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General Discussion Use this general forum to ask a question or discuss your symptoms and how you cope with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This forum will help you find answers to commonly asked questions for new members. Post and discuss information that may be helpful to others who suffer from IBS.
Forum Led by: Sophie UK, Kathleen M., Nikki, cookies4marilyn
Women's Health Issues This forum is used for support and information for IBS-related women's health issues such as menstruation, hormones, pregnancy, etc..
Young Adult's Issues This forum is used for support and information that are specific to college student's and young adult's IBS-related issues from ages 18-30 years old.
Forum Led by: Nikki
IBS Support Group Meetups Use this forum to post and talk about, or organize, your local IBS Meetup, Support Group or IBS Community. Post group announcements about upcoming meetings and about special events. Subforums:Special Events
Living Well with IBS Share with everyone how you are living day-to-day with IBS. Share your success with whatever strategy you use to cope with IBS. This is a forum for posting stories and NOT a question and answer area. No replies to topics are expected.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hypnotherapy There is research evidence that IBS symptoms respond favorably to other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy. As IBS is a chronic condition, with an ongoing fluctuating course, these treatments may help the individual to develop skills for managing the condition over the long haul. Many people with IBS also have a co-existing anxiety or depressive disorder, the symptoms of which also benefit from these types of treatments.
Forum Led by: cookies4marilyn
Diarrhea specific (prescription medication) There is only a single medication that has been approved for diarrhea predominant IBS. LOTRONEX® is a medicine only for some women with severe chronic IBS whose main problem is diarrhea and IBS symptoms have not been helped enough by other treatments. Some patients have developed serious bowel side effects while taking LOTRONEX.
LOTRONEX may be right for you if all of these things are true about you:
Your doctor has told you that your symptoms are due to IBS.
Your IBS bowel problem is diarrhea.
Your IBS has lasted for 6 months or longer.
You tried other IBS treatments and they didn't give you the relief you need.
Your IBS is severe.
You MUST do 3 things if you are going to take LOTRONEX (From the FDA Medication Guide):
1) Understand that LOTRONEX has serious risks.
2) Sign a Patient-Physician Agreement with your doctor.
3) Follow the directions in the FDA Medication Guide.
If you cannot follow ALL of these, you should not take LOTRONEX.
Constipation specific (prescription medication) There is only a single medication that has been approved for constipation predominant IBS. ZELNORM® is approved for use in women with IBS where constipation is the predominant bowel symptom; however, a recent analysis of clinical trial data identified a small imbalance that was statistically significant in the number of cardiovascular ischemic events in patients taking Zelnorm. These events included heart attack, stroke and unstable angina. The events occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular risk factors. There is no demonstrated causal relationship between Zelnorm and these events.
Currently ZELNORM is only approved for use in women with IBS-C or chronic constipation under the age of 55 in the U.S. under a limited access protocol. More information on this protocol can be found here.
AMITIZA® is the only prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat adults with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation including those over 65. “Idiopathic” simply means the cause of the constipation is not known and not due to an underlying illness or medication.
AMITIZA is not for everyone. If you know you have a bowel obstruction, do not take AMITIZA.
Antidepressants, Antispasmodics, Antidiarrheals (prescription medication) Although antidepressants were developed to treat depression, research studies have shown that they can also be effective in reducing pain. Antidepressants are, therefore, effective in treating symptoms of IBS and other functional GI disorders. Patients who have taken antidepressants for their IBS symptoms have reported significant improvement in their abdominal pain and reduction in other IBS symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea or urgency. Antispasmodics and Antidiarrheals are helpful in reducing periodic painful episodes of spasms and diarrhea respectively. Patients who have been taking antidepressants should be aware of the possibility of developing Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome, or SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome, upon rapid stopping or tapering the use of antidepressants.
Antibiotics: Bacterial overgrowth specific (prescription medication) While the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is uncertain, there is some research evidence suggesting that it may be caused by an abnormal growth of bacteria in the small intestine, referred to as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). A specific regiment of antibiotics have been investigated to treat this condition.
Probiotics Probiotics are dietary supplements which contain beneficial or friendly bacteria or yeasts which may strengthen or exert health benefits to the body’s natural digestive system. Probiotics offer a way to restore the natural balance of your digestive system especially if you suffer from anyone of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency or gas and bloating. Numerous research studies have shown benefits for sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis).
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products There's no single plan for treating irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is different for everyone. With your physician's help, you can find an individual approach that works best for your symptoms. The treatment is focused on controlling, rather than curing, the symptoms of IBS.
Over-the-counter products may be useful, but be sure to check with your doctor first before taking them.
Dietary Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that eating prompts symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea (or, sometimes, alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea), and bloating. Making adjustments to your diet may provide relief.
Limit or eliminate foods that may make your symptoms worse, including caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli), foods high in fructose (such as soda pop, and citrus fruits) and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol (often used in sugarless gum and sugarless candy).
Keep a Personal Symptom Journal of what you eat and whether you experience symptoms after eating and discuss this with your physician.
Use this forum to post and talk about food, food triggers, comfort food, nutrition, diet or recipes.
Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Use this forum to discuss Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Post your questions and/or other information that may be helpful to others.
Forum Led by: M&M
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Use this forum to discuss Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Post your questions and/or other information that may be helpful to others.
Chronic Pain / Pain Management The MediBoard Network: Use this forum to discuss help for chronic pain and pain management. This forum requires a separate login to post messages.
IBSGroupster NewsFeed Topics are automatically created in this forum from a mix of newsfeeds. Please be aware that we have no control over the quality or factual representation of these postings. Some may be informational, whereas some may be wholly inaccurate. You may rate topics in this forum.
Always research all options and discuss them with your physician before following any specific directive provided in these articles.
Research Studies Research subjects are needed for the following posted studies.
Medical researchers are continuously searching for new or better ways to treat illness or disease. If they discover something that may be helpful, it cannot be put into general use until years of careful testing has been done. Research studies are what enable medical research for a drug to, in turn, become available to physicians and patients. Research studies may also be referred to as clinical studies, clinical trials, drug trials or drug studies. Read Understanding Research Studies for further information.
If you have a research study that you would like posted, please send email to studies@ibsgroup.org following the format as indicated in the posted studies.
GI and Health Related Books and Literature Use this forum to discuss GI and health related literature, namely books, booklets, periodicals, magazines, and e-mailed newsletters. Provide advice by writing a new review or commenting on another.
GI-related Diagnostic Tests Discuss what to expect or how you feel about medical procedures such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy, barium enema, GI series (barium swallow).
Websites or Services Use this forum for posting about other websites or services. Under no circumstances are advertising of products allowed. If you would like to advertise a product on this website please refer to our Sponsorship page. Thank you for your understanding.
Dealing with Relationships Our thoughts and experiences play a part in how well we feel with an illness. How our partners, spouses, children and extended family members relate and communicate with each other is another factor that can have an effect on illness. Use this forum to discuss how we deal with relationships while having a chronic illness. Resources: Mind-Body Digestive Center.
Forum Led by: Cherrie
Working and Careers Having a chronic illness is especially hard on people at work. Use this forum to share the ways you cope with work and your career.
. Resources: WebMD.
Forum Led by: Nikki
Going to school Living with a chronic condition presents certain limitations that are likely not understood by teachers or professors in the classroom. Use this forum to discuss what it's like, what are the challenges and how do you cope when you go to school or college with a chronic illness. Resources: Chronic Kids.
Forum Led by: Nikki, Jeffrey Roberts
The Lounge Use this forum to write about any and all things related to, or not related, to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Please note: Controversial posts such as religion, politics, race, sex, etc. may be closed or removed without notice. Discussion postings are purged every 30 days.
The Lighter Side Use this forum to talk about the lighter side of things. Post stories, jokes, comics, pictures, videos, etc... Even the challenges of living with a chronic illness presents lighter moments. Have fun!
Please note: Controversial posts such as religion, politics, race, sex, etc. may be closed or removed without notice.
