Has anyone found help, especially OTC, for IBS-C and gastritis?

Oh man, poor woman.

I always recommend probiotics through food, drink and supplements. Our guts are wrecked from our western diets and meds. You can buy kombucha at any grocery store or you can learn how to make it at home on Utube. Research the items available to find what would be the best option for your mom. We eat a fermented food every day to keep our friendly bacteria populated and we notice the difference.

Studies show that approximately 80% of Americans are magnesium deficient and that is a vital nutrient that affects our bones, heart and especially our nerves, just to name a few. When taken at night with zinc it helps our bodies to naturally create melatonin, which means we sleep better. But the best thing about it is that it will flush through your bowels, keeping you from being constipated. (When a loved one was on high doses of narcotics for a broken back he was taking all the prescribed remedies for constipation and not having any results, I recommended adding magnesium to his nightly routine and his issues were solved. He stopped taking anything but the mag and zinc and was not constipated again while taking those strong meds. He also slept better and that helped him heal.)
(EDIT: start with 400mg and go up until she has a BM. It can take a couple days when we are deficient, as our bodies are using every bit of it. Be sure that she takes it with at least 6oz of water to avoid any tummy upset.)

You can also buy magnesium in a liquid form, typically with calcium, which means you can't take the zinc within 2 hours to avoid minimizing the affect. But magnesium gluconate (splg?) Is a small gel pill and is easier for some to take.

I also recommend a good bone broth to help build up her gut health, kettle and fire has a wide array of tasty products. It isn't cheap but you don't need more than 4 to 6 oz daily, I would sip it 2 or 3 times daily at first to get things back in balance faster.

I have read the responses for natural products and they are really good advice for keeping it natural, which is my 1st choice always. I hope that you find the best solution for your mom and something that helps calm her nerves.

With over 20 yrs of IBS, and having consulted woth several Gastroentorologists, I may have found one who can help.

First go to: Irritable bowel syndrome - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic which will give you a full and concise explanationof IBS.

You will note that the many of the medications suggested to help were not known to me before, even with consultations of "experts".

IBGARD is an over the counter pill that contains peppermint oil. That treatment may help you, so far it has helped me. Should that not work I may need one the prescription meds. But start as I suggest and find a Gastroentorologist that specialiizes in IBS.

I pray this helps you?

Imho, she should see a new gastroenterologist STAT. Quite honestly, I would not wait. Even though I was never dx'd with IBS-C nor gastritis, I recently went to the ER for severe dehydration from eating far too much raw vegetables and using faux sugar products. For your mother in the meantime until she can be seen by a specialist, does she take a daily probiotic? Prayers sent.

I feel for your Mum and you. Digestive issues are such a challenge to deal with and I can understand why your Mum has become a Negative Nelly. I have IBS-D, so no help with the constipation issues.

I did want to chime in about FODMAP. I was introduced to it 4 years ago and since the first reintroduction of foods, I have found more and more that I just cannot eat. In the last year I have had to give up cauliflower, cooked or fermented cabbage, raw spinach, beets (tops and root). I was 100% gluten free for 4 years, now I can manage small portions a couple times a week.

Lactaid does not help me, as I cannot digest the protein in milk as well as the lactose. Yoghurt is a terrible trigger for me. I can eat small amounts of goat or ewe cheeses.

Every day I eat a high fibre breakfast of granola (usually homemade, store bought is full of sugar), 1/2 a banana and 1/2 cup of berries with Almond Milk. Even us with IBS-D need lots of fibre, but we need soluble fibre to absorb the excess liquids.

When I have a flare up, I find that a bowl of cooked white rice (not instant rice) with butter and soy sauce for a couple meals helps to settle things down.

IB Guard - natural peppermint oil in a capsule, and Iberogast - natural ingredients. These two items have been lifesavers for me. IB Guard you can get at any CVS or Walgreens, but Iberogast is only available via Amazon.

https://www.heatherstummycare.com/
A huge help!

On top of everything else that people are recommending is she chewing her food adequately and/or is there a problem with her teeth? Infection in the mouth can wreak havoc with the rest of your system and if food isn't broken down enough, blockage can occur. Last, on a similar note, could she have adhesions from old surgery that is causing a blockage? Strange things can happen. My dad had issues with low motility due to medications that led to entrapment of a portion of his small bowel in his thoracic cavity (next to his heart). Your mom should be assessed.

