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IBS/ Digesting Issues
I've never been DX with IBS, but I've complain for years about having diarrhea or constipation. It's mostly been diarrhea. I just very rarely have normal bowel movements any more. I had my gallbladder removed after my son was born in 2002. I had massive stones in it. If I don't have diarrhea, I'm constipated with heartburn.
I'm usually running to the bathroom within the first hour after I eat. I guess you could say it's not chronic diarrhea because I don't do it all day long..maybe once or twice at best. It's chronic in the sense, that I've had it for years and I have very loose bowel movements. And I hate to be gross, but it is the food from the day before because I can sometimes tell what is in it.
Lately what is disturbing me is there is undigested food in my bowel movements from the day before. I'm not talking things that shouldn't be digested, but things that should. Sorry to be explicit but it's really disturbing when you aren't breaking down most of your food. I've even seen medication (my pills) in my bowel movements. Seeing undigested food is does not occur all the time. Does this sound like IBS? I don't get bloating, and there isn't certain foods that set it off. It just happens no matter what. There's been times when I didn't break down lettuce, onions, sometimes meat, carrots etc.. Any Ideas?
I'm usually running to the bathroom within the first hour after I eat. I guess you could say it's not chronic diarrhea because I don't do it all day long..maybe once or twice at best. It's chronic in the sense, that I've had it for years and I have very loose bowel movements. And I hate to be gross, but it is the food from the day before because I can sometimes tell what is in it.
Lately what is disturbing me is there is undigested food in my bowel movements from the day before. I'm not talking things that shouldn't be digested, but things that should. Sorry to be explicit but it's really disturbing when you aren't breaking down most of your food. I've even seen medication (my pills) in my bowel movements. Seeing undigested food is does not occur all the time. Does this sound like IBS? I don't get bloating, and there isn't certain foods that set it off. It just happens no matter what. There's been times when I didn't break down lettuce, onions, sometimes meat, carrots etc.. Any Ideas?
SB, your intestinal trnasit time is waaaay too fast. It sounds like you are having a "Dumping Syndrome." When we eat something we have what is known as the Gastro-Colic Reflex. This is the urge to have a BM after eating. However, the normal movement is supposed to be formed. Undigested food and recognizable pills is NOT normal and not healthy and will lead to malnutrition and losing the effect of the meds (obviously).
You need an eval for this. You need to see a Gastro-enterologist. I don't think this is garden variety IBS, but the GI guy needs to evaluate it. This is important!
I wonder about the lack of proper digestive enzymes. I have two frank questions (Where is Frank when you need him, anyway?) Do your stools float? And do they stink more than other people's? Are they greasy? (Okay, three)
If those answers are yes, then you need to be checked for Cystic Fibrosis which can be diagnosed in later life! Do you have many lung problems - chronic cough, frequent bronchitis?
Quix
You need an eval for this. You need to see a Gastro-enterologist. I don't think this is garden variety IBS, but the GI guy needs to evaluate it. This is important!
I wonder about the lack of proper digestive enzymes. I have two frank questions (Where is Frank when you need him, anyway?) Do your stools float? And do they stink more than other people's? Are they greasy? (Okay, three)
If those answers are yes, then you need to be checked for Cystic Fibrosis which can be diagnosed in later life! Do you have many lung problems - chronic cough, frequent bronchitis?
Quix
I have IBS quite badly and I expeirnce this. I've had chroinc diarhea for about 3 years, and go usually up to 5x and on bad days up to 10 x per day. Unitl the last few months that is I've been seriously unable to go and have to take laxatives (don't know what is worse!) According to the specialist (i've been evaluated a few times by gastro docs) undigested food and mucus is common with IBS. Bleeding is not common. I've had that too but they couldn't find it. What bothers me is that everything you read about IBS makes it seem like it's an occasional annoyance, that comes and goes. But my came and never went, and seems to be worse then anyone else I've talked too. I get bad bloating with it too. Nothing seems to help other then not eating. Veggies seem to be hard on the system, especially raw like salad. also suff like rice and other carbs.
