IBS?

I have IBS which means that I am either constipated for about 5 days (more when stressed out, which is a lot because of law school) or the other extreme.   Since I started eating healthy about 2 years ago on this cite, I have gotten a lot better, but since this is not really curable I still struggle with it.  My question is this.  Today I was feeling yucky, it had been about 4 days since I had gone, and I had HUGE amounts of fiber the last 2 days to allievate that, but this morning still no luck.  I work out at least 5 days a week and did yesterday as well, but today every time I get on the elipitical, I have to go, which is great but after 4 times today, it is getting annoying.  I have been stuck at the same weight for over 2 months, and I am wondering fist advice for the IBS and weight control and second is the IBS keeping me from seeing the results? 

I wish I had those answers, I dont. But I too have IBS and I will say the Activia yogurt has helped alot. When I first started eating it I didnt even like yogurt so I would have to disguise it in a smoothie, now I can tolerate it. The only thing that's a problem for me now is that you have to remember to eat one every single day. I like the Vanilla light w/ kashi cereal.

My Dr. specifically told me NOT to increase my fiber but that is because I also have severe gas cramping and acid reflux. He also advised me not to eat when I first wake up but to have a couple cups of coffee first and give it an hour. If I haven't gone after 4 days I take a laxative. I don't like to use them and don't abuse them but if I need to, I do.

I do think IBS can stall results but I also think it's possible to lose weight with it too. Are your calories and work outs in check?

Yeah, I work out almost every day, and eat between 1500 and 1800 calories a day depending on whether I work out.  Really, don't keep up the fiber?  That is odd.  I have never heard that, though my doctor seems to think that IBS is no big deal, probably because he doesn't have it.  There is nothing worse than being out with friends when you get an attack. 

Also dairy is one of my triggers, I can't really eat it.  So I am not sure if danactive is for me unless they have a soy formula. 

I have IBS and this happens to me sometimes, too. I take stool softeners sometimes, laxatives if it gets really bad. The one thing that usually does it?

Taking a day off.

Seriously, if I have a day where I take it really really slow, maybe head out for a walk, drink lots of coffee, water and RELAX, I am more likely to go. I've noticed if i'm really busy, I'm in danger-zone. 

Hope that helps. I know it's awful. Go easy on yourself! 

And half a mini watermelon works wonders...

Yes well thats what my G.I. Dr told me because of the severe gas cramps. I know it's supposed to be a very healthy part of your diet so I'm not going to recommend it for everyone, but he told me I was only making things worse. I do have some fiber, I eat fruit and veggies, (2-3 servings per day) and I eat oatmeal with fiber, etc. I know when I've had too much and slow it back down a bit. I feel like a balloon from the bloating when it gets bad. I know this still doesn't answer your ques but I'd talk to your Dr. They put me on that Miralax that you can buy over the counter now and it too bloated me. I just couldn't take it. He told me to try adding a tiny bit at a time until my body adapts, eventually he told me to get off of it I was in such bad discomfort.

If you don't noramally have problems with gas I wouldn't think this would apply to you. Best wishes!

Miralax really helps me with constipation and my GI doc put me on that and an Rx called Amitiza (sp). I recommend both of those if your problems persist!

Before Law School I did not have a problem with constipation.  More with the other one.  I am not sure if it is because my stress level has hit the roof or if it is because I am getting older, but I NEVER have a normal BM... Ever.  I literally go days and days without one.  It is annoying and you can definitely tell from my mood if it has been a few days since I have gone.  I have taken laxatives, but I don't like it and I have to make sure that my morning is free if I do.  I feel like if it is days before I go, then does that mean that my metabolism is slower?  The reason I ask is that, like I said I have been stuck at the same weight for months and I have been doing all the right things.  Really!  Help!

When I get in that situation (I too have digestive problems), I go out for Mexican food (usually enchiladas rancheras).  Hasn't failed me yet and it's a lot better tasting than most things people recommend :) 

You know what kills me... Kobe steak house.. you know where the Japaneese guy cooks in front of you.. HOLY COW, about 2 hours later, get out of my way!  Happens EVERY time, no matter what I order or how much I eat.  The weird thing is if I eat the leftovers the next day, it does not happen.  I always get the chicken or salmon and TONS of veggies. (there is always at least one person at the table that doesn't want their veggies so I claim them!) Here is the thing though, I can't eat this garbage a few times a week just to be regular!  I mean Kobe and mexican food is a special treat!  My fiance says I am a health nut but really I am just someone that gains weight from LOOKING at food!  So now what?

