Managing Your IBS Symptoms

YES around menstrual cycle the symptoms do increase! My solution is to keep my bowel as empty as I can (I tend to constipation) using psyllium (soluble fiber)...being "clean" truly helps, as there's not much inside to create gas with. Taking soluble fibers also helps minimize the intake of highly gas-maker "real" fibers such as lettuce, broccoli, beans and other hard fibers. Drink pleanty of water too. Good luck!

I can't eat a lot of raw vegetables. I was told to take Metamucil but I noticed no difference. I have the pregnant look even if a normal weight.

After having a baby and getting fat, I started having bad constipation. I take Misoprostol twice a day except during my time of the month when I have the runs always.

My pregnancy was the healthiest time of my life for IBS. I consumed no caffeine and almost no sugar. Caffeine aggrevates mine because it is a stimulant and sometimes I feel contractions almost.

Stress literally sends me to the bathroom. Sometimes I don't make it because I have fibroids. I had my gallbladder out and my IBS got worse.

I eat fruit daily and that helps, especially the Sunmaid prunes that are individually wrapped. They don't taste as bad as other prunes.
I also eat grilled or baked instead of fried foods.

There are a couple of pills for IBS but they carry serious risks and one of them is only prescribed by specially trained doctors. I would NOT take this even if I have to wear depends, which I hope I don't.

Knock on wood, I have my IBS-d under control at long last. My IBS would be so bad during my period (serious diarrhea problem), my OB has me taking my pills straight through. I skip the placebo week and avoid the period altogether.

Diet is huge. I go light on fruits and veggies, avoiding citrus entirely. I also avoid tomatoes and limit chocolate. No caffeine and I've started eating Activia yogurts.

What has made the biggest difference, I think, has been going on an anti-depressant, Celexa. As soon as I started that up for depression, my IBS got notably better. I think it's been at least a couple months since I've had to take an Immodium. I have no clue what's in Celexa that may be helping me, but the timing makes me think that's what has helped.

Good luck! IBS is a tough one to manage and I hope you find a solution that works for you.

I was diagnosed with IBS last year when I was 23. I haven't figured out how to control mine as of yet. It only flares up about once a month though if I eat something super greasy so I stopped. I get bloated, crampy, and I even get the runs. :( At first my dr put me on anti depressants saying that it would help my baby blues and my IBS. Once my baby blues were gone I didn't want to take the depression medication anymore. the only thing I am on is Seroquel for my extreme insomnia. And I know I am having an IBS episode when I burp and it has this god awful taste that is the same every time.

Is it IBS constipation or diaherra? There's a difference. Mine is the diaherra. TMI!!!!

I eliminated most dairy. I also do not eat a lot of fried foods. I do get gassy. I take prilosec (sp) when I have flare ups. This helps me alot. One of my big triggers, salad! I love salad but I better be near a bathroom right afterwards! Try Beano I have heard good things about it getting rid of gas.

This total sucks doesn't it?!

I avoid foods that I know will upset my belly, like top ramen, beans, shrimp, fast foods, lettuce, and diet sodas. I make sure to get enough sleep, and try not to get too stressed out. I used to take a medication called Donnatal when I was younger, and it seemed to really help when I had severe cramping, but I haven't had to take it in a while. My symptoms get worse right before I start my period, and I feel great when I'm pregnant also.

Many people that have been diagnose with IBS have Celiac and dont even know it. I was diagnosed with IBS over 25 years ago and Celiac 3 years ago. Going gluten free did help. Now the last 2 years have been very stressful so right now my IBS is pretty much out of control. I have found exercising has helped some. I also take one Citrucel (fiber caplet) once a day. I drink water with a little lemon juice with every meal. The lemon juice helps calm the digestive track.This is going to sound crazy but I drink a huge cup of very strong coffee every morning. I know I will need a trip to the washroom but I don't feel so bloated all day long then. Keeping a food diary might help you find your triggers also. My triggers are dairy, chocolate, and I am starting to think rice. I eat a lot of foods made from rice because of being gluten free. Eating for IBS by Heather Van Vorous is a good book. She has over 175 recipes in her book for IBS suffers. She gives you suggestion of what to eat and what not to eat and strategies for eating with IBS. I think it was only $10.00. Oh and kids will make your IBS flare up! LOL!

My mom has IBS and she has tried just about everything diet-wise over the last 20 years. She has recently been getting acupuncture, which she thinks has helped, and next week she is having hypnosis done, which she says helped her friend tremendously in just one session.

YES, the right before my MS it is particularly awful.

Except for cutting out all caffeine (which was necessary in order to keep me upright and walking), diet changes didn't do anything for me, so I am currently on a medication called Librax, and I will be seeking the help of a specialist in the next month or so. Good luck.