I was told by my doc that i may be suffering from ibs, (Iritable Bowel Syndrome) anyone here knows more about this? i had it much worse in the summer , its improving but its still not 100% ok.

Hey isufferandtry,
that's what I have too!

www.helpforibs.com has a good mind toward help for ibs. good luck!

I have suffered from stomach issues for many years and have seen various GI's recieving multiple diagnoses. What i have learned, is that IBS is the garbage can for any unexplained stomach issues. There are various kinds of IBS and each kind must be treated differently. As with any ailment, there is no one medication that works for everyone. It is a matter of finding the right one that works with your body and deals with your specific symptoms. Stress certainly aggravates IBS, but hey, you find me a jewish mother without stress! Godd luck and keep us all posted.....

I suffered with IBS for 8 years. Diets, 'natural pills', chiropractors, prescriptions wont do the trick for most patients but there is hope... scientifically backed hope...

A [very basic] background:
IBS is categorized as a "Functional Bowel Disorder". Often it is referred to as a "brain-gut" disease, meaning it's part "physical" and part "mental." (aka "psycho-somatic") ***Don't worry: IBS is not just in your head. You're not crazy...it is a real and physical discomfort... However, a major part of successful treatment is being able to manage and control your brain's reactions to symptoms and sensitivities.

IBS works in a cycle: you have a real pain, your nerves (IBS patients’ nerves are more sensitive in the GI tract than non-IBS folks) react strongly, your brain translates the pain, reacts in a stress pattern, and your stomach reacts to the stress causing more pain! The cycle continues.

Thus... It's important to treat the psychological aspects - and most GI doctors don't know to help you with this. They'll write you a prescription and send you on your way... but you're missing half the treatment! Studies have shown repeatedly that Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (6 weeks of treatment or less!) help you achieve control over your pain (right now I'm sure it feels IBS is controlling you!) and decrease your symptoms drastically.

Why haven't you read or heard about this? Unfortunately, the research is fairly new & most people (including most Gastroenterologists) aren't up-to-date on their IBS info. Diets and routines you'll find through Google may work for individuals, but they have little scientific credibility. [Note of caution: Most 'ibs diets' are shams - someone trying to sell you an "e-book" online. There is *no* substantial data to suggest any diet will affect IBS. That being said: things that upset most people's stomachs can have a strong affect on your system. Avoiding highly processed foods, corn syrup, dairy if you're lactose intolerant (get tested!), spicy dishes, and oily foods, etc... will keep the frequency of pain down a great deal - and it's the healthy way to go even w/o IBS] Getting good fiber helps patients as well. Ask your doctor and make sure to use a fiber that doesn't promote gas, such as Citrucel tablets.

So WHO can you turn to for help?

Researches at the University of North Carolina's "Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders", led by Dr. Douglass Drossman, are repeatedly funded by the Government's National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their successful and promising research. Their site provides valuable patient information at: http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/fgidc/public_education_materials.htm

In New York City, with Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Charles Gerson (a GI doc) and Dr. Mary-Joan Gerson (psych) work together to treat IBS. Read about the approach here: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/76/90102.htm (NYC phone#: 212-496-6161 ; their website, with helpful IBS info: http://www.mindbodydigestive.com/)

*** It's important to get tested for all possible organic causes of abdominal pain. If you are over 40, or have a family history of colon/GI cancers you should be getting regular colonoscopies. There are non-invasive, 'virtual' options to do this sometimes! A day of discomfort, however, is better than a life of pain. Ask your doctor. ***

NOTE: Don't use online remedies. Don't get help from someone without being examined and treated by an MD... and in the future, find a better source for medical help than 'frumsupport' - there is nothing uniquely 'frum' about IBS, so don't limit your research. Visit a site like: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ or WebMD for more info on MD's in your area and the latest research.

Refuah Sh'lema
- A

in addition to using the IBS diet by HVV - which can be a life saver- (and women ruling out endo), something else to consider..can't believe i forgot!

there was a sdtudy a # of yrs ago at cedar sinai in CA that found that MANY with IBS (they first ruled out other conditions) had too much of a specific bacteria. they were then treated with a specific antibiotic and i believe had more than a 90% success rate. (like the idea of ulcers being caused by H. Pylori)

What is the core diffirence between all GI problems ? Can anyone explain this?