I too have the same problems.Been with this new healthy lifestyle since the beginning of Feb.Iknow when I am constipated for days at a time my weight stays put or even goes up!It can be super frustrating.When its been 2or3 days I use Smooth Move tea(senna leaf all natural) to move things along.I do find when things are moving right the weight moves down also.Hope this helps,good luck

I also have IBS and stress definitely triggers it - oddly enough, my reactions go both ways too.

One thing I recently noticed, I had to stop drinking caffeine due to antibiotics I was on. Well, I got used to not drinking coffee or tea and then last Friday, decided I needed to have a cup because I was literally falling asleep at work. All that week I had felt bloated and full and was all backed up - after drinking that one cup of coffee Friday afternoon, everything was cleaned out. Unfortunately though, for the next day my stomach/intestines were in overdrive - so everything I ate literally went right through me.

I have to say, it is a very careful balancing act with IBS - and it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes it and why some days you cant go and other days you cant stop. I hate the inconvience it is... not only to me, but the people I am with. It is horrible to have to constantly know where a bathroom is at all times - and even worse when there is a line.

I was tested for Chron's disease when I first started showing signs of it - unable to keep anything in me, drastic weight loss, fatigue, fainting, crippling stomach pains that landed me in the hospital. The test came back negative and the doctors concluded I had a severe case of IBS.

They gave me these little white pills to take- they worked pretty well and I took them for a few months. My doctor also told me to stop eating high fiber foods since my digestive system was processing everything too quickly - instead she told me to stick with carbs. I also did that for 3 months - but then I started getting sicker again. It turned out I had acquired an intolerance to gluten so I had to cut that out of my diet.

It has been an up-and-down hill battle figuring out what exactly I can and can't eat - and it changes all the time. I can now eat gluten products - but can't have too  much in a day. Dairy (in large quantities) triggers me too - but I do make sure I have a yogurt every day.

When I get blocked up, the scale shows it.

My mom always said prunes would do the job - have you tried them?

 

I too have IBS although, knock on wood, I've not had a full blown episode in quite some time. 

Diet control and lots of meditation/stress relief have been key plus really knowing I cannot eat my trigger foods. Not even a little. (Don't get me anywhere near MSG-OMG!!!) 

I know I must keep my fiber high and my water intake optimal.  And I eat yogurt at least 5 times a week.  Managable is the best you can hope for with this.  The fiber minus enough fluid and...well...you know.  But not enough fiber and things shift the other way.

As for not seeing any weight loss, I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking if you bounce between going and not going, that might be enough to throw your metabolism off.  Especially if the food you do eat makes a quicker than normal exit from your system.

FUNKY - Holy cow, I should count my blessings!  You have it way worse than me, however I can't have too much dairy in one day.. If I have milk in my special K in the morning, that is it for me for the day.  I have since switched to soy milk because it is easier on me later in the day.  Coffee is a trigger... sometimes.  Only if I have been backed up for days.  Alcohol is a trigger for the next day.  I know if I have one drink, the next day I will make several trips to the rest room.  Laxatives are REALLY hard on me as is the smooth move tea.  I am up at 3 a.m. every 10 minutes for hours.  yeah I may need it, but I would rather find something more natural and easier on my system.  Someone said a teaspoon of castor oil should help...  Does anyone know if that is true? 

My thoughts on this, since I, like many experience IBS:

--Try accupunture.  It really helped me with stress management-and helps me to "go"  It is covered by many health insurance companies.

--Fiber, daily, at night.  I take the chewable sugar free "Fiber choice" type

--Lots of water

--Wake up early enough so you are not in a rush in the morning. 

Good luck to you and everyone else-IBS is manageable yet still challenging!

Hey girl- I have chronic constipation, and my MD prescribed Amitiza, but I did not like the side effects.  however, it is different for everyone and maybe worth a shot. I now take Lactulose once every 2-3 days. You can take it every day, but I find I have better results if I space it out a bit.

Also, I recently underwent testing b/c my symptoms were getting so bad and they think I may have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction- not saying you do by any means, but it was something I had never heard of and it makes sense w/my symptoms- just fyi.