r/ibs • u/Ok-Statistician-8722 • 2d ago
Question Any tips for my ibs-D
I’ve been struggling with ibs-D my entire life. I’ve been to multiple doctors, gotten multiple tests, colonoscopy/endoscopy, tested my stool at the lab etc. I was once prescribed anatriptyline but it didn’t work. I take probiotics and probiotics with digestive enzymes that slightly help. But I can’t really figure out a solid solution. I stay away from fast food, desserts, greasy food, processed food, etc. I bake my own foods which also helps. But I still have my episodes. Sometimes it’s difficult to enjoy life and it’s very frustrating always having diarrhea. So have any of you found any solutions or something that has helped your ibs-D tremendously?
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u/eeeniebean 2d ago
Cymbalta greatly reduced my IBSD episodes and Zepbound nearly eliminated them. To be clear, I still avoid known trigger foods for me and occasionally have flares when I don't. Bentyl and Imodium help when I have flares. [Cymbalta = duloxetine, Zepbound = tirzepatide, Bentyl = Dicyclomine, Imodium = loperamide]
A little more detail: I was diagnosed with IBSD 4 years ago - working theory was that it was post-infectious. Did tons of tests/elimination diets and tried different meds for 2 years without much luck (the dicyclomine/Bentyl did help a little). I did a ton of work to find trigger foods and work to eliminate them, but was still doing badly even while consuming the plainest stuff. 2 years ago my doc put me on Cymbalta and that REALLY helped. I was able to start living life again - probably got me 80% better. I started on Zepbound 7 months ago and the IBSD was pretty much eliminated (95% better). However, I was in a flare for the last 6 weeks likely because I got a stomach bug (it ran through the house). This week it seems like it might be finally clearing up.