Long term diarrhoea and upset stomach

[2014newme]

Anyone else got this? It's really getting me down. It was my birthday yesterday took 4 immodium over the course of the morning so me and dh could go out. Got halfway there had to stop at a supermarket for me to use the loo. Took another immodium turned round and went home as could not risk day out. Did manage to go out to theatre in evening. So fed up of yet again changing plans, organising everything around bloody toilet access. Was very weepy yesterday going back to Dr today to get consultant referral. Have got private medical insurance. Been going on for months I take about 20 immodium per week.
All tests negative so far
Anyone else fed up with their innards? 🙄

Think am menopausal as well started another thread about that

Have you had a colonoscopy or has it been mentioned?

Is that the camera? Dr did say that would be next step. Have you had one? How painful was it and did they find anything?

I know this sounds grim but have you had a good look at what you're losing?

I had this for a few months and finally went to the doctor when I realised there was blood mixed in with it. I'd been having slimy, mucusy stools for weeks and thought little of that.

Both are symptoms of colitis though and I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (don't Google at this stage - colitis sufferers seem to be very active posters of their horror stories online but maybe look at the NHS website for info).

My colitis is now firmly under control (though you do tend to have recurrences once you've got it).

Anyway, this is just one of the things it could be.

Much sympathy coming in your direction. I know how awful it is. I had nearly a year of dashing to the bathroom 20+ times a day and I understand how limiting it is. Eventually I got to the point where I just started carrying around a spare pair of knickers and leggings and a pack of baby wipes so that if I had an accident I could change. Oddly, although I always felt like I was in imminent danger of an accident it only actually happened twice (and was not actually that big a deal - when you're going to the loo that often, there doesn't tend to be much there each time).

Could it be IBS? You say you remember it starting months ago, had you ever had it before? Or did it come on after some sort of gastric upset? Does stress make it worse?

It is a miserable problem but there are a few things you can do.

Worth considering because the common fixes will not do you any harm if the problem turns out to be something else.

So try:

Small meals (about the size of a chinese rice bowl) with about 2-3 hours in between. Eating a big meal always upsets my stomach. If that is still a problem reduce the portions again. You are basically trying to make life easy for your stomach and gut. If you can bear it, sometimes a fast day, just drinking water or peppermint tea, gives your gut the break it needs.

If you're going out then until you have it under control I'd suggest don't eat for 3 or 4 hours beforehand. Our bodies are pretty simple - food in means poo out!

Diet change: (1) no or less wheat (I can eat some but more than one portion in a day is definitely a problem), (2) no dairy (3) no sugar (again I can eat some but too much is a guaranteed issue). Obviously try them one after the other and give each about a week. You'll see the difference fairly quickly if any of those are triggers. Ideally keep a symptoms diary - probably a good idea anyway while you are awaiting your referral.

Go to the health shop and get one of the multiple strains of bacteria supplements, ideally those either marketed specifically for IBS or aimed at people travelling to third world countries. Expect to pay about £20. Take this for at least three months. This made a huge difference for my daughter.

Peppermint oil capsules (e.g. Colpermin). Very good at easing cramps and nausea.

Try buscopan as well as imodium. Buscopan is an antispasmodic so it stops your gut cramping. Some people find this alone is enough.

Finally experiment with fibre. Some people are helped by adding more to their diet, some, including me, are worse with additional fibre. You can buy fibre supplements in health shops too.

If it is diagnosed as IBS (i.e. no known cause) then it is very manageable with the measures above, you just have to work through to what works for you.

Thanks both. I get no cramps and there is no blood or mucus. Because there is no cramps Dr doesn't think is ibs. I take about 20 immodium per week. I don't go out without taking it but even then it's not always effective.

It's the anxiety and stress that is getting me, not being able to go where there aren't toilets and constantly worrying. Feel a bit housebound.

Those are great tips will try them. I did cut out bread onions garlic.

I suffered with this for ages. Docs always said it was IBS and prescribed anti spasmodically which just made me feel worse. Eventually I paid for a food intolerance test which showed up wheat. Cutting it out changed my life and it made me realise that I had wheat with every meal. Four years on I've reintroduced it and so far I've had no symptoms.

Good advice/things to try. Yes, colonoscopy is the camera. It's not pleasant but worth it for piece of mind.

The anxiety and stress will be making it worse so you are in a vicious circle . Hope you get sorted soon

*peace of mind

Thanks all
I have been tested for gluten intolerance that was negative I will ask for a wheat test

Have you had a stool sample tested for infection?