Does anyone else have a crap digestive system?

[Thewholeshackshimmy]

Because mine just seems to hate me.
I am 48 and was diagnosed with IBS 23 years ago. I’ve had some good and bad years in all of that time but 4-5 years ago everything ramped up and my digestive system just has not behaved itself since.
I have about 3-4 days per month feeling ok (ish!), the rest of the time I have symptoms from throat to bum!
I will suffer indigestion, excessive burping, a very gurgling stomach (which sometimes wakes me in the night), a burning and acid feeling, fullness and no appetite, feel very nauseous (these symptoms are all 100% worse mid cycle and will last about 10 days)
I get lower gut issues too, lots of gurgling and bubbling, very bloated especially in the evenings (can look 7 months pregnant) and farting loads (the pain from this gas is immense at times and it’s a bloody good job I’ve been with dh for a very long time!). I get the feeling of needed the loo at times. Sometimes I am constipated and struggle to go, other times much looser.
I am sure I am in perimenopause and that my cycle has some kind of influence.
In 2019, I had a full colonoscopy and a gastroscope with biopsies, I had an ultrasound scan and a CT scan, nothing found.
I also have gynae issues with uterine polyps and ovarian cysts at times (not sure if there is any influence there?)
I saw a gastroenterologist again last week and he insists it’s just IBS and didn’t offer any help and with symptoms virtually every day it’s so hard to believe it’s not something else.
I follow the low fodmap diet, I have no dairy as that causes me diarrhoea, I’ve had times with no gluten but that doesn’t really help much, I have no alcohol, caffeine, artifical sweetners or any gas producing foods, I walk every day, I listen to gut directed hypnotherapy. Most IBS meds don’t help either.
I do all of these things yet still have these tiresome symptoms almost every day. They are unpredictable and can happen anytime of the day.
Frankly, I just wish they would piss off as they are ruining my life, I live a half life because of these symptoms.
Is there anyone else out there who understands? My husband doesn’t, my friends don’t and the doctors don’t understand just how bloody draining it is having an unfriendly gut living within your body!

Me! I have to take a shit as soon as I wake up in the morning with great urgency, every day. Usually around 5am.

I made the mistake of having baked beans for lunch today and now my stomach is enormous and gassy and I haven't been able to eat anything else for the rest of the day.

I had a colonoscopy after I basically shit myself walking to work (I had to take a crap on the bowling green in the park in desperation) but it didn't show anything so who knows?

Do you take a really good quality probiotic? They are expensive to buy the best quality with over 10 billion count but it is the only thing that has helped my gut health. Worth a try if you have exhausted all avenues.

These are fantastic.

lindens.co.uk/products/digestive-enzymes-daily-tablets

I also take bisodol as and when I feel the need.

Me too. I have terrible noisy gurgling-and what I would describe as ‘inner farts’ which are horrendously embarrassing!!

Yep, I have the same. Today is dreadful.
Really painful acid in my stomach and back, pain on the left side at the bottom and top of my intestines.
Coffee really hurts me but if I have none I'm badly constipated.
Wine makes me so sore, as do carbs or anything heavy.
I get the looking pregnant thing too.
I have about 1 week a month where my stomach isn't distended.
Nothing seems to help either 😢

Yeah, it seems to get worse with age. I get the constant burping and acid ingestion, even with Lanzoprazole I take daily now and other stomach tablets through the day, which at least alleviates the symptoms. I often wake up in the night needing to take a stomach tablet.

I understand totally. It's pretty much constant for me.
What has helped is low dose of anri-depressant but even that's not foolproof. You have my sympathy.

@garlictwist I’m so sorry that happened to you but that did make me laugh out loud!! Was there no bush available? I am picturing your offering in the middle of the nice smooth lawn…

Sounds horrible, mines not great but never been diagnosed have been vegetarian for 42 years and get a lot of trapped wind and bloating but I am very regular
As I type my jeans feel a size too small whereas they were loose-ish this morning had a jacket potato and a salad for lunch plus some live yog this afternoon got in my car after work and did release some gas and now I feel gripes.
This happens every day but I’m not giving up fibre as hate being constipated
Nothing as bad as you are going through though

Yes I do.

Although this year I've been eating lower carb (no bread/pasta/rice/potatoes) my carbs come from veg.

Zero IBS attacks.

Yes me. Only go to the loo once/ twice a week. Bloating, heartburn and gas. I'm aware it's my own fault due to poor diet.

