57 Years Old. Have Had IBS. Started Taking Proper Diet, Not Cured. Related To Menopause?

Posted on Thu, 28 Feb 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 Answered on

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I HAVE BEEN IBS, I GETTING QUITE OFTEN , I HAVE A DIET THAT I STICK TO WITH A DIETIAN, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY I AM STILL GETTING IT. I AM FINE FOR A WHILE (3-4WEEKS) WAKE UP WITH A NERVOUS STOMACH AND IT BEGINS, GOING TO DIAHORREA , INABILITY, TO EAT OR DRINK, QUICK WEIGHT LOSS AND GET DEHYDRATED - I DO TRY TO DRINK HYDRALITE WHEN I CAN, BUT IT IS THE NERVOUS STOMACH THAT STARTS IT OFF. I AM 57 MENOPAUSAL, AND SOMETIMES THINK AS IT HAPPENS 4-5 WEEKS IT MAY BE A MENOPAUSAL THING. MY BLOODS ARE O.K. AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN STEMITIL FOR THE NERVOUS STOMACH. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFO. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT , THANKS XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (12 minutes later)

Hi there, thanks for asking. As you mentioned, irritable bowel disease is tightly related to the nervous system function. Many women experience menopausal symptoms during the years after the menopause and some part of it consists of nervous system complaints. If you are experiencing change in mood or sleep problem, you may ask your doctor to give you a medication to control them. They are easily manageable and also its management will help to a better control of your bowel function.
For IBS in general, it is good to use enough fiber in the diet. You may also ask your doctor to give you a medication for the periods which diarrhea becomes bothersome.
Active life style will also help in general for relieving the stress, and diet is very highlighted to have fiber. There are better medications that control the symptoms of IBS and to tackle the disease as well. Ideally prescribed by Gastroenterologist.
I wish you the best health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (23 hours later)

Thanks for getting back to me, i have been given stemitil tabs. for my nervous stomach, but find them to make me feel tired, also i have been given Gastro-stop. to help with the diarrhea, once again makes me sleepy. Is there a a hormones test that i can take that will show if there is an inbalance in my system? I am very careful with my diet already, would added fibre only increase going to the toilet? I am already on Alprax, Valium and another anti depressent due to my depression after my back injury? If there is more that you may feel i should ask my Dr. i would appreciate. eg. tests. thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (14 minutes later)

Hi there, thanks for asking. There is no specific test for IBS and it is actually a functional disorder. It is intensifies with stress, so controlling your anxiety and mood can help a lot for its management. Alprax and Valium which are form the class of benzodiazepines can help for controlling the anxiety and sleep difficulty in less than 2 months. For longer periods, it should be manged with another medication(s) which you can ask your doctor about. Body will not respond to these medications in a long time. I wish you a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar