(Part 2) Best products from r/ibs

Hi Julie,

It took me over a year to alleviate most of my constipation but all the above definitely helped.

-Slippery Elm - 1 Capsule 2x a day - taken between meals. Good for calming inflammation in stomach and helps repair and coat the stomach lining. Also helps with constipation and diarrhea. Makes a big difference on settling down stomach and soothing stomach pains. It can lower blood pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Foods-Slippery-400mg-Capsules-100-Count/dp/B010VOZ2MK/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1529628232&sr=1-6&keywords=slippery+elm

-Psyllium Husk - 1 Capsule 2x a day (for moderate to severe constipation) - taken between meals. A gentle insoluble fiber and really does a good job of moving things along.
https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Psyllium-Husk-500-Capsules/dp/B0013OW2KS/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1542294329&sr=1-4&keywords=psylium%2Bhusk&th=1

-Marshmallow Root - 1 capsule 2x a day - taken between meals. Similar to Slippery Elm benefits. Very good for stomach lining. It can lower blood pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Marshmallow-Root-Capsules/dp/B001E10JKU/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1529628409&sr=8-5&keywords=marshmallow%2Broot&th=1

-Magnesium Oil Spray - Good for calming the body and for aiding digestion. I do 6-8 sprays on my stomach and chest before bed. Helps constipation and aid digestion.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CKEBFSE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Triphala - Generally good for digestion. Helps fight H Pylori and helps with Detoxification. I take 1/8 to 1/4th tsp every night. Mixes in water.
https://www.amazon.com/Banyan-Botanicals-Triphala-Powder-Detoxification/dp/B005EIK9Z4/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1529707176&sr=1-7&keywords=triphala&th=1

-Tulsi (Holy Basil) - Good for all around health and promote energy and sleep. I take 1/8 tsp every night. Mixes in water.
https://www.amazon.com/Banyan-Botanicals-Tulsi-Powder-Pound/dp/B0058AASOA/ref=sr_1_28_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1529707224&sr=1-28&keywords=holy%2Bbasil&th=1

Probiotics

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They've been pivotal in restoring more balance to my stomach, digestion, and overall health.

I've resolved on taking three different probiotic products because variety can help crowd out H Pylori and heal your stomach overall.

-Custom Probiotics - 11 Strain Probiotic Powder - 100 Gram
It seems expensive but it's super cost efficient and lasted me about year which is amazing.
For dosage, I only use the small plastic spoon that it comes with because the standard dosage of "260 billion" per day seems a little too intense to me.
I started with taking 25 billion (one small plastic spoonful) per day mixed in water. Stomach upset and gas is normal at the beginning stages so starting small helps your stomach get acclimated to the new strains.
I'm up to 100 billion per day (4 small plastic spoonful) now, 30 minutes to 1 hour before a meal.
https://www.customprobiotics.com/custom-probiotics-11-strain.htm

-Renew Life Extra Care Probiotic - Ultimate Flora - 150 billion - 30 Capsules
This probiotic is amazing for adding tremendous amount of variety to the strains in your stomach. It also contains "L Reuteri" which is effective in reducing and suppressing H Pylori.
Whenever I start a new bottle, I start with approximately 1/4 capsule (I open up the capsule and pour some it's contents in water) for the first week and move up to 1/2 capsule till the end of the bottle. Makes it last longer and because I'm already supplementing with another probiotic.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IN7867Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Bronson Saccharomyces Boulardii - 20 Billion - 180 capsules
Good for restoring balance to gut biome. I start out with half a capsule (approx 5 billion) in water at mealtime, once per day.
https://www.amazon.com/Bronson-Saccharomyces-Boulardii-Clinically-Vegetarian/dp/B01DWMC794/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1529676374&sr=8-5&keywords=bronson+saccharomyces+boulardii+probiotic


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Timing of Probiotics

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This was a super tricky thing to figure out. A lot of conflicting reports on what time you should take it, with food, without food, at bedtime, or first thing in the morning.

