I am new here and a little nervous
#52134 - 03/19/04 06:44 AM
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courtneyF
Reged: 03/19/04
Posts: 55
Loc: Virginia
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I am new here and a little nervous. Not sure why. But this is all new to me. I am 22 and found out a couple of months ago I have IBS. At first I was like Whatever, but now I realize I need to talk to someone about it. this is really hard for me and it is affecting my job and my relationships. I have not felt good for about 2 weeks straight and I am not sure what to do. My doctor said if this new medicine he gave me does not work, he is going to put me on Prozac. I was like I am not depressed, I have a stomach problem. But I realize I stress everything. My boyfrined thinks it is a good idea so I can relax. He says I stress EVERYTHING and when there is something to really stress over I make myself sick over it and he is really worried. Well me too. Sometimes I dont understand why I strees, I just do. Today I feel awful and I just want it to all go away, which I am sure everyone does. Maybe this will be a good thing for me, these boards, I will have people to relate to. All I know is I am so confused about what to eat and what not to eat and medicines and everything. I just feel terrible and I want to feel better, that is all I know.
Courtney
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Hi Courtney,
Welcome to the best IBS web site known to man. I am still fairly new here month or so but let me tell u once you keep coming to the board "daily" and familarize yourself with everything it does become very helpful. The people here are great and also very helpful. Anytime you have a question or comment go a head and post it and keep an eye on other posts. This is a great network of people helping people.
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if God brought you to it. He will bring you through it.
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Oh, poor you!
First things first, read up all Heather's diet tips and start trying to do the diet (i.e. cut out triggers and eat with soluble fibre in mind - and tummy!  ). I'd also REALLY recommend "IBS: The First Year". It's the Bible for IBSers - I found it an absolute Godsend. It explains more than anyone else ever did.
Part of that is start drinking the herbal teas and try some yoga! Heather's got some yoga postures on this site, but I'd really advise you go to a class if possible. If not, getting a CD or DVD will be invaluable (I like Om Yoga in a Box). The teas will help your tummy and Chamomile tea will help destress you.
Another BIG part of this diet is getting a soluble fibre supplement. Acacia (the one Heather does) is great - I love it.
What meds are you on atm? I'd suggest that you give the diet (and cutting out the triggers) a try before going on Prozac. However, having said that, anti-depressants can really help with IBS. Unless you're actually depressed, you should only go on a very low dose to treat the IBS though. Unfortunately meds can't "cure" IBS - there is no miracle cure. You're probably better off on the diet with no meds, than the other way round (I know I am!).
Good luck. Keep on posting.
Linz
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First...Hello and welcome to the board!!
It's totally understandable for you to be scared and unsure about what to do. I myself was exactly the same way.
You should look into getting Heather's books...they are a great start and offer some really great info to help us understand how IBS works and how we can take back control of our lives!!
Feel free to come on these boards and share your experiences and ask as many questions as you need to! We are here for you!!
Hang in there!!
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Hello and Welcome!! 
IBS can be a difficult thing to live with but you CAN live with it and it doesn't have to rule your life once you know how to manage it. As the others suggested, get the books and read all through this site that will get you going.
Check out the library section for why anti-depressants are helpfull for IBS. I have been on several kinds for many, many years. I too thought, well I don't need them because I'm not depressed, but there is more to it than that!! I had to stop my anti-depressant about 1 month ago because I am trying to get pregnant and I can tell you may moods are ALL over the place!! I wouldn't say I'm depressed at all but I have a hard time dealing with day to day things. It seems like I can get upset over the littlest thing, think PMS!!!  Don't be afriad of having to take meds to help you control IBS, if it will help at all, why not??
Please keep posting and ask any questions you have. Do you know how to use the search function yet?? That can be very handy!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I just found this site yesterday so this all new to me. My doctor prescribed me Levsin first and I have been on it for about 6 months and it has not helped for about 2 or 3 weeks now. So, I went back to the doctor and he prescribed me Bentyl, so I have to go fill that now. But when I read about it, it did not sound very good for you. I bought some pill Metamucil, but then I read that made you gassy and bloated. So, I need to go get something else bc that does not sound fun. I did not realize until yesterday I was eating all the wrong foods. So, looks like I need to go shopping. Which teas are good for bloating and diahrrea and cramps? Can you get teas anywhere?
Courtney
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Fennel tea is good for gas and bloating and peppermint tea is just a good tummy soother all together. Herbal teas no caffiene. Cammomile is good too. U can get these in any store.
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if God brought you to it. He will bring you through it.
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Shopping
#52158 - 03/19/04 07:14 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Oooo, shopping!
Get some soy milk. Don't get too much of one kind as everyone has a preference! Maybe get some choc soy milk as well, for a treat.
Stock up on fresh bread from the bakery. I usually get more rolls than I need and freeze some.
Get white pasta and white rice. These and the breads will be your staples.
Maybe find a recipe that you like the sound of and get the ingredients for that? (Anti-depressants brownies are loved by everyone I think!). But to try and stabilise properly, you should JUST eat soluble fibre foods for a few days. This includes root vegetables, avocadoes, mango and loads of other stuff as well as the bread, pasta and rice, so you won't starve!
I think you can get teas most places, but I'm the UK so it may be different for you. Finding a health store near you would be cool.
Peppermint is generally considered to be the best I think - for all aspects of IBS. But avoid this if you have a problem with acid reflux.
Ginger is for nausea. But, again, avoid this if you have a problem with acid reflux.
Chamomile is a great all-rounder and is also relaxing.
Fennel is for bloating (but some people don't like the licorice taste - you can mix it with others tho).
A lot of coffee places now do herbal teas. Starbucks does a "relaxing" tea with Chamomile in it that I love.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Linz
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I am planning on getting the books. Thanks everyone for being so nice. I know it doesnt have to control my life but sometimes I feel likethere is no choice. And I really did not realize that there were people out there that felt just like me. And this was the only site that was really helpful. I still dont feel good but just having people understand is helping already THANK YOU
Courtney
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I agree. I've been all kinds of big talk about stopping my lexapro, but caved this morning and took another dose and called in the refill. I realized as I was yelling at the dog this morning that I was a skosh testy! That and the crying jag the other night...
I think I'm ready to go back on! Now, as to whether it helps the IBS, I can't say.... but it surely seems to benefit all the people I know (and the dog) and save them from my moods!
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Well, you sure came to the right place, Girlfriend!
You've gotten quite a few responses, and I'm sure they're great -- people here are absolutely phenomenal! -- but I haven't read any of the responses, so if I'm repeating anything here, I apologize.
You need to do something about that stress. What kind of exercise are you doing? Yogi is supposed to be excellent (although I couldn't do it!), and if you like it, check out the yoga board here. Any kind of relaxation techniques are really good to help with that stress -- go for walks, dance, knit, whatever you can -- to relieve it.
I was in such a bad shape when I came on the boards, I did the hypnotherapy program. Wow, what a Godsend! Yes, my IBS affected my job (I had to quit) and my relationships (I lost friends over my IBS). But you know, Courtney, a door closes on you and somewhere else a window opens. You just have to be ready to climb in.
Really, I promise you, you WILL get better -- just stay with us here on the boards and read everything you can. Knowledge is power, and you'll have the power to get this under control. I promise.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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We seem to have a lot in common! I am 21 and completely new to this site! I also stress over EVERYTHING! Even when I don't really know I am, I do! It is crazy...I wish I could just be laid back, but NO EVERYTHING has to be a worry! Maybe we can learn about all this together! Best of luck with everything!
Amanda
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That is exactly how I am. I get upset over everything and then I feel stupid for overreacting. I know I drive my boyfriend crazy. He just wants me to feel better though. Though he does not understand he tries to help, even if he doesnt most of the time. And believe me I stress over everything. I stress over stressing too much!
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Thanks Alot. I have been exercising pretty much everyday for about a month and a half. I felt better after I started too so I know it is helping. I printed out some yoga techniques from this site yesterday and am going to start using them. I know I need to calm down. I am really trying to.
Courtney
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Yeah I was planning on getting some soy molk. I loved milk so much until one day I just could not drink it anymore without getting a terrible pain in my stomach and ice cream too. So, i have not touched either in over 5 months. It is horrible sometimes. But the other day someone told me about soy milk and how they have chocolate and vanilla and they taste good. But as far as everything else goes I was confused about what to eat and what not to eat. I am continuing to read though!
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Courtney,
You mentioned Bentyl in your post...I'm currently taking that and it is THE BEST thing for my IBS-C. I take Dicyclomine (the generic version which is just as good), and they are little blue pills. I first started taking them to help with the stomache pains. It pretty much "numbs" my stomache and makes the pain go away. But purely by accident, I discovered that Bentyl gave me "the urge" to go the bathroom. I seriously had almost totally lost the urge for a long time, and this pill was the only thing to help me go (without using laxatives).
I totally think you should give it a chance. It's not one of those medicines that takes a while to work because it has to go through your system for a while - it works automatically. The only thing is it makes me feel really weird, but more in a good way than bad. I personally feel energetic and light-headed (like I had a few drinks). My fiance tried it, though, and didn't experience ANY feelings like that...so, it could just be me!
Once again, I think ANYONE that has IBS-C should try this. It is my "miracle" drug, I swear.
Hope this helps
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Re: Shopping
#52245 - 03/19/04 09:08 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Don't overlook the SoyDelicious "icecream" I LOVE the chocolate peanutbutter flavor, its very yummy!!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hiya,
I just wanted to say Welcome and I was going to say that you shouldn't worry about being alone in feeling sick and stressed, but after all the responses you got I'll bet you already know!
I am 21, having a bad IBS flare up and have been through the same stuff with trying to deal with stress, so I feel your pain darlin'! I hope you can find some comfort and helpful tips on this webiste as I have, just the support will hopefully make you feel a bit more at ease.
Chin up, Charlie, as my friend tells me when I get down. I hope you feel better soon!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Soy "Ice Cream"
#52268 - 03/19/04 09:47 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Soy Dream Mocha Fudge RULES!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hey Courtney!
You've gotten tons of advice already, so I just wanted to say welcome.
As you're going through everything, if you have any questions, just let us know.
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Hi Courtney,
I just wanted to welcome you to the boards. I know how overwhelming all this is, but just keep reading everything on this site and posting questions as you need to. While you're waiting to get the books, you can read what you need to know right here on the web site. Have you read what to eat when you can't eat anything else; Breaking the Cycle?(http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber1.asp) Also, learn what ingredients to watch out for, and then read the labels. Like everybody said, you've sure come to the right place for help and support. I really hope you'll be feeling better soon!
Terri
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Well I am assuming that IBS-C stands for constipation. Which I have the opposite, so I am not sure if this will work for me. I go to the bathroom wayyyy too much and I need to find a medicine that really works, Like I said I am taking Levsin and it stopped working and now I have a prescription for Bentyl which I have not gotten filled yet. So, I guess I will find out if it works and he wants me to take it every other day, and Levsin I am taking every twelve hours. I dont know, I guess it is process of elimination to find out what works for me!
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I have tried to read everything. I really want to feel better so I want to do everthing I can to do so. Most of the foods dont sound like much fun, but I guess if I want to feel better I have to. I hope I feel better soon too and thanks!
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Meds
#52287 - 03/19/04 10:14 AM
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Kimm
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 1171
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hey Courtney....
Try not to get discouraged...you will find something that works!!
I just saw my doc on monday and switched prescriptions too...I was previously on Dicetel and it didn't work for me so now I'm trying Modulon.
I was so discouraged and defeated when I walked into that doctor's office but my doc assured me that there are plenty of different meds out there and she's sure that at least one of them will work.
Unfortunately it sucks having to go through the process of elimination before you finally find something that works for you.
Good luck!!
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