IBS-D with severe weight loss

[TS1991]

I have been active on this forum since few months, going through different stories.

What hurts me the most is that IBS isnt considered as a disease and patients are not even taken seriously. Some say Its all in your head WHAT BULL ######!

Anyways, I am 26, have always been into workout, supplements and always ate healthy.

It was in Nov,16 that I first noticed some change in my bowel habits and in July, 17 I had watery diarrhea after a boozy Saturday night.

After going through all kinds of tests (colonoscopy, Endoscopy, capsule endoscopy etc) I was diagnosed with post infective IBS.

In Dec 17, I had some symptoms of arthritis in my right ankle (pretty much manageable).

From then till now, I have gone through different kind of treatments - conventional medicines, homeopathy, ayurveda but nothing really helped.

Moreover, I have lost 13 KG in last 11 months and it really freaks me out, its so so hard to accept this change.

Since I was always against taking medicines to control my symptoms, I never took any medicine for a long time and was always looking for a permanent solution through homeopathy and Ayurveda.

Now I dont think I have any other option but to take some drug and control my symptoms...

Here is where I need your suggestion, will I be able to gain back my lost weight after symptomatic control, will my intestines start absorbing the nutrients, is there anyone else facing the same challenge...

I really need my weight back! SUGGESTIONS PLEASE ☺

[sweetsusie]

TS1991: I had chronic diarrhea for years..couldn't hardly leave my house, and was miserable. Although, I never lost an ounce of weight..that was a bummer. Anyway, my doctor put me on a medication called "Welchol." Stopped my diarrhea in it's tracks. It is very expensive here in the States, though, so he has now put me on another drug called "Colestipol." Works wonders, too! If you research these drugs you'll see that they are also used for lowering cholesterol and type II diabetes, but they don't work real well to lower the cholesterol and usually the doctors put people on these, then add a statin. Anyway, these work for me, and I will take them for the rest of my life.

[TS1991 in reply to sweetsusie]

Thank you Sweetsusie for responding.

Thing is that I am only 26 and the idea of taking a medicine for my entire life (for something as lame as IBS) really scares me and is something hard to accept.

When I don’t take any medicine I still have a hope that one day (maybe after an year or so) my body will be able to neutralise everything by itself and I’ll be back to how I use to be (not sure if thats a realistic expectation).

Plus I don’t know that even if I stop my diarrhea by using any medicine, will that improve my intestines absorbing capacity and eventually resulting in weight gain.

My doctor at AIIMS prescribed Ondansteron and it works for in stopping the diarrhea.

Miseries!!!

[pajohns in reply to TS1991]

Have you tried probiotics? They have helped calm my ibs down massively. Could be particularly helpful if your ibs is post infectious.

[TS1991 in reply to pajohns]

I did but not for Long enough.

I am planning to take VSL 3, any recommendation? Which one did you take?

[pajohns in reply to TS1991]

Well I messed about with different ones and different doses before I got the balance right, it was trial and error. You may need to do the same but don't give up on trying them. I use 'optibac everyday' 1 tab a day and 'optibac Saccharomyces boulardii' 2 tabs a day, though it recommended upto 6 but that was too expensive and I got a balance with 2.

The latter is a yeast based one. There are some interesting articles about yeast and ibs d. Good luck!

[TS1991 in reply to pajohns]

Thanks mate 👍

[Eliana5 in reply to TS1991]

VSL 3 is best strain for constipation..I take this..

[sweetsusie in reply to TS1991]

I totally get it, TS1991, and I hope you're right..that it will go away. Me? I'd rather take a medication the rest of my life that to deal with diarrhea the rest of my life. Mine never went away and I have been in misery for years and years. Anyway, best to you!

[TS1991 in reply to sweetsusie]

I am trying ayurveda and will give it one more month, if it didn’t work I’ll be on one of the medicine to control my symptoms.

Hope I get my weight back by doing so.

[Eliana5 in reply to TS1991]

Hi..sorry, very late in responding..but I am going through terrible

Weight loss..in the past year have lost 100lbs. I was 186lbs and now 123lbs..I have gained 4 pounds and seeing a dietician..so maybe there is hope. I get unkind comments about my weight..it is the Pitts to live like this..this all comes from Chronic and severe constipation..to the point where I don't eat like I used to..due to stress and anxiety. I take Ensure and Boost shakes to help me try to gain weight..it is very difficult. Have only gained 4 lbs..😳. Did you find anything that works for you?

[Eliana5 in reply to TS1991]

I take either Bentyl or Levsin..stops stomach cramping..no side effects..

[TS1991 in reply to Eliana5]

I am planning to try Amitriptyline, it’s a tricyclic antidepressant.

Nothing helped till now.

[Eliana5 in reply to TS1991]

That sounds like a good idea..is it working? It's in an older class, the first tricyclic med to come out, but from what I hear, excellent for depression. I am on Wellbutrin, Remeron, Busphar, Klonopin and now Seroquel..a cocktail, but I have severe mental illness and BPD. Seroquel stopped the cramping, but it's constipating. Let me know how it works for you..the FODMAP diet, you can only go on it short-term. It's very restrictive..

[Haylesss]

Have you tried the FODMAP diet? This can be very effective but it is time consuming. It’s calmed my D right down though, and I now take no medicine or probiotics for my IBS. (I actually found probiotics made my stomach worse). The only thing I occasionally take now is Imodium if I’m going out for a long day etc.

[TS1991 in reply to Haylesss]

I did try, didn’t help

[Eliana5 in reply to Haylesss]

My gastro says it's too restrictive, and not good for long term..

[Haylesss in reply to Eliana5]

Oh I should have maybe said, I’ve reintroduced foods as instructed on the diet after 4-6 weeks. So, I now just avoid the foods I definitely can’t eat