**The OFFICIAL IBS THREAD**

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Posted by bluegreen08

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Posted by davenjess

Okay - so I have gastritis, a hiatel(however you spell it) hernia & my stomach is irritated.....

other than that - he sent stuff out for tests..

2 weeks...

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make sure you actually have a hiatyl hernia, that's what i was originally misdiagnosed with before it turned out i had Crohns. They told me I never had the HH.

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i will doublecheck with the doc!

OK...I haven't been able to get through the entire thread, but I did get to the part where people started distinguishing between IBS-D and IBS-C.

WHen I was in high school I went through HORRIBLE testing to find out what was wrong with me, but at the time IBS was barely documented. I just got so tired of being poked and proded and being told 'we don't know what's wrong with you' that I stopped going.

Now, as I get older, I realize that I have IBS-C. But, I've slowly been learning to deal with it.

For some reason, I've figured out a somewhat bizarre thing that almost totally fixes it for me. When I get up in the morning I have to take two shots of espresso (not regular coffee) within an hour of getting up. The time frame is actually important - if I do it later in the day it doesn't always work. If I do that, then around 10am or 11am, I tend to have to go and it is always a normal and healthy poop (sorry - I couldn't bring myself to write 'bowel movement'). I bought a cappuccino machine and life has been a lot better since then.

In college I also noticed that a lot of tequila the night before helped out a lot the next day.

IBS does STINK!


I was diagnosed with IBS-D at Schneider's Children's Hospital when i was 12. I lost about 20lbs the summer i was 12 and they (docs) didn't know why. I stopped eating because everytime i ate i was sick, so i stopped being hungry. Food fears i guess. I was tested for lactose intolerance but turns out im good with dairy. I think my diagnosis is partial BS. I think i just have some pretty crazy food sensitivities. I'd say allergies but my symptoms arent immune responses like a rash or A-Shock. I just get....ya know - the runs but REALLY badly sometimes. I'm pretty sure i border on egg allergies, which are in just about everything sooo - that is an explaination for most of my issues.

I was sooo excited this month when I finally got health insurance (after 2.5 years of having NONE!). I'm pumped to make appts at the allergist! Finally find out what has REALLY been making me sick all this time!

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Posted by Jess125483

Also - while I was being tested back in the day, doctors found that I had high levels of Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes ulcers) but I had no holes in the stomach lining and no real ulcer. Anyone else have that or know anything about it?

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I've never heard of that before Jess....does that mean you are 'prone' to ulcers??

Heeeeey An 09ner Here!!!!!

I have IBS too! For the first month I was w/ John I never ate anything in front of him......he thought I was being one of those prissy girls that doesn't eat. Our first dates never involved going out to dinner. We went bowling, ice skating, etc but no food....until I told him I had IBS....now I don't care at all.

But it stinks having this!

I've had it since forever! My parents used to have a bucket in their car trunk at all times in case of an 'incident'.

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Posted by UKsunshine

Heeeeey An 09ner Here!!!!!

I have IBS too! For the first month I was w/ John I never ate anything in front of him......he thought I was being one of those prissy girls that doesn't eat. Our first dates never involved going out to dinner. We went bowling, ice skating, etc but no food....until I told him I had IBS....now I don't care at all.

But it stinks having this!

I've had it since forever! My parents used to have a bucket in their car trunk at all times in case of an 'incident'.

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I did the same thing - but at the time I met Dave - I was taking Immodium - so he never knew....I told him after we started spending more and more time together & he saw me constantly popping pills!!!

Have you found anything that works??

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Posted by Jess125483

Also - while I was being tested back in the day, doctors found that I had high levels of Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes ulcers) but I had no holes in the stomach lining and no real ulcer. Anyone else have that or know anything about it?

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Hey Jess - I was just reading up on Gastritis(bored at work) and look what I found: (the last paragraph is YOU)

Gastritis Overview
Gastritis, an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, is not a single disease. Rather, gastritis is a condition that has many causes. Common to all people with gastritis is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), sometimes called dyspepsia.

Gastritis can be a brief and sudden illness (acute gastritis), a longer-lasting condition (chronic gastritis), or a special condition, perhaps as part of another medical illness.

An example of acute gastritis is stomach upset that may follow the use of alcohol or aspirin.

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Infection with this bacteria may lead to chronic gastritis.

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Posted by Jess125483

OK...I haven't been able to get through the entire thread, but I did get to the part where people started distinguishing between IBS-D and IBS-C.

WHen I was in high school I went through HORRIBLE testing to find out what was wrong with me, but at the time IBS was barely documented. I just got so tired of being poked and proded and being told 'we don't know what's wrong with you' that I stopped going.

Now, as I get older, I realize that I have IBS-C. But, I've slowly been learning to deal with it.

For some reason, I've figured out a somewhat bizarre thing that almost totally fixes it for me. When I get up in the morning I have to take two shots of espresso (not regular coffee) within an hour of getting up. The time frame is actually important - if I do it later in the day it doesn't always work. If I do that, then around 10am or 11am, I tend to have to go and it is always a normal and healthy poop (sorry - I couldn't bring myself to write 'bowel movement'). I bought a cappuccino machine and life has been a lot better since then.

In college I also noticed that a lot of tequila the night before helped out a lot the next day.

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Hahah that makes a lot of sense since coffee or LOTS of alcohol make me have to goooooooooooooo. I usually go... normally... but especially with the coffee it makes it.... erm.... 'D'

wow ladies, I don't have IBS but this is such a wonderful thread you guys have started!!!!

