I have had my gall bladder removed, endoscopy (erosions & Gastritis), colonoscopy (internal hemroids). I have always had stomach issues especially when nervous. I was recently diagnosed w/ GAD. After the GI tests, I just had the colonoscopy in January, the doctor said IBS. Just told me to take fiber supplements. Well that doesnt seem to be doing anything.

I started taking Prilosec at nite but that doesnt seem to help. I also just bought Peppermint Oil pills enteric coated but I still dont notice any difference. GasX and Tums dont help at all.

The main problem is embarrassing... it is gas. So I dont want to go out to dinner w friends & have that happen!! I will take stool softeners when I get constipated which isnt all the time. I seem to be less bloated when i do go to the bathroom regularly.

I just really dont know what to do. the IBS diagnosis seemed to be a brush off. Is there any prescription out there for GAS? I have not heard of anything.

I am exhausted every day because i have insomnia. I am on an antidepressant called Luvox. I dont know if it is making GI upset worse or not? But I feel I need it right now.

I am really confused and frustrated. I have 3 little kids age 5 and under to take care of, & my dad is terminally ill w cancer. So I think I need to take this Luvox for now. I have tried other antidepressants over the past year & got really sick so I am not willing to try anything else.

I just need some help with the stomach issues. Sometimes I look pregnant because I get so bloated. That is my main issue right now but no doc seems to be able to help me.

I have seen a psychiatrist, Primary doc, and GI specialist.

Anyone on this board have some ideas that they didnt ?? :)

THANKS!!

Hi,

I've had IBS for 30 years. I have both D & C. The last 5 years or so I've had non-stop 24/7 loud, smelly gas, constipation and urgent, no warning diahrrea. I've tried just about everything.

Things that have helped me are: Fiber pills. They have to be 100% soluble fiber, methycellulose. I take 3 in the morning before I eat or drink anything. Then my new gastro doc. put me on Nortriptyline, which is an antidepressant and Miralax. The Nortriptyline helps to slow down the digestive tract which helps with the urgent D. It actually makes me more constipated but with then I take Miralax, which is actually a laxative. I was really nervous to take that because I was already having D, but it has actually worked very well. Now I have very formed, soft stools and no urgent D. Because I'm going to the bathroom more often and more completely, I have way less gas. This regimen seems to be working well.

It takes about 2 weeks before it gets you on track. I hope some of this helps you because I know how awful this problem is.

Carol

Have you tried Gaviscon? Not sure whether that's the same as what's in Gas-X.

Luvox can cause or aggravate insomnia in some people. Perhaps a lower dose?

Have you considered researching food intolerances? Gas is very common with gluten intolerance -- and constipation, anxiety often go along with gluten intolerance issues as well. The whole,"when is your baby due ..." really rings a bell. Not just from my own personal experience, but that of many other women who have shared with me over the years.

I suffered a lifetime (5 decades) with severe IBS characterized by gas, gut spasms and constipation. Despite 3 hospitalizations and numerous tests, nothing more specific was found. It wasn't until one child, then another, was diagnosed as gluten intolerant that I began to prepare the whole family's meals GF (gluten-free). Within one month my gut was healed. The constipation, gas & bloat gone. Over 5.5 yrs. GF, I've had one relapse, when I decided I just couldn't live without some licorice. Within 2 hrs. of eating it, I was back in bed with severe spasms that lasted several days.

The curious thing is that although my kids have blood markers for both celiac disease & IgE gluten allergy, all of my blood tests are negative. I have met others with a similar medical history. But also some adults, who like my kids, do test positive for gluten, dairy, or other food intolerance.

Mainline medicine tends to poo-poo the idea of food intolerances. In large measure, perhaps, because at this time there aren't really any meds that docs can prescribe.

If you are interested in learning more about gluten intolerance -- it is a lifestyle, unlike any diet you've ever been on -- I highly recommend the book, Living Gluten-Free for Dummies, by Dana Korn. Perhaps your public library would own a copy. Dana Korn's information is accurate and her presentation is readable without being overwhelming.

Best wishes.

hi all,

i also suffer from IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome),and it seems to be under control now that i am drinking one bottle of ACTIMEL,first thing in the morning.

its the only new thing that ive added to my food/drink list,recently.ive been drinking it for 11 days now.

i used to be troubled with wind problems and belching,but now its all calmed down,and the stomach isnt as bloated as it used to be.

im glad i decided to try the actimel.my daughter talked me into it,but said that strawberry flavour wasnt good to her.

we currently drink either vanilla or original,and have no problems at all.

take care,fran.

[This Message was Edited on 09/24/2009]

I also had my gallbladder removed on Nov 2006 and here is what I do for the same problem.

Take Probiotic called Pearl made by Enzymatic Therapy Company - they sell it on this website.

Try a supplement called Miracle Reds. It is a powder you mix in water, very easy to drink. It is a very powerful antioxidant and has been life changing.

I started Acacia fiber months ago and it helped immensely. No more gas, bloating, constipation, etc.

Most other fiber supplements can cause severe bloating, but the Acacia fiber did not. If you do a websearch on IBS and Acacia fiber you should find good information.

Make sure and use the Miracle Red powder every day along with the Acacia fiber. I mix it together every night. My colon is happy now. The probiotic Pearl is also very important. Take one a day.