IBS HELL what helps you ?

[VLCos]

For 10 weeks I have had , bowel pain , wind other IBS symptoms. I don't get diarrhoea more constipation.

Family history of crohns .

I had a colonscopy this week which was clear. , biopsies taken so I presume I will get an IBS diagnosis. Tested negative for celiac.

I have these symptoms everyday , can IBS really be daily ?

And can any medication be given to help ? Living like this daily is so difficult I am glad it's not sinister but it's hard.

I have tried buscopan, mebeverine and windeze . No help

Is there anything else ?
Thank you

[Anyoneever]

Sacchoromyces boulardii probiotics. I take two in the morning and two in the evening and it’s improved my horrendous IBS but about 70% in conjunction with a nightshade free diet. They have been miracle pills for me. I still get more wind than most people but it’s reduced and the diarrhoea now only happens if I stop taking the tablets whereas I would be on the toilet between 5-8 times per day prior to starting these.

[BusterGonad]

I have crohns, which isn't the same..... But a low residue diet is best for me, so white products instead of whole grain, brown or seeded. No nuts, raw veg or salad. Soft fruits are best. You want to eat foods that take little effort to digest and yes to probiotics.

[blackcat86]

DH has tried a low fodmap diet (which worked well but he found it hard to stick to). He also taked amitriptyline as it's a bit of a cycle of stress insomnia and IBS. Have you found any triggers for yours? DH has some food triggers but it's mostly stress and psychological for him. Symptoms can absolutely be everyday. He tends to have a few months where it gets really bad, especially after a period of rest ironically - usually the stress of going back to work.

[VLCos]

Thanks all. Great advice, I am trying to find triggers but no luck yet. It's very hard to live with daily. Going to try fodmap although it looks daunting

[Blossie0]

Look at the Fodmap diet - you don't need to exclude all of them all at once try a few sections at a time. Try Colpermin tablets - about £5 for a pack at Boots - absolutely brilliant and I think you can take up to 6 in a day if your having bad spasms.

[Bol87]

I’ve has IBS-C for years & it’s horrible. I’ve tried everything and (when not pregnant) have found a happy balance these days after a lot of research & trial/error.

One - fibre. You want insoluble fibre predominantly. For me, the best thing ever is All Bran. It’s like eating cardboard but a 40g bowl followed my a large glass of water is really helpful with the constipation! Also wholemeal bread, lots of green veggies.

Two - have a stash of a gentle laxative from your GP for the bad weeks. My doctor prescribes me laxido. Some weeks, it just seems to flare up for me & regardless of what I eat, I struggle. Often around my period I find for some reason. Laxido is really gentle but helps enormously.

Once you find the constipation is easing, the stomach pain should too. I know you’ve tried buscopan but once you get the constipation sorted, it might be more affective for any residual pain.

I’ve tried full FODMAP but found I could actually tolerate a lot of the no go foods. My triggers are hormones, couscous & things like excessively eating white bread. I find myself struggling at times like Christmas or holidays when my good fibre diet goes out the window & I live off carbs!

Hope things settle OP, it’s tough at first but you will hopefully work out your way forwards!

[Keepmewarm]

Antidepressants

[Bol87]

Ohh & one final thing - probiotics! I take Biokult and they brilliant. They’ve made a big difference to my IBS.

[VLCos]

Wow some good advice thank you all . It's so hard to see if even easing . I dont get a lot of cramps just general ache. I was sure colonscopy might seen inflammation but bowel looked fine .

@Keepmewarm why woudl antidepressants help ?

[VLCos]

Sometimes when eating something I know it's strange but I just know it will make me feel Ill shortly even before it reaches the bowel . Only certain things

[delilabell]

@VLCos I get the exact same thing with the knowing before it happens. Sometimes it almost feels it with some food smells too.
I find that I can only tolerate white bread etc. I also cant manage anything other than butter. Any spreads make me have awful pain and dioreah. And I cant manage raw onion either.
I hope you feel better soon

[VLCos]

Thank you . I avoid white bread and eat all the thing I think should be healthy but they arent doing me good by the looks of it.

