The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 05/17/2013
★★★★★
Re: Advice Sought for IBS
First, you need to watch your diet. Keep a journal and record what you eat, when, how you felt, etc. Also note if you are stressed, tired, that sort of thing. You will notice in a short time what foods bother you when eaten often/occasionally/very rarely/in great quantities. For instance, I can drink 1 c of coffee but not 2 in a day. Some foods are definite triggers--chocolate, tomatoes, high fats. We are always told to eat whole grains, but this is very hard on ibsD. Well-cooked without peel is usually safe for fruits & vegs. Then, look at fiber. There ar 2 kinds, soluble and insoluble. The soluble is goopy, as in oatmeal and lima beans. The insoluble is roughage, like celery. Avoid the insoluble and increase the soluble. If you eat things like nuts, chew very well. Make sure you stay hydrated, water is usually good. Peppermint is an antispasmodic and can help with cramping--comes in capsules, too. good Luck. I've been helped by folks on EC so much, I'm glad I can pass it on.
Buttermilk
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/16/2013
I totally agree, when my allergies were just starting to be relieved I started eating bran buttermilk muffins with apples, nuts, wheat grem, flax seed, sesame seeds, whole wheat mixed with 1/2 unbleached flour, the neighbor kids would visit and eat up all my muffins. Sometimes I used half oat bran with my wheat bran. I like to pour them into the muffin papers with a large ice cream scoop, less mess. Buttermilk pancakes are good too with cooked apples and cinnamon on top with a dash of powdered sugar. They also help clean the pipes while they rejuvenate the intestines.
L-Lysine
Posted by Thea (Usa) on 01/30/2017
This fits in with the virus theories above. Lysine used to increase the lysine/arginine ratio to discourage virus replication.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Idow (Miami, Fl) on 04/29/2012
To Kazim from Peshawar, Pakistan: Some of the symptoms you describe "severe pain on middle and right side of ribs (stomach side), no appetite" point to gallbladder problems or gallstones. I had those same symptoms and had to have my gallbladder removed. The test is a simple ultrasound.
Unfortunately, I still have acid reflux and ibs, so getting your gallbladder removed doesn't fix all issues that you may be having. Try a plant based diet, with lots of natural juices (I purchased a juicer). The juices may relieve the pain in your back & right side of your stomach.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jessica (California) on 06/16/2013
Does this really work? How much should I take?? I've been suffering from ibs for so long and I'm miserable!! I've tried ginger tea, Rolaids, ect and nothing works for me. I'd really like to try Apple Cider Vinegar so please can someone help me out on how I should be taking it?? Thank you!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, Usa) on 06/18/2013
Hi Trudyg... Comfrey Tea and Slippery Elm would both be fine for the diarrhea form of IBS. Slippery Elm is actually used for both constipation and diarrhea. It is a very gently and effective stabilizing herb. Hope that helps.... ~Mama to Many~
Valerian
Posted by Mira (Strathclyde, Scotland, Uk) on 11/21/2011
★★★★★
I have been taking a 450mg valerian root capsule each night before bed for the past week and it has led to a marked improvement in my IBS-C symptoms. It might be due to the fact that valerian has a slowing/calming effect on the body and has allowed my digestive system to relax somewhat. The one night I missed a dose, my crampy/gurgly symptoms started coming back during the day, so I am positive that it's the valerian that is helping.
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Luana (Hollywood, Fl) on 06/23/2011
★★★★★
Magnesium Chloride cured me right away. I was given a deadly staff infection from a surgery and then tons of antibiotics over the course of a year and became very messed up. Doctors had no answers. I couldn't even digest food any longer and had terrible problems. I tried everything. Learned of the magnesium chloride from Bill from San Fernando here on Earthclinic and followed all the really valuable links he provided on the miracle of magnesium. Don't buy the magnesium in the drug store, its not the same.
