enzymes?

hey, i haven't been on for a while... been busy looking for a full time job (and success, i start mid-june!!) and since i have no insurance right now i have to resort to OTC treatments...
i was wondering if anyone has heard of papaya pills? apparently the enzymes help with the digestion. i have started taking them, haven't really noticed a change either way. they are not specific to IBS, but my mom (a RN) suggested maybe i need enzyme supplements... any info? (often my D comes soon after eating and looks like i didn't even digest it...or chew it for that matter!)
i maintain the acidophilus and take imodium when needed... but just wondering what you all thought...

also, what is the prickly pain in the center of the abdomen, below the sternum... i have just started getting pain like that... usually i get the stabbing gas pains, and the spasms, but what is the cause for center ab pain???

take care,
bunnybabe


what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

You can get gas pains most anywhere, so it could just be that your gas has moved to a new location.

Haven't you suspect gall bladder problems in the past? I hurt along my diaphram, which sounds like the same place you are describing. Contraty to popular belief, not all gall bladders hurt exclusively on the right side.

Are you taking any sort of gas relief pills? I have used the chewable kind in the past because they are cheaper than Gas-X, but they may not be as strong; I don't know. Have you also tried calcium for your diarrhea?

I don't know anything about enzymes, but it doesn't sound like they are hurting you any either. Maybe give them a bit longer to see if they help any before dropping them.
:-)  JUST WANTED TO ADD MY 10 CENTS. i too take acidolpolis, have for 3 to 4 years, reall y like it. i had the knid of ibs that gave you the runs right after you eat also, a couple of comments.  first off, calcium is a good idea, it hardens your stools, i also use papaya enzymes, they taste good but i am not real sure of their value, but they cannot hurt.  now on to my final comment. when i stopped working 3 years ago my episodes of (the runs) stopped, i think it was stress related.  i was in sales and i would be taking customers out to lunch almost everyday and before they could say goodbye i was in the john, since i do not have to deal with people and just being(ON) all the time i have gotten a lot better..  try the calcium it will help, no less than 1000 mg though.
thanks!
no, i never suspected galbladder issues before...
i will look into the calcium.
and, yes, the papaya pills taste good! and acidophilus rocks!!

thanks for the advice,
--bunnybabe


what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

I use Natrol Digestive enzymes. I feel it works for my condition... but I dont know what condition I have at the moment


Is it UC or MC?
Asacol... 2 tabs 2 times daily
Entocort EC 9mg
Rowasa enemas- never really sat well with me
VSL#3 probiotic-1-2 packets a day
Compazine 10 mg as needed
Wellbutrin 150 mg Ativan .5 mg as needed
Officially married!
2.14.06 Test results positive for gluten and dairy sensativity!  GFCF in May.

Lol, Terps. Isn't that the way IBS works? Have no idea why the guts mess up, but if you can find something that makes them work better, then do it! Nothing like treating the symptoms of an unknown disease.
terps19, how do you get tested for gluten sensitivity? i was negative for celiac, however i at GF for almost a year now. i have noticed that if i eat wheat or gluten i have diarrhea explosions... i would like to have a reason for it...
thanks,
bunnybabe


what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

Well I used Dr Fine's tests on www.enterolab.com My doctor, like any other Dr, says that the regular celiac tests should pick up gluten sensativity. But I dont really believe him. I went GF a year ago before I saw any Dr (my grandma was a nurse and said to go GF) and within 4 days I had a almost normal BM but then had to eat gluten again for my endoscopy. Endooscopy results were negative. If you want to read some other peoples experiences with Dr Fine go to: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2

They have tests for Gluten, dairy, yeast, soy and eggs along with a gene test for celiac genes (I have both of the genes). Needless to say I am going GFCF no matter what.


Is it UC or MC?
Asacol... 2 tabs 2 times daily
Entocort EC 9mg
Rowasa enemas- never really sat well with me
VSL#3 probiotic-1-2 packets a day
Compazine 10 mg as needed
Wellbutrin 150 mg Ativan .5 mg as needed
Officially married!
2.14.06 Test results positive for gluten and dairy sensativity!  GFCF in May.