I hate to break in on a topic started by someone else to ask a question, but since I got no where with my PCP last week on this topic I thought I would ask you about it as it might also pertain to the original poster as well.
I had been Dx'ed with IBS about 15 years ago and lately have been having exactly what the poster disgribed (undigested food, watery stools, etc). As I mentioned earlier I had mentioned this to my PCP last week as it has gotten to the point that now I have trouble a lot of the time getting through a meal before having to run to the bathroom. All my PCP had to say about it was "more roughage" and take metamuscell (sp?). As summerluvr said roughage seems to be even worse for me (99% chance of running to bathroom). and usually is when the undigested food shows up.
As for your 3 questions what stools there are (mostly just fuild comes out) they float, no undo smell, and I have no idea how you would tell if they are greasy. I also had a colonoscopy last summer (all ok). I also try to eat a lot of fiber in my meals.
Any ideas?
Dennis
I had been Dx'ed with IBS about 15 years ago and lately have been having exactly what the poster disgribed (undigested food, watery stools, etc). As I mentioned earlier I had mentioned this to my PCP last week as it has gotten to the point that now I have trouble a lot of the time getting through a meal before having to run to the bathroom. All my PCP had to say about it was "more roughage" and take metamuscell (sp?). As summerluvr said roughage seems to be even worse for me (99% chance of running to bathroom). and usually is when the undigested food shows up.
As for your 3 questions what stools there are (mostly just fuild comes out) they float, no undo smell, and I have no idea how you would tell if they are greasy. I also had a colonoscopy last summer (all ok). I also try to eat a lot of fiber in my meals.
Any ideas?
Dennis
Gastroenterology is really not my specialty. But, if fiber makes it worse, either you are using the wrong kind of fiber or it is not the solution. Ideally the treatment does not worsen the condition - it's a general principle.
Q
Q
There is more than one kind of fiber? I had no idea. Can you give examples of what the different kinds are? All I have ever seen on packages of food / suppliments is an amount of fiber in them.
Dennis
Dennis
Quix- Where's Frank? I think I went to school with him. Maybe he moved. As far as everything else..sometimes, but it's not constant. I'm leaning more towards a dumping syndrome because of the gallbladder removal or messed up digestive enzymes.
When I was much younger I had more trouble with constipation and a slow moving digestive track. Since the gallbladder removal, it still will move slow, until I eat the next day. Then it seems it all comes out in one big bang, undigested. Even if the veggies are cooked..they aren't digested.
My mother mention to me about the bacteria that is in your stomach that breaks down food, she thought maybe mine was out on leave.
summerluvr- I don't see how anyone could think IBS is just an annoyance when it never goes away. I'm always worried about whether or not I should eat out and it will occur. My father had similar digestive issues after he eat, so I'm assuming I'm following in his footsteps.
Dennis- Frankly (There's Frank again)...if you have digestive issues like me, I would stay away from the fiber, like Metamucil. I would think that stuff would make it more likely to push everything through. I'm thinking about trying a yogurt with live cultures and a probiotic to see if that might help. I'm not sure if it will, but I guess anything is better than this. It suppose to help replace the good bacteria in your digestive track and get things moving normally, including diarrhea. It contain fiber as well.
I read this about the 2 kinds of fiber:
"The basics about fiber:
Soluble fiber is soft stuff -- the insides of beans, peas, lentils, mangoes, apples, peaches, figs, pineapple, pears, etc. Oatmeal and oat bran are also high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps reduce cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. It also acts to slow down food as it passes through your intestines, which can help prevent diarrhea.