Peppermint Oil
Posted by Lisa (S. California, Ca, Usa) on 11/18/2011
You have to take ENTERIC coated peppermint oil. Straight peppermint is way too strong to put into the stomach. Peppermint increase the gastric juices in the stomach, so it needs to bypass the stomach and get into the intestines. Peppermint relaxes muscles, ie intestinal muscles.
If I have a sudden attack and need IMMEDIATE relief, the capsules are NOT the answer. They take awhile to start working. For immediate relief, try peppermint tea ( will make you sleepy) or Altoids. With the Altoids, I usually eat around 10-15 in a 5 minutes period and it helps A LOT.
If you get stomach pain, eat some food with it or eat some DGL LICORICE chewables/lozenges from iherb. The taste is not great but it gets rid of stomach ( not intestinal) pain.
Rutin
Posted by Micki (Swindon, Wilts, Uk) on 02/22/2011
★★★★★
IBS Remedy. Please try Rutin 500mgs twice a day for 3 days, then once a day for a month. After that once a week, but back to original dose if any flare ups again. This remedy is Magic! Seems to work even better, if you also take a B50 weekly, selenium yeasts for a month, and vit D3 5, 000 ius for a couple of weeks too. No flare ups at all on this supplementation. But Rutin is the main remedy.
IBS and Parasites
Posted by Tommy (North York, On, Canada) on 01/14/2011
★★★★★
Hi everyone,
I just want to say that some doctors and even the big pharma still want to hide the fact that IBS, Crohn disease and other GI dysfunction are nothing but a parasitical infections. I urge all people who are suffering from these diseases to check for parasites. On stool tests is not enough. If your doctor is stupid who doesn't think out of the box ( most doctors are brainwashed by big pharma, even their books are sponsored by big pharma, their textbooks are like their bibles). Now big pharma are trying to patent Rifaximin for IBS. The reason is simply because big pharma doesn't want to admit the fact that parasites and bacteria are causing IBS and Rifaximin kills the parasites.
is also linked to lyme disease. MS is a manifestation of a bacterial infection. It's sad to see people suffering for 10 to 20 years with IBS when a simple treatment that address the cause could cure them in 1 to 2 weeks.
IBS and Herpes Virus Connection
Posted by Wydo (Ventura, Ca, United States) on 08/09/2010
★★★★★
I have IBS and nothing seems to work for me real well. I do the baking soda and EDTA. I treat for Candida regularly as well. Right now I have a little pit in the roof of my mouth and it is really sore. I think it is the herpes virus which I have had since 6 years old. I have had the IBS since 22 years old and by age 48 I thought I had kicked it. After several years of being free of it the IBS is back. I get cold sores more frequently now as well. I keep wondering if the herpes virus is part of my IBS problem. I have heard that the herpes virus is either active or dormant but I wonder if rather then going dormant it really just goes to my intestines and causes the IBS and Candida problems. I would like to know if Ted could answer this for me and if he has found the herpes virus among the people he has helped with IBS. I would also like to hear from other people with IBS that get the cold sores of the herpes virus and how long they have had both the IBS and herpes and if the herpes came first. I think there is a connection in my case but I would like to know if there is a connection with the two in other case. Thank you everyone.
IBS and Herpes Virus Connection
Posted by Megyn (Houston, Tx) on 09/25/2011
★★★★★
Hi I know this thread was started last year. I just wanted to share quickly my experiences with vaginal herpes and IBS-C. I have had herpes since I was 18 and IBS-C symptoms that have increasingly gotten worse. I have followed a gluten and lactose free diet for over two years now which helped greatly. Then recently my food intolerances have become so bad that I started a low FODMAP diet which has also helped to mitigate a lot of the bowl discomfort I have suffered. But I was still having a lot of problems going to the bathroom. All of this is going on while I have been having almost one herpes out break after another for the past 6 months. I have been tested for SIBO, and it was inconclusive. My bathroom habits have been difficulty accessing the muscles needed to properly eliminate (a lot of twisting, turning, pushing on my abdomen) what ends up being pretty soft, sometimes not formed at all stool. So its not classic constipation. My lower left back has also been causing me pain problems chronically. I was beginning to wonder If I had a pinched nerve that wasn't signaling properly, but I don't seem to have a pinched nerve either. I also don't have any sensation in the rectal area to have a bowel movement. It is more of a bloating and discomfort in the abdomen, so I go and try and pray something happens.
