IBS sufferers, please help

Hi Ladies,
Ok, my IBS did not dissappear! I was really hoping since I have not had a flare up since surgery!! You know those cramps you get where you just have to push? Those nauseating ones where if you dont push, you feel just terrible? Well how can I get through those without hurting myself? I am absolutely terrified to do damage, but the impulse is to push and strain and remove whatever is in there....How do you get through it without being naughty??
Hugs
KAt

Hey there Kathy

So sorry that you are feeling unwell again. I pray that something comes up in this forum that will help you. Thats a sad setback and I pray that you will find relief. Take care and hopefully you can get some answers on what you can do in the interim.

Linda

Hi, Harley Kat. Big hugs to you. I have IBD (Crohn's disease for over 20 years). My symptoms are a little different from yours in that I've had some diarrhea and urgency the past few mornings. Recently I've been mostly in remission, so I blame it mostly on the fact I've had a cup of coffee and also am trying a new med for sleeping better (it seems to give me cramping, but I'm hoping it will subside).

I cannot control the need to go when it happens and am sorry I don't have answers for you. Personally, I'd call my GI and ask about it, or whichever doctor you consult most for your GI needs. He/she would know your history or at least know the questions to ask you and what would help the most without hurting your recovery from abdominal surgery. There might be something temporary that could really help you through this tough time.

Do you feel a need to push/strain because your stools are firm? Or is it involuntary? If it's involuntary I'd suspect you're having some spasms and your GI could help you with that; maybe a suppository or anti-spasmodic. I'd check with your surgeon/gyn also.

Having a chronic intestinal condition on top of the surgery makes it even more challenging during the healing. I should probably practice what I preach (call my doctor), but I keep hoping the situation will improve. I'm having intense rectal pains when passing gas or bm's. They can be horrific, but, fortunately they don't last long. I am hoping they are temporary, like the bladder cramping/spasms I had for two weeks after surgery. (Actually, I'm not sure what it is, just am surmising after all I've read; could be internal hemorrhoids I suppose.)

I hope you feel better soon. In the meantime, call your doctors and get some support with this. Don't let it go on. There may be some simple relief out there to give you better quality of life.

P.S. I don't know exactly what you're experiencing, but for what it's worth, I do Lamaz breathing exercises during the worst of the pain. If you know those breathing techniques, they can really help sometimes with getting through the intestinal challenges. For example, if you're trying not to push too hard, do the quick, blowing-type breathing women do during the most intense birth contractions, keeping your mouth and cheeks loose as you can and focusing on your breathing as much as possible. I also do eflourage (sp?), the light massage of abdomen and also my thighs, to help distract myself.

There are some good online IBD/IBS sites that might help you, too. Good luck.

Hi Kat,
I have severe IBS too. The best thing that seems to help me is to have fiber every morning. I drink Citricel. I also take Senekot stool softners if I need to. This has helped a bunch with the bad crampy feelings and stuff.
I was in the hopsital a few weeks ago because of my IBS and the dr. told me to always, always have some fiber in the morning to help keep my bowels loose and regular. You need to find what will work best for you. the thing with IBS is that our bowels go to sleep kind of, and they don't contract themselves to push our the stool out like it should, that's why we have the urge to push. If we can at least keep the stool soft, it helps it to pass a little easier.
I had a TAH last Monday and I know how much it hurts to strain and push, that' why it's very important to you to get that fiber and stool softner in you right away. It'll help, trust me.
Good luck and let me know,
Gaylee

Hi ladies,
I take fiber, and figured from the cramping i had i would have a bout of diarrhea. I feel absolutely fine, well a little achey from vacuuming yesterday (Bad girl!!) I just get this crampy feeling, and the urge to Faster bm gets out, faster the pain goes away, even with explosive diarrhea....Wish I had a GI doc...

I do take Senoket S but onlly when I dont go for a day. I take Novo Fiber Tabs, 4 a day. It is a natural grain fiber. The Senoket S makes me even crampier, some times I can take 2, other times one is too much. I was taking Colace but switched to something natural so I can take it forever if need be....And the Fiber pills do really work, amazing how regular I have become!! A first for me....

Stools were soft, go just about everyday. I just get this overpowering urge to push and strain, even though there is no need. It simply makes me feel better, and must be voluntary because I did not succumb to the urge. I will try lamaze breathing even though I never learnt how. I guess it is one of those things that I will need to pay close attention to....Take care ladies
Kat

Hi Kat!

I've had those same crampy feelings since surgery, too! Deep breathing through them seems to be working for me. Somehow the deep breathing allows everything to go ahead and work without me really straining or pushing. Also, putting my feet upon a small stool while I sit there also helps get everything in the proper position and makes things easier.

Take care! I hope this gets better for you!!

Marianne

There has been some research that has shown IBS improves with a low carb diet. They think there may be some kind of connection with celiac disease. You might try avoiding wheat and see if that helps. My doctor told me it was ok to 'push' some for a BM, and I have not had any problems when I have...

Hi Kat

I have IBS too and I can tell you the fiber thing was good for me too. But I also took one of those great big towels the type you take to the beach and rolled it up and put it against my stomach when I had to go. I know it sounds crazy but it worked for me and helped keep me from crying when I had to go. I hated going when I had to because it hurt so bad. I wish ya luck girl.

I had a TVH on 10-12 and a few days ago also started having intense rectal pains when having a bowel movement. I had my check up at the doctor and mentioned this problem. She checked inside my vagina and didn't find anything weird, but she didn't check anything rectally. I was diagnosed with IBS over 10 years ago. I've often wondered if I may have something other than IBS because the doctor did a scope in the office without putting me under but I've never had a regular colonoscopy before. I have the kind of IBS with the diarrhea. I also did find on the low carb diet that my symptoms do almost completely dissappear. I think the rectal pains are getting better so I'm not so worried that there is some kind of infection. Good luck to everyone.

I too suffer from IBS, was hoping it would disappear after my hysterectomy as my fibroids were causing issues with my
digestion etc.
well it didn't , I take citrucel daily , have been for years and it seems to help, but also watch what you're eating.
I'm 3 months post op and still having some issues with going
to the bathroom.
I can pretty much predict and try to drink prune juice as well.
It is manageable, but it will take time to regulate your body
after surgery.
good luck