Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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I was just wondering how many nurses suffer from this??? There are several I work with, as well as myself and it's no wonder with the stress levels and the eating on the run, if at all. I have had some help relieving some of my symptoms with herbal therapy, but have to wonder if it ever will be "cured", but rather,occasionally controled until it decides to take over again. It's a real B**** to work the unit with another nurse that has it cause you pray you don't need the bathroom at the same time. Someone told me once that stress didn't aggervate it and I told them they were more full of it than I was. I asked them to explain why the whole 9 days I was on vacation I had no symptoms at all. Guess who shut up real fast. Was just curious and thought I'd ask, sorry if it's too personal.

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Specializes in CV-ICU.

Duckie, I had my first attack 6 months after getting married, so it wasn't nursing that induced it for me; it was the fact that my husband is a slob and I was too nice to get mad and yell at him. Once I learned that I could yell at him to pick up after himself; and that it was okay to get rid of anger and frustration, I did fine for a long time-- til I had preschoolers. I can't take most of the meds (antispasmodics,etc) becuse of allergies, so I use Imodium AD and cheese to control whichever end of the spectrum I'm on at the time (and yelling!). What herbs help besides Chammomille? I've been having problems again for these past 2 months, but hadn't thought it might be due to the stress at work.

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I have IBS, and stress ABSOLUTELY aggrevates it...anyone who tells you it doesn't hasn't got a clue. I don't take anything med or herbal to 'help' it, I just deal with the sx as they arise, like JennyP said. Luckily, we have 3 bathrooms for staff on my unit, and a couple of other nurses have it, so we all understand each other.

Case in point, I've been really stressed these past few days, and my gi system is churnin' and burnin', baby!!

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I was diagnosed with IBS shortly after I began my first nursing job on a skilled unit in the hospital. I personally think it is bacterial- look at how long gastric ulcers were thought to be caused by stress. I have received some relief with zoloft, used concurrently to help treat PMS, and metamucil. Paxil is the preferred SSRI for IBS. Still not 100%, but at least the daily abdominal cramps are gone. I beleive that some bacterial organism is affecting peristalsis. Yes, stress and diet aggravate IBS, but science needs to go after the cause!My problem with PMS is mostly fluid retention that causes breast pain, which I just found that B-12 complex acts as a diuretic, and does seem to help.

I, too am curious how many nurses were diagnosed after contact with situations that may be nosicomial, or patient contact. What alternative medicine has anyone found to be helpful? Does anyone know of a natural diuretic. Thanks.

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I was diagnosed with IBS long Before being a nurse, probably had it since gramer school. Stress doesn't always bother me, etoh definatly doesn't (thank God) nor does caffiene. I read somwhere that most people with IBS are also lactose intolerant, I definatly am. Lactaid really helps alot. If i know i am consuming a milk containg product (cheese doesn't bother me, i hear there really isnt that much lactose in it, Ice cream puts me on the can for a good 20 minutes redface.gif )I take the lactaid and it helps. If i feel my stomach is getting upset or bloated or gassy i tkae a lactaid and it calms it down. Try it. its a cheap way to find out and waaaaaaay better than taking some of theother drugs people are using. Also i started taking pepcid 20 mg q am and that helps too.

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www.ibsgropu.org This is an excellent website for those suffering from IBS. Click on their message board and it is filled with helpful tips. I am NOT promoting anything but I would like to share with you what has helped me but recommend that before you try anything you ask your doctor. Before beginning my current regimen, it was not unusual for me to have diarrhea 2-4 times every evening at work. It has been 2 weeks since I have experienced diarrhea of any kind. Needless to say I am thrilled. This is what I am using. Acidophilus to promote friendly flora in the colon. St. John's Wart to assist in reducing stress. Valerian Root (smells like cow dung and grass! ick!) to add a relaxing effect to the colon. I also take Calcium 900mg q.d. Calcium is constipating so for me that was a plus. I take all of these by the directions on their bottles. Some do not believe in herbs, but I know that I have been symptom free for 2 weeks, so even if it's all in my head, it's working and that's all I care about. Before trying any herbs, alwasy ask your doctor to be certain they do not conflict with any medications or conditions you may have. Just wanted to share my success story and refer you to a great website.
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CORRECTION: www.ibsgroup.org Sorry about that, my fingers can't keep up with my brain. Anyhow, I do have something else to add. Before beginning the above regimen I couldn't eat salad or fresh fruits. I have had salad 4 times since starting this with no problems. As if you couldn't tell, I'm pretty excited to be feeling better.

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