Is it normal to have extreme ibs?

24% Normal
19 Comments

All my life I have been having difficulties with going to the bathroom. However, it wasn't until recently that I found out that it was actually IBS that I had. 

My IBS has, for the most part, always leaned in the direction of varying stages of constipation. 

I have had periods of what I would like to believe was normal elimination or regularity. However, these periods were never long term. If I changed even the slightest thing in my diet, my constipation would come roaring back to life with vengeance. 

Lately, I am lucky if I have a bowel movement even if it is once per week. Sometimes, I won't be able to go for many weeks. 

I know that this is probably not normal and definitely not healthy, but I don't know what I could be doing wrong. The foods that used to work no longer seem to. It doesn't matter if I eat kale, buckwheat soba, fruit, chocolate, etc. 

Coffee used to work but, now it won't. I've increased water intake, but that doesn't seem to be working very well. Things that are supposed to help like yogurt, goat's milk, or digestive enzymes don't seem to work either. 

Herbal laxatives have worked wonders but not always and I am scared that if I take them frequently, that my body will become dependent on them. 

What the fuck I am supposed to do?! 

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24% Normal
Based on 17 votes (4 yes)
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Comments ( 19 )
  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    What does your doctor say about all of this?

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      I don't currently have a GP. When I was a child, I once had pain so bad on my right side. I believed myself to have appendicitis. Well, I got some blood work done and of all things, it turned out to be constipation.

      My doctor never diagnosed me as having IBS. Maybe, that term never existed back then . She told me that with some people, no mtter what they eat, they tend to be constipated. Some go very easily. While others seem to digest foods fine. She told me about her niece that always constipated. It didn't matter what she ate, she ALWAYS seem to be unable to go.

      Apparently, there are psychological associations with IBS. It is apparently prevalent among people who have been abused. I am assuming that this is the root cause of what made me develop this.

      Now I did go earlier today but, not completely. I made a chickpea flour cake with coconut oil in it and then I drunk some coffee with coconut milk in it. Many hours before all of that, I had some Senna tea. Absolutely amazing. I feel a lot better.

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      • RoseIsabella
        9 years ago

        Right on, I just came of a Master Cleanse and I'm trying to eat a healthier diet but I'm still having some problems with constipation. After being constipated I tend to have soreness in inflammation in my lower intestinal region. I've also had problems with diarrhea on occasion as well, so although I haven't been formally diagnosed with IBS I tend to believe that's my problem.

        I also tend to notice that abdominal pain and IBS symptoms tend to get worse prior to and in conjunction with flare ups of my chronic pain issues. I have Myofascial pain which is somewhat similar to Fibromyalgia.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    Do you have celiac disease? I remember reading that celiac disease could cause ibs. There could be many things causing it though so I would go to a doctor.

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      No. I got tested for that a few years back and the results were negative. I did give up eating grains quite a few months ago.

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      • [Old Memory]
        9 years ago

        You could have slow digestive waves. Your natural rate could be slower than normal which means you dont get rid of waste as fast and get constipated.

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  • disthing
    9 years ago

    "I know that this is probably not normal"

    You answered your own question.

    IBS isn't particularly normal, so none of this is going to be that common an experience.

    A doctor, maybe a specialist dietician, would be in a better position to advise you than us.

    Or use some websites / forums set up for people in your position:
    http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/
    http://www.theibsnetwork.org/what-we-offer/self-help-groups/

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    • Riddler
      9 years ago

      Auctully IBS is a common issue. However its more common in women and affects middle age adults and children the most often. Some women get very constipated during the time of the month.

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      • disthing
        9 years ago

        "Extreme IBS" isn't particularly normal, as I said, in so much as most people don't have it. That's generally how I determine normality, basing it upon commonality.

        Not being able to take a dump for many weeks is NOT normal.

        IBS-like symptoms doesn't necessarily equate to IBS, either

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      Thank you.

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  • green_boogers
    9 years ago

    Fiber dude. Fiber.

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      I do, trust me!

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      • Riddler
        9 years ago

        Did you try fiber powder mixed in your food?

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        • Avant-Garde
          9 years ago

          No. The probelm with those is that they either aren't organic/non-GMO or that the fibre is being sourced from foods that I am allergic to.

          I have been surprisingly getting myself back on track. It's hard to know what has been doing it since I've been readding different foods back into my diet.

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          • Riddler
            9 years ago

            There is powder that says organic on it and its all natural.

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  • BunnyBoo82
    9 years ago

    Fibre can be as much the problem as it is a cure with IBS. Try not to consume too much fibre. Stress can make IBS worse, also intolerances to certain ingredients may be a trigger. I have IBS too and struggle with both extremities and it is a pain in the butt if you'll excuse the pun!

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  • PossumMom
    9 years ago

    IBS can sometimes be brain-related. Maybe an anti-anxiety drug might work (or the herbal equivalent). I had IBS during a bad work/relationship period and when those two ended, POOF. Oh should I say, POOP!

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    prunes and fruit might help and cut out grains for a while

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      I don't eat grains at all, unless they are being feed to the goats. I forgot about prunes and how used to make me go.

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