IBS follow up...

Airdale

Airdale

Well-Known Member
My doctor diagnosed me with IBS after my tests and endoscopy came back clean. He believes that it was brought on by the stress of getting furloughed, unemployment troubles etc. He prescribed Pamine Forte and I found out shortly after starting it that its not approved by the FAA. Not that I am flying now anyway, but I don't want to be dependant on meds. that aren't approved. So I stopped taking Pamine after just one week, it made me feel like crap anyway.

I went down to the local organic health store and chatted with some organic health specialist dude. Told him I was an airline pilot but currently laid off and needed something to help calm down my IBS problems without affecting my job when I get recalled.

He recommended something called "IBx", an all natural supplement of ginger and peppermint. He also recommended a drink called "colon health" to take in the evening before bed.

Well, I've been doing this all natural stuff now for a month, and I'm surprised at how well it friggin works! The colon health drink literally flushes your system free of toxins in one very relieving trip to the bathroom in the morning. The ginger/peppermint supplements are great after meals and I've been drinking peppermint green tea as well.

I still have to watch a few things that I eat. Had some pizza that didn't go well and caused me some trouble, but overall this natural stuff has been working better than those nasty drugs and with ZERO side effects. In fact, I actually feel healthier than ever. I've changed my diet a bit by cutting out things with onions and spices, I've also increased my fiber intake.

I just wanted to give an update in case anyone else out there had IBS problems to try these organic supplements.

A question for the doc. I've been off the pamine for just over a month. When I renew my medical, do I have to put that one there even though I am no longer on the medication? My doctor knows I've gone organic and he's surprised it works. :)
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
The question is: Do you currently take any medication. The answer would br NO.
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Cool. Been awhile since I've renewed my medical. My last 1st class was Oct. of 2007. Because I only need the SIC privelages I don't have to renew the medical until next October. By then I would have forgotten all about IBS anyway. :laff:
 
Good news with the IBS. I've been able to keep my 1st class current for a number of years now with this issue. Luckily I make my own schedule, so I can work meals into my day and have time to also schedule in a bathroom break.

I've tried some probiotics that made everything horrible and didn't work at all. I'm on a drug called flomax that, while for a weak bladder issue, helps with the IBS making the urges much more mild. It's allowed me to go from about an hour bladder to about a 4-5 hour bladder, much more in the range of cross countries.

Otherwise, I know controlling stomach acid helps a lot. If you eat things that give you more, you can irritate the intestines and then the IBS just triggers right up. Also, relaxing exercises help to control the IBS. Whenever you think you may be getting near an IBS attack, just think of something that puts you into a zen like state. Mine personally is laying in a hammock on the beach at the equator, reading a POH.

Goodluck to you. Just FYI, there's a lot of us out there flying with IBS, just stay away from the Coffee.
 
Airdale said:
Cool. Been awhile since I've renewed my medical. My last 1st class was Oct. of 2007. Because I only need the SIC privelages I don't have to renew the medical until next October. By then I would have forgotten all about IBS anyway. :laff:
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Actually, I think your commercial SIC (2nd Class) is expired too.

They extended the duration of 1st class priveleges to 1 year. 2nd class was not extended, if I recall correctly.

I just dealt with the issue myself in August.
 
Airdale said:
Cool. Been awhile since I've renewed my medical. My last 1st class was Oct. of 2007. Because I only need the SIC privelages I don't have to renew the medical until next October. By then I would have forgotten all about IBS anyway. :laff:
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You are flying on a 3rd class right now!!
 
Which store did you get this "colon health" and IBx stuff at? Now I don't think I'm to the severity of IBS but i have had problems in the past. My dealing with it has been luck and a black hefty bag but I flew cargo at the time lol. Doesn't hurt finding more info.

=J-
 
LOGS said:
Which store did you get this "colon health" and IBx stuff at? Now I don't think I'm to the severity of IBS but i have had problems in the past. My dealing with it has been luck and a black hefty bag but I flew cargo at the time lol. Doesn't hurt finding more info.

=J-
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That sounds like a lot of fun! I have occassional "urges" but if making a longer XC, I just take some AD beforehand and I'm good to go. I didn't do that until I had to divert one late Sunday night to an unattended field and almost didn't make it. Funny story now, but was WAY TOO close at the time! :)
 
LOGS said:
Which store did you get this "colon health" and IBx stuff at?
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A store called Black Forrest. Not sure if its a national chain or just local. Its an all natural and organic store. You have to be careful with the colon health though. I drank a glass around 9:00pm one night and was going hunting the next morning, but figured I'd work it out before I left the house. Nope. As soon as I pulled my boat up on the marsh to hunt, I couldn't get my waders and hunting pants down so fast. I could have filled a 5lb bag.
 
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