IBS remedies?

[Madrigal]

Obviously a diet change is in order... but it seems no matter how well I eat, my IBS is still there. Ever since I had my gallbladder (in 2003) it's been like this. My doctor said it's caused by "rapid transit time". Meaning my food takes 30 minutes to digest instead of the 45 minutes or whatever the regular time is.

Anyway, my point is, is that it's a real nuisance. I don't know what to do about it. I don't like taking Immodium (anti-dirrheal), because it leaves me clogged up for days. As of now I'm taking Pepto Bismal. I don't want to go on another medication, but I have a feeling I'm going to have to start seeing my former GI specialist again. I have a feeling he will suggest gastric bypass (which I don't want), and that'll just make it worse. OR put me on a medication to slow down the digestion.

It really inhibits me, and I hate it. Luckily it isn't as bad as it was about 8-9 years ago, where I was actually vomiting because it was that bad. Now it's just diarrhea. I wish I knew what do about it, but I don't. And before anyone hops on "it's your weight" wagon, I had IBS even when I was small too.

I'm just at a loss.

[WhiteLily]

Can you eat foods that take longer to process, like real oatmeal (not the instant crap) and raw fruits/veggies?

[Madrigal]

Yeah. I eat raw fruits all the time. I'm not too keen on oatmeal unless there's honey or brown sugar in it, so I tend not to eat it too much. As for the raw fruit, that still makes me have diarrhea, just not necessarily as fast.

[FiaSpice]

I've heard fiber aids to slow things down as well as progiotic yogurt, I don't know if that would work with your IBS. Aparently they said it can be stress/anxiety related (http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxie ... ndrome-ibs) could that be somthing making is worst?

[Madrigal]

Possibly. I did just go off my anti-anxiety med. My anxiety is still there, just not as bad as it was before. Back in late 2003-2004 I had lost like, 90something pounds because I was so stressed out, and the IBS was caused by that. It went away for awhile but then reappeared again a few years later. Not happy.

[WhiteLily]

What about the veggies? I eat my oatmeal with soy milk and maple syrup. It's very tasty!

Anyways, sorry I wasn't of any help. Good luck.

[Madrigal]

I haven't tried the oatmeal with maple syrup or soy milk. I'll have to give it a go!

I should eat more veggies more often than I do, so I'll probably do that too.

You are helping! So thank you.

[Heather]

take a long look at your diet. Maybe cut out gluten?
look at the "dirty dozen/clean fifteen" list for produce. If you are buying non organic things listed on the dirty dozen you could be wreaking havoc on your digestive system.

[Madrigal]

I know I don't have Celiac's Disease. So gluten's fine with me. I've been tested for it (and everything else under the sun) and that was ruled out. I haven't heard of the dirty dozen/clean fifteen. I'll definitely look them up. Thanks, Heather!

[Heather]

I know I don't have Celiac's Disease. So gluten's fine with me. I've been tested for it (and everything else under the sun) and that was ruled out. I haven't heard of the dirty dozen/clean fifteen. I'll definitely look them up. Thanks, Heather!

you can be sensitive to gluten without being celiac or having any kind of allergy show up. My daughter was tested for that and should have no sensitivities to it according to testing but too much gluten gives her tummy problems.

I personally have to follow the dirty dozen/clean 15 to the T.
If I buy regular strawberries I am allergic to them but if I eat homegrown or organic strawberries I'm totally fine. All my allergies are actually fruits that happen to be on the dirty dozen. It's pretty interesting IMO.

[Madrigal]

I looked up the dirty dozen/clean 15 like you suggested. I found it very interesting! I'm going to start following it when I'm due to get groceries next week. Thanks again.

[breezyspice]

I'm also looking into alkaline foods vs acidic foods and our bodies pH balance, not sure if its attributed to you and what you're going through, but I also have anxiety and IB problems (although, mostly only when I travel)!

[Lizzy]

it took me forever to find what foods upset my IBS. My doc told me i had it when i was an early teen, and it seems to change with time.

What i have found is that legumes are the worst for me, and more than 4 slices of bread a day. Beer is a bad bad thing too, but i just see the pain of my IBS as a hangover, haha.

coca cola helps for me, as does milk. Sttange enough, as coke is what upsets the IBS of a friend of mine!

[Madrigal]

Coke helps me too! But I don't drink pop a whole lot. lol I rarely can find regular Coke (as I hate the taste of diet) in caffeine free, only at select stores... IN CANS! So I just tend not to buy pop very often. But if I'm out at a restaurant that serves Coke products, I'll get one.


Ginger helps with it too. And mint tea/mint water.