IBS sufferer for the past eight years

Have you had your gall bladder checked, preferably more than once? IBS by itself can cause a lot of pain, but in some cases it's something else pretending to be IBS. The other things to check for that cause pain and D are polycystic ovary syndrome, hormone imbalance, and food allergies, starting with gluten (Celiac's). Have you tried an elimination diet to see if you might have a food intolerance or allergy?

I have not had my Gaul bladder checked I did have a GI done ware they will you with an acidy drink and bloat your stomach out so they can check for ulcers and such. They also did a test ware they go up the bum with a balloon and check for I have no Idea what except it was very uncomfortable. How ever this was quite a few years ago and have had no test lately. I try to keep track of what I eat so I can figure out what it is that causes it. However, every time I think I have it I try the stuff again and nothing will happen. For instance apple juice or any thing acidic some times sends me running and other times nothing. I think I have gotten to the point ware I have given up, but believe that is probly not the right thing to do. I am afraid that by me ignoring how I feel that someday it will be something really bad. I don't know sometimes I feel like I am paranoid as I always think something worse is bond to happen. The doctor did prescribe me meds a while back however I don't remember the name and didn't take them how I should have. Being in the military makes it very difficult to take care of your self the right way. For instance I am off to IRAQ on the third and have just gotten back home from a 10day training class in the states. Before that I was in New Jersey for 45 days of intense training with long hours. The funny thing with all that is I didn't have many episodes and I think the MRE's (meals ready to eat) clogged me up. This weekend how ever my stomach has been playing up and I feel bloated and uncomfortable that I didn't eat much during the day but was hungry as anything at night time. Not sure what to do as I have no time to see the doc so if you can think of anything that may help with my situation I would greatly appreciate it... Also pleas forgive spelling as hooked on phonics didn't work for me.. 

 

|P.S I am going to try some of things you have both sugjested and will try to keep intouch to let you know if any have worked. It's not easy keeping intouch whiel being over there.  

         

You should definitely have a hidascan done, as gall bladders cause a lot of the symptoms you describe. IBS can cause the same symptoms too, so that's why you have to have it checked to rule it out.

Unfortunately, while you are deployed, you are going to be subjected to the worst kinds of food imagineable, so I don't think you're going to be able to avoid things that mess you up very much. But you may want to talk to someone and tell them that you suspect you might have a food allergy, and do they have special meals for people with gluten allergies? If you could at least try that, it might answer the question of gluten allergy for you.

If it's your gall bladder that's bad, or if you have regular IBS, the gluten-free diet won't hurt it any. Some things to avoid with bad gall bladders, though, are fatty and greasy foods (no pizza, no fried chicken) and caffeine. If they start handing out No-Doze pills, pass; those mess up a regular person's stomach to some degree; someone who has a sensitive gut will be even worse. Fatty and greasy foods, caffeine and alcohol are bad for IBS people as well, so no matter what your problem really is, you won't hurt yourself by getting off those things. Besides, during the first Gulf War, more servicemen were killed in drunk-driving accidents than died in combat, so you can at least do your mates (as well as your guts) a favor by staying sober. If you can get yogurt, that's a good way to get both probiotics and calcium daily. If you can take some Caltrate 600 w/ vitamin D with you, try taking one pill up to three times a day to see if that doesn't help with the D and some of the cramping; it's worked wonders for others.

And I would stay away from apples and apple juice. No one product is known to make people with gut problems of all kinds worse than apples and apple juice. You say that they bother you intermitently anyways, so you might as well avoid them all together. Some people, though, do have some luck with cooked apples, including applesauce, so if you really love them, you might try them that way.

When you go back to civilian life, get yourself a job with health insurance; please, for pity's sake, don't rely on the VA to take care of your medical needs. The most depressing place I have ever been in my life was a VA hospital when my great-uncle was dying. I've been in nursing homes before that were brighter, cleaner, and cheerier. And as the US VA and the British VA are taking a pounding for their lack of care right now, it's not a good time to rely on them; definitely go private.

Just remember that over there, everyone's an enemy unless they prove otherwise. Stay safe, watch out for Iranians (those people are crazy and they're not afraid to jump the border and take hostages), and God bless.