Here's the best two times that have worked for me. I go back and forth to accommodate schedule changes if need be:

1. 30 Minutes Before Breakfast - Custom Probiotics and Renew Life mixed in water.
   Take S Boulardii with other food enzymes. Make sure to take herbal antibiotics at another meal time.
   
   
2. 30 Minutes Before Dinner - Custom Probiotics and Renew Life mixed in water.
   S Boulardii with other food enzymes. Make sure to take herbal antibiotics at another meal time.

I'm sorry you're going through this, OP. I have terrible constipation as well and the bloating is one of the worst symptoms for me. It's such an uncomfortable feeling. I'm by no means cured, but I've tried several things that have really helped. Especially with my bloating. I recommend looking into these.

 

NOW Probiotic: This is one of the best probiotics in my opinion and is a must if you have IBS. I take one capsule 30 minutes before eating and it helps reduce my stomach pan and improves my digestion. This is one of the things that has made the most difference.

 

Chamomile: I take this after I finish eating. It settles down my stomach and reduces the likelihood of me experiencing stomach pain after eating. I take it not just after eating, but also whenever my stomach acts up. It almost always relieves any sort of stomach discomfort I'm experiencing. Chamomile is particularly good for improving digestion, reducing gas and bloating, and promoting smoother and more frequent bowel movements. If you experience any anxiety, which is pretty common among people with IBS, chamomile can really help with that as well. It's a mild sedative and is very calming. It's useful for lowering anxiety as well as improving sleep issues like insomnia.

 

High Absorption Magnesium: Most people have some level of magnesium deficinecy. People often don't eat foods that are high in magnesium and to make matters worse, things like sugar, caffeine, and certain medications, can lower your magnesium levels. Magnesium is a very important mineral and getting enough magnesium can help you feel less constipated and help you have smoother bowel movements. It's also good for lowering anxiety as well.

 

NOW Candida Support: It's believed that some some people with IBS may have candida overgrowth. CO can contribute to IBS symptoms. This supplement does a good job of managing this. I take 2 capsules with a meal.

 

Senna: Senna is a mild, but effective herbal laxative. I take one capsule 2 to 3 times a day and I've been having bowel movements a lot more often and I'm not as constipated. My doctor had me on Miralax previously, but I switched to senna because Miralax was too strong and harsh. It would help me poop, but I would poop too much. So much that it was even painful. Senna is far less harsh.

 

Triphala: I take triphala right before bed and I'm usually able to have a bowel movement once I wake up the next morning. It helps the liver and kidneys do a better job of detoxifying the body. It may help kill certain bacteria that could be contributing to your IBS. It seems to work because I noticed that all my acne cleared up and my skin looked so much smoother when I started taking triphala.

 

Besides these supplements, a diet change can lower the chance of your IBS symptoms triggering. I personally like a gluten-free diet because it's not as strict and difficult to follow as some other IBS diets. Gluten is one of my biggest bloating triggers and avoiding it when I can really helps.

I highly recommend that you look up SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) - it can cause the same symptoms you describe, and can be tested for with a 'hydrogen breath test' quite easily (and it is non-invasive). You may be able to ask your doctor to request one for you, or there are private companies that offer them. Some studies have found that SIBO has been present in 70% of people they tested who had previously been diagnosed with IBS, so it's potentially one of the biggest causes of IBS that we currently know of, yet many doctors have never heard of it. Additionally, if you find that your sister does have SIBO, there are ways of drastically reducing the symptoms and in some people eradicating it completely. It is really worth looking into - even if it isn't SIBO, you will at least rule something out.

It must be horrible to see her in such distress and not receive any help. My docs were similarly useless. It is important to know that IBS is not a single condition - really it is just a name for many different conditions, which is why people on this subreddit find that very different treatments work for them (and different diets, for that matter). One persons's miracle will not work for another, which is why finding out the cause is absolutely essential (and there will be one). You and your family can get to the bottom of this, even if that means doing your own research where your doctors won't.

