Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Question by : PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION! I NEED TO GET BETTER!!?
I was sick with the stomach flu about three weeks ago. I threw up on a Saturday, and I had diarrhea the rest of that week. I got better a week later. I go to school, and everyone has been sick with the stomach flu. I’ve had Irritable Bowel Syndrome before, so I know what it feels like. My mom said that it’s probably that, but I know it isn’t. My symptoms are diarrhea, and I feel as if there is a lump in my throat, not making me want to eat or drink. I have only eaten some chips and a grape popsicle today. Please tell me what I should do and what I should eat/drink! Thank you so much to whoever wants to help me!

Best answer:

Answer by Hannah
You should check to make sure you don’t have any signs of fever first. Going to the doctor is always a good option, (they diagnose stuff for a living, haha) but you should probably take it easy for a while, lay off exercise and drink plenty of fluids. Also, if you’re allergic to anything, it might be the cause. I recommend going to the doctor, though. If your throat is sore, you probably have strep, which can turn even uglier if left untreated.

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Question by Jamie: Prozac’s size effects are really bothering me. Is there another antidepressant I might tolerate better?
I’m on fluoxetine (the generic name for Prozac) for dysthymia with occasional episodes of major depression, various phobias, and irritable bowel syndrome. I’ve been taking 10mg a day for three weeks, and even at that low dose, the side effects are quite bothersome. I haven’t been able to have a complete bowel movement without the use of a laxative for two weeks. I have a history of constipation (mostly in childhood), but I haven’t had anything this bad for years, and since my digestive problems when I went on this medicine were the exact opposite of what I’m experiencing now (constant, and I mean CONSTANT diarrhea), I’m fairly sure that this is the drug’s fault. I also get nauseous often, but I haven’t actually vomited since I started the drug.

The medicine also makes me very drowsy, and I’ve been sleeping a lot more and a lot more deeply than I usually do. Before I went on fluoxetine, I was sleeping 3-5 hours a night, with no naps during the day. Now, I average on about 10 hours of sleep a night with a 2 hour nap in the afternoon, and I still feel exhausted. I also fall asleep at random times. I’ve fallen asleep watching TV, eating, on the computer, on the bathroom floor after taking a shower, even in the middle of a conversation. Also, I sleep so soundly that it’s pretty likely that I could sleep soundly through a bomb going off on my street. This past week, I have slept through three alarms almost every day: one on my clock radio, a timer on my TV in case I sleep through the clock radio, and an alarm on my cell phone to remind me to take my medication (because of this, I’ve taken a couple of doses late). To make sure that I woke up on time this morning, I asked one of my friends to come over and wake me up. He tells me that he came into my room and shook me while I was asleep, and even though I stayed in bed with my head under the covers, I had a conversation with him and he assumed that I was awake. I have absolutely no memory of this. In fact, I slept in three hours later than I intended to, despite setting three alarms and having someone “wake me up”.

I’ve also been having frequent nosebleeds. I’m not sure if this is related to the medication or to the cold weather, but starting this past week, I had a nosebleed nearly every other day, and on Friday, I had three separate nosebleeds. I remember reading that SSRIs can cause bleeding problems, so I’m a little concerned about this. I also feel a bit jittery; I’m constantly fidgeting, itching myself, and biting my nails, something that’s never really been a problem before. I’ve also had more of an appetite, but, paradoxically, I’ve lost five pounds since starting the medication.

It may be a bit early yet, but I haven’t noticed any change in mood at all, and these side effects are really annoying me, the constipation being the worst. I’m seeing my shrink tomorrow, and I’m wondering if I should tell her that I want to go off the medication or if I should ust wait and see if these side effects go away. I know that SSRIs generally have the fewest side effects, but do all SSRIs have the same side effects? Could going on a different SSRI get rid of the constipation and sleep problems? Is there another class of antidepressants that has less digestive side effects? I realize that I’m probably going to have side effects with any drug, but there are plenty that I can tolerate, like sexual side effects (totally celibate), weird dreams or nightmares (I’ve had those my whole life; I doubt I’d even notice if I experienced this side effect), or weight gain (I’m skinny anyway, so I could stand to gain a few pounds).

Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance.

Best answer:

Answer by Dee R
Try Ativan. Worked wonders for me.

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Question by scary shari: ACUPUNCTURE: feeling worse before I feel better (mood)?
I started getting acupuncture 2 or 3 weeks ago. I’ve done a TON of research on it and am very impressed w/ the variety of health & wellness issue it can help. My main ones are insomnia, anxiety, depression, ADHD, asthma, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome. None are severe (thankfully!) although some are more problematic than others.

My question: within the last week, I’ve noticed my mood is lower than it normally is. It’s not like I walk around crying, and I don’t act bitchy. I just feel less happy than usual, a little bit “blue”, and less motivated to do things. It’s not severe, but I can tell it’s different than my usual way of feeling.

My acupuncturist said stuff like this happens to some folks during their first few weeks of treatment, because changes are going on in the body that it’s not used to, and sometimes that makes a person feel “unbalanced” (for lack of a better word).

Anyone else notice changes like this upon starting acupuncture? If so, for how long?
P.S. (I ran out of room above) — For those who are familiar with the “retracing” phenomenon that happens to some people when they first start going to a CHIROPRACTOR (it sure happened with me!), would you say that what I described with acupuncture is a similar concept? It seems to me that it is.
P.P.S. To Heaven L and others who feel as she does — I’m not claiming acupuncture can CURE my ailments, or anybody’s. I said it can HELP the ailments. As in, improve them. And there really is a wealth of information, including scientific tests/experiements, that PROVE how acupuncture can help certain ailments, especially chronic pain.

Heck, anything that has been academically studied and professionall practiced for more than 2000 years, and is STILL in use today, is not simply quackery! Look it up on Wikipedia and prepare to be impressed.
amembal4444 is right; this would all be in better perspective if I included my age. I am 35. No menopause symptoms in sight — my menstrual cycle is as regular now as it was at age 25.

Best answer:

Answer by brokerstorage
i love acupuncture.

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Question by michelle: I think I have IBS but I stopped eating in the morning and my stomach better?
I think what I have is Irritable Bowel Syndrome but I have been to several doctors and there guess is as good as mine. I stopped eating in the morning and don’t eat until 1pm or later and I have not had any problems with my stomach after that! I know not eating isn’t the best thing but it’s better than having an accident or killer stomach pains. Anyone else have this, not being able to eat in the morning?

Best answer:

Answer by Henry L
Everyones’ hormone cycles are different, which includes men and women. There may be a particular hormone that is really high or low for you in the morning, and inevitably causes you to digest food improperly in the morning. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning the doctor can’t figure out what is it, so they go to IBS. There isn’t an actual TEST for IBS.

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Question by PB8515971: are prebiotics better than probiotics?

Best answer:

Answer by Mawia
Both are EXCELLENT marketing gimmicks.

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