Okay, it's a matter of what came first either the tmj flare up or the ibs. Regardless I just want to feel better.

Anyone else able to keep their ibs under control? What is working for you?

I don't want to gross out everyone with the details, but I'm currently dealing with the spasm, intestinal pain, nausea, anxiety, off balance feelings.

Please....I really need encouragement . Thanks!

Hi MyFaith-

Sorry to hear you are dealing with IBS. I developed this several years ago (Dr says it is hormonal). It is painful I can attest to that from frequent experience. The thing that has worked best for me is using Prilosec OTC. My Dr who did my endoscopy and colonoscopy perscribed this as he said I had GERD. My GERD is intermittent as is my IBS and when I have a flare up (like I am having this month) I start taking the Prilosec. I have also been very careful with my diet. I have also used something called Heather's Tummy Fibers. You can get this online.

I get the nausea, intestinal pain, spasm, but never associated my off balance feelings with IBS/GERD. Is this connected? I just woke up today feeling sooo nauseaous and off balance I attributed the nausea with the GERD/IBS but not the off balance feeling.

MyFaith:

I truly can sympathize with you right now..with the TMJ and IBS. I just kind of got hit with it all in the past couple of weeks. I understand the off balance feeling with IBS, I even feel faint at times.

I am not on any scripts at this point for IBS, but I have taken Zantac and Prilosec in the past. I decided to increase my exercise yesterday, drank a lot of water and I am feeling a little better today. I am going to watch my diet a little better than I have been. There's lots of holiday baked goodies out there and they are awfully tempting.

I hope you feel better soon. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Take care.

(((HUGS))) dear,

Bella

Wow...thanks for posting this. I was just about to ask something similar. I was *diagnosed* with ibs last year. I think because he no idea what was going on ( I think it was just bad travelers diarreah from the Carribean). I've been fine for the past year. I am now trying to figure out if I had a *flare* last week. Was suddenly (after heartwrenching stress), completely constipated with burning stomach that hurt when I inhaled. It went on for a week and the suddenly stopped. A week later and now I am due for my period any hour now and ended up double over in the bathroom with diarreah.(missed the Christmas night at School and Vistors day at Ballet)
I don't know, ibs, stomach virus...I do notice that I had alot of oil (homemade sald dressing, pasta and olive oil...)
I seem to be very sesative to all fats (can sense it because I eat very little fat and notice the difference when the food is oily or fat).
My Dr told me Papaya (dried or fresh) clears out the bowel.
I really hope I have the virus, this would be a tremdous drag to have to deal with pain.
I hope you get some replys here...I will be looking for tips!
Girlsmom

You might find Dr. Erika's views interesting.. here is a link.
http://tinyurl.com/67ddtr

Hi Myfaith,

I have also dealt with ibs for many years and I totally understand how awful it can be. My spasms were very intense and I would be sick for several hours, upon which it would end in really horrible diarreah. I've read that there can be trigger foods that kick it into play. Each person is different in that area. When my stomach is in the sensitive mode, salads will do it among other things.

The best thing that worked for me I learned on an ibs site. It suggested eating certain things with every meal to help create "bulk" inside the colon, so that it won't spasm. They said that rice is great and potatoes with a meal, also "white" bread. Eating things with "high" fiber can irritate a spastic colon so be careful. It also suggest making sure that your veggies were cooked and not raw.

I purchased some benefiber tablets and take two every morning, they contain the right "kind" of fiber for ibs. This has really helped me to be spasm free for a long while now. I hope you feel much better soon.

Juliann

My IBS has settle down at last! I have to take prescription enzyme when it flares up.

Always something isn't it?
Hang in there!

I have found avoiding most dairy and also avoiding grease/fats (crisco, oils, etc) helps me control a good part of my IBS. Stress makes it worse but if I am VERY careful about what I eat, I can usually get away with not having IBS even under stress.

I have been suffering for this entire last year with nauseous attacks, usually one to three a month (with maybe two to three months off this year for good behavior). I'm still going through a battery of tests with my gastroenterologist to rule out stuff. So far I know it's not a bacterial infection and nothing's wrong with my colon. I'm going to have to get an endoscopy in two weeks and if that shows nothing, then he's probably going to say it's IBS. BUT I have noticed that I get the attacks more often than not a week before my period. It happened again just last week. So I think hormones is tied up with it for me. If anyone knows if birth control pills or hormone replacement or any other kind of stuff like that might work, I am open to all advice and suggestions. I'm definitely going to see a gynocologist and maybe even an endocrinologist to see if there's anything wrong with my hormones or thyroid. I really don't want to live the next couple of years this way.

As for what has helped...if I have severe gas and nothing else, Charcocaps has worked pretty well. Peppermint tea seems to help when I'm feeling kind of so-so in the morning, but not sure if I'm going to have a bad day or not. I have tried taking Pepcid AC when I start to feel nauseous. This usually causes me to get diarrhea, but I'm not sure if it has really stopped a full-fledged vomiting attack. I should probably look into Prilosec instead. But usually if I start to get nauseous, it seems like nothing can save me from suffering one to two days of pure misery. I am looking into taking Ginger pills and Licorice tablets...which I have read has worked for someone on these boards.

Good luck with finding what works for you.

Laurie

Laurie,
YOu seem to be having a really rough time of this. I have had IBS for many years. I am currently on BCP's and it does not change at all. It flares every now and then, more now than then it seems. When it's bad, it is awful. I have GERD as well, and they seem to go hand in hand with the flare-ups. I then go easy on food, stay away from fresh veggies, aloe vera water, prilosec, etc, but it seems that it really needs to run it's course. I wish I had really great words of wisdom, but it seems for me, that it just needs time when the attack it back.

I hope you feel better.

This is what I understand also. I've been told for years to avoid "white" foods, and when Dr. suggested that I go high on rice, bread, potatoes, well cooked vegetables, no salads, no fruits... I was confused. However it did bring relief. If I varied from this I knew there was heck to pay the next day. It helps to stick to the same diet.

The good news... when I became post the IBS was GONE! I now eat high fiber foods, fruits, and salads galore, and all is okay.

I meant to say I stay away from fresh veggies and ADD prilosec, and aloe vera water. I told a doctor once I felt better with the white flour items, he said I would and to stay away from the fresh veggies even though they are so good for you. It is frustrating, I love veggies and fruit. My mom is also always now on a low fruit and veggie diet due to stomach issues.

Feel better.