To take sick leave for IBS?

[TeaForTara]

Diagnosed with IBS just over 12 months ago. Since then it calmed down a lot, alternating periods of constipation and loose stools with some urgency but not a huge problem (I know, I'm lucky.) It flared up again on Friday when I had to keep dashing to the loo. Saturday was OK but then yesterday and today it's really bad.

I can work from home, which I did on Friday and am doing today. However, I'm feeling exhausted and rather wretched and every time I have to dash it breaks my concentration and I have to start again. AIBU to say I've worked this morning but I'm on sick leave this afternoon and take myself off to bed?

Salt water flush. Try it. Unfortunately doctors are woefully uninterested in the possibility of parasites (yes!! Most if us have themin the gut...). I did a salt water flush a few years ago before I knew any of this, and it was the turning point for me and a first step to better health. I had stumbled across the idea online while at the end of my tether with my symptoms but was if course skeptical at the time. After one "flush" I actually saw things I had no clue of existed (Intestinal flukes to be exact as well as other stuff - that started off more research!). Almost immediately afterwards I felt miles better. The saltiness of the water means it clears through the gut and doesn't get absorbed by the body. My IBS has pretty much gone. The constant tiredness, bloated/ flatulence after dairy, bad skin, all has cured itself through cleansing the gut (and to keep it healthier cutting out sugar and processed foods). Intestinal flukes, for instance, can suck the life and energy out of you. They aren't visible on scans. And they are not "worms" either. They live very comfortably in the intestines. And LOVE sugar, dairy and carbs. They'll start to cause moodiness and tiredness after a while. Doctors will not diagnose parasites... It's endemic though. Lots of pharmaceuticals profit from the anxiety and chronic symptoms these little buggers create, and the meaningless "IBS" label will just be re-iterated.

I’m currently in a bad phase of IBS
I have an endoscopy next week as I am suffering so badly with reflux and I also have IBS-D for years but they won’t do a colonoscopy
I can’t remember the last time I went to the toilet normally and GP doesn’t seem to care about it much either
I’m miserable 50% of the time!
Last night I had a glass of wine and paying for it dearly this morning

I had a full hysterectomy owing to fibroids and a large ovarian cyst.
My IBS has cleared up totally, despite the fact my GP and the consultant who did the operation said there was no connection between the two.

The other thing to watch is artificial sugars and fizzy drinks. I think these can exacerbate symptoms.

I have a lot of large fibroids! I can’t have a hysterectomy though due to the placement as it’s too high risk of huge blood loss during surgery the gynae won’t do it
I did wonder if the fibroids affect it?
I’ve had to stop drinking most fizzy drinks now too

I think ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis all contributed to my IBS,
pre-menopause. I’ve cut down on fructose (apple juice anything with corn syrup in it etc) which has helped.

Just a thought, is it also possibly linked to your hormones?
I swear mine is but I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago so I can't be precise.
Yanbu to be off when you're really bad though. It's literally shit.

I asked that question to a gynae who laughed at me

I’m guessing the gynae in question didn’t have ovaries himself menora

Lots of food for thought on here. Thank you all for taking the time to comment and relate your experiences.

I thought my gut health would be OK as I take kefir (I know it can cause some people problems but it seems to help me.) However, I do drink a lot of fizzy drinks with artificial sweeteners so maybe that negates it. Am trying to drink more water. When I was bad I just drank lots of water.

I take mebeverine and Imodium an hour before work and I'm sorted. You can take mebeverine as and when you need it. If you aren't that keen on medication.

You can buy peppermint oil tablets to help with spasms and cramps, £4 for a bottle of 60, 1 a day 200mg.
I have a presription for 3 a day 200mg, but the asda ones are available OTC, and you could try just one daily, or even 2 daily and get at least a month out of the bottle.

My DH has IBS and has successfully treated it with Alflorex. Quite pricy but you can get on 3 for 2 offer in Boots. Anytime he forgets to take it or runs out the symptoms return.