Refuah Shilaima.

check out medicinenet.com

hi -
I wish you well. I have been diagnosed with IBS for many years by now. It can be seasonal or brought on by stress or foods. I am a 3 out of 3 . I have had a flare up for the past week. I have been in bed and have cried through the days many times. What works by me unfortunately are painkillers. I usually stop eating just about everything but I know that certain foods are complete no-nos. It is a trial and error basis for each individual. I have tried all the meds that have just come out or that they took off the market and brought back on. Unfortunately the pain-meds are what keeps the cramping or horrible pain at bay. Make sure though that you do not get dehydrated or if you see blood then you MUST go to your doctor or ER, In time you will know your body and the different pains and you will know whether it is an IBS pain or something else. Good Luck and I wish you well - I truly know what you are going through.

Hi Ray -
Your response brightened up my day. It has been day 9 since my flare-up. It is hard to be optimistic already. I push myself if not for me than for the sake of my husband and 3 children. I am scared that I will go through another flare-up like I did a fewyears ago which lasted for over a year with me in and out of the hospitals and on IV even at home.
I will start looking at what you gave my as suggestions. Thank you so much, you are very kind. Not many people truly understand what IBS is or how painful it can be. There is alot of pain and then one gets nervous which just adds to the pain it is a cycle.
Once again thank you so much,
Frumi11

Hi Ray -
I live in Canada, but thank you for all your help. I know I must only have light foods. I have finally given up pasta ( I know I must be mad to have the pain and still eat all the wrong foods ) it had been awhile. The pain is still there and so are my painkillers, but I am trying my best. I am stopping to eat many foods already for example a bowl of cereal in the morning could send me keeling over in agony. I will look into that woman in Brooklyn. I have many family members there, so perhaps that will pan out. Have a good shabbos and thank you for helping me - many don't know what to do or how to help and think it is " all in my head already".
Frumi11

hi Chani-
Thank you for your reply. I have ruled out endometriosis. It was one of the first things that my gastrio doc said I should rule out. As for not having good doctors in Canada - perhaps you have had bad experiences or know people that did, but I have top doctors and we DO have great hospitals etc. One can either go with medicare which has fantastic health care or opt out of it if the wait is too long. I have done both. I have paid for MRI's and with medicare have been in the emerg and been sent straight away for testing. Thank you once again - but remember it is Canada ans not a third world country ( smiling ).
I have started to check out your good recommendations.
Frumi11

frumi11

i think that digestive diet ships to canada.
call them and find out.
digestivewellness.com

feel good

feel better!!!!

I too have IBS, but not as bad as some people here. I found on the internet that Fennel Tea helps. I tried it and it really works, stomach pains went away 10 minutes after I drank it and its great for the stomach swelling. Also, whenever I behave (no milk, no fried foods, no choccolte, no white flour)I feel good BH its only when I cheat.,...

HI I have IBS and I had it with constipation. since shavous I have lost six pounds due to diahhrea. I had a colonoscopy. I had a catscan of my abdomen and I had a lactose intolerance test. The doctor said it is just the IBS. however during the colonoscopy he took a biopsy and said my intestine was inflamed is this common with IBS? any solutions?

thaks I am going to see a different gastro on the 31st of july

in response to downsyndrome:

1)if not done yet, he should go for testing to make sure there is nothing else going on.
2)keep track of how and what he eats. if it's truly IBS (and sometimes even for some IBD), the IBS diet by Heather Van Vorous is a LIFE-SAVER. and is not very hard to stick to. especially when you see you get results so quickly!

refuah sheleima

i'm so glad you saw another gastro! sounds like he's barking up the right tree! much hatzlacha!

IBS ussually flares up when your stressted out. I never heard of it flaring up at diffrent seasons

Can you elaborate more on the seasonal connection. Any lit about this?