My IBS is terrible and I go on holiday tomorrow

[balloongoespop]

I have been suffering with my IBS since last weekend. After either lunch or dinner I get terrible pain (or sometimes not even that, just a feeling) and then I have to go to the toilet. I bought a probiotic supplement on Wednesday but no improvement yet. I will go armed with Imodium but what else could I do? Is it linked to anxiety? it is the only thing making me anxious!

Hi balloon. Have you thought about trying fasting as a way to help your IBS? I used to have terrible IBS that was the major factor in everything I did, kind of like you're describing. I saw a specialist and got some medicine which helped (colostyramine powder), but what has actually fixed it has been doing the 5:2 diet. My DH started 5:2 to lose weight, so I gave it a go for a while too and realised that my IBS was getting better and better.

I'm not doing it for weight loss now, but what I do is have two 24 hour fasts per week. So I eat dinner on Sunday, then fast until dinner on Monday and eat a vaguely 500 calorie dinner (though I'm not too strict about the calories). Eat normally for a couple of days, then do this again on Thursday. I can now eat and drink pretty much what I like on the other 5 days without triggering IBS, and am no longer a slave to knowing where the nearest loo is. It's been quite transformative for me, and several others on the 5:2 forum have also reported this side benefit. Might be worth a go?

If you can possibly avoid it, if you are flying don't eat on the plane. Flying always makes me suffer terribly if I eat in the air.

That's really interesting Navy, I'll look into that. I did 5:2 for about 6 weeks 2 years ago but not strictly so I'll perhaps try your approach.
Eurochick - I am home now but try not to eat when travelling.

I've never been so bad with my digestion. I'm thinking food allergy or a part of my gut is so inflamed that it can't cope with food. I am really hoping for a sympathic approach from a doctor and some answers although it won't be instant. At this rate I'll be going back to work and having to fast all day. (teacher - can't run out the room when I need to! )

Colpermin (peppermint oil tabs), have been an absolute lifesaver for me. I take them wherever I go.

pleased with how appointment went - got mebeverine, booked in for a blood test and talk of a camera investigation. My weight loss concerned the GP together with the sudden increase in problems. Fingers crossed for next steps.

Interesting what people have said about immodium, last year I was taking it a lot 'just in case' but my anxiety (which is entirely linked around toilets and not making it to the loo in time) just got worse. On one occasion i had to go on the motorway to visit a friend, had taken immodium as my stomach had been awful all morning but then had a huge panic attack when driving. I personally felt the immodium made things worse.

I will only take it as a last resort now. My IBS is actually much better but the anxiety is still about unfortunately!

I find a low wheat diet helps and low caffeine.

Glad your GP was helpful op hope you feel better really soon.

do not take immodium it causes a plug and then eventually erupts in a massive explosion which can happen at any time, take diarolite if you really need to take something!!
eat plenty of carbs, especially pasta and rice, spaghetti bolognese always helps me out!

Never had a massive explosion! it slows down the digestive tract and things go back to normal. (this is for IBS, not diarrhoea due to a bug or food poisoning, in which case you have to get it all out your system) I appreciate that overuse is not good though.

Thanks btw girlefriend for your wishes.