Digestive Disorders Community

Hi. Sorry you are suffering so. I hope you feel better soon.

Maybe you don't have cancer. Maybe you have IBD or IBS.

I have IBD--ulcerative colitis. I was also told I have IBS.

Recently I gave up foods that were irritating my bowel: coffee, milk, cream, ice cream, whole wheat, wheat bran, graham crackers, black pepper, red pepper, soda, lettuce, mangoes, etc...

I started taking probiotics, and they, along with giving up the above-mentioned stuff, helped me almost right away.

Do you have rubber sheets or waterproof mattress pads or waterproof mattress covers, or just some big garbage bags? Put them on your bed. Put raggedy old towels on top of them so you won't be totally uncomfortable.

This doesn't work for everyone, but steak slows my system down. Bananas provide necessary bulk for my stools.

When I am not well, another thing I stay away from is soup. Other things I stay away from are frozen dinners, and I stay away from cold breakfast cereals and milk. I stay away from all juices and all dried fruit, especially prunes.

I eat hot farina, hot oatmeal, hot cream of wheat. I use rice milk, if I want "milk" on them. I use soy "butter".

I had diarrhea for 2006, 2007, 2008, and every day of 2009, until I started taking probiotics. The one the doctor told me to take, Align GI did not work for me. So I went and I found one that had many more organisms in it and worked almost immediately.

Can you get a hold of some electrolyte water that is just water and electrolytes, NOT Gatorade?

There are yoga DVDs that are health related. I thought I had one on intestinal disorders.

I had lost about 20 pounds in a week to 10 days when I was really ill with the colitis. I was going to the bathroom a ridiculous amount of times a day. I didn't get any relief when I slept, either.

I drink fortified rice milk now. I eat fresh cooked white rice and brown rice. I eat applesauce. I eat white bread. I eat rye bread, but the kind made without whole wheat. I eat the yellow, freckled bananas. I eat eggs, fish, chicken, beef, pork, lamb.

Before the probiotics I couldn't eat anything raw. Now I can eat small amounts of raw fruit, small amounts of cooked veggies...

Are you in pain at all? I was in terrible pain. I had to keep myself warm, and that was difficult, but I was anemic. For my pain, I used a hot water bottle with a towel wrapped around it, and I put it in a pillow case. I put it near my stomach.

I'm really tired. I'm up far too late, but I wanted to reply to your questions. Forgive me the lack of order.

I would call my doctor up and tell him I'm afraid to have lost all of that weight; that I feel that I could be in jeopardy of losing my health and possibly my life; that I don't get any rest because I'm up all night cleaning up a HUGE MESS, and that this only makes things worse because I'm running on empty. What can you do for me now, between the two months I see you and now? Also, if there is an integrative medicine doctor there, could you see her/him. And also if you could be sent to a registered dietitian. (I don't know if you could get a home attendant to help you out during the day, food and laundrywise--Since you have a disability, maybe you could.)

Lar

thank you! I'm following very close to the same diet you posted, but have not tried any probiotics. I just wish there were something that could STOP this! I have been house-bound for long enough! Again, thank you for your help, as I really do appreciate it!

I would also second the probiotics. the only thing that the align did for me was increase my gas unbearably.

I would also suggest keeping a journal and bring it with you to your appts. I know this sounds ridicoulsly simple and slightly embarrassing but this was the only way i got any kind of real response from my doctors. I worte when I ate how soon the symptoms started. what the symptoms were and the consistency of the stool.

I was housebound a long time. I had to take 2 years off from school. Then one day, I couldn't take being inside anymore. I went out.

I wish they had websites like www.mizpee.com when I was homebound back then. mizpee.com tells you where the public toilets are in your city or town. There are other websites as well, but I don't remember where I put them. I do know, though, where a lot of bathrooms are.

Lar

PS: You are welcome. I just hope probiotics work for you.

On Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health Channel, a woman was profiled who had a very similar problem. She had a rare condition that was missed by many doctors until she finally was able to get a proper diagnosis. I do not remember what it was but they were able to help her. It had something to do with an internal organ or gland - something totally bizarre and not the usual part of the digestive system if I recall. I suggest going to the Discovery Health Channel's website - on the Mystery Diagnosis page there is a link with all of the conditions they have profiled on the show.

Also, you may want to try drinking Keffir (it is like liquid yogurt). It has 10 different probiotics. It comes in plain or flavored. I get the plain and mix it with POM drink for the benefits of pomegranate.

