IBS Meds and Taking Supplements

I would never take all those supplements every day. They could build up in your body and cause you to become sick or worse.
Have you been tested for Celiac? I was diagnosed with IBS over 20 years ago and the symtoms just kept getting worse. Finally 2 years ago a doctor suggested I may have Celiac. It is very common to be diagnosed with IBS when you actually have celiac. It is amazing how much better I feel now that I am on a glutten free diet.

I loved Levsin, when I was having a lot of pain it was like an instant pain killer.

My internal physician told me to eat 1/4 cup of 100% bran for breakfast every day for the rest of my life and I'd never have IBS again. If I was dried out inside it would draw water from my system to soften the feces and if I was runny then it would absorb some of the moisture and make things more...solid.

Mom,
THis sounds off but have you had colonsocopy and have you been tested for intestinal parasites by a Gastro Dr? I know someone who had almost dibilitating IBS for 5 yrs and finally a Gastro. Dr suggested the testing. Turns out a parasite caused the IBS. She was given a very heavy antibiotic treatment for 10 days and it was gone. I know exercise, learning relaxation and deep breathing methods helped her before this was found, hers seemed to be brought when she was over stressed. Hope this helps.

Hi Gina!
I have suffered with IBS for most of my life. In recent years, I have found two things that have helped me tremendously. The first is the website
http://www.helpforibs.com/

There is a lot of great info on that site. I would highly recommend looking it over. Also, I started taking a supplement in March which has also really helped me. It is in a powder form and taken twice a day. So definitely not the amount you mentioned. Yikes! Let me know if you'd like more info about the supplement. Good luck to you. I know how terrible it is to have IBS.

My doctor said medication for my IBS was the last resort. I guess there are some big potential side effects? I'm sure you know more than I do.

I think taking an overload of supplements isn't so wise. There definitely could be interactions, not to mention those supplements aren't government regulated and could contain who knows what.

The only supplement I take is Benefiber in some water in the morning. I've added a ton of fiber to my diet in other ways, too, and it's helped a lot. I also cut out coffee, all acidic fruits and chocolate (for the most part ... I still splurge now and then on chocolate).

I would just go with what your doctor advises. I've found that's what's working for me. I'd rather go with what a doctor suggests than a minimum wage clerk in a supplements store, KWIM?