years now but for 4 years before that doctors couldn't figure it out and now I feel alone because nobody understands what I go thru on a daily basis or what I go thru at night I dont know how I am going to feel the next day or that night I have to watch what I eat everything and it is hard I just want a normal life not one where I have to know where the bathrooms are where cant go out and enjoy my self with out feeling am I going to have bad gas 

[Frau Katze]

I don’t understand how the site works or maybe it’s no longer active. 

It’s 2021 and the post before mine is dated 2016. Is the site still active?

Edited April 22, 2021 by Frau Katze

[Jeffrey Roberts]

2 minutes ago, Frau Katze said:

I don’t understand how the site works or maybe it’s no longer active. 

It’s 2021 and the post before mine is dated 2016. Is the site still active?

Site still active! 2016 is when this post was started and people just add their comments to it.

[Mimi]

I am fairly newly diagnosed with IBS, although I fear I may have actually suffered with this for years. I am 69 years old and fluctuate between diarrhea and constipation. My doctor is very supportive and I am trying to manage this, but I find myself overwhelmed and quite depressed some days.  I am hoping finding others to talk this out with will help.

[Paul Allen]

The worst type. I don't ho for weeks. Then pne day I have about three minutes to act. the pain is unbearable u

[Mandy]

Hi Everyone,

I have had IBS-D for about 10 years and have seen several doctors for it.  Some did not know what IBS is and only a few GI doctors diagnosed me with it. I know stress and anxiety bring on the symptoms and recently I have been doing meditation and relaxation to decrease the pain and discomfort in my abdomen.  

Have you noticed stress worsen your symptoms.  Is there anything else I could do?

Mandy

Edited March 11, 2022 by Mandy

[peamer1]

I haven’t been diagnosed with literal IBS, but have a “sensitive” stomach that presents like IBS. Same type of symptoms. I don’t know what to make of this non-diagnosis. I’m working on learning about that. But honestly don't know what would be different if I did have a diagnosis. I eat extremely well and carefully. I’m trim and very fit, and over the charts healthy in every way except this.

I have no alcohol, processed foods, sugar. I follow most fodmap rules. The things I do eat from the list are rare. Essentially, I eat a 33/33/33 mix of protein, fat, carbs. Fats come almost exclusively from avocados and olive oil.  
 

It seems that stress is my catalyst. I have had these symptoms most of my life, in varying degrees. Apparently almost 100% of my stress ends up in my stomach.  It’s gotten worse with age; I’m 74 I’m exhausted trying to figure out every little nuance of food. Taking notes. Keeping charts. Trying to make absolute cause and effect connections. But it’s like a moving target. What works today doesn’t always work tomorrow.  

I concentrate on stress management. Vagus nerve stimulation, deep breathing. Meditation. Workouts 3x/wk, and walk or swim on all days. 
 

Main concern is that my fear of having an attack in public is holding me back from going out in the world. And, even when I leave the house, believing everything is ok and I feel like I won’t have an attack, the adrenaline from that fear can set off an attack. 
 

Doc gave me beta blockers to try to shut down the adrenaline, and that helps. I recently started taking Buspar (anti-anxiety), and those are helping a bit too. 
 

But anytime I want to go somewhere., I get all screwed up worrying about “where are the bathrooms?”  “Can I get to bathrooms easily without making a scene?  Will I have a stinky gas episode?”  The list is long.
 

I try to keep my chin up by thinking how much worse it could be. And also being grateful that I don’t have a serious situation like cancer. But this is exhausting. 
 

Can anyone relate?  I’m hoping to hear coping strategies for going out in public. Thank you. 

[KAT1976]

On 3/18/2022 at 2:19 PM, peamer1 said:

I haven’t been diagnosed with literal IBS, but have a “sensitive” stomach that presents like IBS. Same type of symptoms. I don’t know what to make of this non-diagnosis. I’m working on learning about that. But honestly don't know what would be different if I did have a diagnosis. I eat extremely well and carefully. I’m trim and very fit, and over the charts healthy in every way except this.

I have no alcohol, processed foods, sugar. I follow most fodmap rules. The things I do eat from the list are rare. Essentially, I eat a 33/33/33 mix of protein, fat, carbs. Fats come almost exclusively from avocados and olive oil.  
 

It seems that stress is my catalyst. I have had these symptoms most of my life, in varying degrees. Apparently almost 100% of my stress ends up in my stomach.  It’s gotten worse with age; I’m 74 I’m exhausted trying to figure out every little nuance of food. Taking notes. Keeping charts. Trying to make absolute cause and effect connections. But it’s like a moving target. What works today doesn’t always work tomorrow.  

I concentrate on stress management. Vagus nerve stimulation, deep breathing. Meditation. Workouts 3x/wk, and walk or swim on all days. 
 

Main concern is that my fear of having an attack in public is holding me back from going out in the world. And, even when I leave the house, believing everything is ok and I feel like I won’t have an attack, the adrenaline from that fear can set off an attack. 
 

Doc gave me beta blockers to try to shut down the adrenaline, and that helps. I recently started taking Buspar (anti-anxiety), and those are helping a bit too. 
 

But anytime I want to go somewhere., I get all screwed up worrying about “where are the bathrooms?”  “Can I get to bathrooms easily without making a scene?  Will I have a stinky gas episode?”  The list is long.
 

I try to keep my chin up by thinking how much worse it could be. And also being grateful that I don’t have a serious situation like cancer. But this is exhausting. 
 

Can anyone relate?  I’m hoping to hear coping strategies for going out in public. Thank you. 

My symptoms are similar to yours and definitely seem to be stress related. I cut out alcohol and  lot of sugary foods, but there still seems to be no rhyme or reason as far as food goes, just stress levels which can be hard to gauge as well. I’ll think I’m fine and then my stomach acts up. It’s so annoying and definitely prevents me from doing things for fear of needing a bathroom. 

[Risa]

I seem to have ibs mixed   most of my life I was constipated but about 3 yrs ago I started with chronic diarrhea also    So I take imodium and/or bentyl and probiotics than I may feel better for a few days but get constipated than do something to try and relieve that and swing back the other way again.  It is exhausting. and Im tired and frustrated. I didn't want to have a colonoscopy but I have all negative cologuard tests and negative for inflammation... Im a small little woman 4'10"  vegetarian, gluten free, no fried foods, low fodmap   etc etc   I weigh 103-105 lbs   No colon cancer in family- but both parents did have ibs I believe. It really affects me psychologically- I'm so exhausted of dealing with this and than wondering if its something serious- but all my blood tests and stool tests are fine except liver enzymes were a bit elevated last time - sonogram test was fine after that. There are psychological aspects as I have ptsd, anxiety, depression. I lost my son 10 years ago and it destroyed me but these are not the CAUSES of this condition.   I long to be free of this. I used to dance and take zumba classes and enjoy life more.   I still take walks which is good. and we go to the gym a couple of times a week- I just do the treadmill for 40 minutes.    I've tried so many things-  remedies- have been using essential oils lately, which help with some things in my life- but this ibs is so unpredictable day to day- and I have to keep encouraging myself to feel I have some control-  "oh it was just that" or "maybe this" or "possibly that"   its difficult to stay positive      anybody found a way to have a daily consistency in their lives?  thank you

Risa

[CathyCat]

For those with gall bladder issues—have you investigated whether you might have bile acid malabsorption?  The Mayo Clinic has info on it here:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/identifying-diarrhea-caused-by-bile-acid-malabsorption/mac-20430098

My doctor says it occurs most often in patients with gallbladder issues, which I don’t have.  He tried my on cholestrymine anyway.  It didn’t help.  I still have not found anything that works for my IBSD.  
 
Four colonoscopies, X-ray, CT scans, medications…

Now trying hypnotherapy out of desperation.

Cathy