Make sure to take it with FOS - 1/2 teaspoon per day. I get mine from a compounding pharmacy but you might find it at a Whole Foods, Natural Grocer or Sprouts grocery store. It is basically food for the good bacteria to eat so they can thrive in your gut.

After the birth of my last child in 1994, 2 months later I developed chronic diarrhea. Went to a gastro. doctor for a long time, took the usual tests which were inconclusive, and was put on Elavil, which dries out the system. Takes a while, though to "work", so be patient! (took me several months before I saw improvement!) The gastroenterologist had me on a VERY plain, boring diet. Daily I either had cooked or baked chicken or a well done hamburger, cooked plain potatoes, a few cooked carrots, and a very small amount of canned pears. Ate this forever!!

They never could decide what exactly it is I have, but I rarely take Elavil anymore and have gained weight.I can eat just about anything now, though my system does "kick up" occasionally, and this is worse in the winter for some reason. I did develop Fibromyalgia, and also a neuro condition popped up in 2003, which they thought was either ALS or MS. Thankfully, it was neither, and the neurologist believes I have CP, and likely always had it, and it just showed up in my 40s. I have to think this was all related to the diarrhea.

Have you gone off all milk and dairy? Also, have you seen a gastroenterologist?

You're in my prayers. Hope things improve for you, but as I said, be very patient with the diet and the Elavil, if you go that route.

I hate that anyone feels bad and does not know why.
I wld not think you have cancer !! Never start off with the worst possible senerio. I have Crohn's Disease and a mild case of Celiac Disease. There are medications they say works...I'm still searching!! YOU MUST GET A COLONOSCOPY!!!!!! RIGHT AWAY!! ALONG WITH A CT SCAN. It shows all that you need to know. I dont understand doctors these days. Careless!! You must not let this go anylonger!! PLEASE SEEK A NEW DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE TO!
As for being embarresd, I so feel you!! I am overly proud and hate to have anyone see be sick.....I feel bad cause I feel bad! Putting stress on my family and friends is not a good feeling.
Just hang in there....but please see a Specialist ASAP!!

I hate to hear of anyone feeling sick and not knowing why!
You MUST HAVE A COLONOCPY ASAP !! What is wrong with doctors these days!! These test will eliminate worriies and concerns, I have Crohn's Disease and a mild case of Celiac Disease. With this does come emabarresing moments and depression when alone. I would not wish this on anyone!! My Mother has had a iliostomy for 35 years and has more energy than I do and she is 20 years older than me.
Please do not sit there and think of the worst of the worst. You very well may have something that is very treatable!! PLEASE FIND YOU A NEW DOCTOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN CROHN'S AND COLITIS. You can go to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation and find information that you may be searching for!!
Stay well, but please please see a doctor who cares!!
Carla

I had frequent bowel movements for months; loose stools more than watery diarrhea. I was getting worried so finally went to the doc and had a dreaded colonoscopy. They took biopsies even through my colon looked normal. Turns out I have lymphocytic colitis, a form of microscopic colitis. It is not as serious or as dangerous as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. They can prescribe drugs (Entocort) for it but first want you to try diet and over the counter drugs, like immodium. One other thing you may try is Pepto Bismol. It has been documented that it helps with microscopic colitis if you take 8 tablets for 8 weeks continuously. You take 4 in the a.m., 2 at noon, and 4 in the p.m. I tried it even though my symptoms were already improving and it helped. I am now back to my normal self. I also eat non-fat, plain Greek yogurt every morning that has multiple good probiotics in it that also may have helped. If they are refusing to do the colonoscopy, you may try this. I think this type of colitis is more common than previously thought. You may want to research microscopic colitis on the Internet, also. Good luck.

I have had chronic diarrhea for 10 months straight. I am very healthy otherwise. I have been to 3 different doctors and had 2 colonoscopies, endoscopy, CT of my Pancreas, Gall bladder ultrasound, lots of bloodwork and stool samples. I have always been very healthy and had a very regular digestive system until now. No one can find any answers. I know how you feel and I want some help!

what brand of probiotics works better than Align? That is what my doctor recommended.

I am having a hydrogen Breath test next week to test for h. pylori. If that is negative, I am going to be put on Elavil. Does it really help?? My doctor does not want to use it because he says it will make me drowsy, but I am unemployed right now and told him that I could handle the drowsiness if the diarrhea would go away.. I have been to 3 doctors, including Duke Med in Durham, NC, supposedly one of the best and have had no answers.