I am so completely and utterly ashamed b/c one of my close friends has Crohn's and I used to make fun of her (she would pass gas when we were out at bars and such and chase away all the guys....) and now I feel terrible. She would laugh when I would poke fun but I feel really bad about it now (I didn't do it meanly, just 'great Jane, there goes all the guys b/c of your stinky asss').

Anyway, I didn't realize how upsetting it could be to have it and now I know.

You girls are really sweet to set up your own support group.

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Posted by LuvMyAlfonse

wow ladies, I don't have IBS but this is such a wonderful thread you guys have started!!!!

I am so completely and utterly ashamed b/c one of my close friends has Crohn's and I used to make fun of her (she would pass gas when we were out at bars and such and chase away all the guys....) and now I feel terrible. She would laugh when I would poke fun but I feel really bad about it now (I didn't do it meanly, just 'great Jane, there goes all the guys b/c of your stinky asss').

Anyway, I didn't realize how upsetting it could be to have it and now I know.

You girls are really sweet to set up your own support group.

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thank you so much!!!! I felt really alone until I saw it mentioned on here. I know i've said it a lot - but i really appreciate every single person who's posted on this thread!

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Posted by davenjess

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Posted by Jess125483

Also - while I was being tested back in the day, doctors found that I had high levels of Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes ulcers) but I had no holes in the stomach lining and no real ulcer. Anyone else have that or know anything about it?

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Hey Jess - I was just reading up on Gastritis(bored at work) and look what I found: (the last paragraph is YOU)

Gastritis Overview
Gastritis, an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, is not a single disease. Rather, gastritis is a condition that has many causes. Common to all people with gastritis is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), sometimes called dyspepsia.

Gastritis can be a brief and sudden illness (acute gastritis), a longer-lasting condition (chronic gastritis), or a special condition, perhaps as part of another medical illness.

An example of acute gastritis is stomach upset that may follow the use of alcohol or aspirin.

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Infection with this bacteria may lead to chronic gastritis.

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Interesting - at the time they treated me with Prevacid. But, after an endoscopy and the barium sulfate test and everything else, I basially said F yourselves, you'll never figure it out. And that, ladies and gentleman, is why I decided to go to law school not med school - b/c doctors never have an answer! No, just kidding, I actually am squemish at the thought of blood. But in all seriousness, can anyone tell me what the testing for IBS is like nowadays? I'd be interested to go back and get officially 'diagnosed' if it weren't going to be so horrible.

it's pretty terrible - i'm going through it now....to confirm my diagnosis of 9 years ago..

so far i've:

been treated with lonox - no worky

been treated with pamine forte - no worky

had a colonoscopy - much better prep than it used to be - but it was still very bad - showed
nothing to explain it all

had an upper endoscopy yesterday to do the view plus biopsy of my intestines...we'll see what that shows in 2 weeks.

the only other test my doc mentioned was to swallow a pill that allows them to view your entire intestinal track.....a friend of mine at work had that done & said it wasn't bad.

i am going to go for a second opinion...

HI i have ibs as well as being lactose intolerant. my belly wa s amess for may years. I stay away from dairy and fried foods. I stick to turkey, chicken, pasta and fish esp when I am upset about something.. I hope you feel better

may be TMI BUTTTT...i think you girls of all ppl will think this is funny...


my sissy and I (also has an iffy GI tract) came up with our own poo rating system.

0 = no poo hahaha never had this problem
1= rabbit turds
2 = normal poo that ive wished for all my life
3 = softserve
4 = the big D
5 = ugh, dont even wanna go there


we also call an upset tummy 'bubble guts' or 'the bajeezees' lol everyone we know probably thinks we're nuts but thats life when you live with IBS!

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Posted by kaMOHandTWN

may be TMI BUTTTT...i think you girls of all ppl will think this is funny...


my sissy and I (also has an iffy GI tract) came up with our own poo rating system.

0 = no poo hahaha never had this problem
1= rabbit turds
2 = normal poo that ive wished for all my life
3 = softserve
4 = the big D
5 = ugh, dont even wanna go there


we also call an upset tummy 'bubble guts' or 'the bajeezees' lol everyone we know probably thinks we're nuts but thats life when you live with IBS!

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that's fantastic!!!!

I also like my thought of direct deposit - for when you don't even finish eating before you have to rush to go....or you JUST finish..

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Posted by davenjess

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Posted by kaMOHandTWN

may be TMI BUTTTT...i think you girls of all ppl will think this is funny...


my sissy and I (also has an iffy GI tract) came up with our own poo rating system.

0 = no poo hahaha never had this problem
1= rabbit turds
2 = normal poo that ive wished for all my life
3 = softserve
4 = the big D
5 = ugh, dont even wanna go there


we also call an upset tummy 'bubble guts' or 'the bajeezees' lol everyone we know probably thinks we're nuts but thats life when you live with IBS!

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that's fantastic!!!!

I also like my thought of direct deposit - for when you don't even finish eating before you have to rush to go....or you JUST finish..

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LOLLLLLL. Ok so I frequenly have 1 and 0. Espresso = #2. If I've had #0 for too long, I eventually end up with #1 followed by #3-5 in the course of a few hours (almost feels like I am so full that my body pushes EVERYTHING out no matter how far along the digestive process it might be).

Anyone else have this formula?

hahaha no BUT my formula is as follows:

4 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 3 =

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Posted by davenjess

i suffer from 4 & 5 every single solitary day of my life...every single solitary time i use the bathroom...

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Jesus Jess, that is horrible. Do you think it could be your diet? I mean this has been going on for 9 years, I'm sure you've considered that before, but I figured I'd ask. I know mine is, in part, caused by my diet. I'm not big on 'roughage' which obviously doesn't help me out in terms ofgetting the system going.