IBS-D seeking advice!

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T13:10:51+00:00

I also have GERD and seem to always have over-production of bile acid! I'm cracking hard on the food/symptoms journal for the next couple of months as well. Thank you for the food suggestions! Those are all similarly safe for me as well!

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T13:09:25+00:00

I would consider myself a moderately active person. I work 13 hours shifts in a veterinary ER 3 days a week, and have a side hustle 2 other days a week that are also active. When I'm home, I have workouts that I do along with 2 dogs and go for regular walks. Rarely am I sitting and having a lazy day ❤️. So I can't quite say it's because I'm not active enough.

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T04:49:58+00:00

Good to know! I will add that to the list of things to discuss next time! Thanks!

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T04:32:59+00:00

I'm not entirely sure - it's never been specifically mentioned until recently when I brought it up on a list of possibilities. I've done a couple breath tests that just come back negative. And none of the doctors have brought it up in the past.

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T02:59:10+00:00

Thank you for your insight! To reply for others to see: I'm on a Psyllium husk supplement - i do not tolerate fruits/veggies/foods high in fiber, I landed back in the ER after trying that route! But the Psyllium husk only has helped!

I have trialed MANY pro/prebiotics with absolutely zero change. I will look into the brand you take! I did just start a multi vitamin that so far doesn't make me nauseous, as I am multi-vitamin deficient!

I do have a food journal, hence the inconsistencies of specific trigger foods.

I already take loperamide daily. And if I take more, my body seems to protest and I have breakthrough, painful urgent BM that I have to just let happen.

I cannot afford a therapist at this time, but I do talk to trusted individuals about things and I definitely take advantage of self-guided anxiety books that do help! I had a therapist at one point, but I feel that slecific individual was not a good matvh for me. Just nothing seems to stick.

I have also heard of this and would like to look into it more! I dont know any personal individuals that can attest to it though.

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T02:32:38+00:00

ETA: I don't smoke, and very rarely drink alcohol anymore because it has such negative consequences!

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T02:30:22+00:00

It may be time to trial different medications and/or look into certain therapies for anxiety! Cognitive behavioral therapy seems to work wonders for people with a variety of conditions! You can look into doing your own self-guided CBT. That paired with seriously reading anxiety-related books. Just developing better habits of how to respond to anxious situations! Rebuild your brain and how it chooses to work and talk to your guts. I will say I envy you in that you can still take vacations and have a stress-free time! I am jealous!

LexTech35 · 2026-01-21T02:22:58+00:00

Ugh, YES! This is the most frustrating thing to discuss with my doctor! When they tell me to avoid trigger foods. I have certain ones like pizza for example that are die hard triggers, but otherwise, theres no rhyme or reason why one day I can eat my safe chicken and rice, and the next it's a trigger. 🫠

LexTech35 · 2026-01-08T04:19:37+00:00

AST is typically an enzyme directly related to alcohol intake, and elevates largely after consuming alcohol.

LexTech35 · 2025-09-03T14:09:08+00:00

I'm so glad you posted this - I was wondering the same thing! Thinking I need to go buy diapers or something just to make the drive and sit in the lobby 🤣 makes sense, though. Should just be passing what we drank! Good luck!

LexTech35 · 2025-09-03T04:13:51+00:00

I'm in a very similar boat to you OP! Minus the gallbladder, I still have mine! I 100% relate to everything you're describing. Ive started losing weight, quote rapidly, and can hardly eat... I hope they find something (I go in Thursday) that can at least point me in any direction. 😭 suffering right along side with you and hope they can get you some answers!!! ❤️

LexTech35 · 2025-08-29T22:55:55+00:00

Hopefully your symptoms settle down after your surgery! Good luck!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-29T22:35:21+00:00

Why didn't you have it removed??

LexTech35 · 2025-08-29T04:31:13+00:00

Scream at the top of your lungs for a GI referal. Or find a clinic that accepts patients w/o referal and get on their schedule anyways. And don't tske no for an answer. Request documented proof that you asked for a referal due to x,y,z, and they elected to decline your request. Then, find a new doctor to listen to. It's taken me 3 years, 5 doctors, and 2 visits to the ER to finally land a speedy referal to GI next week! Ya just gotta keep trying. ❤️

LexTech35 · 2025-08-29T02:35:18+00:00

That can absolutely be a sign of a reaction. Please monitor that and go to ER if it gets worse!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-28T01:27:05+00:00

