30 years and counting

[Socaleer]

Hello everyone. I just joined. I'm 44 and have dealt with IBS since about high school. I've been to 3 gastro Drs in my life and all basically say just eat healthy and avoid trigger foods (dairy, glutens, etc.). I'm fairly healthy. Last July I started a nutrition program and released 40 lbs of fat. I'm about 15 lbs from my weight goal. I exercise 2-3 times a week and eat a mainly high protein diet (Isagenix). I use dairy free protein shakes for two of my meals a day. The first month of the program my IBS got better, but it's back. It's like my body got used to my new diet and adjusted to bring the IBS back! Mornings and anxiety of not having a bathroom around are my main triggers. I know it's mostly mental. I'm seeing my primary doctor today about growing panic attacks that trigger my bowel urgency. I live in Southern California and can tell you where every public restroom is within 100 square miles Outside of Imodium, have anxiety meds worked for anyone? I've never been on prescribed meds, but I don't want the panic attacks to continue or worsen. Thank you for reading. I can swap horrific accident stories with the best of them

[asbayford]

Hi! So sorry to hear you've been dealing with this for 30years! You asked about anti anxiety tablets: I take 30mg mirtazapine and it strips 80% of my anxiety away, also it stops my ibs due to the anxiety (this one has a well known constipation side effect but in all honesty that gives 1 bowel movement for ibs-d lol which is much better than all the time!)

It may be hit or miss with antidepressants but definately go through side effects with your doctor to see which is more fitting for your ibs. Everyone's different

Take care! X

[Socaleer in reply to asbayford]

Thank you for your reply 😀 You've already helped more than my horrible primary doctor. My visit with her was a nightmare, but at least I got a referral to a new gastro. Cheers!

[asbayford in reply to Socaleer]

Wishing you the best of luck with the gastro! X

[katesampson65 in reply to asbayford]

They can give you a medicinal dna test which shows which medications will work and which are a no do not take.

[katesampson65]

Yes anxiety meds work. First I had a medical dna test done in my daughter to avoid trial and error. And then got right prescription for her. Good luck. Congrats on the weight loss!!

[Guttrouble777]

Try fasting. Fasting from food completely for as long as you can. Drink tea (any kind you can tolerate) with organic honey, lemon, turmeric root (very important) and ginger root as many times as you like throughout the fast. This will help heal your gut. I did it for a full seven (7) days and it has done wonders. I am almost completely healed. It turns out I have diverticulosis and the pain was most likely triggered by food residue getting stuck in the small pouches of the diverticula. Fasting, I believe, cleared out the diverticula and they are slowly healing. I have felt amazing for a month now - did have a small flareup when I ate a ton of pizza and hotsauce (which I did to test my stomach) - but it went away after another 1/2 day of fasting. Try it. It's tough mentally but it can be done. Don't exercise while fasting. You'll need to conserve your energy. Best wishes to you.