So a few days ago I got a prescription for Valtrex for suppresive therapy, after just two days of taking 1 gram a day I have noticed a huge difference in my ability to eliminate! I don't know if there is a causal relationship, but it is definitely correlated. I will continue to stay on suppressive therapy for a LONG TIME as well as continue the low FODMAP diet for at least a year to let things heal. I will probably get some stool samples tested for parasites and yeast just to make sure too. But I think I am on to something. Hope this helps someone!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Jack (Leominster, Massachusetts, Ma) on 11/25/2009
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with IBS, awful bloating, trouble breathing awful pain. The Dr had prescibed a # of meds that didn't help. I started taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. I had almost immediate results. I wish I started this 10 years ago.I take it in the Am before breakfast and before I go to bed at night.
Peppermint Oil
Posted by Butterflycari (Heber City, Ut, Usa) on 03/06/2011
★★★★★
One thing I notice is you have to get the ENTERIC COATED peppermint oil capsules. I have had really good results by using these and usually one dose is sufficient.
Nystatin
Posted by Jerome (San Francisco, CA., US of A) on 03/10/2009
★★★★★
TRUST ME, THIS IS ABOUT CANDIDA...
I didn't get over my illness until:
1) I discovered that I had been living with intestinal parasites. My physicians didn't believe that I was ill at all. They didn't want to waste their time and resources testing, don't you know. I was so happy to have them *diagnose* the animalia I presented to them in a box.
(a) the parasites, worms, protected themselves by secreting a biofilm which is both immunomodulating and immunosuppressing. Do you honestly believe my physicians knew / told me that?
2) My physicians explained, (ie., LIED), to me and explained that I had "IBS". Try googling the two words: "IBS" and "TRASHCAN DIAGNOSIS".
(a) "IBS" is a catch all *syndrome* which physicians use to substitute for real medical diagnosis, given that they do not have the time, inclination, energy or desire to solve your health problems for you. They have other things to think about.
3) Once I discovered, after nearly two decades of living in a near constant state of hopelessness, that there was an alternative, legitimate community of health care providers known as alternative, holistic, integrative and herbal medicine, I decided to take the initial plunge into the world of colon hydrotherapy.
(a) This felt great.
4) I went on a candida free diet. I went to an alternative health clinic. I paid $40 for a refrigerated, very fine grain powder, mycostatin. In 3 weeks, I was 85% better. I can now eat fruit, veggies, grains, eggs, etc.,. I had not eaten these things in over a decade. How awful is that!
5) I returned to my HMO with the good news. They were upset. Pissed off even. They couldn't believe that I would BETRAY them like that! How dare I go outside of my HMO! I had gotten off their hook!
(a) I visited a gastroenterologist at my HMO, for kicks. I asked him to take a look at the word, nystatin, which is the generic form of mycostatin. He had never heard of it before but he was willing to do what I asked. It turns out, my HMO's database stated that NYSTATIN WAS INDICATED IN THE TREATMENT OF IBS. Funny thing is, nystatin is a broad spectrum antifungal. And very, very few doctors in mainstream medicine are using it to treat IBS. I met a woman suffering from the same thing I had. She gave me the name of her gastroenterologist. Same dude. I asked her if he had given her a prescription for nystatin. She told me, "No, what is that!"
And so it goes...
Nystatin
Posted by Linda M. (Newbury Park, Ca) on 02/26/2011
Thanks for the valuable info on IBS and possible link to infection. This has been very helpful to me and I believe I may have an infection that has been going on for some time.
Lemons
Posted by Irene (La Habra Heights, CA) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered intestinal problems for years finally diagnosed by a 'functional' doctor as dairy intolerance. A friend finally convinced me to try taking straight lemon juice from two smaller, greener lemons from Mexico and it has cured my problem almost immediately. Apparently I also cannot handle soy as I had a bad reaction to Chinese food. I have been treated by normal MDs and none have ever diagnosed this dairy intolerance, they only treated the symptoms and never identified the cause.
