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Original poster

How do I get my IBS back on track? :-(

49 replies

Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 14:19

I have had ibs-d for 12 years+. I was managing ok with it.

In the last few months I have been suffering from constipation, I'm not going fully and then I get a properly bad attack and end up camped out in the bathroom with stomach cramps and diarrhea. (Which is where I am now) :(

Help!

How can I get it back on track again?

As an aside I'm seeing the dr for blood tests as I have been having menopausal symptoms (I'm 32!) for the last few months so the two may be linked? Confused

Anyhow, help! Blush

OP posts:
Wednesbury · 07/12/2013 14:35

Hi. I am in the exact same position inc funny menstrual symptoms and the same sudden switch from ibs d to c. I'm 36. I am being tested for Coeliac's disease to rule that out. Then my doctor has recommended (assuming it isn't Coeliac's) that I begin trying cutting out the most common culprits in the order: wheat, caffeine, alcohol. He also mentioned trying the FODMAP diet which has had reported success. There's a page called beat the bloat on the nhs website all about it.
It's horrible isn't it? Hope you're better soon.

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 15:08

Thanks Wednesbury. :)

Feeling awful. Buscopan has done nothing to help- still having horrible cramps and been off/ on loo for last hour. Thank goodness I have family here who can entertain the dc today!

I don't drink alcohol and avoid caffeine as it's a trigger.

I had ham, egg and chips for lunch and almost as soon as I'd finished that I had to stay in the bathroom. Wouldn't have been so bad but we were out for a meal at the time! Blush :(

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 07/12/2013 15:12

I feel your pain. In my case it was stress that was the main culprit. I have also found switching to lactofree milk has been a massive help.

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 16:14

TMI now.... I'm still going to the loo but I'm only passing tiny amounts of very liquid stuff. It looks like there is some blood in it. Not a lot, but enough to see pink when I wipe. I'm guessing it's because my insides are all 'stressed'. Confused

OP posts:
UriGeller · 07/12/2013 16:24

Ah, no such thing as TMI Sudden! I'm in the grip (literally!) of a week long IBS attack. I seem to have lost my intestines completely, whatever I ingest appears within a few minutes out the other end after giving my whole middle an excruciating Chinese burn. I haven't eaten for 5 days other than tiny bits as everything gripes.

I know mine is caused mainly by lactose and gluten intolerance and I can't handle much fat at all. I'm trying to walk around because that eases the gut aches.

I'm feeling your pain Sad. How long do your attacks usually last?

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 16:35

I had an attack earlier this week - I was loo ridden for a few hours and sore for 48.

I'm starting to feel a little more human, but very sore and delicate and tired now.

Roll on bedtime! :)

OP posts:
UriGeller · 07/12/2013 17:04

Oh good to hear you're mending.

Yep roll on bedtime, I'll be dreaming about eating steak in a creamy sauce [gein]

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 17:30

Uri - what do you eat after an attack? I'm starting to think I ought to eat something but have no idea what is a safe bet! Confused

OP posts:
choclab · 07/12/2013 18:18

anyone get side pain under ribs with ibs ...along with wind and bubbly noises ..popping ...

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 18:33

None of that choco. Mine is all sudden painful bloating and then I need the toilet ASAP!
I went out in jeans that were skinny but comfortable this morning. During my attack I couldn't even zip them up! Shock thank goodness I had a long top on! Blush

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choclab · 07/12/2013 18:51

ok thanks ...i get the bloating and toilet rush when I'm very stressed..

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2013 18:53

I used to suffer with IBS. I started taking Multibionta vitamins and it really helped.

BetsyJingleBells · 07/12/2013 19:05

Come and check out the 5:2 fasting threads - there's been lots of anecdotal evidence of IBS becoming a thing of the past with a couple of (very) small eating days per week.

ineedanexcuse · 07/12/2013 19:06

choclab I have the under rib pain but usually this is a stand alone. No urgency or griping.

