Possibly IBS? Beginning May Be TMI for Some Readers

Updated on July 09, 2009
K.B. asks from Aurora, CO
10 answers

Last Thursday I woke up doubled over in pain from my lower abdomen. Awhile later I had bad dio and a lot of blood with it. After 6 hours of this I ended up in the ER to find it was a bacterial infection in the belly. After antibiotics (5 days of 500mg levaquin) and pain meds daily I am still miserable, but not doubled over all day, just the mornings. I have an appt with a GI next Wed so I called PCP to find out what to do in the meantime. I am hungry but feel too nauseated to eat much and can't really do much without being in more pain. He started me on Bentyl until I can see the GI doc. So far I feel even worse on the meds but some of them just take a few days to get used to.
Any home treatments anyone can think of that may relieve some of this so I can actually live? I fly out to CA next Thursday, have my GI appt on Wed so I am assuming that there won't be a miracle cure overnight. I am really looking for something to help ease the pain and discomfort while I wait. I also can't take any antacids or very many OTC drugs while on this med.. Thank you so much in advance for your help. This site never does me wrong..

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So What Happened?

Hi all, I am so thankful for your responses. I totally forgot about taking some porbiotics (duh I should have know that my youngest had dio for months)... So thanks for that reminder. I started that last night along with a new antibiotic and finally some nausea meds and (I don't want to jinx it or anything) this morning I feel so much better than yesterday. My doc thinks I have giardia. ICK!! More tests will help us be sure. Thanks again!!!

More Answers

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I spent many years following the instructions and taking all the medicine that the doctors gave and then I chose another path. Don't get me wrong, doctors are great for some things. I have always have many stomach and intestinal issues and I have found that Aloe Vera juice or gel from the health food store helps so much. Also, I would start taking probiotics to get some of the good bacteria back into your GI tract that the antibiotics are killing.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

ooooh oooh oooh dear, this SUCKS.
So I had a TON of GI problems and went from diagnosis to diagnosis, never getting the right one- all to find out I had h. Pylori!!!!
This should be a common test, and sometimes it is for some docs, but not always. And of course there are always false results. Get tested for it and see whats up. Its a very resilient bacteria that resists stomach acid and can still thrive in the gut. The treatment is a NUTS routine of like 2 or 3 antibiotics and an acid inhibitor like Prevacid. Its expensive(with my insurance $90 for two weeks), but it got rid of mine thankfully!
Also, in the mean time, your gut is STARVING for good bacteria. If you're not a fan of yogurt, go get yourself some probiotics and take them like mad!!!!
Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.D.

answers from Denver on

Lot's of probiotics! Don't just eat yogurt, either. There are great supplements out there! I hope you get some relief soon.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.Y.

answers from Grand Junction on

Hi,

Some natural remedies that work are lemon juice and water with a pinch of real sea salt. Brown rice. Pro biotics. Especially with all the meds you are taking I would get a good quality pro-biotic at the health food store!

Good Luck

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M.O.

answers from Provo on

i have had the same issue and it is ibs its misserable i was going to europe and my pharmacist ghave me charcoal tablets they do work great for while you are out of town they absorbe all the toxins and so you have no problems but be careful with meds they absorb them also so you have to take them 2 hrs after you take any daily meds there is no cure. fatty foods STRESS IS A BIG KILLER and alcohol are three really bad things for ibs so if you have had a lot of stress try to destress and stay away from fatty foods and alcohol it does help let me know if i can help in any way good luck

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R.M.

answers from Boise on

This has been an issue for me & I eventually turned to herbs & suppliments ~ for my own use I created a file to keep all the little bits of info I came across .. I copy it in here, in case there's anything not already mentioned that might be useful.

Specific to your question about H. Pylori:

Garlic appears to be very active against Helicobacter pylori.

Ginger is an antibacterial, it can work against ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

Oregano Oil, chronic gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue, Antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and in studies was "extremely bactericidal" [I can't find my specific reference right now, but I am sure that it is effective against H.p.]

Echinacea, Pau d’ arco, grapefruit extract, olive leaf extract (most of these require at least 2 capsules 3X per day), caprylic acid, garlic extract and enteric-coated oregano oil.

