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General health

Tmi but does anyone else need the loo all day long?

20 replies

Whatabanana · 12/04/2016 19:26

And I mean for number two. I think I average at four times a day but occasionally have a day where I need to go 8/10 times. I thought there might be a hormonal link but I can't see a pattern. It is not diarrhoea, but does vary in consistency. Have had a colonoscopy but all clear. Anyone had this and found the cause??

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OrangeSquashTallGlass · 13/04/2016 10:47

What did they say after the colonoscopy? Surely they must think it's IBS?

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PollyPerky · 13/04/2016 10:51

Have you thought about IBS and if so, have you thought about adapting your diet? I find that certain foods upset me though not as much as you describe. 8 times a day is not 'normal' but is a recognised sign of IBS if all other reasons are negative.

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Whatabanana · 13/04/2016 12:41

I had raised levels of something (inflammation of some kind?) in a stool test, but not remarkably raised so they said that could be normal for me. Apart from that they were just taking about things like peppermint capsules to relieve symptoms.

I guess I will just have to try some sort of food elimination diet, although I am not sure I am capable of doing that!

I just thought most ibs things involved diarrhoea, whereas my issue is quantity rather than quality (kind of!).

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HyacinthBouquetNo1 · 13/04/2016 14:38

yes, I have had diarrhoea all my life, I have bile salt malabsorption syndrome and IBS. I have also found out that I have a problem with milk so am on a milk free diet at the moment, which seems to be helping, but am having to check all labels and cannot eat anything containing milk or milk proteins or sugars

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Whatabanana · 13/04/2016 16:33

I was wondering if milk might be a problem for me too as my mum has become very intolerant (like you she gets diarrhoea).

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PollyPerky · 13/04/2016 21:42

Loads on the web about IBS symptoms- doesn't have to include diarrhoea.

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Whatabanana · 13/04/2016 22:59

Yes there is an overwhelming amount about ibs, but the majority of the time the symptoms mention diarrhoea. I am going to attempt eliminating milk and see if there is any change. Just wanted to hear of someone like me being able to pin a cause down and recover completely!

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Heirhelp · 13/04/2016 23:29

Can you ask your GP for a referral to a dietian to help you with an elimation diet?

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Whatabanana · 13/04/2016 23:34

I'm not sure if they would offer that but it does sound like a good idea, thanks.

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Simmi1 · 14/04/2016 02:22

When did your symptoms start? I suddenly started having IBS symptoms after birth of my second child 7 months ago. All my tests come back clear and elimination diets have not worked for me. It's definitely worth a try though. Low fod map is apparently really successful.

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PollyPerky · 14/04/2016 08:06

Re diet- the most recent research shows that low FODMAPs help IBS and the FODMAP diet is the way that drs are treating IBS now. It controls IBS for 75-80% of people who follow it. You need to cut out quite a lot of foods then reintroduce them one by one.

It's not recommended that you do it without supervision but there is enough online to help you if you want to try. Alternatively you can work with a dietitian. This one is one of the best in the UK - used by someone I know and she does Skype consultations. I doubt you would get an NHS referral to a dietitian without a diagnosis of IBS from your GP but you ought to ask. You need one who is trained in food intolerance.

//www.wisediet.co.uk Lots of info on the site and links.

Your other option is to remove the main food groups from your diet one by one- starting with dairy then gluten. You may well have a food intolerance rather than IBS.

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Whatabanana · 14/04/2016 09:53

Hi, I have heard of fodmap but I start getting hungry just at the thought of it! Iam worried I will be starving and angry and nothing will come of it (lost hope). It has been happening for years but I can't remember exactly when it started. I did get food poisoning just after having my first child and seemed to suffer after effects from that for a long time, always thought that might have triggered something.

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PollyPerky · 14/04/2016 09:59

Food poisoning is a known trigger for IBS.
TBH you are going to have to change what you eat one way or another. Your body is clearly telling you it doesn't like something you're putting in it, simply by getting rid of it sharpish!

There are plenty of options with the Fodmap. One of my DCs has been on it for a long time and manages perfectly well despite being really into gym and exercise.
It's just a case of being motivated enough and looking at what you are allowed to eat and need to avoid.

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Whatabanana · 14/04/2016 10:10

You are right, I need to boost my motivation, I just want a magic wand but I guess that isn't going to happen. Right, will force myself to research fodmap.

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Simmi1 · 14/04/2016 10:48

You could start by removing the worst fodmap offenders - onion, garlic, apples, pears and wheat and see how you get on?
It didn't work for me but I don't think mine is actually IBS - it's just a case of getting to the bottom of what it is! Do you get pains/discomfort as well or just the frequent bowel movements?

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Whatabanana · 14/04/2016 11:07

I wouldn't say I get pain but some days are definitely more uncomfortable than others. Also I am getting a lot of discomfort a few days before my period-everything feels very interlinked then. They did an ultrasound as well but didn't notice anything untoward. I thought coffee might be the culprit (usually have two every morning) but gave it up-for three days!-and noticed no difference.

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PollyPerky · 14/04/2016 11:11

You can't drink coffee with the fodmap - avoid caffeine. You also need to give things much longer than 3 days!!! The fodmap regime is an 8-week trial. You need to accept there is no overnight fix and do it seriously if it bothers you.

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Whatabanana · 14/04/2016 11:27

The pull of coffee is so strong! The thing is though that some days are much worse than others-without any increase in caffeine. So if it is a factor it can't be the only one. But certainly it sounds like an addiction!

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MrsPinotGrigio · 14/04/2016 20:32

Was it the Faecal Calprotectin test that showed inflammation? Did they tell you the actual result or just that it was raised? Were you referred to a Gastroenterologist or were the tests ordered by your GP? Sorry for all the questions but I have Crohns & if you're going to the loo that many times & its loose there is obviously something wrong - either bowel related or bile salt malabsorption as mentioned by a pp. If you haven't been referred please ask your GP to do so, and ask for a referral to a dietician as well. Please don't allow your GP to diagnose you with IBS. My consultant gets on his high horse about GPs diagnosing IBS as he says it should only be diagnosed when everything else has been ruled out. Good luck, hope you feel better soon

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Whatabanana · 14/04/2016 20:44

Yes pinot, that was the one. They did tell me the number (I have forgotten what it was -something hundred!)but didn't seem to be overly worried as the colonoscopy didn't show anything. Thanks for the advice. I felt like a fraud leading up to the colonoscopy as I felt relatively fine but have felt rubbish again recently.