Probiotics
Posted by germanygirl (hamburg, germany) on 03/01/2008
★★★★★
i suffered from BV for almost six months after taking just one round of powerful antibiotics! the smell was awful, and my self esteem really began to suffer. i just went to work and came straight home! i knew i had to restore my good flora, and it does take time, so i had to be patient. i kept going to my gynecologist, and thankfully, she encouraged my attempts to find a natural cure, and respected my desire to refrain from taking any more antibiotics. after finding out about probiotics, i started with just regular acidophilus, which did nothing! then, i found out that they need to contain more than acidophilus, specifically L. Rahmnosus and bifidobacterium longum. This combination worked magic!! it is sold in the United States...i was living in Atlanta at the time, and found it easily at co-ops and health food stores. also widely available online. just make sure those two are in there along with the acidophilus. i should also mention that i was suffering from IBS at the time, which also cleared up. i still take probiotics (one a day) to maintain intestinal health, and they are great. (this was three years ago.) generally only get sick once a year, and a bad cold doesn't turn into bronchitis anymore. good luck!
Magnesium
Posted by Joan (Elkton, VA) on 01/23/2007
★★★★★
After viewing reader comments on your web site, I tried magnesium oxide to relieve IBS with constipation. My doctor had prescribed Zelnorm twice a day, and I had used it for three years. It worked quite well, but I was having to live my life around scheduling my medication and meals so the Zelnorm would be effective. If I didn't allow one hour after taking it before I ate a meal, the constipation along with bloating and nausea would return. I just couldn't see living the rest of my life like that. Not to mention the expense of taking a one-of-a-kind drug. Then while researching IBS with constipation, I noticed your web site. I began taking 250 mg magnesium oxide on an empty stomach first thing when I awaken each morning. By the time I'm ready for breakfast, it has had its desired effect. Thanks so much! I am so appreciative of the help I found.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anonymous (Plymouth, Ma) on 05/10/2012
I swear by ____ ACV with the "Mother" in it. I use it for cold remedys, upset stomachs, constipation, you name it! My son has been taking it for colds and other things since he was 10 years old. He actually asks me to make it when he's not feeling well. He hates the taste. Lol but he knows it will make him feel better. I generally put 2 tbsp of ______ ACV with 1 tbsp of honey in hot water. It makes a great tea and tastes like hot apple cider! You can even breath in the vapors from the tea for nasal and chest congestion. ______ ACV is truly a great home remedy and I recommend it to anyone who has never heard of it. Glad to hear it's helping others as well!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lucy (Racine, WI) on 01/14/2007
★★★★★
Thanks so much for the suggestions. Me and my husband use 3% h2o2in the ear whenever we feel the onset of a cold or flu. We have not had a cold in two years since using this method. Before my husband would get a flu that would keep him from work for 2-3 days in a week but no more. I had intestinal issues (loose stools). Went to Dr. diagnosed with IBS. Next went to homeopath. took saliva test, had sensitivity to wheat change eating habits improved but still loose stools frequently. This transpired over a year. After finding this site and reading about h2o2 had the courage to try h20s internally. I started with 5 drops in distilled water, the goal was three times a day I usually hit twice a day. By the tenth day my stools were consistently solid and well formed. It has now been over a month since the big improvement for me. Even when I eat wheat I do not get bloated or have the loose stools hardly ever. I still try to stay away from a lot of wheat but I now am the proud producer of solid log like stools!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Pat (Noblesville, Indiana) on 01/07/2007
★★★★★
coconut oil soft gel capsules. It has been great for my IBS. as I lived with diarrhea, taking 3 pills a day has made a huge difference.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx)
★★★★★
I have been taking coconut capsules for the digestive tract and IBS lately and they have worked wonders.