This book might be useful - it goes through all the known causes of what is commonly known as IBS one by one to help you figure out what is really going on (the title is an over-simplification but it's a good book): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teach-Yourself-Irritable-Syndrome-Simple/dp/1444198009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421870593&sr=8-1&keywords=ibs+teach+yourself

If you want any more info about anything I have mentioned please feel free to bug me as much as you want :)

Oh buddy, I understand and just hate that feeling that doctors aren't really on your team. Or that they will throw treatments at you but don't take your quality of life seriously as an important part of your concerns. You should absolutely keep your appointments and keep working with specialists, but I have to say that a lot of the big leaps forward I have made have been self directed. If you haven't tried the low-FODMAP diet yet, you can start right now, this instant! So many people on here have had amazing success with it. It doesn't cure IBS, but the degree of relief is worth the hassle. I'd say the only caveat is that if you need to get tested for celiac disease that you shouldn't cut out wheat yet, but if that isn't a concern then you don't need to wait to ask your doctor. I can't even say how much this book helped me http://www.amazon.com/Digestive-Health-REAL-Food-Anti-Inflammatory/dp/0988717204. The elimination diet is very strict for a few weeks, transitioning into low-FODMAP, but the biggest leap forward I have had was when I buckled down and followed this protocol.

Does your insurance let you self-refer? I had a difficult time making that call as well, but I was able to refer myself for therapy and I actually have one regular therapist and one who specializes in IBS. Neither of these are a cure, but have helped me navigate this experience of being chronically sick.

Anyway, I am just so sorry you are having a frustrating time right now and I want to give you hope that there are some things in your power to do for yourself as well as waiting for help from your doctor.

Desperate like so many others on here, I got creative and decided to try something different. Hence, I bought some digestive enzymes on Amazon (link below) and they worked really well to combat the bloating!! The directions say to take 1 capsule before a meal. However, in my case, one capsule wasn't helpful so I read on the comments that many users recommend taking two instead. I actually take three! NOTHING has worked better and while it's not perfect, it's been the best solution thus far! Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009EXOTQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Sure thing. This is the one I'm using right now and it works quite well. Amazon has several brands you can try. I hope you benefit from these,I sure have.

Best Naturals Peppermint Oil Bowel Soothing Dietary Supplement, 250 mg, 120 Count

Elimination diet would be a good thing to try.

I experienced something similar recently and these are what help me:

https://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Saccharomyces-Boulardii-Intestinal-Digestive/dp/B0013OVW0E?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CTCATS4/

White rice, watery fruits (no bananas & dates), cheese, romaine lettuce, curry powder, and avocados are the main things I've found to be safe. Apple juice fasting also helps me a ton. Olive oil had significant effects as well.

Iron can feed pathogens, so try avoiding foods with it.

I'm still exploring what works for me, but here's a list of what's working.

• Very low tolerance to - spicy/hot foods, garlic, coffee if I'm backed up
  
  
• Can tolerate very small or rare amounts of - onion, beans, dairy
  
  
• Body can somewhat tolerate - gluten, meat although I've been plant-based for over a year
  
  Oatmeal, rice, and potatoes are the go-to foundations of my diet. I can have a cup of tea and a serving or two of alcohol each day without much trouble, but it must be with food. My daily poop smoothie has fruit, water, 12-18 grams of this protein powder with probiotics and 3-4 grams of this green powder.
  
  I drink 48-80 ounces of water each day, not including tea/smoothies. I usually just go with what I crave and have created a great water drinking habit over the last few months.
  
  I take a multivitamin with iron everyday (iron for genetic anemia) and B12 twice a week in high doses, but will be lumping those pills together in a different type of multivitamin soon.
  
  Right now I'm feeling out what beans, veggies, fruits, and other processed foods I can tolerate. My primary goal right now is to poop once a day and balance my fiber intake so everything keeps moving. Normally, if I drink a ton of water and some ginger tea in the morning I'll know everything is normal with a poop before noon.
  
  If I didn't cover something, ask away!

Some of the books that I have found helpful, over time (in rough order of importance to me):

The Microbiome Cookbook

The Well-Fed Microbiome Cookbook

The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-term Health

Reclaim Your Life from IBS: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Relief without Restrictive Diets

Fast Tract Digestion

Eating for IBS

I did. I went from two years of daily misery, to maybe a small mild episode once a week on average, and I'm still improving slowly. I followed the diet based on the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle"

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Vicious-Cycle-Intestinal-Through/dp/0969276818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478021388&sr=8-1&keywords=breaking+the+vicious+cycle

It's an extremely strict diet that is difficult to keep, but I promise you it will help a ton if you give it time to work.

The VSL-3 is great too. It's a probiotic made for people like us. You only have to take it for a month and then the bugs will proliferate on their own.

I take a small dose of zoloft to help with the stress an anxiety too, but that's optional.

Yes, usually it's from the pain of being constipated or I just plain ate something that didn't agree with me. I usually go for the peppermint capsules or Digestzen

Good luck and feel better.

Edit: It could be spasms though. If so you may need to ask your Doc for something like Bentyl or some other kind of antispasmodic.

No worries. My post about my pee smelling sweet was hilarious.

I started an elimination diet with the help of this book https://www.amazon.com/dp/0988717204/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_038vzbNHJX37A

Typical meals for me right now: eggs, coconut oil, meat, avocado

Fish/chicken, carrots, olive oil. Almost always have a can of sardines with this meal

A smoothie with full fat coconut milk, hemp seeds, sunflower seed butter, cocoa butter, trace minerals (by Morningstar minerals), frozen raspberries & ice

This site has some good info on why special low carb diets help IBS&IBD http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

It's probably a bit more expensive, but there's one called 'IBGard' that is actually qualified as a medical food, which I'm assuming means it has undergone clinical testing and shown positive results. My doc recommended it. It's also encapsulated for time release, which is probably part of the additional cost.

Try Heather’s Tummy Tamers. They’re all natural peppermint, fennel, and ginger pills made specifically for IBS. You can get them at CVS or buy them on amazon. People swear by them, and i just bought them for my fiancé and he has had a ton of relief already.


here’s the link to amazon.

Review of Heathers and proof!

peppermint oil caps? like IBGuard or another brand

helps for gas/bloating and should make you minty too. couldn't hurt to try

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7OIKXS/

We have this one: Works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Luxe-Bidet-Neo-120-Non-Electric/dp/B00JG2DETM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=bidet&qid=1568869696&sr=8-5&th=1

they do work really good! I'll take them at like the first signs of general discomfort after a meal and once it kicks in I usually dont have any other problems. you have to get ones that are special coated so that the peppermint releases in your intestines and not your stomach. this is the one that i buy

When I travel, I go with three items.

First, I travel with Digestive Enzymes. For me, these help with digestion quite a bit. I still try to avoid FODMAPs that trigger me, but if I accidentally consume some, these make it so I'm not in agony afterwards. Seriously, buy some now. They help a shocking amount.

Second, I bring peppermint tea and peppermint oil capsules. These really help minimize the length of flares.

Next, as a last resort, I bring anti-diarrheals. It sucks to be backed up, but it's better than the alternative sometimes. But if I use the enzymes, I rarely have to use these.

FYI I have just learned that if you are only interested in my museum for its laxative effect you are better off with a less bioavailable magnesium.

However many many people are deficient in magnesium, especially the chronically ill, because our body's dump magnesium when under stress.

Magnesium citrate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WJ56QTM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_0b1ZCbVAGJYRV

Magnesium glycinate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BD0RT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Nc1ZCbA3NFNSD

Magnesium malate:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013GJNWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_xd1ZCbN7ST808

Since I buy these on Amazon I use their subscribe and save feature. This saves me an extra 15% (as I have several subscriptions). Even if you're just trying out a product and are not sure you're going to order more I still do this as you can immediately cancel the subscription.

Absolutely not. I bought the book on December 15, 2012 and it's been a damn miracle. You probably don't need the book but should read the positive and negative reviews on Amazon to provide further insight.

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet https://www.amazon.com/dp/0969276818/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mIsHybT3H7YDZ