Ibs - constipation

[Megaan]

I’m 19 and have been suffering from ibs for 3 years and when I say suffering, I really mean suffering!!!

At first my doctor told me to just eat more fiber and honestly that was not working no matter how much fiber I ate!! She gave me duphalac (think that’s how you spell), movicol, buscopan and colpermin. Buscopan was amazing and takes the pain away in literally 15 mins. Colpermin also works wonders for me and gives off a lovely peppermint smell and taste! Movicol and duphalac I only take when incredibly necessary as I don’t want my bowels to get used to these. But all that was great until I stopped taking them and the pain was back! I was crippled, doubled over in pain because of it!!

My mom is a coeliac and so she suggested that maybe I didn’t eat gluten and too my surprise the pain suddenly went away! Every now and then I still get constipated (obviously as not eating gluten doesn’t automatically give you lots of fiber) but mostly as long as I don’t eat bread I’m ok.

But really? I’m looking for another treatment. This pain is excruciating, I sometimes go a week without going to the toilet. I’ve read about lemon water first thing in the morning and then people said they’ve developed stomach ulcers and stomach reflux and I just don’t know what to do anymore.

Please help??

[Hellblazer]

Hello I am currently going through a bad flare up at the moment and I do feel your pain. Milk of Manganese (it’s a mint flavoured liquid) is a laxative which can help bowel movements. I occasionally need to take them due to some medication I am on which causes constitipation. Bananas as well can help.

One thing I am getting done due to my IBS is going on an elimination diet through a dietician to fully find out my trigger foods. It may be worth seeing one and they can help with a diet plan.

[Megaan in reply to Hellblazer]

Oh wow I never heard of that! I must try get it!!

Also yes I really should go to a dietician as doctors really are no help with this condition (for me anyway)

Thanks a million!!

[b1b1b1]

You should have a test to determine if you have celiac disease. You seem to imply that there is a possibility that you do. This is a potentially serious condition and the treatment protocol has to be followed pretty carefully.

[Megaan in reply to b1b1b1]

When I went to the doctors I got the test and doctor said before she even sent the tests away she was 99% sure I wasn’t and tests came back and said I’m definitely not a coeliac. So that’s how I got ibs diagnosis.

[b1b1b1 in reply to Megaan]

That's good. At least it lets you eliminate a more serious condition.

[Pat1]

You need to take a high amount of magnesium citrate or oxide. About 800 to 1200mg. I have had Ibs c almost my whole life and am now in my fifties. This is the best natural supplement to take for this condition and I have tried many. Even my consultant recommended it. I take it every day. You must take it on an empty stomach just before bed with lots of water. I would start with a high dose initially just to clear you out. Even if it means taking a few capsules. I sometimes take 6 200mg capsules. Capsules are the best not tablets and it has to be citrate or oxide as these are the ones that work for constipation. There is a lot of information about constipation and magnesium on the internet. The ones I take are either Now foods Magnesium citrate, Solgar Magnesium Citrate or Life extensions. I get mine from the US on a site called iHerb, but you can get them on Amazon. There are other magnesium oxide products specifically for colon cleansing called Mag 07, Colosan and Oxypowder. They are a bit expensive but are amazing. I use these in between. No cramps no bloating, just relief. You can get these on Amazon as well. Don't suffer any longer. By the way I also follow a low fodmap diet through a dietician but this alone does not help constipation.

[Megaan in reply to Pat1]

Thank you so much!! I’ll go to my local health store and get this!!

[Hidden]

Hi Megan,

This article might help you: sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Alison

[Megaan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much!

[Rachelsaid]

Just to let you know you can't become dependant on Movicol as it is an iso osmotic and is safe to use longterm. A lot of people with chronic constipation, including my uncle, take 1 every day forever.

[Megaan in reply to Rachelsaid]

Oh really? I didn’t know this at all and was hesitant on taking it!! Thank you so much!!

[Rachelsaid in reply to Megaan]

No problem. It is only constant use of stimulant laxatives that are habit forming, like senna. If movicol works for you, use it

[Angie11]

I take 1/2 Movical every other day. And if I need extra help I take Milk of magnesia that always works for me.