BC pills and IBS

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2007
BC pills and IBS
15
Tue, 09-25-2007 - 1:23pm

Hello Everybody!


   This is my first time posting on this particular message board.  I have already read tons of wonderful posts that have really helped me...and have made me see that I am not alone. 


   I had suffered with IBS symptoms for many years.  I was never formally diagnosed but had all the tell-tale signs: bloating, inability to fully eliminate, mucus in stool, alternating diarrhea and constipation, etc.  The usual culprits.  After college I went off of my Birth Control pills.....and wouldn't you know it....the IBS had all but disappeared.  It didn't disappear completely as I am lactose intolerant to begin with...but it DRAMATICALLY decreased.  The pills also caused other scary side effects.  I was so glad to be rid of them.  I felt like me again!!  =)


   Cut to a few months ago.  I am diagnosed as having ovarian cysts and urged to begin BC pills again.  Well, as you can imagine I was very hesitant.  But my doctor was quite adamant about me going on them.  So I did.  Within two days I was having the worst IBS symptoms of my life.  It's left me very sad.  I'm scared to leave my house now and be in social situations.  I'm such an outgoing person.  I'm an actress and I like to be around people....but lately I panic at the mere thought.  On days when I have to be on set for long hours, I feel like I'm stuck in a bad dream.  My stomach is bloated and gurgling and I feel a constant need to go to the bathroom.  But when I finally go....all that comes out is air and (excuse the candor) mucus.  So I go back and rejoin the group only to feel the same.  The effort I make to not pass gas is such that it's painful.  Just horrible. 


   It's so frustrating that these symptoms could affect our lives in this way.  We aren't free to just "be." 


   I've been reading up on IBS and related disorders and decided to start taking Probiotics to see if that might help.  I believe it's thought to aid in the whole BC pill thing.  I think they may be constipating me a little.  Also, I thought I would try cutting out Wheat and Gluten to see if that helps.  Has anyone else tried these things?  Have they worked?  I also bought the digestive enzymes, but I haven't started taking those yet.  Should I?  How about colon hydrotherapy (colonic) ,Gut Directed Hypnotherapy, or acupuncture?  Has anyone tried these?


   Please, if anyone has any thoughts...or can offer suggestions for a certain remedy or treatment, I would so greatly appreciate it.  I don't want to live my next few years in the bathroom.  I want to be me again!  Thank you all so much for reading this post.  I really look forward to hearing your stories and your suggestions.  My best wishes.....  

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 09-27-2007 - 6:31pm

Welcome and sorry it took me so long to reply. Life keeps happening and there aren't enough hours in some days!


Is it possible that your BC pills contain lactose? Many drugs have lactose fillers and can cause problems. I learned this myself with a pain medication. The brand name drug was fine, but when my insurer insisted that I use a generic, ouch, the problems began! Lucky for me, I had a pharmacy tech that was willing to search for a generic manufacturer that didn't use a lactose filler. My Rx has to be 'over written' every month, but I no longer am in pain from my pain meds. What a mess, eh?


I've been reading up on IBS and related disorders and

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2007
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 6:20pm

Hi Elise!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 8:40pm

I am sorry that the lactose turned out to be the problem, but happy that I was able to help. I found out about lactose fillers by accident and am now very diligent about finding out where it is 'hiding'.


You might want to ask your pharmacist to check and see if there are any BC pills without the lactose filler, before you bother getting another Rx. Definitely mention the issue with sexual arousal (or lack of it!) to your doctor too.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2007
Tue, 10-09-2007 - 2:46pm

Hi.


I can relate to what appears to be hormone aggravated IBS.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Tue, 10-09-2007 - 5:01pm

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Stephanie.


I am Elise, the CL of this board and I think you actually meant to direct your words to the original poster. Hopefully she will read through all the replies and see what you wrote.


In the future, just check to be sure the "to" name is who you want to respond to. There is a drop down menu, where you can change the name.


Thankfully I am done with menses and all the issues I had, but do know how awful it can be. I was taking a BC pill that was formulated for me, along with a progesterone cream.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2007
Thu, 10-11-2007 - 4:17pm

hi,


have you tried using different types of birth control?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2007
Thu, 10-11-2007 - 7:26pm

Thanks so much to all of you for replying!


Stephanie, I am definitely going to try that Fennel tea!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2007
Sun, 10-21-2007 - 2:07pm

Hi


I am so interested in your post, I have never heard of hormone aggravated IBS.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2007
Mon, 10-22-2007 - 10:17am

Hi Nancy,


It stinks, doesn't it?


Like you, I was suffering from IBS symptoms but didn't notice a pattern until I started keeping a log.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2007
Mon, 10-22-2007 - 11:35am

Hi Stephanie


Thank you so much for replying and for sharing all your knowledge.

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