How Am I Supposed To Take Medication For IBS-C When I Have Gas, Bloating, Heartburn, And Diarrhea To Constipation When The Medication Itself Is Causing Side Effects?

Brief Answer:
Drastic life style modification with medications.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Problem 1-constipation-
Initially i would say that have a practical approach as there is no magical formula, Things will take time but they will help in long term.

A drastic change in life style is required to cure constipation. Not exercising enough, not drinking enough water and delaying a bowel movement can worsen constipation symptoms. The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, bran, honey and lentils; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, beans, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrot. Adding some fat to meals or increasing the size of a meal such as breakfast can help create the urge to defecate. Individuals suffering from constipation should increase the amount of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet. Constipation can be treated by changing diets.

Secondly human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by 1013-14 bacteria of 400 different species and subspecies. They are responsible for proper digestion of food. Depletion of this flora can lead to severe constipation and digestive problems. Drink cleaner water. Use probiotic vsl#3 daily.
- Use castor oil- castor oil produces a laxative effect when ingested
- Fruits and vegetables, which contain high amounts of fiber, aid in alleviating symptoms of constipation, Whole-grain bread, bran, oatmeal, beans and lentils can also relieve the problem so use it Instead of highly processed rice, eat brown rice, millet or bulgur.
- Eat 2 cups of fruit 3 cups of vegetables and about 35 grams of fiber per day

Fruits: Generally all fruits, except banana and XXXXXXX fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Guava fruit when eaten with seeds, gives roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels.
Grapes: have also proved highly beneficial in overcoming constipation. The grapes have the cellulose; natural sugar and organic acid make them a natural laxative fruit. Not only they clean the bowel, but also tones up the stomach and intestines to relieve the chronic constipation.

All these things will increase the bulk of your stool, Will soften it and will clear your ileum of the compacted fecal material.
- While sitting on the toilet, support the feet on a small stool in order to achieve a normal position that aids in bowel movement.

Don't stop laxative, initially start following all these advices then gradually taper the doses of laxatives she is on.
Take Fybogel husk-Fybogel sachets and Fybogel Hi-Fiber sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming laxative. Ispaghula is a type of fiber. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the feces. It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass. Psyllium, one type of bulk-forming laxative.
They may sound normal but if followed will help you a lot.

Problem 2-IBS

Firstly small briefing for Irritable bowel syndrome and why every patient is a unique case when we deal with IBS.
In IBS there is some problem in the functional ability of the gut that leads to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The structure of the intestines is normal, only functional abnormality occurs in this condition. So frankly speaking (IBS) represents a functional disorder of gastrointestinal tract without the presence of an anatomic defect. So in lay mans language till date we are not sure what's the exact cause of this problem. So the million dollar question is how to repair a system when you don't know which part of it is faulty(Some says it can be brain other says it can be hormone anxiety age etc.).

Some patients have symptoms of unformed stools some have bloating and some may have severe constipation. Some patients have occasional symptoms whereas others may have symptoms for a long period of time. So as seen above every patient is different. Intensity of symptoms in every patient is different as so is the response to medicines and life style change. A patient may respond good to one medication while other patient is totally unresponsive to the same. Hope you can understand why your doctor is having a bad time controlling your symptoms.

Take home message. Don't panic, be hopeful and keep yourself motivated. Follow my suggestions and revert in 2 weeks.

STICK TO THESE SUGGESTIONS!
Good luck.

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Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Start taking isabghul husk (psyllium husk) 10 gram thrice daily. It is a bulk forming natural laxative and would help empty the bowel. Don't take husk with artificial sweeteners.

Along with it take lactulose 10 mg twice daily. In case you feel cramps stop lactulose.
Along with it take VSL#3.
Follow up after 7 days.

Hope you feel much better in 7 days.

Thanks.

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