Worth looking into Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) as an underlying cause of IBS, particularly post-infectious IBS.

There antibiotic and herbal treatments for SIBO that work for a lot of people.

Oh and also IMO- Intestinal Methanogenic Overgrowth. Roughly speak SIBO underlies 70-% IBS-D cases and IMO u see lies a lot of IBS-C cases. It’s possible to have both, which likely presents as IBS-M.

It’s a rapidly emerging field which is starting to get some traction in the NHS. Good people to look up for info are Dr Mark Pimentel and Dr Alison Siebecker, both US based.

Oh God galictwist baked beans would send me to the gates of hell, I love them though and miss them so much. The morning urgency is the worse feeling as soon as you wake, I know it well.
SandysMam I will be honest I haven’t tried probiotics as I’m afraid they’ll give me worse diarrhoea but I really should try them as I know they do help some people.
Mariell thank you. I have tried digestive enzymes but willing to try another
Howshouldibehave inner farts is exactly how I describe them lol!
ofwarren Nothing seems to help, it’s so frustrating. Sorry you are having a bad day, it’s bloody horrible.
User135644 yep! It’s definitely getting worse with age 🙁
KEVINchistmas I did try a low dose antidepressants but it made me feel rough, can I ask which one you take?
Beaucoupfish I’ve taken to living in leggings so they can expand with me throughout the day, so stylish 🙄
NatashaRf my friend lost 5 stone on the Keto diet and says it cured her IBS. I must say I do struggle with giving up carbs, I would love to try.
Agadorsparticas have you tried Laxido? My sister and friend both have awful constipation but have had great relief and daily bm since taking this stuff.
KintsugiCat I am convinced I have SIBO but the gastroenterologist basically laughed at me and said it doesn’t exist! I have found an at home kit but not sure what to do if it comes back positive as I can’t afford to see a naturopath or private specialist. It’s so frustrating.

Get checked for bile acid malabsorption

Perimenopause was v bad for me. Hormones are dreadful. Better on transdermal hrt (patches)than tablets which triggered symptoms. Turmeric capsules made a real difference to me - anti inflammatory. Also the right amount of fibre as I can get very constipated. No milk, limited dairy. Careful with wheat and caffeine. Stress and dehydration, poor sleep all triggers.

Have you been tested for H. pylori in your stomach?
I recently had such savage heartburn I ended up on a ECG being monitored. I’m now booked in for an H. pylori test as the doctor recommended.

I’d really recommend Kefir. My IBS and gut health was greatly improved x

@CornishTiger

I’d really recommend Kefir. My IBS and gut health was greatly improved x

Yes and kamboucha, sauerkraut - all make a difference to me

Hey @Thewholeshackshimmy - I’m a gastric disaster zone currently, though my issues are stomach/duodenum….my small intestine is actually throwing stuff back up into my stomach - docs say nothing they can do😖….I seem unable to digest anything! I also have a sibo test sitting on the side here as I’ve read that can be one of the causes…also nervous if a positive as I’m not sure I can face some of the stuff they recommend to clear it - i’m already massively underweight and don’t want to lose anymore. It’s amazing the way drs dismiss gastric issues with no desire to help find the cause so you can heal. You have my sympathies 💐

snapple21 I will enquire about that, thanks.
Tickledtrout I think I will need to try hrt at some point. I will look into the turmeric thanks.
Phyllis321 they checked with the stomach biopsies and my gp did a blood test in June just to double check.
CornishTiger I have heard good things about kefir but always put off as I’ve not touched dairy for 16 years but I will look and see if I can find a dairy free one.

I have never been diagnosed but I suffer terribly. All the gurgling etc. I nearly doubled myself today and had to rush to the nearest toilet (Asda) as my office looks are out of action. I wouldn't mind but I haven't been able to go for days and then suddenly when there is no loo available I have to go NOW! I ate green peppers in a curry this weekend and I knew about it for 48 hours. Constant gurgling and bloating pains.

blinkingbatshit I totally feel your pain. It’s so frustrating when doctors just write it off as nothing when we suffer so much with it. Although I can tick off so many SIBO symptoms I really hope it’s not that as like you say the ‘cures’ for it seem hardcore and I too am quite underweight, I certainly don’t want to lose more with a regime which leaves me feeling even more rough than I do now!

You can get water kefir.

stupiduser I know that awful feeling well of being constipated for a while then all hell let’s loose, just blooming horrible when it’s strikes whilst you are out and about! Green peppers are not my friend either lol!