Lactose Intolerance/IBS...

[Kristie]

Dana,

Can someone be lactose intolerant some of the time or is lactose intolerance something that you would *always* have?

I keep having these icky IBS problems and i'm not sure if it's weight gain, too much dairy, stress, diverticulitis or what not. I keep wondering, if i have these symptoms for too long, will i always end up having them or worse problems as i get older?

Thanks!

[trigeek]

Let me start out with, I'm not a professional, this is just my own experience.

My IBS issues are completely tied to my coffee addiction. I do recall you getting some espresso toys for Christmas...

Some fiber pills and drinking plenty of fluids balance my system out. I tried to quit coffee but that was miserable week. I'm interested to see what others will say.

[Kristie]

I know it's not related to coffee because i hardly drink it... only on the weekends and that's typically when i *don't* have IBS issues.

i wonder though, what is in coffee that would give you those issues?

[Chi829]

caffeine. It's a stimulant and often really messes my tummy up! When I drink coffee,,, I may as well drink it on the toilet.... sorry for being so gross but it's true.

[MQAAord]

I would put my money on stress. When I'm stressed out, especially when I first hear about something VERY stress-inducing, my stomach literally ties in knots and I can actually FEEL things 'down there' moving around. Too much TMI, I know, but it's a real bitch. I get sick from so many different things, but not all the time, and not necessarily the same things! It's so annoying because if it was just one or two things I know to avoid, I'd avoid them, but it can be anything at anytime, or nothing will make me sick for weeks on end and then BAM it comes back. It's downright painful at times too! But always, always worse for me during times of high stress! (When we were worried about furlough, constantly stressing about money, selling the house, moving, more paycuts, etc....)

You've certainly had more than your fair share of stress lately, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was taking it's toll on you physically .

As for how to fix it? Beats me, I've had this going on since I was 13 years old. If there's a remedy, I'm all ears!

[Kristie]

I get sick from so many different things, but not all the time, and not necessarily the same things! It's so annoying because if it was just one or two things I know to avoid, I'd avoid them, but it can be anything at anytime, or nothing will make me sick for weeks on end and then BAM it comes back. It's downright painful at times too!

that's exactly how it seems to me too..it doesn't seem like it's any one particular thing but everything...i keep trying to cut things out but, like you, it doesn't get me anywhere.

i can't imagine it being totally stress related! hell, all i have to do is breathe wrong and it sends my lower GI into turmoil.

you've had this since you were 13? dang...have you tried any of those new drugs they have out? I've thought bout that cuz i'm getting tired of deal with it on almost a daily basis.

I do remember taking a thing of antibiotics for diverticulitis when it all first started and that seemed to do the trick for at least a good 6 months but since then, it just seems to have gotten worse...the symptoms are exactly the same everytime except some are definately more painful in the cramp area

[lucky81698]

Kristie,

I had similar symptoms starting around Sept 2005. I thought it was all stress too. Then they thought I had diverticulitis and I took anit-biotics for that. Seemed a little better for while. I was thinking dairy products too, but that didn't seem to pan out. I had alot of bloating as well as other problems. I had a CT scan of my whole stomach area, then ultrasounds in female areas due to my aunt having ovarian cancer, all with no findings. Then it seemed to be pretty much better. But I remembered the doctor saying if the symptoms continued and they had not found anything, then I should have a colonscopy. I really wanted to do everything to avoid that. After noticing something that appeared to be blood, I finally called a GI doctor. That's when he said I needed the colonoscopy, just to make sure even though he did not expect to find anything due to my age. But he ended up finding a quite large polyp that was causing bleeding. I guess when it gets to that point it can quickly turn to cancer. He said I was very lucky. I don't wnat you to think I'm trying to scare you, but you might want to go to a GI doctor and see what they say. It could be a very simple fix that will make you feel better quickly. There's no sense feeling like crap if you don't have to!

[Dana]

You all have very good points when it comes to the GI tract! Symptoms can be wide and mean many different things. The best advise I have: See a GI specialist.

You will need to start with your PCP, get a good exam and go from there. Without an exam I can't tell you if it is IBS or Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis. I lean toward Diverticulosis/litis just listening to your symptoms Kristie. If that is so, it should be treated with antibiotics (this can get serious) to avoid a nasty infection and if you are having that much trouble you really should be seen and evaluated. If you have a fever you need to be seen right a way as you can get very sick, very fast.

I highly recommend to my pt's colonoscopy for repeated bouts of stomach trouble. One just doesn't know till it is evaluated, and it can be many different things. The prep is the worst of it. Otherwise they give you nice little drugs so you are comfortable and don't remember a thing. Once it is properly diagnosed, treatment is much easier and QOL is MUCH BETTER!

Again, my advise, see your doc! Lucky81698 has a good Doc. You have to think of all the organs in the abdomen, especially in woman.

Here are a couple of sites to help with the difference in symptoms of Diverticulitis/losis and IBS. Neither fun to live with and should be properly treated.

Zelnorm works well in most women for treatment of IBS.

http://familydoctor.org/880.xml (Diverticulitis)

http://familydoctor.org/112.xml (IBS)

Let me know if you want more specific info.
Dana

[Kristie]

well, i've pretty much confirmed that i have too much stress...i didn't have any GI problems today but now, i have another stupid migraine. so i'm thinking all my problems are just stress related at this point. I need to find a new method of relieving the stress, what i'm doing isn't working.

BUT.. if the GI stuff starts up again next week, i'll be making a doc appt.

doug just got home, said he'd make me a mojito... that should bring it down some! hahaha

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

IAs for how to fix it? Beats me, I've had this going on since I was 13 years old. If there's a remedy, I'm all ears!

I too have been lactose intolerant since I was a little kid- before there was even a name for it!

I finally found the most amazing stuff online to hel with it-- much better than Lactaid. Some stores sell it but I get it in bulk online. It is called Digestive Advantage and it's on Rofay.com. They also have pills for IBS but I only take the LI ones. It is like a miracle!! Amanda