My significance other (SO) suffered from GI problems for years. Went to over twenty doctors to try to alleviate her distress. GI specialists, integrative medicine, acupuncture. On and on. Finally went on anti depressants and anti anxiety meds including ativan. I always suspected some brain involvment since doctors couldn't find anything else. Also because Parkinson's runs in her family. Eventually, she declined cognitively. She was diagnosed with dementia two years ago and has declined further since then. I originally thought the physical GI issues had led to the mental problems. Now I believe the neurotransmitter problems (the mental)were involved in the GI issues. There is definitely a mind body connection. Worth considering.

I'm a 69 year old female, and have identical problems, for over several years. Last week I had and EGD scope, diagnosed with gastritis and inflammation around the esophagus ring. The GI doctor said to continue with normal diet for now until the results come back from the polyps biopsies. Meantime, back on Protonix 40 mg/once a day, which I've been on for years, off and on. When I googled gastritis, the special diet of no caffeine and acidic fruits and juices, and dairy, should be avoided. I'm now using Lactaid milk, too. What I'm concerned about not is that Protonix causes UTI's, which I seem to get frequently. Can't win!!! Not supposed to eat sugar, too, but I have to cheat once in awhile. Anyway, pain continues frequently. Also, don't use any Ibuprofen, NSAIDS, or aspirin, or products with those in it. Causes ulcers. Tylenol helps some, but not as great as I wish. Let me know if you find a "cure"......this is ridiculous to suffer so long with various doctors give different advice. Seems they keep passing the buck for someone else to make a decision. Good Luck.

I probably have suffered from irritable bowel most of my adult life. I am 64 and just connected with an excellent gastrointestinal doctor. I always blamed my symptoms on stress. I take Heather's Tummy Fiber each morning and weaned myself off all acid reducers by using peppermint oil. Since IBS is an inflammatory disease I have begin a strict anti inflammation diet. Amazed by the results......no pain, diarrhea or bloating. I have had no flare ups in several months!!!!! So exciting. In the past I did use ginger pills and mint or chamomile tea for relief. Breakfast every single day is plain greek yogurt with fresh blueberries.

sorry for her distress.....have you tried yogurt?  there is Activia which can be drank 2 times a day (about 3 oz) flavored which has good pro-biotics to help with some stomach distress.  she should definitely stay away from anything with seeds and bloating type foods.  you can google for foods that "reduce bloating" (which I have done for hubby since he has some), mostly they are foods with plenty of water in them or other good stuff, I could list some = ginger is good for stomach ailments (ginger ale), cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumbers (without the seeds), pumpkin, coconut water, sweet potatoes (you can google for more).  She should see a gastroenterologist (she can wear a mask) because she definitely doesn't want to get a bowel obstruction (especially since you mentioned she has had a constipation issue).  Wishing HER luck as well as you.

Is she ingesting other dairy foods? Since you have her on Lactaid milk I’m assuming that lactose intolerance may be one of her issues. Also there may be another food source that is causing her symptoms. I would suggest a food diary be kept for at least a week, Look for any repeats within a week that may be contributing to her symptoms. Typical offenders are eggs, nuts, certain fruits (especially citrus), seafood, gluten/wheat and soy. Food sensitivities can cause major digestive reactions without causing anaphylactic shock, eating more than one of these offender foods at a time can really cause havoc. Even if she’s eaten these foods all her life doesn’t mean she still can.
When you can get her in to see a doctor sharing the food diary will help.

Have you tried a spore probiotic? Just Thrive has one that works wonders.
Then there is licorice root that’s great for settling an upset stomach.
Or essential oils rubbed on the stomach, like Digest ease , Peppermint or
Ginger.
Ginger tea is also good, made with organic ginger root.
Digestive enzymes before meals are another great help.
For the acid reflux, a nice cup of warm lemon water made with one whole squeezed organic lemon in purified water first thing after getting up really works.
I love raw organic garlic and eat about 5 cloves daily and the reflux and heartburn were terrible until I started with the lemon water each morning. Been doing this for over 7 years now no reflux or heartburn. And now I can indulge in my favorites habanero pepper which I put on everything!
Drugs are never the answer, look to more natural remedies and be amazed.
Yet, this is my opinion and things I use and have had great success. Give them a try they can’t hurt.
Diet is also important, try going low carb and get the sugars and refined flours out of there and add more fiber rich foods.

