For those of you that have IBS and UC - questions for you

How did you know that you had IBS in addition to UC? How can you tell the symptoms apart?  I have suspected for quite a while now that I have IBS too but I'm not sure because I don't know what the symptoms are and how they differ from UC.  For instance, I have been having alot of mucous lately - not what I'm normally get with UC - I will have my bm, go to wipe and then wipe and then wipe some more because the mucous is in a large quantity.  Also, I've had sporadic bouts of constipation but I always contributed that to my UC now I'm wondering if maybe thats not the case.  What does the doctor do for you if he/she knows you have IBS in addition to Uc?

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Hey Sherry! I have IBS. My IBS symptoms are different from yours. I typically only have mucous if I am flaring. My IBS works like this...if I eat anything fried, fast food, etc. I tend to run right to the rest room 30 minutes after w/ diarhea. I usually only have it once and then it is over.

I had a ton of constipation w/ my last flare. Are you taking a fiber supplement? I swear by my Fibercon. It really helps keep me regular. Also I ate a lot of dried prunes. They weren't too bad.

Off to take my morning meds! Oh my doctor has given me Levsin (I think that is right) for IBS. I don't ever remember taking it.

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Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

http://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Same here; my mucous is only with a UC flare (beginning of one).

My IBS would be mostly mental but associated with flares.

Example: during a flare I may not have to go while at home, at work or near a bathroom. However, the minute I was asked to take my kids to an event, drive the co-workers to lunch, or be in a situation where I knew I couldn't go if I had to (i.e. getting on a ride or ski-lift) I would suddenly have to go. That's IBS but UC is a contributing factor.

That's the way I see it.

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Burli, I get that way too. If I know I have to go somewhere that doesn't have easy access to a restroom, I get the "willies" so to speak and I have to run to the bathroom.

Tabitha, I have tried numerous fiber supplements and my body does not like them at all. It give me horrible gut pain, increased D, cramps, etc. Once I tried toughing it out for a couple weeks and I was miserable.

I'm in remission and actually have been doing pretty good lately except for what I posted about above. But those sypmtoms I mentioned have been going on for quite a while.

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My symptoms are pretty much exact to *BURLI's* and I had that for the last 14 years, my doc kept saying it was IBS and gave me ZOLOF and DICETEL to try and regulate it.  Neither did anything.  I now personally suspect that I have had the minor beginning stages of UC for the last 14 years, because when my "IBS" would kick in, it would be massive cramping, urgencies, "D" , and mucos, for days.  As soon as it would start, I would alter my diet or fast for a few days and it would settle down.  The only thing that I never had until last July was the blood.