My IBS is terrible and I go on holiday tomorrow

[balloongoespop]

I have been suffering with my IBS since last weekend. After either lunch or dinner I get terrible pain (or sometimes not even that, just a feeling) and then I have to go to the toilet. I bought a probiotic supplement on Wednesday but no improvement yet. I will go armed with Imodium but what else could I do? Is it linked to anxiety? it is the only thing making me anxious!

[TheTravellingLemon]

Poor you. Yes, it's very related to anxiety for me. Maybe it's the anxiety of going on holiday?

I really really try to steer clear of imodium. It messes me up for ages. You can get Buscapan (sp?) over the counter. I would just try to get it all out. Hot water bottle, plenty of fluids and bland foods. I found boiled chicken and boiled rice was good for me. I also find bananas good, but some people say no to those.

[gingeroots]

Poor you .

I'm sure the probiotic will help . I also find Ransom Aloe Pura Aloe Vera Juice with Manuka Honey from H&B very good for calming down episodes .
www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/ransom-aloe-pura-aloe-vera-juice-with-manuka-honey/-60093576

[balloongoespop]

I find bananas do help. I'm baffled by how bad its has been this week. I think being out of my normal routine has not helped (been off work, on holiday at home).

[balloongoespop]

Thanks ginger, I would have just enough time to pop into town tomorrow for that.

[Looseleaf]

Do you drink coffee/ alcohol? I have annoyingly just found that small amounts radically affect mine!

[balloongoespop]

yes I do although normally it doesn't affect me in that way. And yesterday I only had one coffee, in the morning, but still suffered after lunch. Today I have had 2 coffees and suffered after dinner.

[Dismalfuckers]

Buscospan helps with cramps. Maybe it's worse with the stress of getting organised for holiday?? Try to relax and plan toilet stops just in case

[balloongoespop]

I might try to get some of that as well. I've been self managing it for so long, I'm so fed up of it!

[Thisismyfirsttime]

Mine is ok day to day, I know how to deal with it but I get 'nervous bowel' whenever I do anything out of the ordinary. Meeting at work? Nervous bowel. Dinner/ drinks (which flares it up anyway), nervous bowel. Long car trip/ plane/ train? Nervous bowel. I use Immodium instants in those situations as it is psychological for me and the worst I end up with is a solid poo which is unusual in itself for me a day later! I also have a prescription tablet- colo something for when this flares up. (Can't check the name right now.)

[balloongoespop]

is it Colofac? I think it helps with spasms in the gut? A lot of my Imodium use is psychological too so I try to be strict with myself about how often I take it.

[mineofuselessinformation]

Try buscopan, and extra-strong mints! Somehow they seem to soothe my gut when it's unhappy.

[TheTravellingLemon]

Mint is great. Fresh mint in boiled water works wonders and is pretty delicious too.

[Thisismyfirsttime]

Yes! Colofac! Works (probably psychological) wonders for me.

[balloongoespop]

Thanks everyone, will stock up on extra strong mints and try the fresh mint when I'm home again.

[Amara123]

Hi balloon.

You need to read about the fodmap diet, monash university in Australia developed the approach. It's medically sound and helps you figure out your trigger. Has made a huge difference in my ibs! Also have you considered that you might actually be constipated and have overflow diarrhoea creating urgency after meals? I had this until my clever GP realised it and gave me movicol to use if needed.

Google those things and see if they make sense to you!

A

[balloongoespop]

Hi Amara, yes I have heard of Fodmap and seen the lists of foods thought to be good/triggers. I'll definitely look at it again.
I know what you mean about 'overflow' but without going into details it is definitely not that!

[Aquamarine70]

Colofac (mebeverine hydrochloride) is brilliant. You can buy it. OTC.

[plipplops]

I used to take Immodium in advance of doing anything (dinner/drinks, car journey, work etc..) just like Thisismyfirsttime. I know it was entirely psychological as if I was by myself I'd hardly ever bother (because I figured if I had to suddenly rush and find a toilet then go again 2 mins later I could without having to explain myself), but if someone else was there I'd take it. Was probably getting through nearly a pack a week.

We went on holiday last October and I didn't take any, just deep breathed my way through lots of shuttle buses and had the odd last minute dash to the loo (and DH was surprisingly understanding). Then on one day we had a long car drive so I had some 'just in case' and felt awful all day. Felt really sick and sore in the tummy. I realised that the Immodium was probably making me feel like that so was adding to the problem and resolved not to take it. I did have some on the way home (really hate flying where you have to remain in your seats and queuing for immigration etc as I worry I'll need an emergency poo) but haven't had any since, in a couple of days will be 8 months clean...

The real challenge will be next time I fly as that's one of those situations where you really do have to just wait in a million places like cattle and have no options. I still worry about it but as yet haven't pooed myself in public so it's so far so good...

[TheTravellingLemon]

Imodium is evil in my opinion. It just makes everything much worse. I would avoid it like the plague if you have any issues at all with your bowels.

Food triggers, anxiety and the way you eat as much as what you eat. No rushed meals, always leave yourself enough time to sit and eat slowly and time to digest afterwards.

Specific IBS medicine is good I find. Also, I avoid anti inflammatories like Nurofen but paracetamol is fine.

[balloongoespop]

Very interesting what you say about imodium making things worse. Def something to think about. What about Ibroprofen - is it bad?

[TheTravellingLemon]

Well, it may just be a personal thing but I definitely find that they are triggers for me so I try to avoid taking them if I can or make sure I take them with food if I absolutely need to.

[balloongoespop]

Thanks Lemon. Time to zip up my case. Fingers crossed.

[gingeroots]

In the past I've used supermarket brand "upset stomach" tablets -these are kaloin and morphin tablets instead of immodium .

www.amazon.co.uk/Wrafton-Galpharm-Entrocalm-Upset-Stomach/dp/B004DYG3SM?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[balloongoespop]

I'm back from my holiday and there were good days and bad days. But I really suffered with anxiety about the whole thing, to the point where I could feel my heart racing when I was eating. I am not usually like this.

Anyway I have continued to have sudden urgency and diarrhoea since I came back. I have made a doctors appointment. Is there anything I should be asking for? Blood tests? Inflammation tests? it is a week away so I guess I should not change anything I am doing, as I want any tests to show up any problems? All advice welcome.

[balloongoespop]

Small bump. Doctors appointment can't come soon enough. Really struggling. Going to ask for coeliac test too. Food is becoming linked with dread, and as for eating out - forget it!