Today I didn't eat because its just easier sometimes !

[Keepmewarm]

Antidepressants help me (and many others) because mine is stress related.
I have also completely cut out gluten. One sniff of gluten and I have an accident.

[UpTheLaganInABubble]

Have you had a breath test to rule out SIBO?

[keepingbees]

Keep a food diary and see if you can see a trigger. For me it's wheat/gluten.
Peppermint tea and capsules can help. I know people who swear by Colpermin capsules.
I find Silicolgel really helps, you can get it in boots. Be careful not to have too much if you swing towards constipation though,

[VLCos]

Ah I see mine isn't stress related well I dont think so ..

No I have had a breath test for SIBO but mine cause more constipation than diarrhoea:-/

Silicolgel is something i have tried and did help but I thought it was for short term use ?

Thank you all for your help

[UpTheLaganInABubble]

Methane SIBO causes constipation rather than diarrhoea, but I think NHS tests only test for Hydrogen. You can buy a test privately for both types but it's £165

[Toomboom]

I have recently had a diagnoses of bile acid malabsorption. The symptoms of this mimic ibs. I am now on medication for it and it is making a difference, still early days, but better than the constant runs to the toilet multiple times a day and stomach pain. It is advised with this to follow a low fat diet, so it may be worth you giving that a go.

I too had a colonoscopy earlier this year to rule out anything else [ my son has crohns ]. I then had a sehcat scan which showed bile acid malabortion . Mine is due to no longer having a gall bladder. I was never told at the time that this could happen in the future.

As you have had other tests, it may be worth asking about a sehcat scan.

[humblebumblebees]

Porridge with made the Scottish way with water, not milk
Linseeds - add to porridge / casseroles etc, or a teaspoonful swallowed down with water
Inulin (a prebiotic powder) - add to casseroles / gravy / porridge, or just half a spoon in a glass of water each evening. It's tasteless.
Probiotics every day
Magnesium citrate - high dose
Vitamin C - high dose
Natural live Yoghurt and Kefir
Sauerkraut

Keep some sachets of Laxido in the cupboard to use when dietary adjustments alone aren't enough.

Likewise Glycerin suppositories when needed

Regular exercise like walking / running / dancing to stimulate your metabolism.

[VLCos]

@Toomboom ah I had my gallbladder out 2 years ago I'll mention it to my consultant when I go back thank you

[GoldfishGirl]

Second vote for FODMAP using the Monash app. I also recommend a broad based Disgestive Enzyme.

[NeurotrashWarrior]

I can vouch for all of humbles tips, on top though, if there's any family history of underactive thyroid, perhaps mention to Gp too. Can be a symptom.

Gp did once give me a good run down of the sort of fibre that's best, definitely porridge well soaked / well cooked and apples, also pears are really good. She prescribed some tiny chocolatey pellets with a scoop that helped. But ultimately it didn't settle till thyroid levels were good.

Laxido is great, maybe try basic syrup of figs too?

[nellyitsmeagain]

Hi, I'm also an IBS -C sufferer, I've probably had it since my teens and try to keep to a diet high in fibre - veg, fruit, pulses, seeds, yogurt, kefir. No bread and I keep the sugary carbs low. I find yeasty foods don't help as well as overly processed food. I also take magnesium and the things on humbles list

Can anyone recommend a good probiotic brand? I've been trawling the web today for them but I can't tell what's good or not.

[iswhois]

I have D. The only thing that really helps is eating very small amounts. When I go on low calorie diets the symptoms clear right up.

[zafferana]

I've had IBS-C for about 12 years and I'd advise you to keep a food diary OP so you can figure out what your trigger foods are. For me it's wheat/gluten, nightshades, high fat foods (particularly if they'r spicy or high in sugar too - so Indian and Chinese food is bad, things like crumble on fruit very bad), certain alcohol (wine particularly), and stress. The worst of all is a combination of stress + trigger foods. I can be up all night feeling very ill. So, figure out what your triggers are, both foods and moods and times of the month - knowledge is power. I take a high dose pro-biotic every day and I also eat probiotic yogurt (Skyr is good for me). It's trial and error, but I feel your pain