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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be terrified of this pain?

32 replies

thatsshallot · 29/07/2015 16:05

Have ibs have been v constipated so am a n 4sachets movicol and did first clear out today.

Past couple of hours v v bad ibs cramps with unbearable stabbing/twisting pain above left hip going through to back. No position relieves it, stretching straight makes it even worse.

Am on 1.5 hour London commute to get dcs from holiday club but genuinely don't know how will manage.

Any suggestions gratefully received, will be at a Boits at station in about 10 mins (have taken colofac to no effect) so could buy meds

OP posts:
Bailey101 · 29/07/2015 16:21

All I can suggest is something like Buscopan - the pharmacist would be able to tell you the strongest anti-spasmodic you could get over the counter.

You could also try lying on your back with your knees drawn up towards your chest, although this won't help while you're on the train.

I hope you're feeling better soon Flowers

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/07/2015 16:24

I know it sounds like a pea shooter against a bull but peppermint tea was the only thing that ever consistently worked on me. The only other thing I tried was some Chinese medicine I go in Thailand that worked wonders but I have no idea what was in it.

MiddleAgedandConfused · 29/07/2015 16:42

Buscopan works for me.

bigbumtheory · 29/07/2015 20:19

Buscopan OP, twists as well if you can do it. I'm sorry OP, it's a horrible thing having IBS and being constipated.

Getthewonderwebout · 29/07/2015 20:23

Mint tea, a warm bath and if not too much pain, squatting.

One of my parents suffers dreadfully with constipation and swears by a large orange with breakfast every morning. Also while seeds are good from a diet point of view, try to avoid. If your bowel is delicate, they can get stuck on the little nodules on the bowel and cause damage.

Getthewonderwebout · 29/07/2015 20:24

And I wish you well. Constipation is shit.

sleepsoftly · 29/07/2015 20:28

Holland & Barratt do two teas for this. Go to the counter and ask for the teas that make you shit.

Both work. One is more gentle but still works within an hour or two at most.

The other is....well, dynamic. It tastes horrible, but OMG works incredibly well, you just need to be at home for 24 hours when you take it. You really wont want to go anywhere, you will feel 14lbs lighter afterwards. Don't exceed the dose on that one. Really don't.

sleepsoftly · 29/07/2015 20:31

This is the first one;
www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/ideal-health-slimatee-with-green-tea-60033541

This is the second one;
www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/ideal-health-laksetee-60089982

Guarantee the second one will work.

DarthVadersTailor · 29/07/2015 20:32

The suggestions above are all good ones, on top of that drink PLENTY of fluids too. That should help to soften your stools.

DoJo · 29/07/2015 21:25

No advice to add to those above, just lots of Flowers for you because it sounds awful!

ohtheholidays · 29/07/2015 21:38

I take buscopan every day,I've had IBS since I was 2 years old,I feel your pain it's bloody horrendous.

I also have Ulcerative Colitis now as well.A couple of natural things that I've found that really helps is Liqurice,just the normal black kind that you can get in the supermarket down the sweet ailse.

Another thing that really helps and always works for me is controlled breathing,like they teach you to do when your in labor.I know it sounds nuts but honestly it really helps and works within minutes.Our youngest DD7 has awful problems with her stomach and bowels bless her and I've taught her how to do the breathing and it works every time for her as well.

Szeli · 29/07/2015 22:51

buscopan won't do anything if colofac isn't I wouldn't imagine.

my next step after colofac/mebeverine is ducolax but i assume you moviol covers that

for the pain (and constipation) lots of cold water, it helps me with the sweating, overheating, nausea and pain

LovelySpread · 30/07/2015 00:15

Ibuprofen helps me. Cold water on face and wrists, breathing hard (panting). God, it's horrible, I feel for you.

OneMillionScovilles · 30/07/2015 00:54

I second Buscopan and nothing else as I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that colofax/mebeverine will constipate you. I'm astonished no one's mentioned my gut-pain go-to of hot water bottle though... I find I have the best results treating my IBS consti-bloating like bad period pain (minus the codeine!) - walk about if you can; if not, lie down if you can!; a bit of tummy massage, hot water bottle, etc. I steer clear of my beloved coffee due to the fun of IBS but have found it a useful last resort if I'm bunged up - is that something that might work for you?

Szeli · 30/07/2015 06:09

Personally buscopan was never strong enough for me that's why I was moved onto mebeverine - it works both ways, stops the cramps and squits days or gets things moving on sore and constipated days.

Hope the trip wasn't too uncomfortable Thanks

OneMillionScovilles · 30/07/2015 07:08

Ooh Szeli that's really interesting - I've been given mebeverine for squits (great word) as well as buscopan for cramps/spasms. I thought mebeverine was kinda IBS-tailored Immodium? Gah I'm usually not this clueless on my own brokenness!

Original poster
thatsshallot · 30/07/2015 07:35

Wow, thanks all. I made it albeit having to grab onto furniture and do labour breathing. I can't take ibuprofen sadly and I take codeine regularly which I know is bunging.

The movicol is kicking in but I still feel blocked, could it be irritation or just blockage? I am so trying not to see GP as can't take time off work :( I am v stressed at the mo though so guessing it's that and the apples I ate recently.

Rotten so many others get this too though

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 30/07/2015 07:38

Perhaps not much help now, but my IBS got significantly better when I realised I couldn't tolerate the skins of various fruits and veg. Particularly apple and tomato - they just go through me and I used to get appalling cramps before I started peeling them.

Bythedowns2 · 30/07/2015 07:41

Second moveribine (sp) after thorough investigations confirmed ibs its the only thing that touches my pain not buscopAn, boots own brand ibs tablets are the cheapest way of getting it

Longtalljosie · 30/07/2015 07:44

I second the hot water bottle. On another similar thread I remember a poster advising to visualise lotus flowers opening - which sounds a bit out there but I do it on the (these days, thankfully) rare occasions I'm in this position and it does seem to help...

Mrsjayy · 30/07/2015 07:52

Heat pack over your stomach you get sticky ones but you cant put it on bare skin so i wear a vest top buscopan or feminax for the cramp i know feminax is for period cramps but it works well when i have bowel spasms the pain isexcrutiating isnt it

Mrsjayy · 30/07/2015 07:53

Oh and i drink boiled water its great for trapped wind which movicol gives me

Moopsboopsmum · 30/07/2015 07:59

If you are on Movicol you need to drink an awful lot of water. It only works properly if you have lots and lots of fluids. Sorry you are in pain Flowers

Mrsjayy · 30/07/2015 08:04

Yeah it does you really need to drink loads for it to work through because it takes moisture from your bowel so you need to replace it.

ohtheholidays · 30/07/2015 08:44

Something else I've tried before was Nurse Harveys Gripe water,doesn't taste great I'm afraid but it really did help.Camomile tea has helped me in the past as well.