Insoluble fiber is the roughage type of fiber your digestive system needs. It's the indigestible part of the plant -- like strawberry seeds, apple and bean skins, the bran shell on brown rice and wheat grains. Insoluble fiber helps prevent constipation. People who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may find that too much insoluble fiber worsens diarrhea. If you have IBS, you may want to opt for more soluble fiber.
One note: If a fruit or vegetable has a peel, don't remove it -- or you'll lose important fiber. Important nutrients and insoluble fiber are found in potato and fruit peels.
Best Sources of Fiber
While all unprocessed plant foods have fiber, they're not created equal. Some are higher in certain types of fiber. Some have both types of fiber.
Soluble fiber foods:
Beans
Oats, oat bran, oatmeal
Fruits: Apples, mangoes, plums, kiwi, pears, berries, peaches, citrus fruits, dried apricots, mangoes, figs
Vegetables and legumes: Potatoes, peas, beans, lentils
Insoluble fiber foods:
Wheat bran
Whole-wheat grain
Bulgur
Barley
Couscous
Brown rice
Seeds (including fruits with seeds)
Various vegetables: Spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, lettuce "
When I was much younger I had more trouble with constipation and a slow moving digestive track. Since the gallbladder removal, it still will move slow, until I eat the next day. Then it seems it all comes out in one big bang, undigested. Even if the veggies are cooked..they aren't digested.
My mother mention to me about the bacteria that is in your stomach that breaks down food, she thought maybe mine was out on leave.
summerluvr- I don't see how anyone could think IBS is just an annoyance when it never goes away. I'm always worried about whether or not I should eat out and it will occur. My father had similar digestive issues after he eat, so I'm assuming I'm following in his footsteps.
Dennis- Frankly (There's Frank again)...if you have digestive issues like me, I would stay away from the fiber, like Metamucil. I would think that stuff would make it more likely to push everything through. I'm thinking about trying a yogurt with live cultures and a probiotic to see if that might help. I'm not sure if it will, but I guess anything is better than this. It suppose to help replace the good bacteria in your digestive track and get things moving normally, including diarrhea. It contain fiber as well.
I read this about the 2 kinds of fiber:
"The basics about fiber:
Soluble fiber is soft stuff -- the insides of beans, peas, lentils, mangoes, apples, peaches, figs, pineapple, pears, etc. Oatmeal and oat bran are also high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps reduce cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. It also acts to slow down food as it passes through your intestines, which can help prevent diarrhea.
Insoluble fiber is the roughage type of fiber your digestive system needs. It's the indigestible part of the plant -- like strawberry seeds, apple and bean skins, the bran shell on brown rice and wheat grains. Insoluble fiber helps prevent constipation. People who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may find that too much insoluble fiber worsens diarrhea. If you have IBS, you may want to opt for more soluble fiber.
One note: If a fruit or vegetable has a peel, don't remove it -- or you'll lose important fiber. Important nutrients and insoluble fiber are found in potato and fruit peels.
Best Sources of Fiber
While all unprocessed plant foods have fiber, they're not created equal. Some are higher in certain types of fiber. Some have both types of fiber.
Soluble fiber foods:
Beans
Oats, oat bran, oatmeal
Fruits: Apples, mangoes, plums, kiwi, pears, berries, peaches, citrus fruits, dried apricots, mangoes, figs
Vegetables and legumes: Potatoes, peas, beans, lentils
Insoluble fiber foods:
Wheat bran
Whole-wheat grain
Bulgur
Barley
Couscous
Brown rice
Seeds (including fruits with seeds)
Various vegetables: Spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, lettuce "
Hmm, well, my MS nurse gave me a hand-out about bowels, since I have trouble with constipation. It said that bulk-forming laxatives, like Metamucil, psyllium seed, or Miralax, should be taken with less water if you have very loose stools, more if you have constipation. With less water, it helps set up the stool, where as with more water it helps loosen things up.
Sb, I hope you have called a gastro-enterologist, like Quix said.
Kathy
Sb, I hope you have called a gastro-enterologist, like Quix said.