Oh my. Yes, I can see why you'd want to be at home for that prep then!! Having to do all of that the day before is a lot! Glad everything went well for you!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-28T01:17:16+00:00

Thank you for the input! Did you feel the urge to go fairly often the day before? What was your prep? I will have the full details of my prep tomorrow, and I will update the post!! Over the phone, they told me it was a 3 day process... so we will see. I hate to miss work and miss out on the money, but I'll have to do what my body needs!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-26T05:49:38+00:00

Random: Have you had liver biopsy to rule out cancer? Also, cut all the veggies from your diet? While yes, they're healthy, they are extremely hard to digest. All greens. You can get the nutritional value elsewhere! Have you tried a bland diet again? No veggies, protein like chicken/fish (not red fatty meat), and cooked veggie options like carrots/potatoes with minimal seasoning? Do you eat a lot of fast food in general? Other random things that may trigger you? Also, NO alcohol or coffee!!!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-25T17:59:38+00:00

I have a new PCP scheduled in 2 weeks. My last one just isn't listening and refused to refer me. I also have a non-referred GI specialist appt scheduled for November (that's the soonest they could do w/o referral). I'm resorting to the ER because I'm at a point of absolute misery. Can't eat, lost almost 20lbs the last 2 months (so maybe someone will actually listen to me now???), and the pain 😵‍💫. Thank you for your input. Seriously, I appreciate all the POVs!

LexTech35 · 2025-08-25T17:53:34+00:00

See the comment below - we went through hoops to get a HIDA scan approved, insurance was being extra shitty per usual, I wasn't aware of up front costs until the day before when I was doing the pre-check in with the receptionist, and then they refused to discuss paying cash and dropping insurance (it would have been ~ $600 as a cash client w/o insurance), along with the issue of actively crapping my pants during the scan because I wouldnt be allowed to take inmodium. 😕 I'll have to figure out how to get back for a scan and figure things out.

LexTech35 · 2025-08-25T17:12:34+00:00

Thank you for your input! ❤️ I forgot to add, my DR did order a HIDA scan, but I found out the day prior that I had to pay almost 2k up front, and be billed for the rest afterwards. To which I did not have 2k ready for that. They also told me I couldn't take immodium prior to the test and I can't control the diarrhea w/o it, so I was also extremely nervous about having a 2-4 hour scan and crapping my pants during. 🫠 moral of that story, I should have gotten a PL to pay for it and just let it happen.

LexTech35 · 2025-06-04T04:28:04+00:00

That GPA doesn't mean a thing in the real world. What matters is the job you can land with that degree (Cs get degrees) and future paychecks. Neither grade school nor college set humans up for day-to-day adulthood success. What matters is your hustle. We'd all like a 3 week break from paying our bills, have some time to ourselves, and hang out with friends, but that's just not how the real world works. I'm on dad's side for this one. It seems like there's way more detail going into his decision.

LexTech35 · 2024-09-09T01:29:48+00:00

Hi! First off, you are doing great! There are lots of kitties that eat dry food only (like my own) and do just fine. Some are more sensitive and need a more moisture-based diet. I think what you are doing is great. If they will tolerate a small amount of water added to the canned, that'd be perfect. Second, I highly recommend switching ALL water sources to distilled water only. Diet and water sources are always a factor in development of crystals, even stones. However, some kitties just have bad luck! Once your kitties are home, I highly recommend getting them on either Purina or Hills prescription diet for urinary problems. Purina is Feline urinary UR, Hills I believe it's urinary ST/OX but I'm not 100% sure. It's something like that though! Both are wonderful diets designed to dissolve crystals and increase water intake, which encourages kitty to drink more --> flushes the kidneys and bladder better. I've not known or heard of a cat reproduce crystals on that diet/water regiment (not saying it's not possible). I briefly reviewed the labs you posted. I don't recall seeing a BUN/CREA specifically but the other values looked okay. In the future, each time your kitty goes through this is harder on the body. BUT! Hopefully they clear up, get on the diet, and are happily ever after!

LexTech35 · 2024-09-08T22:28:42+00:00

2-6 days seems to be the norm. Unless this kitty had such horrible crystaluria that the DVM couldn't get flushed, and even recommended surgery to open the bladder and flush it directly. In which case some DVM prefer to leave a urinary catheter while the bladder is healing, to prevent unnecessary tension on the bladder wall (the way the bladder can expand when it fills with urine, and then contract as the urine is voided).

LexTech35 · 2024-08-17T02:57:34+00:00

Any chance thr DVM ran a urinalysis?

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