IBS AND PRESCRIBED DRUGS: TRANQUILLIZERS AND SLEEPING PILLS – MARTIN’S EXPERIENCE
Martin was down to 1/2 mg of lorazepam (Ativan) when his bowel troubles started. He complained of abdominal pain, and bloating, and his bowel movements were erratic: sometimes he was constipated then he would have a loose stool for several days. He had investigations which showed nothing abnormal. He noticed his bladder felt sore after drinking orange juice or beer and he found several foods he had always enjoyed now upset him. He was not convinced about the Candida connection at first but after speaking with people who had come off tranquillizers and had the same problem he decided to ask his GP for a course of Nystatin. His doctor had supported several people through withdrawal and was very helpful. He prescribed an eight-week course of Nystatin. After the first week he began to feel better, he was not so bloated and was sleeping better. He gave up dairy produce and kept to a low carbohydrate diet and small regular meals. Athlete’s foot had plagued him for months; this also cleared up.
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