Olive leaf has been shown to have remarkable effects on a host of infectious diseases and other conditions. Among those documented are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, diabetes, AIDS, hypertension, parasitic infestation, ulcers, psoriasis and fibromyalgia. Olive Leaf: prevents intestinal muscle spasms, and has a strong effect against not just viruses, but bacteria and parasitic protozoans as well.

Cat's Claw: Patients with gastritis who took the alkaloid-rich root tea were symptom-free after only three to eight days including duodenal ulcers [which are now believed to be caused by H.p.]. Some doctors believe that cat’s claw can clear up other deep-seated, hidden and chronic infections, Cat’s Claw has long been used as a homeopathic treatment for intestinal ailments. Uses include: Crohn’s disease, gastric ulcers and tumours, parasites, colitis, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome. By stimulating the immune system, it can also improve response to viral and respiratory infections.

Cayenne . It is able to stop the bleeding of stomach ulcers and heal the stomach lining. Similarly, it alleviates the bleeding in Crohn’s disease.

Manuka Medicine: It’s been particularly useful against Helicobactor pyloria bacteria

Goldenseal: is an astringent mucus membrane tonic used for sinus infections, colitis, ulcers and catarrhal conditions. It will improve the mucus membranes throughout the body.

Licorice Root: is helpful for alleviating such ailments as inflamed stomachs, bronchitis, sore throat, coughs, irritation of the bowel and kidney, and indigestion. In Denmark, experiments have shown licorice to be very effective for treating duodenal and peptic ulcers.

Zinc (30 mg per day) is essential for proper immune function.
Vitamin C (1,000 mg three to four times per day) reduces swelling and helps your immune system function better.

.... lactoferrin, a protein found in bovine colostrums. In addition to being effective in controlling H. pylori, lactoferrin has been shown to bind iron. This keeps iron away from cancerous cells, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that require iron to grow. Lactoferrin is also believed to activate genes that launch immune response.

Lactoferrin is available through many sources online and in most health food stores. And Probiotics 12 Plus is available from Uni Key Health Systems. For more information, you can visit the web site at unikeyhealth.com. Talk to your doctor before using Probiotics 12 Plus or lactoferrin to address any form of gastric ulcer.

Patients with ulcers prompted by H. pylori infection will find plenty of useful information at the web site for the Helicobacter Foundation: helico.com.

19/06/2008- Cranberry juice or probiotics clear the stomach of children of a bacterial strain known to cause ulcers and cancer, new research reports.

Results from the multicentred, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial involving 271 children with Helicobacter pylori infection, published in the journal Nutrition, suggest that drinking cranberry juice or taking Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 (La1) may eradicate the bacteria. http://www.nutraingredients.com/

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C.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have an ulcer and often feel hungry, then I eat and I have such horrible cramps right below my sternum and sometimes in the bowel area. I am a long-time worrier, so I am not surprised that I have an ulcer, it is just a pain to deal with. I feel sick after eating anything acidic. Perhaps you have an ulcer too. You can go to webmd.com and type in ulcer to see the symptoms and what to do about it.

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M.D.

answers from Denver on

I had (have) IBS, though my symptoms were a little different than yours so I'm not sure if this will work for you. But it's worth a shot. For my IBS I take 750 mg of pantothenic acid every day (one 250 mg tablet at each meal). I had to play around with the dosage a little to get it right so you might need more or less. Anyway, when I take it, I have no symptoms.

The other thing that is really good for your stomach is acidophilus.

I hope that helps!

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M.L.

answers from Denver on

Try peppermint oil. Young Living is the best. Rub some on the area that hurts. Be sure to use a carrier oil or lotion as it could burn you. Good luck - hope you feel better.

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S.T.

answers from Denver on

Sorry to hear that. What has really helped me with a variety of aches, pains and cramps is magnetics. I was a huge skeptic, but did my research and just saw over 120 miracles in the past 2 years. I used to have horrible periods and would be in a fetal position (if it were not for drugs). However, I no longer take drugs and can be up and active by using 2 back flex magnets (one on each side). Not all magnets are created equal, so I can share more with you if you are interested. Best of all, they are also great for first aid and more. I no longer drug my kids for pain, but tell them to slap a magnet on it. Check out the testimonial tab at livinghealthiernow.com and let me know if I can help you.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
S.

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