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Original poster

IBS and feeling so low. Can it get better?

44 replies

CanINapNow2 · 04/06/2026 15:10

I am feeling awful. Recently diagnosed with IBS. In the middle of a horrendous flare up. Diarrhoea every day, sometimes multiple. Certainly first thing every morning. Cramps and gas and feeling awful and so anxious. Some days I vomit. All whilst looking after DC2. I seem to be getting worse and worse and I am just despairing. Have had all the blood tests and stool tests to rule other things out. I had a Colonoscopy two weeks ago and it came back clear (including the biopsies). I’ve done two weeks gluten free and two weeks dairy free, no change. This has all been going on since October…I feel like my life is over.

Started last friday on a new plan: two sachets a day of Questran Lite (colestyramine), two probiotic tablets everyday, electrolytes everyday, have cut out onion, garlic, caffeine, fizzy drinks and artificial sweeteners. Generally just eating very plainly. Only drinking water and peppermint tea. Taking Buscopan a couple of times a day. I know these things can make you worse before you get better…has anyone found that?

I felt a bit better yesterday but feel awful today and it’s really got me down. It’s so bloody hard with a toddler and I just want to enjoy him!! Feel like life is just over for me now.

Can anyone offer any positivity/advice please???

I am paying to see the private Gastroenterologist who did my colonoscopy on Tuesday to ask for advice and I will ask about SIBO as think maybe I have that?

OP posts:
MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 15:35

Awwww I feel you with this post. I have had IBS for over 20 years and it really does control my life. I cant go out for a meal and things like that as im terrified it will kick it off and when I do I play it safe with a salad. No medication helps me and I feel like I have tried them all! If its not the diarrhea its being super constipated for days but still woth the cramps and pain.

I have completely cut out all dairy products, especially cheese as it will have me rolling around in agony. I also only drink water and have 1 cup of coffee in the morning. Very greasy and fatty food are also a no go.

I have had flare ups whilst being in work and I have been up and down to the loo with tummy aches so bad I could cry. It has also messed up metabolism something terrible.

The one thing I find that slightly helps is the water and a hot wheat bag. I have had to take anti diarrhea meds aswel if its super bad just to give me break.

I have had all the tests and 2 colonoscopy procedures and all came back clear. It is an awful syndrome to have to navigate especially with little ones. When mine were little it was terribly hard. I lost count of the times I had to hold my baby whist dashing to the loo, it was so desperate and it proper ruined my life for a time.

It will get easier for you to manage once you've become completely in tune woth what flares ut up bad and what doesnt. I hope it gets better for you! Xx

Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 04/06/2026 15:40

MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 15:35

Awwww I feel you with this post. I have had IBS for over 20 years and it really does control my life. I cant go out for a meal and things like that as im terrified it will kick it off and when I do I play it safe with a salad. No medication helps me and I feel like I have tried them all! If its not the diarrhea its being super constipated for days but still woth the cramps and pain.

I have completely cut out all dairy products, especially cheese as it will have me rolling around in agony. I also only drink water and have 1 cup of coffee in the morning. Very greasy and fatty food are also a no go.

I have had flare ups whilst being in work and I have been up and down to the loo with tummy aches so bad I could cry. It has also messed up metabolism something terrible.

The one thing I find that slightly helps is the water and a hot wheat bag. I have had to take anti diarrhea meds aswel if its super bad just to give me break.

I have had all the tests and 2 colonoscopy procedures and all came back clear. It is an awful syndrome to have to navigate especially with little ones. When mine were little it was terribly hard. I lost count of the times I had to hold my baby whist dashing to the loo, it was so desperate and it proper ruined my life for a time.

It will get easier for you to manage once you've become completely in tune woth what flares ut up bad and what doesnt. I hope it gets better for you! Xx

Thank you for sharing. How often do you have flare ups now? It’s just felt constant for months for me and I’m so low!

also have you ever tried anything like Symprove?

OP posts:
MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 15:45

I still have them very often, I had on about 1am this morning and it went on for about 2 hours. I have no idea what flared it up, sometimes it seems to be over nothing at all 😣 I at least have a flare up about twice a week and thats on a good week. Sometimes it can go on for over a week 🫩🫩 no i haven't tried that one, does it do any good for you?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
JestBecauseItsJuneJuneJune · 04/06/2026 15:58

I’ve had IBS for decades. What first helped me was going on an exclusion diet under hospital supervision (at their suggestion) and gradually reintroducing foods. I don’t know if they still recommend that. The kicker is that it can take several days for a reaction, so you’ve either got to have a long pause between eating new things, or go back a week or so to see what was new.