Kathy
SB...
Thanks! Do you want to be my new PCP? What you posted was a lot more informative than anything my PCP said about my IBS. I kind of think he was mad at me because he had to change my BP meds when my Neuro requested the change. MY PCP is actually a Phyiscain Asst. not a doctor. and that is why he was forced to change my BP med. During my last Appt with him everything I asked about he just said "You'll have to ask your other doctor about that".
Kathy....
I just got in the Metamucil in the mail from the VA. It is Rx'ed at double the usual dosage for the amount of water which coincides with what you said about less water.
Thanks again!
Dennis
Thanks! Do you want to be my new PCP? What you posted was a lot more informative than anything my PCP said about my IBS. I kind of think he was mad at me because he had to change my BP meds when my Neuro requested the change. MY PCP is actually a Phyiscain Asst. not a doctor. and that is why he was forced to change my BP med. During my last Appt with him everything I asked about he just said "You'll have to ask your other doctor about that".
Kathy....
I just got in the Metamucil in the mail from the VA. It is Rx'ed at double the usual dosage for the amount of water which coincides with what you said about less water.
Thanks again!
Dennis
Hi, all. Just got an IBS dx a few weeks ago because of symptoms very much like those the original poster described. I use Citrucel now, which is a methylcellulose-based fiber.
Here's the deal with fiber. I eat tons of dietary fiber in the form of vegetables and grains. I pointed this out to my GI doc when he told me to start taking fiber. His response? The Citrucel type of fiber acts like "sawdust" in the digestive tract, helping you to form stool appropriately and slowing transit. So, it's not going to have the same effect as dietary fiber. I was skeptical. But he was right. Since I started taking that fiber every day along with a digestive-protected acidophilus pill, my problems with my lower digestive tract, which were very much like those of the original poster, have disappeared completely.
I still have nausea a lot and I take a nightly smooth muscle relaxer for that and haven't had a single bad night since I started that (before, I'd have a horrible night of nausea every week at least). I also take Nexium in the morning and ranitidine before dinner for severe GERD, which is barely under control.
Anyway...the fiber thing, as counterintuitive as it seems, actually worked for me.
Bio
Here's the deal with fiber. I eat tons of dietary fiber in the form of vegetables and grains. I pointed this out to my GI doc when he told me to start taking fiber. His response? The Citrucel type of fiber acts like "sawdust" in the digestive tract, helping you to form stool appropriately and slowing transit. So, it's not going to have the same effect as dietary fiber. I was skeptical. But he was right. Since I started taking that fiber every day along with a digestive-protected acidophilus pill, my problems with my lower digestive tract, which were very much like those of the original poster, have disappeared completely.
I still have nausea a lot and I take a nightly smooth muscle relaxer for that and haven't had a single bad night since I started that (before, I'd have a horrible night of nausea every week at least). I also take Nexium in the morning and ranitidine before dinner for severe GERD, which is barely under control.
Anyway...the fiber thing, as counterintuitive as it seems, actually worked for me.
Bio
Thanks for the info..I guess I was thinking that a fiber based laxative would cause me to have more of an issue rather than thinking of it absorbing. I have a touchy stomach too since my gallbladder's been removed, and when I have tried any kind of fiber based laxative in the past, I've been nauseated and that is the only time when I do experience bloating. I guess I should try it again and see if this is the issue or not.
I've always wonder if it is true IBS because I don't do it all the time and it isn't frequent through out the day..just once or twice...but boy is it a good one.
I'll try to get in with a gastro-enterologist, but I'm still waiting to see a urologist GYN..and this has been months with no appointment yet to speak of.
I've always wonder if it is true IBS because I don't do it all the time and it isn't frequent through out the day..just once or twice...but boy is it a good one.
I'll try to get in with a gastro-enterologist, but I'm still waiting to see a urologist GYN..and this has been months with no appointment yet to speak of.
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