Help! What to do about bloating relief?

[jen_dahling]

I need to know what to do to relieve the bloating and water retention. I have IBS with constipation and during the constipated days I have really bad bloating and pressure on my abdomen. Sometimes my period is the only thing that keeps me regular. Is it safe to take a laxative to relieve the bloating? I take OTC immodium AD when I have the severe diarrhea, but is it safe to take a laxative, and I worry about bouncing back and forth with the drugs.
Are there any time-tested non-RX remedies for relief. I already drink a ton of water, as suggested by my euro yesterday!
THANKS!!!!
:toilet:

[kadi]

Since you have IBS, check with your doctor... But, if it's okay to use something---

Pears and hot pear juice with honey seem to get things moving. Hot oatmeal helps some people.

These constipation remedies are over the counter meds -- I'd also not wanted any more meds, but 3 of my meds cause constipation and that just makes my bladder even worse. I just started taking Fibercon several weeks ago & it's really been a lifesaver for me. My uro recommends Colace but it gives me an hour of cramping & the runs at unpredictable & inconvenient times...(like the commercial with the girl dancing at the music store & then uhhhh....) But Fibercon has been pretty good, no drama & no flare. Fleet suppositories have been ok too, but that's not for regular use.

Hope you feel better soon!

[jen_dahling]

Thank you Kadi! That was exactly the testimonial I was looking for. I can't do colace either because of the terrible cramping. I appreciate your input.

[classics]

I used those cookies made from Metamucil. There are two individually wrapped. Drink a lot of water while eating them. I don't know though if these would cause a flare in some IC'ers.

I was getting a lot of bloating last week, but I think a virus was going around.

[Reba in Arkansas]

Jen-
I can understand where you are coming from. I have gained 10 lbs over the last year. I really think it's from constipation. Talk about cramping! I don't know which is worse, the cramps from the constipation or the cramps from taking a laxative. I just found out milk is one of the worst things I can put on my stomach. Dairy products in general seem to make it worse. One thing I found that works is dark corn syrup on a waffle. That makes me go! My mom was a nurse for 40 years and she' the one who recommended it. Hope you feel better!
-Reba

[kadi]

Careful with the Metamucil wafers-they contain citric acid... (oww....)

[jen_dahling]

Well, it got worse but is getting better. The horrible cramps from bloating led to horrible cramps with diarrhea. The circle is now complete...

I might be allergic to milk and dairy. I am having my allergies tested on Monday so hopefully I will get some answers about possible triggers.

Thanks for the Metamucil info. I remember my Mamo used to keep them in the fridge and my sis and I would steal them to eat!

Thanks, guys!

[kadi]

Awww, geez, if it's not one thing it's another...

I had vicious constip/diarrhea cycles for awhile. I got allergy tested--learned I'm allergic to soy & nuts, so I elminated almonds & started reading labels to get the hidden soy out of my diet (can you believe they even use soy as a filler in deli roast beef???that stuff is hidden everywhere!). The diarrhea went away once I got rid of those foods. The constip.- well thanks to Fibercon, all is well now. Geez, I sound like a Fibercon spokesperson (but I'm not, just a satisfied customer).

Hope that the allergy testing pays off for you & that you find things (or get rid of things) to feel better:)

[jen_dahling]

it was a lot more painful than I thought! Turns out that I am allergic to my very favorite foods! No more shrimp or crab. That was all that the Dr. would talk about so I am kinda left with some concerns. The technicians that came in to look at the skin tests were conversing about how to measure and what to look for. They said that virtually every food I tested for had a response for allergy. On a scale from 0-4 that most of them were 2s and 3s. So I was wondering if anyone has run into this problem. Is there concern for every little thing that we test for? I am supposed to have them tested again in January when the cedar trees and allergens are at their worst.
To top it all off, he thinks that because my tummy is acting out and I have joint pain that I may have some type of parasite. :dizzy:
ANY FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED!!!

[kadi]

If you have a good primary care physician, I'd start there & make sure you get a thorough exam and blood work up... Just to give your whole system an overall look. That's probably where I'd start asking questions, especially if you don't have a dramatic history of allergies before this. Shoot, I was hoping you'd get answers, not more questions!!! (But it does seem to go that way for me too...)