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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Conundrum on September 5, 2011, at 21:17:40
I've been wondering if my persistent IBS like symptoms could be contributing to my lack of a recovery. I'm thinking maybe I'm not absorbing as much of the nutrients as I should be due to my constantly going to the bathroom. I know I have relatively quick transit time and even though tests have shown normal levels of nutrients I'm still wondering if this is part of the underlying problem.
For me the problem began when using an herbal cleanse that contained some potent herbs that should not be taken for more than a few days due to the effect they have on nerve function. Ever since taking these herbs I have not had normal bowel function. I'm not sure if it is just the nerves messed up or something worse like the herbs killed off the good bacteria and now my small intestines are somewhat overrun with harmful bacteria and causing some inflamation. Either hypothesis seems possible. I'm just not sure the best way to sooth the gut and eliminate any micro-vermin without causing more harm.
sigh
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 5, 2011, at 22:13:13
In reply to Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Conundrum on September 5, 2011, at 21:17:40
Try using loperamide (Imodium) 1 or 2 twice a day, that should slow things down. You can buy bottles of 400 at Costco for under 10 bucks.
Add a good probiotic to help build up "good" bacteria and displace harmful ones.
If you're worried about nurtients, a daily Centrum is a good idea
Posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2011, at 23:51:13
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 5, 2011, at 22:13:13
Yes probiotics I also have IBS so empathize with you. Phillipa
Posted by Conundrum on September 6, 2011, at 16:33:20
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2011, at 23:51:13
> Yes probiotics I also have IBS so empathize with you. Phillipa
Thanks guys.
Any ideas on good brands?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 6, 2011, at 17:25:01
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Conundrum on September 6, 2011, at 16:33:20
NSI/Vitacost make a good one, Probiotic 10:10, cheap and well formulated
Also taking Saccharomyces boulardii (a probiotic yeast) is a great idea
Posted by alchemy on September 6, 2011, at 22:00:44
In reply to Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Conundrum on September 5, 2011, at 21:17:40
i am interested to know if you feel better emotionally after you get your bowels "in shape". the ability to absorb nutrients is of course one of the possibilities i wonder about.
Posted by Conundrum on September 6, 2011, at 22:43:53
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by alchemy on September 6, 2011, at 22:00:44
> i am interested to know if you feel better emotionally after you get your bowels "in shape". the ability to absorb nutrients is of course one of the possibilities i wonder about.
Well I did notice some deterioration in the form of joint pains, poorer concentration, and more anhedonia about a year after the IBS symptoms started. So even if I get it fixed it might take awhile to notice a difference, if it makes one at all.
Posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 23:34:54
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link? » alchemy, posted by Conundrum on September 6, 2011, at 22:43:53
Really interesting as wouldn't think would effect moods? Phillipa
Posted by policebox on September 7, 2011, at 22:39:59
In reply to Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Conundrum on September 5, 2011, at 21:17:40
Your post is interesting as I've had IBS-D for decades and am treatment resistant (currently on an MAOi).
I've started eating Kellogg's FiberPlus bars at least once a day; I dramatically cut back my caffeine intake (to almost none at all per day); I began drinking more water; I began taking vitamin supplements; I began walking (not much, justs between classes at university and to/from my car); I began eating more vegetables.
I don't know if those changes have had anything to do with my having less IBS-D episodes, but it has cleared up quite a bit. It was pretty severe with sometimes up to 6 or 8 explosive loose stools per day (forgive the TMI, but sometimes descriptions of medical conditions aren't particularly pleasant to hear).
Loperamide helps though when it returns. I usually take two 2mg tablets on the onset or as a profellactic, and then one more tablet with each subsequent loose stool (I think those are the suggested instructions). Usually by the 3rd or 4th pill I'm better. You could also ask your doctor to prescribe you Levbid/Levsin (hyoscyamine sulfate). I used that years ago and it worked for me very well. I let my prescription lapse when I relocated to a different state and by then the drug was hard to get. But it's back on the market now and shouldn't be hard to get and it's not expensive.
Posted by Conundrum on September 8, 2011, at 12:59:30
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by policebox on September 7, 2011, at 22:39:59
Has this improved your mood other than not having to deal with the frustration of needing to rush to the bathroom all the time?
> Your post is interesting as I've had IBS-D for decades and am treatment resistant (currently on an MAOi).
>
> I've started eating Kellogg's FiberPlus bars at least once a day; I dramatically cut back my caffeine intake (to almost none at all per day); I began drinking more water; I began taking vitamin supplements; I began walking (not much, justs between classes at university and to/from my car); I began eating more vegetables.
>
> I don't know if those changes have had anything to do with my having less IBS-D episodes, but it has cleared up quite a bit. It was pretty severe with sometimes up to 6 or 8 explosive loose stools per day (forgive the TMI, but sometimes descriptions of medical conditions aren't particularly pleasant to hear).
>
> Loperamide helps though when it returns. I usually take two 2mg tablets on the onset or as a profellactic, and then one more tablet with each subsequent loose stool (I think those are the suggested instructions). Usually by the 3rd or 4th pill I'm better. You could also ask your doctor to prescribe you Levbid/Levsin (hyoscyamine sulfate). I used that years ago and it worked for me very well. I let my prescription lapse when I relocated to a different state and by then the drug was hard to get. But it's back on the market now and shouldn't be hard to get and it's not expensive.
Posted by bleauberry on September 8, 2011, at 19:23:38
In reply to Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by Conundrum on September 5, 2011, at 21:17:40
IBS linked to depression? In my opinion, absolutely. Does that mean everyone with IBS might have depression? No. That gets more complicated, I think, with involvement of immune dysfunction, genetics, inflammation, and such.
How could IBS cause depression? Well, what is IBS? Inflammation of the gut basically. Something is irritated, swolen, inflamed. And of course that means two things might happen....stuff that should be absorbed might be partially wasted and not fully absorbed; or stuff that should not be absorbed is able to get through a damaged lining straight into the blood stream. Those large molecules than set off the immune system to attack them, so you've got a systemic inflammatory thing going on, toxic stuff floating around, and in no way does the brain get excused from taking a hit. Whatever the source of outside toxins in our blood, they can feel as potent or even more potent than an imaginary med designed to make you feel depressed. They interrupt all of the neurotransmitters, corrupt them, damage them, clog receptors, etc. So for some people it is no wonder the psych meds don't work....they aren't doing the right stuff for the problem at hand. In those cases, depression can be lifted with gut healing strategies instead of antidepressant strategies. IBS causes a bunch of stuff to happen that has potential to impact the brain in a negative way.
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 21:19:21
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link?, posted by bleauberry on September 8, 2011, at 19:23:38
I had it when pregnant with second child years ago. Caused by changing my diet too rapidly to all or mostly fiber. Was given prednisone unknown to me at the time as then a doc could give a box of pills no label but directions. Took for three months gone. Didn't have anxiety or any other disease autoimmune or other then was just diet change. I was and felt the best ever had after his birth. Very relaxed at the time also. That's when a runner too. Phillipa
Posted by policebox on September 17, 2011, at 22:57:27
In reply to Re: Treatment Resistance / IBS link? » policebox, posted by Conundrum on September 8, 2011, at 12:59:30
Yes, my mood is better, but I don't know why. What I mean by that is, I've changed so many things simultaneously, I don't which, if any, to attribute it to.
This is the end of the thread.
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