...and now I have ibs also??

[ignatz]

Hey folks,

It appears that starting this February I've developed ibs that's consistent with the FODMAP list of good and bad foods. I didn't have it before. For instance I used to eat broccoli all the time but now I can't - of course I had to put that to the test and find out the hard way. Same with onions and garlic.

Ok I found this link...https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/clinical/is-ibs-an-autoimmune-disorder/ and maybe its not ibs but ibd or crohn's, all I know is there are several foods I used to be able to eat that cause trouble for me now.

Has this happened to others?

[susanep]

I am in the process of finding out what is wrong with my stomach. I have the diarrhea, cramping, take loperamide it stops for about 2 or 3 days then makes its cycle again.

susanep

[quietdynamics]

Awhile ago I developed an extended period of intestinal problems, Diarrhea, awful flatulance, etc.
At first I thought I had picked up a intestinal bug. But, it continued to point where I could barely leave the home.

Colonoscopy came back clean, and Dr instruceted a 3-prong protocol. 1. increase water, 2. fiber powder (he explained it works for constipation as well as diarrhea and an Rx for Dicyclomine. In my situation fortunately the Dicyclomine acts quickly. And I could go further away from home. I carry some with me (and at times a change of clothes, seriously).

I believe stress is a trigger for this, as well as some foods, additives I was already avoiding.
IBS symptoms are stressful and a vicious cycle can begin. Stress trigger ---> symptom stress ---> stress trigger, etc.  And then from my experience ---> full blown SJS flare.

Since I had done the cleanse for the colonoscopy I thought to increase probiotics, etc., but, really it was the dicyclomine which unchained me from the home.

With the relentless diarrhea I saw myself dehydrating.. so as with my children when they were small, I drank pedialyte type drink to address electrolytes (Gatorade or there are recipes on the net to make it yourself.) 

I was tested for Crohn's Disease and Celiac Disease and test was negative.
I do want to have digestive enzymes tested.

A Dr. exam will hopefully help.

[ignatz]

@susanep - Is there a particular food or food group that triggers this?

@quietdyn - Sounds rough, I'm glad you've had some improvement. I've been scoped but they didn't find anything. My celiac test came back negative. My diet is generally healthy and up until about 3 months ago I've been able to eat pretty much any foods with no restrictions.

It seems likely that this gastric issue is part of the host of autoimmune disorders I've been diagnosed with but what's puzzling and frustrating for me is that it came on so suddenly. One month I can eat broccoli, pears, apples the next I can't without digestive repercussions. I thought it might be some passing issue but it's been going on for several weeks now. 

I shouldn't complain, you both have it worse than I do. I just wonder where its going to end? Lupus/SLE + Sjogrens + Raynauds + Sound/light sensitivity...And now add IBD to that growing list. 

[Carolina]

Dear Ignatz:

All of our organs/system can be at the mercy of our Immune Disorders. And our disorders attack new areas  Sometimes after years of a consistent set of attacks, a new condition arises.

QD  I had NO IDEA of your suffering..  You wear it well..and 'you don't look sick'.

I am beginning to realize that my gas and intestinal distress after eating (but not ALWAYS)  and my 'quasi' diarrhea,  isn't a passing phase, but the intermittent start of a new one.

I've been referred to a UNC assistant professor gastroenterologist for my swallowing disorder, and perhaps she will be able to address what seems to be starting further 'down' in the system.  I expected to hear from her office for an appointment, but I may need to follow up on my own.

I am just recovering from a steroid taper that was too drastic, and I have that "I just cannot deal with one more thing' feeling right now.

But it will pass because:  1.  I name what is happening  2.  I seek gratitude and acceptance  3. I take action for my health  4.  I practice meditation and relaxation  5.  I find healing touch and hugs from the people and the animals in my life.

Some times I do have to ask:   Which way is up??

Then I try the methods listed above.

Regards, Elaine

[ignatz]

Thanks for the wise advice Elaine. Yes, I need to accept this as the new reality and learn to manage ibs just as I've been managing my other symptoms. I've already become much better at identifying my 'trigger' foods. Why just this morning I had to add another one (et tu pomegranate? ).

Good luck with your gastro appt. Hopefully it's something that can be treated and/or cured and not part of your auto-immune issues.

-Ig

[SjoGirl]

Hello Ignatz, yes I have was diagnoses with IBS by my first gastro doc. I didn't like him very much, very poor bedside manner, but now years later I'm sure he was right.

If I were not taking Nexium and Evoxac every day my system would be far worse than it currently is. I had multiple foods that I could not eat, lost a great deal of weight (down to 99 lbs) and had low vitamin levels (I'm sure to absorption issues).

I really fought against taking meds, but after years of suffering and worsening symptoms I gave in, it was the right decision for me because: (1) I can eat many more foods, (2) my vitamin levels are normal, (3) I look and feel much better.

Hope you can find a system that works for you.

[ignatz]

Hi SjoGirl, I didn't think about the absorption issues, between that and the loss of appetite I can see that things might snowball into bigger problems if I don't some sort of treatment. I'll make an appt with my GP.

I've been taking omeprazole, I don't have a problem with saliva so Evoxac isn't necessary, is there anything else you take that has helped?

thanks!

[SjoGirl]

I stopped eating wheat, soy, corn, walnuts at the suggestion of an alternative nutritionist and also stopped eating diary (FYI diary can actually cause GERD and definitely fuels IBS for me). I have added back corn and walnuts on a limited basis and occasionally cheat on wheat and soy, but not that often. Coffee, chocolate and other items can also exacerbate my IBS.

We are each different so it's worth experimenting with eliminating a food for a while then reintroducing it to see how it affects you. You need to try this more than once though because we eat foods in combinations and can have other issues that cause IBS, e.g., stress, so only trying once isn't necessarily decisive.

Good luck!

[susanep]

My son keeps on to me all the time saying that all my symptoms would go away if I would just drink a glass of Metamucil each night before I go to bed. If that did the trick I would do it, but when I looked it up it's for constipation. .

He said he had the symptoms I do, and someone told him to do that so he finally did, and it took away all his symptoms. He said After staying on it for 3 years then he stopped and never had to take it again, but was ok. He said he does eat some yogurt each day now though.

susanep

[quietdynamics]

Sharon, the Gastroenterologist instructed me to follow a 3-prong protocol which included Metamucil or other fiber powder.
These fiber powders main ingedient is " psyllium husks can help lower cholesterol. Psyllium can help relieve both constipation and diarrhea, and is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and other intestinal problems." The other two protocol components were to increase water and a medication.

Over time I came to see that for me the gastro symptoms came pre- a full blown, higher tiered, knock down flare.

Later with a re-evalualtion and the addition of methotrexate + plaquinel, I now rarely have gastro issues.
So I connect the dots as to how and where SJS inflammation has been affecting, damaging my body.
I now eat the occassional old fashion generic store brand fig newton type product.
I have done a Mediterranean style diet since I was in my teens.

[SjoGirl]

Ditto what quietdyamics said, Metamucil works to deal with constipation or diarrhea. I was shocked when I learned that but that info came from my gatro doc.

[susanep]

So I guess my son was right then. Is it ok for a sjoggie to take the metamucil by pill ? It's hard for me to drink something down quickly.

susanep

[SjoGirl]

ignatz FYI I have also found fewer issues with diarrhrea on days when I take calcium and Vit D tablet. I'm not sure which one is having the effect, I just know that there is one.

[Carolina]

Dearest Sjogren's Angels,

ACK!  It's back (the gas, rumbling, diarrhea which is acidic and painful). 

I was always so happy I didn't have the gastrointestinal 'things' that so many of those with an Immune Deficiency in IgA are prone to suffer.   Well, I still don't have a deficiency in IgA, but now I have what appears to be IBS.

I can't even begin to imagine what foods are involved?  I haven't 'intuited' any food causes since everything I eat seems to results in an internal grumbling and rumbling.   I guess I'll try the Metamucil approach to start with.

You know, so often I hear that my problems are related to my advanced age, 75.  But really, that is hard to accept.  I guess no one thinks he/she is 'old'.

I have had an 'absorption' problem for the last 10 years (think iron, copper, B vitamins, but NEVER calories).  This was before the gastro-intestinal misery I currently suffer.

I have a FB post that says:  "Lord Give Me Patience, Because If You Give Me Strength, I'm Gonna Need Bail Money!"

Yep, looking for Patience here.

Hugs,  Elaine