I’ve had IBS symptoms for years, according to my daughter. I told her I didn’t want a diagnosis of yet another problem, and she said I was probably doing most of what mattered anyway.

I use Donnatab, which is OTC here, then nibble a little bit of bread, and find a higher pillow to keep me a bit more upright in bed (it is usually worst at night). Sometimes I walk around for a while. I also did a lot of checking to find out what was irritating my bowel, and it was chili. It is in so many things (sometimes hidden as ‘spices’) that it is worth checking very carefully. It wasn’t the only cause, but certainly the most reliable. Garlic is apparently the next on the list of likely suspects. If she likes food like this, it’s worth keeping a food diary.

It sounds as though your mother’s problem is worse than mine, but I hope these suggestions may help.

Seems you are doing all the right things with OTC meds. I know it is problematic, but it appears she needs to see her primary care doctor and get a consult for a gastroenterologist. She may need prescription medications to help at this point.

Too many years ago, my doctor explained that the CARAFATE, with it's coating action, surrounds the other meds, rendering them inactive.
Do not know how the needed Lexapro could be working on the anxiety if your Mom is still taking Carafate. imo.

The Lactaid free milk has an added enzyme, called Lactaid. Can you try non-dairy products instead? Try Rice Milk or Almond Milk instead, imo.

Protonix has side effects listed:
Gas
Dizziness
Headache
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach Cramps
Joint Pain

A review of her medications might help. One can consult a doctor over the phone now, or through online Zoom or Skype (the doctor can see you).

Bentyl has helped me a great deal with any pain. The magic little blue capsule seems to stop spasming, at least for me, in about 20 minutes.

Learn to cope, a stool softener often helps, colace perhaps once daily. Again, an over the counter thing. Not laxative but keeps stools softer.

Learn2cope, Your mom is in tough spot. I hope that her doctor can find another solution for her gastric problems.

Lexapro and amitriptyline both have constipation as a side effect.

The only insights I have into something remotely close are my sister's challenges with ulcerative colitis, which our paternal grandmother also had.    The mediocre health care plan doctor she had been seeing through work provided heatlh care had repeatedly diagnosed her condition as "flu", and she suffered miserably for months until one of her nurse co-workers arranged to have her nephew (radiologist), intervene,  and he D'X'ed UC.    She took a med for it but I can't remember what it was.    No more problems since then.

As to laxatives, we've always believed in natural resources, but you've indicated that she's already tried FODMAP regimens.

I don't know if this helps or not.   

What you might try to do is work on lessening her anxiety, which admittedly is hard at this particular time b/c of the pandemic as well as political strife.    Maybe you could have quiet sessions to inject calm, something like listening to her favorite music, thumbing through soothing magazines with photos of baby animals, country scenes (Country and Country Extra magazines are like this).

I think that sometimes facing medical issues directly can be reinforced by interaction methods.  When my mother was aging and facing health challenges, I brought her either carnations or roses every time I visited.    She was so happy, that I knew it was a worthwhile gesture, and a helpful one.

Grrrrrr! You’re dealing with an awful situation.

My oldest daughter has Chron’s disease. Any of these intestinal issues are so difficult.

Best wishes to you.

You are now describing both upper and lower distress. Is this new? Has she been tested for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). There is a simple breath test for SIBO that can be an indicator. For myself I had it for many years thinking I had IBS-D.
You say you tried fibers. Have you tried specifically CITRUCEL. Metamucil is the big boy that gets recommended often and to my mind and in my nurse experience it often caused more problems because of the manner in which it ferments in the body causing gas and pain involved with gas. For me it is citrucel every night, and has changed my life; recommended with the information in ER by a great doc familiar with the fact Citrucel ferments differently in body and for many of us causes no pain.
I would say if you are now dealing with upper and lower pain, and a worsening in pain, that it is worth exploring with a new doctor as things get missed with those of us with IBS--it becomes the "go to answer" and other things can be happening. Happened to me with a severe bout of diverticulitis.
Good luck. I can identify!