I have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I have lots of pain, cramping and bloating...?

I started taking Bentyl yesterday (20mg 3 times per day) and take Miralax 2 tablespoons (1 capful) per day. After the first dose of Bentyl I had 2 BM's (although still kinda constipated) but felt better. After taking the evening dose of Bentyl last night, I still felt like going to the bathroom but nothing happened -- just more pain, cramping, bloating and the pain went from a 3 to a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the worst. What can I do to stop the bloating and have a BM?

I know what you are going through I had really bad gas for up to 8 years. What cured me was taking two acidophilus capsules 4 times a day 2million cells I think or a little higher than that. It must be capsules though or it will not work. This helps with constipation. Then every day drink a tall glass of water with 1 to 2 small teaspoons of baking soda. Mix it well. You will feel tightening at first that's because it is killing the bacteria in your stomach. This will eliminate bloating and gas. But you will notice the difference in a few months. Also, write down on a piece of paper and look at this twice a day, that I am completely cured from IBS, bloating, gas, constipation and all. If this doesn't help go to the feacal body odor and gas forums and search there for cures that work for people with this same problem. I swear that site kept me sane during my most toughest times. I hope this helps.

A lot of IBS sufferers use generic imodium(i do)
I use Bentyl too,when its bad.
if Bentyl doesn't help,a few other meds are still out there:i also used Librax (check the side effects online)
Yogurt,prunes?
I don't recommend any type of dairy for IBS,(for me its trouble!)
dried fruits/nuts cause cramping+diarrhoea.
read a few articles on water soluble fibre or non-soluble fibre.
some types of fibre make me very sick.
any type of oily,fried,battered foods are trouble.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be very irritating at times. It causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. This disorder can hamper our work and normal life.
Reasons for IBS are large meals intake, gas, medicines, certain foods, caffeine, or alcohol consumption.

Top 3 Natural cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Managing your stress can be the best cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You can do meditation and yoga in order to keep your mind, body and soul relaxed and stress free.
- Get a good nightly sleep in order to get cure for IBS. Avoidance of late night parties and excess consumption of alcohol can prevent you from this disorder.
- You can also take counseling and support to release your stress to get effective cure for IBS. You can take up hobbies to keep your mind fresh and stress free. Running, walking and swimming are the best cure for IBS in a natural way.

http://tinyurl.com/cu5bp6 (Worked for me)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Wi...

I also have IBS, i take 3 to 4 prodium tablets per day to keep regular as i have bouts of constipation mingled with severe diarrhea...its seems we cant win with IBS. For a quick fix maybe take some mineral oil or use a suppository...i wish i could be of more help,i know how it feels.Good Luck.

Do you exercise? Get moving. It'll help. Eat some prunes or some shreddies etc.

Take a close look at your diet. A HUGE percentage of IBS can be relieved by cutting things out and adding things in.


My 'ibs' has gone after removing gluten and dairy from my diet.

Have you ever tried eating yoghurt daily to soothe your bowel. And lay off the things that irritate it.

I too suffer from IBS and I used to take generic Immodium A.D. when I would get severe bouts of diarrhea, sometimes needing as many as 3 whole caplets within an hour before the diarrhea would finally calm down. Now, however, I find that if I take more than half of a caplet, regardless how severe my diarrhea may be, I soon begin to experience such severe pain in my upper abdomen that it actually causes my blood pressure to drop so suddenly that I've ended up in an ambulance on two seperate ocassions, one of which drove me to the ER. (I refused to let the first one take me, knowing I'd gradually recover, but the second time someone called the ambulance, they discovered a heart arrhythmia...). My abdomen also bloats and becomes very firm when I get these attacks. So I now try to eat LOTS of fiber (shredded wheat with lactose free milk once or twice a day, salad, etc) and it's helped me avoid the runny diarrhea better, while still keeping me regular.

I had to go to Drugs.com to find out what Bentyl and Miralax are actually prescribed for. I thought I'd go ahead and share what I found regarding things to consider BEFORE taking Bentyl and reasons NOT to take it, as well as the important info I found on Miralax, just in case your doctor or pharmacyst didn't discuss these issues with you:

"Do NOT use Bentyl if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Bentyl
you have blockage of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, or urinary tract, you have heart problems due to severe bleeding, you have glaucoma, you have inflammation of the esophagus due to acid reflux, loss of strength in the intestinal muscles, or chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bowel, you have myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become progressively paralyzed), you are breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

"Before using Bentyl :
Some medical conditions may interact with Bentyl . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding, if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement, if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, if you have chronic inflammation or ulcers of the bowel, diarrhea, enlargement of the prostate, hiatal hernia, kidney or liver disease, a nervous system disease, overactive thyroid, or urinary blockage or retention, if you have heart disease, heart failure, a history of rapid heartbeat, or high blood pressure.
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bentyl . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Amantadine, antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine), antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), narcotic pain medicine (eg, meperidine), nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin, isosorbide), nitrites (eg, sodium nitrite), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Bentyl 's side effects,
Metoclopramide or phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Bentyl,
Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Bentyl.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bentyl may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine."