Slippery Elm question

[Aussie Lab]

d2Roberts...Thanks so much for taking the time to write that. I'm sorry to hear you have so much discomfort, I know what DH goes through but it doesn't sound nearly as bad as your struggles.
So is diverticulosis in addition to IBS or is it another form/symptom of IBS? Also, you said slippery elm helps with the stomach cramping, does it also help(?) with the loose stools (sorry to be personal). Do you just but slippery elm at the health food store?
Sorry to ask these questions, but as you probably know the doc couldn't actually "diagnose" IBS, he just ruled out everything else and then he could say it was IBS. DH usually gets really bad stomach cramping at the same as diarrehea, so I was wondering if the slippery elm would help both. Also when I think about it, his diet isn't super high in fibre, do you think that increasing his fibre intake would help reduce symptoms of IBS or does it mainly help with diverticulosis. He doesn't seem to have problems with proteins, like I said before it's mostly spicy and greasy foods.

Thanks again

[CDuncan]

I don't know how I missed this thread before, but thanks to everyone for all this information. I'm interested in trying it for us and for Java... and getting my MIL to, also, since she has lots of G/I issues.

I know I've posted this site before, but I was looking at the products on Urban Carnivore last night and started comparing prices... www.mothernature.com sells a 1-lb package of slippery elm powder and it is much cheaper per volume than the UC... Same for the kelp and alfalfa powders, actually. Might be worth it, especially for free shipping over $49. Sometimes they even drop it to over $35.

[happyhomer]

holy crow i have had the worst stomach aches for a week now (i overindulged on things i know i should not have on my birthday)... and on a whim i popped a couple of those slippery elm capsules that i had left over from homer's bout of pudding poops. slippery elm is my new best friend. HURRAY FOR SLIPPERY ELM!!!!!!!!!

[ZenCat]

Wow, how did I miss this? Just came in to get the cooked Slippery Elm recipe for Drum and read your post from months ago, Deb!

Do you still have any intermittant pain? Even though since going gluten-free I don't have daily pain, I still have them (and the other party favors... heartburn, loose stools) from time to time but have trouble identifying the source since I've ruled out gluten. I was recently diagnosed with calcium deficiency & lactose intolerance (nice combo, eh ) so I'm hoping the calcium supplement plus increased yogurt intake will help level me off.

I need to remember to take Slippery Elm myself. I've taken it during pain and had relief, but I could probbly benefit from it regularly too!

[Lellow Yab]

I've tried slippery elm a couple of times now. 1 tsp mixed into 12 oz. hot water as a tea.

I must be weird, but it seems to give me heartburn. I thought it was supposed to help heartburn. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks,
Trina

[d2roberts]

Yeah, it didn't work for my heartburn at all. It made it worse. Though, it is suppose to help. Oh well, every body is different. For me, it worked for my diverticulisis (sp?) pains, lower body cramping, rather than the upper body stuff. Need any more details? Ha!

[Lellow Yab]

I'm using it for lower digestive troubles...aw, heck, for diahrrea (this board can handle to truth). But I don't know what to do about the heartburn. It's so bad that I don't know if I can continue to use it.

Trina

[d2roberts]

If your heartburn is that bad, call your doctor. Really...I just started having problems with heartburn a couple of years ago...I've only had it 3 times (extended anyhow), and the first time, because I didn't know better, I tried to live with it. I ended up doing some damage, and am now suseptible (sp?) to it. Sometimes, IMHO, you have to pull out the hard stuff. (And by hard-stuff, I mean prescription meds.)

[Lellow Yab]

Thanks Deb! I guess I wasn't clear in my earlier posts.

Okay, to clarify. I have frequent heartburn, but I avoid the triggers (acidic food, coffee, soda, etc.). I also take OTC hearburn medication. I was trying slippery elm to ease the lower digestive problems but it triggered heartburn. So now I am wondering if I can use slippery elm for the lower stuff. I don't want to make my heartburn any worse than it already is, but I'm looking for a natural alternative for an irritable bowel.

How's that for TMI?

Trina

[ZenCat]

Just a note: I spent nearly 3 years on Prevacid for heartburn/acid reflux with no relief. It has improved GREATLY (though not entirely) since I determined my food sensitivities (grains & dairy). The timing for this is great for me, I've been clenched up with heartburn all day today and nothing is helping (I already determined Slippery Elm wouldn't work for heartburn for me). I've occasionally gotten relief from DCL Licorice:

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a flavorful herb that has been used in food and medicinal remedies for thousands of years. Also known as "sweet root," licorice root contains a compound that is roughly 50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice root has been used in both Eastern and Western medicine to treat a variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to liver disease. This herb has long been valued as a demulcent (soothing, coating agent) and continues to be used by professional herbalists today to relieve respiratory ailments (such as allergies, bronchitis, colds, sore throats, and tuberculosis), stomach problems (including, possibly, heartburn from reflux or some other cause and gastritis), inflammatory disorders, skin diseases, and liver problems.

Might be worth looking into.

(I know what my heartburn is from... I staged a ridiculous protest yesterday against Life In General and ate a Dunkin Donuts Bacon Egg & Cheese on a Croissant and am suffering the consequences )

[d2roberts]

Can I quote both of you:

Lisa - I did the same thing this morning..it's been almost a year since I did that, but I have been having some weird cravings lately. I was on the verge of stomach problems, but with some ginger tea, it never came on strong.

Trina: Boy, do you sound like me! I've had this discussion with Lisa too...I've about had it and am ready to get some sound professional advice, from an expert. I've avoided all the foods, eat as healthy as a horse, then one day, wham! Here comes the stomach problems. I'm starting to think I have some allergies. I got tested about a year ago, and nothing came up. I have to say I was quite upset, because besides my stomach issues, I've now been rushed to the hospital twice for allergic reactions. In the past 2 years I've had the following allergic reactions - mind you, never has this happened before in my 35 years.

I'm at a Mexican Restaurant and my tongue starts to swell, quickly. Never found out what caused it.
I put some Sulpha medication on a burn - a cream - and my tongue swelled. (Yikes!)
I was on penicillin (sp?) and I broke out in hives.

I swear it's the air here in Colorado. Nothing in a year, thankfully. Now that I carry an epi-pen.

Coming back to the stomach problems...IMHO - Why should I live like this? I've suffered from IBS all my life, now have this diverticulosis thing...and heartburn to boot. There's has to be some sort of explanation.

Good luck, and I'm off 'till tomorrow.

[Lellow Yab]

It's funny that you should mention allergies. I'm not normally allergic to anything (intolerant maybe?). I had a cavity filled on Monday and I had a bad reaction to the Novocaine. I'm wondering if the diahrrea is yet another side effect.

Lisa - does the licorice root taste like the licorice candy? I can't stand the stuff, but I guess I'd be willing to try it.

Deb - do you know if diverticulosis is genetic? My dad has it but doesn't take care of it like he should. He is hospitalized about once a year and will require surgery at some point.

Thanks,
Trina

[lovefor4labs]

Not to butt in on your conversation, but I have similar issues as well. A year and a half ago, I actually had surgury to correct the acid reflux. An extreme step, I know, but it worked for me. That as well as a gluten free diet. Deb, When your tongue swelled, were you drinking Margaritas at the time??? I am allergic to limes, and had the same thing happen. I have an epi pen too. They also put lime in the salsa.

[ZenCat]

You have to get used to the licorice. It tastes like licorice. I don't love it but I can definitely handle it.

Its what I give Brude now instead of Tums (he's also gluten intolerant and improved HUGELY on the gluten free diet).

[lovefor4labs]

Originally Posted by ZenCat

You have to get used to the licorice. It tastes like licorice. I don't love it but I can definitely handle it.

Its what I give Brude now instead of Tums (he's also gluten intolerant and improved HUGELY on the gluten free diet).

Does it really work? Even with the surgery, diet, meds etc, I still use something sometimes. Mary needs it quite a bit, and we finally went gluten free with her. Helped the skin a ton.