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Original poster

IBS driving me crackers today - hints, tips and sympathy required please

46 replies

CheesyFeet · 19/06/2006 12:02

I'm a regular lurker who used to post under another name but due to problems with my employer I have changed my name.

Would love to hear from anyone who suffers from IBS. I've really been struggling with it today. I'm in a very stressful situation at work atm (basically waiting to hear whether or not I've been sacked ) and it seems to be badly affecting my nether regions.

OP posts:

sweetmonkey · 19/06/2006 12:08

hi there i suffered for years with IBS. finally got put on colofac as they discovered that when i got stressed my gut just stopped pushing the food through so was v congested [puke emotion]

ive found green tea helps me too

Original poster

CheesyFeet · 19/06/2006 14:21

Thanks Sweetmonkey, I will try the green tea. Peppermint tea helps me sometimes but not today it would seem.

Anyone else? I'd really appreciate any tips for managing the condition.

OP posts:

MerlinsBeard · 19/06/2006 14:24

DP suggests peppermint tea, and extra string mints also not too much fibre

MerlinsBeard · 19/06/2006 14:24

strong mints

Medulla · 19/06/2006 14:25

I had IBS all through my 20's and I was amazed to find out that it was the contraceptive pill that was causing it. I can't believe I didn't work it out before - although why should I as I had no reason to stop taking it until I wanted to try for a baby!! I really empathise with you sufferers though, it's awful.

sweetmonkey · 19/06/2006 14:25

there are quite a few over the counter treatments now so it might be worth visiting the chemist and they can give you the relevant tablets/liquid to help you

Littlefish · 19/06/2006 14:36

Hi Cheesy feet - you have my sympathy. I've suffered ever since I had my dd (18 months ago). I ended up in hospital twice because the pain was so bad, they thought I had kidney stones.

I now take Aloe Vera Gel every day, mixed with apple juice and I am almost symptom free. It took about 3 weeks of taking it twice a day until the pain, wind and cramps stopped. The only time it flares up is if I eat curry.

I'll try and do a link for you. The Aloe Vera I take is by Forever Living Products.

Littlefish · 19/06/2006 14:38

\link{http://www.yourfuture-reg.com/2/products.aspx?p=11348&c=1\This is the stuff I take}

Original poster

CheesyFeet · 19/06/2006 14:50

Thanks everyone!

MOM that's interesting about the fibre, I always thought that fibre would help, keeps you regular iyswim, I eat loads of whole grain stuff & fresh fruit/veg so maybe the fibre is a trigger.

Littlefish, the Aloe Vera gel looks good but doesn't it work out quite expensive?

OP posts:

Littlefish · 19/06/2006 14:55

Yes, it is expensive - I think I get through a couple of bottles a month (£18 per bottle), but the alternative is to be in pain every day. I would rather go without something else (alcohol? chocolate? Takeaways which upset my stomach anyway!?) than do without the aloe vera.

Beetroot · 19/06/2006 14:56

what are the symptoms of ibs?

essbee · 19/06/2006 15:13

Either regular constipation to the point of not going for days and days or the other extreme with really painful cramps. It's often associated with your menstrual cycle. (I was diagnosed with this at around aged 20)

Beetroot · 19/06/2006 15:18

during my menstrual cycle or the lead up to it I get terrible pains that are related to my bowels. I faint every few months on the loo. Then am constipated and get pains...is this sounding like it might be ibs??

essbee · 19/06/2006 15:22

Well that's pretty much how it affects me so I would say so. Have you always had this tho is is it a new thing? I don't know that I would (but then i'm scared of gps! ) but i know you're meant to get any new symptoms checked out. When I get an attack it's literally like food poisoning but it's short lived unlike fp, it does make me feel faint too.

Beetroot · 19/06/2006 15:24

i have made an appointment with my doctor. I have had this for 8 years? sometimes it just goes away for moths and then it gets bad again like at the moment. I have fainted maybe 4 or 5 times and often felt close to it.

essbee · 19/06/2006 15:29

Well it can be stress and diet related, is there something you've changed about 8 yrs ago?? or a particular incidence? I know mine is worse if I get really stressed (and I also suspect is why I get a bad tummy after I drink, thinking about it). I've heard aloe vera is good to help with the cramps etc. For me I just go with it but I guess it depends how much it affects you. Argh! late for school. Good luck at gps!

motherinferior · 19/06/2006 15:32

I've had IBS for, oh god, about 30 years. I find it's very diet related and that too much fibre isn't good. Or soya at all. Or oats (don't ask me why - I can eat any amount of wheat). I bloat repulsively too...

Try peppermint tea, and also a food/symptom diary when you're a bit less under pressure. I do feel for you.

janinlondon · 19/06/2006 16:01

Beetroot is this only at times you can relate to your period?

Original poster

CheesyFeet · 19/06/2006 16:02

lol Littlefish that's a very good point about the cost of the aloe vera! will look into it. I am very guilty of eating stuff that I know is bad but tbh I have a bit of a problem with food anyway, in that I eat far too much, which I KNOW doesn't help.

On the whole my symptoms aren't too bad and I can manage them without pain relief but today for some reason it's causing me real aggro.

Will try keeping a food & symptom diary for a few weeks and see whether there is anything other than stress that triggers it. I don't think it's connected to my menstrual cycle but keeping a diary would confirm that.

Thanks very much for all your posts and it's nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem!

Just be glad you're not going in the loo after me atm

OP posts:

janinlondon · 19/06/2006 16:51

Beetroot have you eliminated endometriosis? It would fit your symptoms.

sallystrawberry · 19/06/2006 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Beetroot · 19/06/2006 23:28

jan, i have not really gone into any of it. I am going to the doc on wednesday to see about it. It does seem a rather violent reaction though and does feel like it relates to my bowels

muma3 · 19/06/2006 23:31

i suffer with IBS really bad . it does come and go but when it comes it comes . the best thing that i was giving was peppermint oil in capsules. they really did settle things down . no cramps not unpredictable bowels and best of all it took swelling of tummy right down too . also they make your breath smell lovely but you can smell or taste them yourself HTH

i have all the sympathy for you hun >

marthamoo · 19/06/2006 23:38

It's the pits, isn't it? No advice but this seems to be a kind of confessional thread so I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring (ouch!) too. I've had IBS for about 16/17 years now. I didn't have it when pregnant - that's the only time (but I've had long periods of not being on the pill, so it isn't that for me).
I tried meberevine for a while which helped a bit - but actually made me poo more often (sorry if TMI) but not in such a painful and unpredictable way as the IBS. I know I have certain triggers - raw onions and garlic for example. But I can have them sometimes and... nothing. And often I have a bout for no fathomable reason at all.

It has got to the stage where it affects my quality of life - I often get it if I go out for a meal - last meal out I had I had to make my excuses and literally run down the street for home (and I'd taken Imodium as soon as I knew it was 'brewing')

And - sally will empathise with this - the thought of a bout of IBS when camping...

So I will follow this thread with interest.

essbee · 19/06/2006 23:39

Marthamoo, I get that if I eats loads out. It's awful isn't it?

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