Curious...what are your main triggers for predominately IBS-D? (m)
#215820 - 09/26/05 04:34 AM
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Sandyg
Reged: 09/13/04
Posts: 403
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I'm trying to figure it out myself. I had an attack of D last night and hadn't had one in awhile, not since I had a mean ol virus that had nothing to do with my IBS. Just wondering what you'd consider your worst triggers?
Sandy
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I'm an A, but I've always been D-predominant.
My worst trigger by far is anxiety. Addressing that problem has helped me IMMEASURABLY.
My worst food triggers are fats, dairy, and coffee.
The one trigger I have that I have no control over is hormones. I usually have IBS problems of some kind or another right around my period, no matter how "safe" I am otherwise.
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if you take anything for the anxiety or have you gotten it under control with other natural measures? I'm positive that's my biggest too. And it doesn't have to be a big thing either....just getting out of the house on time, going to work, dealing with my kids etc. Just wondering what you did.
Sandy
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Hi Sandy!
#215843 - 09/26/05 07:39 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I did try some natural methods first with a therapist, but I ended up needing medication. I'm on Lexapro, and it's been a godsend. It hasn't been a total cure for my IBS - I still have to watch my diet, and even then, I do still get occasional random "bad days" - but the improvements in my health have been... just AMAZING.
Consulting with a therapist wouldn't be a bad idea - your anxiety might respond well to natural measures, since everyone's different.  Oh, and do try the hypno program, if you haven't already - I've heard so many fantastic things about it!
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similar to casey here - dairy (i was lactose intolerant for years before ibs) and fats are my two big ones, and when i have my period i'm always worse. anxiety's been a problem for me, too, but mostly in that once i start to even think an attack is coming, if i'm not at home, the anxiety about the possibility of getting sick makes things much worse. since my anxiety is very tied to my ibs symptoms, getting my ibs under control and knowing how to eat as safely as possible has really helped.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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fat, dairy...
heat & stress.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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for a prescription for Lexapro or another doctor? Is it a low dose and do you have side effects? I'm considering asking my doctor about some kind just to help with the day to day stuff. I'm mostly D but occasionally an A.
I have heard great things about the hypo thing and will pursue something like that also.
Thanks again,
Sandy
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Breathing.
Haha. Seriously ... since I've never gotten stable, the only trigger I have been able to absolutely positively confirm is herbal tea. It took awhile for it to sink through my dense brain, especially since everyone's #1 piece of advice for an attack is to go have a nice hot cup of herbal tea, but I finally figured out that about thirty minutes after a cup of herbal tea I have a D attack. If I was feeling OK up until then and had something safe and starchy first, it doesn't end up being a full-fledged attack, just urgency/cramping/loose stools.
On the bright side, I know what to do if by some miracle I ever feel C!
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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Lately, the arrival of my period seems to be the worst trigger. Beef is also a big trigger.
I've steered clear of a lot of triggers so much that I'm not really sure anymore what my big triggers are. I should probably eat more IF, but I'm kinda chicken.
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Fats, dairy (I'm allergic to it!), soy, wheat/gluten/wholegrain anything/beans and legumes, STRESS, ANXIETY, (yes, the whole emotional gambit)...hmmm...I think those are the top triggers for me. Next, I'd say too much fruit/fruit juice. I won't get into the specific ones.
Let's just say, if I ate a whole egg or used real salad dressing...most processed/restaurant food...would have me RUNNING!!!
Not so funny aside: a naturopath told me to use Flaxseed oil as a supplement. So I started using it as a salad dressing and just straight out of the bottle condiment...BAD MOVE...my bowels were literally and oil spill for 3 weeks.
Kate.
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Up here, regular GPs can order tests, etc, so I was spared the trouble of having to find 2 doctors instead of just 1!
So... yes, my regular doctor prescribed it. I actually have some pretty severe anxiety problems, so no, I'm not on a low dose - I'm on the next-to-highest dose.
With any antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication, you do have side effects at first. They could last a month or even longer. I had extreme fatigue, nausea and dizziness - I think drowsiness is the most common side effect. All of that went away after a couple weeks, though, and I haven't had any long-term side effects at all.
Also, a doctor will recommend that you stay on a prescription for at least a month, maybe 2, before you decide if it is or isn't working - they take about that long to fully get into your system and start working. I'm sure your doctor would tell you all of this anyway, but it doesn't hurt to hear it from someone who's on them, I guess. 
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Worst triggers: dairy, red meat, overeating, sorbitol, anxiety
Edited by Maria!Maria! (09/26/05 02:14 PM)
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Definitely overeating! I just overate on bread and dry honecomb had a nausea attack, followed by diarrhea......must be a big NO NO!!!....I just found that out the hard way!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Seriously....stress is THE major culprit for me. I have had years that I could eat/drink just about anything I wanted, and then BAM! I can't eat anything for years! Since I had my gallbladder out last March, my symptoms have been a lot worse. I eat very little meat and I haven't been brave enough to eat raw veggies yet, but I do eat some canned and steamed. I have had very little dairy since last Dec. which is a miracle for me because I was formed on ice cream! (my dad used to bring homemade milkshakes to my mom when she was pregnant with me)  But now, alas....not a single bite of ice cream since Dec.  My other favorite that I had to give up is Diet Dr. Pepper. I could drink a 12 pack a day! But...sadly...none since Dec. Oh well, there has been one perk...I've lost 55 pounds!
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1. dairy!!!!!
2. anxiety
3. alcohol
4. too much fat
5. hormones
6. whole wheat
7. raw fruits and veggies
8. too much food
9. not enough food (i.e. going too long without eating)
10. not eating calmly, drinking while eating, walking while eating, standing while eating... etc 
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