Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Lactose Intolerance.

Hi,
 I'm Rayna and I'm 1 in the 15% and 75% of the population living with IBS and Lactose Intolerance.

You may have heard about IBS in movie's like Along Came Polly or lactose intolerance from the movie French Kiss.
The main character doubled over in pain and their stomach's making audible noises. With the promise of them running to the nearest bathroom. That has been me... Well a few times and not always to that extent.

Here's what I know:
IBS is a intestinal disorder causing gas, belly pain and bloating, nausea and a combination or one of the other of constipation or diarrhea. Yuck. And fun stuff right?

It can't be cured. But, it can last a few years and go into remission or it can last a lifetime. Let's hope for the latter of the two.

The causes of IBS are relatively unknown. There are factors that key in but everyone has different ones. It can be the health of your gut, your diet, stress/anxiety levels, family history or sometimes it seems everything. Everything causes you to be miserable.

Lactose intolerance is caused by not being able to produce enough of the enzyme Lactase. Lactase is an enzyme that brakes down a surgery product found in milk and other dairy products called lactose. It is not a food allergy.

The symptoms of this include gas, nausea/diarrhea, and belly pain after eating dairy. (Kind of sounds like the same at IBS at this point am I right?)

Much like IBS it's another debilitating disorder people find them selves dealing with on a day to day basis. But if you think about it from a digestive stand point LI can be managed. Avoid dairy. Avoid it like the plague. If only it were that simple. Dairy products are in EVERTHING and under hidden names.
Whey, curds, dry milk solids, malted milk, cream, Casein, whey protein concentrate, milk by-products, non fat dry milk powder, margarine, nougat, Caseinates. All these names can be found in normal day to day things no one thinks about eating. I wish I could say I that I don't eat processed foods but I can't. So I'm left with a few options.



How I manage:
I have figured out some ways to make my life easier when dealing with this issue and some of the side effects of lactose.

1. Research and doctors visits. You have to be diagnosed by a doctor to confirm you have both diseases. But take advantage of it when you are. Ask questions!
2. immediate relief medications. They aren't everyone's first choice. But then again neither is pain. There are many options. Some people found that anti spasmatics help, some use alternative medicines. I personally have different medicines for different occasions. If I know my IBS/LI is going to be a problem I take Imodium I can't thank the makers of it enough. For other occasions I suck on really strong mints or essential oils. Mint is proven to help with the effects of IBS and other stomach issues. 
3. Preventive medicines: Pre and Probitics I highly recommend them. Prebiotics help the good bacteria already in the digestive track and keep it healthy. Probitics introduce new good bacteria to the digestive tract. I take one every morning. Digestive Enzymes  These brake down a majority of the common food groups we all eat. I take them every morning at breakfast. If you simply can't go without having some cheese in your life their or diary pills called Say yes to dairy. Or Lactaid that have the enzymes you need to help digestion and allow you to eat it in small portions.
4. Learning what foods to avoid. This was the hardest part. For everyone it's different. For IBS there's options called the Fodmap diet allowing you to see what foods are proven to cause IBS and by following that diet some people have "cured" themselves by healing their gut. I personally avoid greasy foods, foods that would create a lot of gas. I avoid Eggs they are notorious for gas but for me it's a whole new ballgame. And I actually CAN eat some diary. I can eat aged cheeses, some butters and on occasion chocolate (which has caffeine a stimulate also associated with the cause of IBS) I cannot, cannot, cannot eat ice cream. This is the number one cause of pain for me associated with lactose intolerance. It will instantly cause stomach issues that will last all day and into the night.
5. HEAT. Using a heating pad or shower works wonders over an upset tummy. I find mine eases up almost instantly.
6. Tell your family/friends and bosses! They are your supporters. And most may have a few questions. That's okay let them ask. In the moment of you having to rush of to the restroom they will understand. If you have to pull off on the side of the road right then and are late to an event this is kind of important information to have. Most wont judge I have found most people to be supportive. You don't have to live with this alone, you don't have to be scared to go out places, and you don't have to be embarrassed.

Tips and Tricks I've learned:

 For lack of a better word.. I used to be scared shitless to leave the house. Oh yes I cursed and shitless is anything but what it was. I would use the bathroom at least 5 times before I left the house. Then I'd be so nervous about my IBS acting up in public that it of course would act up in public.

So first thing learn how to transcend the bullshit. Whether that's medication to help anxiety, or meditation. It will help! more then you know. Non spastic human > then a spastic colen.

If your a germaphobe about public bathrooms. Bring some sanitzer and wipe the toilet seat then your hands.

If your worried about smell. There is this magical stuff called Poo~Pourri it's essential oil that coats the surface of the water. 2 or 3 sprays over the toilet and the only thing the next person will smell is oranges or vanilla. Heck I put this stuff in my kids and guest bath for everyone to use. You can find it here at their site or on amazon.

If your worried about noise. Play an app on your phone. All of these help lesson anxiety's power over your stomach. 

So that's it. To the bitter end. It's me and what I live with and how I deal with it. If you are new to the IBS/LI community I wish you well. And know that there is some hope.