I am very careful what I eat and I try not to eat the same thing too often.

What’s also working for me now is the weight loss product Wegovy. Unfortunately it doesn’t reduce my appetite but it really helps my IBS symptoms. Other people report that, too.

MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 22:00

JestBecauseItsJuneJuneJune · 04/06/2026 15:58

I’ve had IBS for decades. What first helped me was going on an exclusion diet under hospital supervision (at their suggestion) and gradually reintroducing foods. I don’t know if they still recommend that. The kicker is that it can take several days for a reaction, so you’ve either got to have a long pause between eating new things, or go back a week or so to see what was new.

I am very careful what I eat and I try not to eat the same thing too often.

What’s also working for me now is the weight loss product Wegovy. Unfortunately it doesn’t reduce my appetite but it really helps my IBS symptoms. Other people report that, too.

Thats funny you say that about wegovy, I was only talking about this a couple of days ago with a friend who also has ibs and she said it does help. I might look into that aswel. I too am very careful what I eat and sometimes I can be fine with one thing and not the next time I eat it. Its very bizarre

JestBecauseItsJuneJuneJune · 04/06/2026 23:27

MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 22:00

Thats funny you say that about wegovy, I was only talking about this a couple of days ago with a friend who also has ibs and she said it does help. I might look into that aswel. I too am very careful what I eat and sometimes I can be fine with one thing and not the next time I eat it. Its very bizarre

Show quote history

At one stage I could eat eggs and I could eat tomatoes at separate meals, but had a reaction if I ate them together.

If you can eat something on one day and not on another, try noticing what else was in each meal.

GloiredeDijon · 04/06/2026 23:49

Mounjaro has had an enormous positive effect on my bowels.
Could you consider even a small dose?

DumpedByText · 05/06/2026 00:17

It's truly grim isn't it 🥺 I found amitriptyline really helped me. One an hour before bed really calmed everything down.

Maybe speak to your GP as it's a common medication for IBS.

Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 10:50

MyLilacBeaker · 04/06/2026 15:45

I still have them very often, I had on about 1am this morning and it went on for about 2 hours. I have no idea what flared it up, sometimes it seems to be over nothing at all 😣 I at least have a flare up about twice a week and thats on a good week. Sometimes it can go on for over a week 🫩🫩 no i haven't tried that one, does it do any good for you?

oh I’m so sorry! No I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard it’s good

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 10:51

JestBecauseItsJuneJuneJune · 04/06/2026 15:58

I’ve had IBS for decades. What first helped me was going on an exclusion diet under hospital supervision (at their suggestion) and gradually reintroducing foods. I don’t know if they still recommend that. The kicker is that it can take several days for a reaction, so you’ve either got to have a long pause between eating new things, or go back a week or so to see what was new.

I am very careful what I eat and I try not to eat the same thing too often.

What’s also working for me now is the weight loss product Wegovy. Unfortunately it doesn’t reduce my appetite but it really helps my IBS symptoms. Other people report that, too.

Yes I’m going to book to see a nutritionist I think to help me do the proper exclusion diet. It’ll be ages on the NHS apparently. That’s interesting about Wegovy!

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 10:53

GloiredeDijon · 04/06/2026 23:49

Mounjaro has had an enormous positive effect on my bowels.
Could you consider even a small dose?

I will definitely look into this! A year or so I was considering it for weight loss (not needed now as I’ve lost 1.5 stone from the IBS!) but was too worried it would upset my tummy as I’ve always had sensitive bowels. I will ask my doctor about it

OP posts:
UniquePinkSwan · 05/06/2026 10:53

I got rid of mine by eating no carbs. Gone straight away.

BIWI · 05/06/2026 10:54

Following a low carb diet was what helped me. I didn't start it for that reason, it was for weight loss, but it has been a massive benefit.

When the carbs creep back up again it can lead to another flare up.

Emotional stress is another big trigger for me.

I hope you manage to sort it out as I know how debilitating (and painful) it is.

Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 10:54

DumpedByText · 05/06/2026 00:17

It's truly grim isn't it 🥺 I found amitriptyline really helped me. One an hour before bed really calmed everything down.

Maybe speak to your GP as it's a common medication for IBS.

