My IBS Journey

By gailr

1 min read

When I was 13 Years old, I had an Upper GI and that’s when they noted my hypermotility. I was diagnosed with having a spastic stomach and colon.

After the removal of my gallbladder in 1991, that’s when the loose or looser bowels began. The stomach cramps, pain, bloating, etc., has worsened over the years.

I’ve stopped drinking regular 2% milk, and started on Lactose free milk, but the stomach aches continued. Over the years, the nausea has intensified. I’m so sick of this! I’m at wits end! I am on Bentyl as needed. I also have GERD, and I had to get off of the Dexilant because it was causing me to have more frequent IBS issues. I’m now taking Zantac, but it seems like it’s not enough coverage. Yesterday (6/20/18) I had an endoscopy, and was told I have Gastritis too. Oh joy! NOT! I came across this group while scanning the FB, and hoped I might have discovered somebody here who understands. I’m so tired of not being understood. I’m so tired of complaining about how much my stomach hurts. I’m so tired of holding everyone else back, keeping them awake at night while I suffer with the symptoms over and over and over again. Would appreciate some support. Thanks.

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Becky Oleson Moderator
Hi GailR, wow, you've been through so much. I am so grateful you've shared your story with us here. Please know you're in good company -- so many of us can relate to what you've said. Nighttime pain is the worst! I'm curious, have you given the low FODMAP diet a try? What about keeping a food journal? These 2 things have helped me more than anything else in managing my IBS symptoms, and it seems like many in this community have experienced similar results. We always recommend checking with your healthcare professional, too -- especially if you feel like your current/past medications aren't doing the job for you. Please continue to keep us posted on how you're doing! -Becky, team member
1. gailr Member
 Thank you for responding so quickly. I’m new here...obviously, so I’m having a little trouble navigating the site. I’m so glad I found you! This has been a horrible thing I’ve suffered with for so long, and hardly anybody understands. We can be ready to go somewhere when everything grinds to a halt until I’m thru with using the bathroom. Simply horrible! What is that diet? Is it discussed here on the forum? I’m already aware of my guts dislike to milk, and so almond milk seems to be helping. I recently switched from lactose free to this new stuff called A2? Now, I’m on Almond and my stomach doesn’t hurt! For now... Thank you again.
2. Becky Oleson Moderator
 I'm so happy the switch to almond milk is helping, GailR! Are you referring to the low FODMAP diet? If so, here's some more information about it: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/ibs-diet' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/ibs-diet</a> If you go to our menu (top lefthand corner of the screen) and click on "Coping and Diet," you'll find tons of articles with suggestions from people who personally suffer from IBS and can relate. Check out the recipe section, too. Lots of great ideas there! I haven't personally tried A2, but I'll have to check it out. Thanks for bringing it up! And since you mentioned lactose intolerance, you might be interested in reading this article: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/other-health-conditions' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/other-health-conditions</a> You can use our search function to find lots of articles about that, too. Just include "lactose" in your search. I hope this helps! If you have any trouble finding your way around here, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're so happy you're here, and we'll do everything we can to help! -Becky, team member
jaeger91 Member
GailR, I can definitely relate. Being woken up during the night by pain so intense, it nearly makes me vomit has been difficult, but not as difficult as soiling myself in public during flare ups. So my family has had to wait for me many times, and I've even had to miss out because I just couldn't leave the house. It's a challenge, especially since it has such a stigma attached to it for most people who just don't understand it. I hope you find some relief.