Today though I am in the grip of an attack and that came on quite suddenly. I had jacket potato and salad yesterday which is a normal evening meal for me but I also had a mince pie later. I suspect the mince pie did it Hmm

1966gettingold · 07/12/2013 19:08

I have had Ibs for thirty years and I have been sympton free for six months. I have completely overhauled my diet, all chocolate , biscuits, cake, crisps processed foods all gone. I have always eaten healthy but none of these foods have touched my lips for six months. I also have porridge for breakfast with flaxseed added and I have gluten free/ wheat free bread which has made a huge difference. I also walk about five miles aday as IBS needs exercise, I miss the yummy foods however my IBS is the best it has been for years. Also I drink lots of water.

choclab · 07/12/2013 19:08

yea mine left hand side ineedan just below ribs ...sometimes a dull ache other like a cramp , stitch ....

ineedanexcuse · 07/12/2013 19:11

Oh betsy (sorry)

I did 5.2 for short time this year and yes I recall that I felt fantastic while I kept it up. No reflux or abdominal pain and very quick reduction in bloating.

But I fell off the wagon and never got back on because I am a twat was very busy.

heidihole · 07/12/2013 19:18

Do you know for certain that this is ibs and not colitis or crohns? Doctors told me for ages it was "just" ibs.

Eventually got so bad, and blood in poo, that they referred me for a colonoscopy. Diagnosed colitis - medication etc and then in remission.

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 19:56

I've been to see several drs about it over the years. I've had blood tests for celiac - which all came back negative.

What are the symptoms of colitis, compared to ibs?

I really don't want to give up everything :(

OP posts:
gobbin · 07/12/2013 20:18

Symptoms of Crohns or Colitis are things like pain in your middle (gripy or sharp), frequent bowel movements, explosive bowel movements, mucus and or blood in poo, dark poo or pale poo, nausea, joint pains in large joints (shoulders, hips, knees), frequent mouth ulcers (Crohns). There are many others, but these are some of the main ones.

Blood tests and scans are the only ways to definitely confirm (or exclude) Crohns or Colitis.

My doc suspected IBS until the tests confirmed I had Crohns.

ineedanexcuse · 07/12/2013 20:25

Does anyone have any tips about what to eat and drink during an attack?

I had some toast with scrambled egg earlier as usually I have one or two bouts of diarrhoea and then a little pain during the day which eases off in a few hours. Today has been constant low level pain with lots of trips to the loo. Im at a loss as its different this time.

This is the worst/longest lasting attack Ive had and I am nervous about what to drink. I only ever have decaffeinated tea or coffee but I do use full fat cows milk. I am thirsty but the last drink I had 4 hours ago has resulted in several trips to the loo so far. Water on its own tends to give me reflux . Could I drink Coke (as per stomach upset) or would that have dire consequences?

heidihole · 07/12/2013 20:26

I have colitis and my symptoms were

Tired more often
Frequent urgent diarreah
Blood in poo
Sore tummy/cramps
Eating any food at all an it going right thru me.

I haven't had any joint pain or mouth ulcers those are more associated with crohns. No one food seems to be worse than another and I've never had to eleminate any food from my diet.

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 07/12/2013 20:43

ineed - I've had some ham and a very small bowl of Special K with a teeny bit of semi skimmed milk on. I'm also on my 5th large mug of peppermint tea. Hmm
Not sure if either food was a good idea, but I haven't had to race to the loo for a few hours so thought I better eat something.

OP posts:
UriGeller · 08/12/2013 15:04

Sipping peppermint tea is the only thing i can tolerate without getting vicious cramps. I thought I'd got over the worst but today has been bad. Its over a week now. I have a constant ache in my back and my whole gut area feels so fragile I can't even stand up straight. I'm dreaming about cheesy topped tuna pasta bake!

Original poster
Suddengeekgirl · 08/12/2013 15:24

Oh uri that sounds awful! :(

I'm feeling lots better today. Still very sore and quite bloated but managing to go to the loo normally and am eating normally - although small portions.

Have you tried colpermin (peppermint capsules) or buscopan?

I think I drank about 3.5 pints of peppermint tea yesterday evening! Confused

OP posts: