On-off Problems: IBS?

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I went to a doctor today who said he didn't think it was too serious, but mentioned IBS several times. I am at home now and I ate a Lunchable and am now eating carrots (so darn tasty!).The doctor recommended that I make an appointment with one of the regular physicians and get a referral to a specialist who can see if the problems are more serious or what they might be. He recommended a daily dose of Miralax until then to help keep me regular.I am not sure what I am hoping for it to be anymore. I guess IBS would be much better than a bowel obstruction. The doc said they might do a colonoscopy to rule that out.For now I feel okay, except that as I eat I build up a lot of gas and get bloated. I hate taking meds, but some Gas-X might be in order.LQ

Sounds like you're on the right track.

Yesterday, in addition to eating some vegetables and soup, I took a full dose of fiber supplement.Well, I just had a BM this morning...WOW!It was about 4-5 inches in circumference and twice as long as a banana, plus there were about 5 smaller chunks with it too. There is no way that all came from the little bit I have eaten in the past couple days; I'd say it's been stuck in there building up since probably Tuesday night or so, and my other BMs have been having to 'squeeze' by it.I feel a little nauseous now, but I think that is from lack of food. I'm going to eat some stuff and finish up on a daily serving of the Miralax.Man, that was something!LQ

Maybe this is all behind you now. Just remember to follow a good diet.

Originally Posted By: readytogoMaybe this is all behind you now. Just remember to follow a good diet. Actually I was feeling bad yesterday again too; and had trouble eating a lot (though I did manage to eat more throughout the day).I feel like I'm going to have the same problem again today. But we'll have to see. I did have another very nice BM this morning; and the food that was at the end of it was what I had eaten for lunch yesterday.It just feels like my digestive system is all clogged up and slowed down, despite the fact that the time between ingesting and defecating a food is about like normal. I wish I could get this under control. I'm going to stop taking the fiber supplement, though; I think I may have overdone that one for sure!Thanks for all the advice; gonna make an appointment with a regular doctor today.LQ

Did you find out anything

Originally Posted By: readytogoDid you find out anything Not really. She mentioned IBS again and told me she was going to put in a request to have the specialist contact me for an appointment. I still haven't had any further tests run as the doctors keep passing me off to other doctors. Getting the specialist is supposed to take about 1-2 weeks; so I suffer till then, I guess.Yesterday morning (after two days without Miralax) I had a messy stool; it was a log, followed by slop, followed by diarrhea. I then went back to taking the Miralax hoping it would solidify things and make everything better. I also ate nothing but oatmeal yesterday since that seemed to have the least negative effect on my stomach. I got a little heartburn toward evening, but two Rolaids solved that and I slept comfortably (albeit it worried).This morning was nothing but diarrhea; I went twice this morning, and may end up going later too. I also noticed that the small apple chunks from my oatmeal yesterday had not really been digested at all. So, no more Miralax for me, and I am avoiding the oatmeal. I think the Miralax washed me out!! I am a smaller person, and taking full doses of that stuff every day is, I think, too much for me.The last doctor I saw did recommend something called 'probiotics'; she recommended Florastor. Supposedly it will help restore some of the yeasts/bacterias in my gut to help with better digestion. I missed last night's dose, but have been on it since Tuesday. Eating foods now produces much less gas and bloating, though I am not sure what to attribute that to. I am able to eat full-sized meals; at least I was yesterday, when I ate about 3-5 bowls of oatmeal per meal.My girlfriend is now starting to feel similarly; we may have a bug. I'd know if I did, of course, had the doctors bothered running tests on me! Anyway, I ate two carrots this morning and am still starving; gonna make some chicken and steam some broccoli.Thanks for checking up on me, by the way. I appreciate your interest in my problems! LQ

Finished a small plate of veggies and chicken. Feeling okay. Some gurgling down below and a little discomfort (intermittent cramping) but no gas or bloating.

I hope this is on the mend.

LQ

The probiotics may help. Your gut has some resident good bacteria to help with the digestion. Sometimes due to antibiotics or something like diarrhea, things can get out of whack and need to be put back into order. Probiotics can do that.

Update:I saw a GI specialist a couple of days ago; took a while to get in to see one. He didn't run any tests on me really, but no matter. My problems have been slowly going away on their own.I've been doing 1/2 cap of MiraLAX every day, and it is working very well. My heartburn has pretty much gone away completely (I've started eating hot food and drinking beer).The specialist and I just talked; he told me about the drugs I was taking and to call and talk to his nurse if I ever had any other problems.Over all, it was a great visit, and I feel very comfortable now as I start to get myself back to my regular diet: alcohol and grease (j/k ).Thanks all for all the support!LQ