Can't take the IBS anymore - suggestions for relief/doctors?

[Anonymous]

there are "probiotics" that they sell at Walmart or stick in sugary yogurt, and then there are the powerful pharmaceutical grade probiotics.

did you try, for example, VSL #3? available only by prescription, somewhat expensive. This one deeply affects my DH's intestines for the better.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there are all types of different bacteria in the various probiotics - I would try different brands.

[Anonymous]

My personal opinion is that homeopathy is the answer. But in the meantime, you can do "cleanses" that can help immensely.

1. Taking liquid silver will kill anaerobic bacteria and leave the beneficial gut flora alone. Try this daily for a couple months and I bet you will notice a HUGE difference in the way you feel.

2. yeast/fungus cleanse. can do this with many different products like Grapefruit Seed Extract. My personal favorite is Threelac. I've found nothing as effective as Threelac.

3. Take a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme when you eat. It will take a huge burden off of your body when food is digested and not just "sitting there". Often times, our liver is so overworked, that it cannot produce enough enzymes for this job. It used to be that our food (raw/natural) contained enough enzymes to supplement what our liver could not produce. But now, with our over-processed food, there are no beneficial enzymes left in our food.

I hope this helps for the short term!! In the long run, seek a homeopath!!

[Anonymous]

OP, the fact that this seemed better when you were pregnant makes me wonder if you could have endometriosis on the outside of your bowels.

I had what I thought was IBS, but during surgery for endometriosis, they found my bowels were coated. Once it was removed, I had instantaneous relief.

I don't know if you are familiar with endo, but pregnancy does quiet it for awhile, as it needs certain hormones to thrive. Pregnancy hormones basically crushes it (at least temporarily).

FWIW -my surgery was done by a reproductive endocrinologist, not a g.i.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I do have endometriosis. I've had one laparascopy to have it removed a few years ago, but there was no mention of it being on my bowels. Perhaps it has grown back in that area. Shortly after my surgery, I did Lupron therapy (chemically-induced menopause) for 6 months and my GI problems were practically non-existent at that time, just like during pregnancy. I will look into the endo. again. I was really hoping not to have to endure another surgery.

All of your posts are extremely helpful. Thank you. The support is wonderful - sometimes I feel like I'm the only one with this debilitating condition.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm also suffering with the same thing and have had the same questions. Being pregnant really helped for me, too, but then within a year of birth, am having worse problems than ever. Sigh. I am close to trying a GF diet (also tested negative for celiac) out of desperation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm also suffering with the same thing and have had the same questions. Being pregnant really helped for me, too, but then within a year of birth, am having worse problems than ever. Sigh. I am close to trying a GF diet (also tested negative for celiac) out of desperation.

OP and PP -please pursue the endo possibility!!! When I hear that you both felt better during pregnancy and then the IBS came back with a vengeance, it sounds so familiar. Please at least rule this out. It made a world of difference for me, and I so wish somebody had pointed out this possibility to me sooner.