Newbie..couple of ?s

Hi Tabitha,
Welcome to the IBS board!
Let me see if I can help answer some of your questions...
No, IBS is not totally food related. A huge percent of IBS is stress related. There are also people out there whose IBS is mainly related to not having a gallbladder. BUT, in order to pinpoint the foods that are most bothersome you can keep a food diary. Or, cut out lactose or gluten (1 at a time) for a couple weeks and see if you feel better. Then reintroduce them (1 at a time) and see if you symptoms get worse.
There are very few meds specifically for IBS. First there are antispasmodics, such as Bentyl, Levsin and Donnatal. There is also Zelnorm for IBS-C (primarily constipation). Docs sometimes try antidepressants as well, such as Elavil, Zoloft, Paxil and Wellbutrin, just to name a few. You will also find a few OTC meds like Digestive Advantage, probiotics, calcium, Imodium, peppermint oil, fiber, laxatives, stool softeners and calcium.
If lactose isn't your issue you might think about cutting gluten. Your doc can test you for Celiacs or a wheat intolerance.
Mucus is actually a common symptom of IBS. I don't know much about UC, but my guess is if you're seeing any blood at all or are having lots of pain that doesn't go away after a BM, it would be the UC and not IBS.
It must be really tough differentiating the 2... I'm so sorry you have to deal with both. I hope I have helped you at least a little bit with the IBS part.
Take care.

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Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

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Hi tjf, I have crohn's and IBS along with a couple of other problems. It is hard to deal with both IBD and IBS. My gi says most of my problems right now are IBS, not the crohn's. I sometimes take probiotics (they are kind of expensive and not covered by insurance) and I take liquid calcium every day. Imodium makes me cramp if I take a whole one so I take a half tablet sometimes for the d. As far as I know blood is not IBS related. I don't think IBS is totally food or stress related either. I was tested for Celiac thru a blood test and did not have it and I'm not lactose intolerant. Good luck in dealing with the IBD/IBS.

Is constipation related to IBS? I am having alot of trouble with constipation, bloating


Mercyme

I would consider switching from Lactaid to Soy Milk. I did and I found it is has been a great improvement.

Hi,
I was dx with celiac disease about 2 yrs. ago.  A colonoscopy is what determined I had that. The villi's are suppose to be a certain way and mine were well the opposite way. As you can see, I am still not to educated with it yet...lol. As soon as i was put on a gluten free diet, I saw a big change and felt so much better. I am also lactose intolerant. I do tend to cheat once in a while and I end up paying for it cause when you have celiac you are very limited as to what you can eat or are just to lazy to cook...lol. I eat alot of veggies, fruits, potatoes, white rice, chicken and fish. As long as i stay on that, i feel great.

Judy

 

**Hi Judy,  I just changed your post to lowercase; all caps is difficult to read and represents yelling.  Thanks, dbab

Post Edited By Moderator (dbab) : 3/26/2007 7:41:26 AM (GMT-6)