SIBO Connection
Posted by Nonnie (Canada) on 09/13/2019
Purified Water
Posted by Sissy (Ok) on 10/19/2017
★★★★★
Chlorinated tap water gives a relative of mine diarrhea, too.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eleanor (Lincoln) on 04/19/2017
Dave (of Fountain Inn)--I'm curious what you think of my ibs and how I should fix it. My mother had chemo that ended when they learned she was expecting me, so I know I was exposed. Her ibs-c began during her treatments. I have had daily diarrhea all my life, she always said it was her fault. the dr's say ibs-d but who know? They don't even consider the chemo may have had an impact on me. Do you have any suggestions for me? I've always been conscious about my lifestyle. I can't eat raw as it makes things worse, but mostly I eat plant (maybe 90%) and lean fish or chicken/eggs for the rest. I grow many of my own veggies and some fruits, canning/freezing for the off season and raise my own chickens for eggs and meat. I also have access to hilly grazing land--never farmed or fertilized other than by the cows, from which I gather wild plants, berries and some nuts. I don't eat cheese or milk because it bothers me and I don't eat processed foods such as tv dinners, chips, or other snacky things. Any suggestions for me?
Dietary Changes
Posted by Elizabeth (Ny) on 04/19/2017
Dave, thank you for your input as well. I am going to the Health Food Store tomorrow. I don't have a car and can't get into town until tomorrow. I will get the collodial(?) silver and echinecea but what I really would like to get is the essence of peppermint. I know several years ago and even less than when I would just get the bloating and pain, that seemed to help a lot. Yet, I started taking the vitamin D today. Although the past week or more I have not had the bloating, today I have been bloated all day. Now I can't "go". Yet, I have a feeling by late tonight it will start all over again. In the meantime, I have been drinking coconut water (ick) to make sure I don't get dehydrated. I have been unable to eat anything other than some peanut butter on some bread and I know I should stay away from carbs but other than that I am nervous about putting anything in my tummy right now.
Thank you again for your input.
Elizabeth
Dietary Changes
Posted by Sherry (Ax.) on 04/25/2017
You need to take gluten out of your diet also sugar. No bread anything with flour, ibs is a leaky gut and possibly candida. I have been ill for eleven years or more, I was better after watching diet could eat a little fruit and vegetables but got careless ate a little sugar, and one sandwich and bam worse than ever. That is why I think it is with candida. Supplement that helped was l glutamine, I took 4 teaspoon on empty stomach in am. Going to buy again but don't think l glutamine is for long term. Also my twin brother has it, he lost 37 lbs in 1 month. My natural Dr. was no help at all. It also attracts your thyroid. Wishing you the best, I know how bad you feel.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eleanor (Lincoln) on 05/16/2017
Janet, can you tell exactly how you took the dhea? I'm 59, postmenopausal with ibsd for most of my life. I have dhea but didnt know how to take it & the melatonin. I never sleep without ambien, so this could be a great help for me. Thanks.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jeannette (Ca) on 12/08/2017
Your symptoms sound like mine were when I developed Celiac Disease.
I hope you have found relief by now...I know how terrible it can be!
A simple blood test can reveal If you're a match for Celiac. Heads up though, if you change your diet to gluten free to see if that's the issue you could get relief but at that point the blood test becomes more involved and the Dr's tell you to start eating gluten again....this is the point where I say they obviously don't understand the pain we're in!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gert (Va) on 12/09/2017
Re: ibs-d. For those of you making recommendations that fix diarrhea, you really need to understand that ibs-d is not normal diarrhea. I see so many folks suggesting to take magnesium (malate doesn't cause loose stools) and I say HA, You wanna bet? EVERYTHING magnesium causes diarrhea for me. Sublingual mg that doesn't reach your stomach, check. Mag Oil or epsom salts that go thru your skin? Yep. ALL magnesium supplements, in any form, trigger an attack. The only mg I can take is via leafy greens. Charcoal does nothing, because it works by absorbing toxins and ibs-d is not caused by toxins, it's a reaction to stimulus, such as stress/lack of sleep/pain and more. Peppermint and calming herbs help but only a little and not for long.
If you don't have ibs-d, then you have no clue what we go thru. For instance, I had to go out of town this week for work. I took 3 immodium the night before my trip, ate/drank nothing after 8 pm the night before and barely made my flight due to diarrhea. I took 5 immodium just to get out the door. When I arrived at my destination I had half a bottle of water and spent an hour in the bathroom. Took 4 more immodium (long drive to my hotel) and stopped several times along the way. Still had not eaten since the night before. Finally got to the hotel, had crackers and water. Several bathroom trips later, I finally got to bed. This is normal for me when I travel. Food did not cause this, stress did. Immodium comes in bottles of 72 caplets. I use a bottle a week. I have juiced, tried all sorts of supplements, gone gluten free for 6 months and tried numerous other things and nothing works. Sorry for the rant but people really don't understand. And add to the diarrrhea, you get hemorhhoids from all the bathroom stops and muscle cramps from dehydration and lack of certain minerals. Headaches from dehydration and not eating. Pain from the cramping. Lack of sleep from the pain........You get the picture. I wouldn't wish this on anyone except the medical researchers. BTW, I've had all the tests and tried all the meds. I am actively lobbying my dr for a colostomy.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gert (Va) on 12/12/2017
Janet, for the methelene blue--you said 1 dropperful is a dose? A bottle that has 4 doses of the concoction would contain 4 droppers full of MB? Seems like a lot. Also, the vit c is to prevent your eyes from turning blue? If they do get a bit blue, how long for them to go back to normal?
Dietary Changes
Posted by Katie (Philadelphia, Pa) on 12/13/2017
Hello, have you tried going gluten free? I noticed that you mention having toast and feeling awful. I would give up gluten for a month and see if your symptoms improve (you may feel worse the first week as your body detoxes).
Dietary Changes
Posted by Carly (Pnw Usa) on 12/19/2017
Gert, I do know about how awful IBS-D is. I finally irritated my large colon to the point of having 9" of it removed two years ago. Just wondered if you had heard of or tried sodium butyrate? It seems magical to me. I take two caps of it three times a day and so far, it's working WELL. I buy mine on Amazon....you can also google and / or watch YouTube videos on colon health and butyrate. Good luck!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gertie (Va) on 12/22/2017
Janet, in your post to me about ibs, you gave your recipe for mixing lysine, etc, with methylene blue in water bottles. Later in the post, you said something about mixing vit C ascorbate(?).
Do you put this into each bottle or is this just a single dose? If it goes into the water bottles, is this the amount/bottle? I assume that this is a single dose, taken once per day and that you make ascorbate so it's buffered and will be better tolerated?
If I don't hear any different, that's what I'll be doing. Thanks.
Bone Broth
Posted by Jerri (Wisconsin) on 10/31/2016
I want to heal my ibs-d, so I made a nice bone broth from my neighbor's extra roosters. I've been watching the birds daily for 7 months now, since they were a chick, so I know they ran around the yard chasing/eating bugs and didn't get bad food, etc. So, now I have such bad diarrhea, so much worse than before. I've read about die off, but it's been awhile already. How long do I persist taking it (nothing else, a bone broth fast for over 2 weeks now). If gelatin is the part that fixes the gut, then why not take gelatin that I buy instead of this?
Dietary Changes
Posted by Alex (Los Angeles, CA) on 03/09/2021
Try to eat probiotics and cut off with bread, cakes, tacos if you have constipation and try to lower carbs.
Buttermilk
Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 05/17/2013
★★★★☆
The buttermilk has live probiotics, that's why it helps. I would never say I'm cured because it does come back--eat the wrong thing or stress and I've got a flare that can last a year. I've been making and drinking my own kefir which has been a fantastic help, so if you can't get good buttermilk you can try kefir. I haven't taken supplements for my insomnia the last 3 day, took ambien b/c too much going on & had to sleep. Plan tonight to take l-glutamine + 5-htp+ taurine + vit e. Any thoughts? It's morning now & I can change it if you have any ideas. Thanks.