Thanks will do. I’m already on fluoxetine for anxiety but maybe it’s different? I will ask.

OP posts:
WeAreStillHere · 05/06/2026 10:54

Are you on any medication? Mine was caused by the birth control pill. :( (And I found out because I went to a nutritionist to do an exclusion diet / test like you are doing and she suggested that I stop the pill to see if that had an impact.)

Oddly, am on HRT now and I'm fine.

BIWI · 05/06/2026 10:55

@UniquePinkSwan no carbs?! Surely you must be eating some in the form of veg/salad and (some) fruit?

Sparrowsandbudgies · 05/06/2026 11:22

Have you had a morning cortisol blood test (between 8-9am) to check for Addisons / adrenal insufficiency? This won’t have been done as standard, it’s a specialist blood test your doctor needs to request. It’s an extremely rare condition- have a google- but the diarrhoea, particularly morning diarrhoea, and nausea etc are classic signs. I lost 2.5 stone over 18 months with chronic diarrhoea and everyone telling me it was Ibs until I was found to actually have Addisons disease via a cortisol blood test. Have a google of it all. It’s easy to eliminate if it isn’t that - a result of 300 or over excludes the condition, anything less and you need a referral to endocrinology.

CCSS15 · 05/06/2026 11:27

I was going to say mounjaro seems to have a positive impact on IBS issues - in addition too much serotonin causes diarrhoea so maybe look at yhe prozac - duloxetine slows digestion

Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 15:31

BIWI · 05/06/2026 10:54

Following a low carb diet was what helped me. I didn't start it for that reason, it was for weight loss, but it has been a massive benefit.

When the carbs creep back up again it can lead to another flare up.

Emotional stress is another big trigger for me.

I hope you manage to sort it out as I know how debilitating (and painful) it is.

Thank you. Definitely something to try.

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 15:32

WeAreStillHere · 05/06/2026 10:54

Are you on any medication? Mine was caused by the birth control pill. :( (And I found out because I went to a nutritionist to do an exclusion diet / test like you are doing and she suggested that I stop the pill to see if that had an impact.)

Oddly, am on HRT now and I'm fine.

Edited

Yes I’m on the pill! Have been for years. Will ask doctor about it thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 15:33

Sparrowsandbudgies · 05/06/2026 11:22

Have you had a morning cortisol blood test (between 8-9am) to check for Addisons / adrenal insufficiency? This won’t have been done as standard, it’s a specialist blood test your doctor needs to request. It’s an extremely rare condition- have a google- but the diarrhoea, particularly morning diarrhoea, and nausea etc are classic signs. I lost 2.5 stone over 18 months with chronic diarrhoea and everyone telling me it was Ibs until I was found to actually have Addisons disease via a cortisol blood test. Have a google of it all. It’s easy to eliminate if it isn’t that - a result of 300 or over excludes the condition, anything less and you need a referral to endocrinology.

Oh wow I will look this up thank you and ask for the test. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 15:37

CCSS15 · 05/06/2026 11:27

I was going to say mounjaro seems to have a positive impact on IBS issues - in addition too much serotonin causes diarrhoea so maybe look at yhe prozac - duloxetine slows digestion

Yes I’m definitely going to discuss both these things. Very interesting. I’ve been on fluoxetine since I was 16! The Dr did say if that was the problem it would show in my biopsies though but will still check.

OP posts:
Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 15:38

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it. I finally felt hungry so I’ve just had half a packet of rice with some butter and now I feel awful - I don’t know what is safe to eat anymore!!!

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 05/06/2026 15:40

I find that keeping to a strict routine can help. Eat the same things every day at the same time. Your body gets used to that in a month or two.

Avoid overeating. Dont eat late in the evening if you can help it.

Also two weeks isn’t really long enough to see if no milk no gluten will make a difference.

Hope things improve.

Original poster
CanINapNow2 · 05/06/2026 16:24

EvelynBeatrice · 05/06/2026 15:40

I find that keeping to a strict routine can help. Eat the same things every day at the same time. Your body gets used to that in a month or two.

Avoid overeating. Dont eat late in the evening if you can help it.

Also two weeks isn’t really long enough to see if no milk no gluten will make a difference.

Hope things improve.

Yes that’s what I feel like now. Every food is scary so may well just do the same everyday for a while.

the GP told me two weeks for each but will discuss with the specialist for sure

OP posts: