What works. What doesn't

Date:   3/3/2005 12:19:35 PM ( 19 y ago)

Well,
In 1990 I was diagnosed with IBS and Gastritis by an MD. At that time I took many meds including but not limited to; Levsin, Prilosec, ones that were supposed to coat the lining of the stomach, I forget the names. And more. I had two gastrosopies, the first showed bleeding in the lining of the stomach as if sandpaper had been taken too it. The second showed nothing and appeared healthy.
Looking back I think my IBS and Gastritis were with me all along and showed up then as I was a freshman in HS and my grandmother(who I was very close to) died.

Since then I have NEVER had "normal" stools, and go from diahreha to constipation. I stopped all meds not long after 1991

Since 2002 and my first child I have also suffered hemmroids in addition to the IBS and gastritis.

In 2004, I started getting severe cramping from my sternum to my pelvis. MY NP who had worked with my MD previously did blood work, urine, and then ultrasound (Dec 9th) which supposedly found ovarian cysts. She then gave me Naproxen (which did nothing for the pain)as well as put me on birthcontrol pills (triphasil-low). Since the pain didn't stop she gave me Hydrocordone .. so I was taking pain meds constantly.
During this time I didn't think it was my IBS, as I trusted my NP.
But then I started to wonder and went to an MD (Dec 2004) for a second opinion. She said that it was not ovarian cysts.... after looking at the same ultrasound report, and that it was my IBS acting up. She recommended taking Metamucil.. So I started that the second week of December. After two weeks taking that, I was still in agony so I went to an ND. He wanted me to see a gastroenterologist. He also prescribed; V77 Modified (Bentonite), Lactobaccilotone, Effadina (asthma related), Douglaslabs brand Multi-Probiotic, and Pekane for diahreha.

The V77 which I found out after paying over $20 for a 1/week supply was betonite. WORKED!, It stopped the really bad cramping all the time. I knew it was that when I ran out before I could get more and my cramping returned. After finding out it was Bentonite, I now use Verba Prima brand which I get for about $5.50 online.

The Lactobaccilotone I found out was just to help the probiotics to grow, and at another $20 per bottle I am going to save my money as most Multi-Probiotics have prebiotics in their formulas already.

Effadina will be addressed in the upcoming Asthma Post.

Multi-Probiotic- after researching Probiotics I have found L.Casai to be very important for IBS, and the douglaslabs brand doesn't have it in its mix. The prescription said to take 2 2x/day the bottle says 2/day. I take 2/day and add two other multi-probiotics of another brand, which does contain casai. Both of these have LOS or another agent for feeding the bacteria within the formula.

PeKane- Didn't work and I had to resort to Imodium AD, and 3 or more to stop bad bouts (they occur every 2 weeks or so now).

Currently for IBS - I am taking P&B shakes in the morning and night. 1TBL each in water. Also Robinul-Forte (specialist), Multi-Probiotics, Digestive Enzymes.

Diet wise-
NON-DAIRY-I have gone non-dairy at one point for 1 month and I still had IBS bouts, so not sure if it is a dairy issue. I haven't drank milk for about 5 years or so, maybe more.
ORGANIC - Right now I am going as organic as possible, with more vegies (which I stopped eating for the most part during my pregnancy as fresh veggies gave me horrible gas. So I have worked up to being able to eat them and now can eat a salad a day).
NON-SUGAR - Also doing Non sugar, especially anything refined right now, No cookies etc. I still have honey in my tea, and don't worry about fruits, but I do not drink fruit juice anymore.
JUICING - I am starting to do vegetable juicing but with two toddlers my time is limited on that.
FOODS or Herbs to help- Whole wheat, Licorice, Chamomille,

Allergies in relation to IBS/Gastritis-
My ND is also of the opinion that the majority of my issues stem from allergies so I am going thru an allergy desesitization I will discuss more in an Allergy Post.

Cleanses-besides the P&B, Also did a liver cleanse - 1c grated carrot, 1TBL olive oil, 1TBL lemon juice (Feb 2004).. didn't notice affects.

RESULTS
Didn't work- Levsin, NuLev (causes stomach upset), PeKane

Worked- Prilosec (for gastritis in 1990), Imodium AD(stopped diahreha), Psylium Husk (metamucil caused regular looking stools, but didn't aliviate pain), Bentonite (aliviated major constant pain, but still irregular and cramping irregularly), Enzymes (seem to help quite a bit).

Still testing- Robinul Forte (for colon spasming), Multi-Probiotic

-----------
Update-
March 8th-
Robinul Forte doesn't work! in fact I think it caused constipation. I think the best thing for me so far is cutting the sugars, and the bad starches.. ie cutting potatoes, white flour etc. Still eating white rice on occasion but trying to do mostly brown or other types of grains. In addition cutting out most meat.

 

Popularity:   message viewed 9194 times
URL:   http://www.curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=972507

<< Return to the standard message view