IBS is making my life hell

[IBSHelpMe]

IBS Is really ruining my daily life. I don’t know how to make it better any tips grateful . Always had a slightly dodgy stomach but since August last year it’s been daily.

I have been well looked after by the NHS but so far no cause has been found, we have a history of Crohns in my family.

So far I have had
A colonoscopy
Endoscopy
MRI small bowel
Pelvic scan
Bloods which showed slightly raise calprotectin

I am due to have a SEHCAT scan but once that is done and ok then I will be given an IBS diagnosis.

Which scares me in itself because there is no treatment. I have so far tried probiotics, buscopan, liquid diet, cutting out food groups and nothing helps.
I am overweight and sitting at a desk daily makes it worse I think.
I don’t suffer from diarrhoea more constipation, I have a lot of wind from when I get up to go to bed, I have constant pain in lower bowel and its sore after going.

Its ok at night when in bed, I do drink coffee but that has never made a difference. If I eat its bad, if I don’t eat its bad. Could IBS really cause symptoms on an empty stomach ?

Any advice would be great I can’t see this going away

And wanted to ask is anyone's IBS pain almost unbearable

So yesterday I was in severe pain all day, today urgency to go and diarrhoea. Still in pain could this really be IBS?

Hi OP, sorry to hear how bad it is for you. My only thoughts reading it are: have you been checked for coeliac disease? And are you under a lot of stress? From my experience, my ibs triggers are dairy, gluten and stress.

Hope you get some answers and feel better.

No, never severe pain. Bad stomach cramps but not severe. Keep pressing gp, I wouldn't take ibs diagnosis.

@Pantheon thank you for replying.

I have had a blood test for cealic which was negative and they checked during endoscopy both negative.

I actually had eaten bread Thursday night and then this has started really bad Friday.

Friday pain was almost unbearable, I could almost not manage at all. But I know if I went to docs or a and e they wouldn't give me anything.

Saturday I felt like I have been punched in the lower bowels 50 times. Urgency to go awful smelling, loose bowels.

Eased today and seems fine.

Very random. I really don't know what to do next. They have given me some very indepth tests I really don't know what they could do next. Nothing has shown up. I worry about bowel cancer but surely these tests would have found that.

I emailed my consultants secretary to pass on how painful things are and if they is anything prescribed I could take.

I wondered if others people IBS is this bed.

Bad

My ibs gets so painful op I have to take codine for the pain.
I’ve done Fodmap etc... one of the beat things I have found to help is intermittent fasting. Basically not eating breakfast and no eating late night. It helps my stomach and gut function by giving them time to rest. Lots of research on gut health and ibs, I’m trying to get my head around how to have a healthy gut.

Sorry should say, since if been IM fasting I’ve only had a flare up when I’ve ate a really bad trigger food, but also taking a digestive enzyme to help in my digestion. Been able to eat previous trigger foods with them.

Isn't raised calprotectin more of an indication of IBD??. DD1 was diagnosed with IBD but only after the pill camera found spots of inflammation in the areas a colonoscopy and endoscopy couldn't reach. Steroids helped short term but were masking the fact that the IBD was still there. Fingers crossed she is having a good few months and the difference has been a probiotic, sodium butyrate. Good luck but you do need to keep pushing the issue. See if your NHS offers the pill camera.

@Goldenbunnywithnocarrot.thanks for the advice this is something I am currently reading about. Previous to this did you have regular pain?

The whole thing is really getting me down. I really don't want to eat at all. I have been OK all day today and not pain left sided

@Kindlethefourth I am glad your daughter is doing well.

I have had an MRI of the small intestine and this showed nothing I will ask about the camera pill though.
I am having a SEHCAT scan next week to check for bile problems.

My dad has crohn's and his flare up aren't like this.

Thanks for your advice

Antidepressants have helped me as has cutting out gluten.
I still get occasional swelling but no more pain or diarrhoea.

I hope you find something that works for you. It’s miserable!

@Yogawoogie thank you it is miserable hard to see a life free of pain but hopefully I can find something that works

I've got Ibs and when I have attack it's like early contractions absolutely hurrendous,

I have found stress is the worst culprit, I've tried different foods and whatnot of one day they affect the next they don't.

I have found drinking a lot of water helps and have you tried wind ease? As soon as you feel any little bubbles they can help to.

Sorry Op not much help but I feel your pain

@MrsCl19 I can't believe there is such pain in the body and its not seen anywhere and it's just a IBS so my doctor says. Obviously they haven't experienced it.

I have tried wind ease if does help a little.

I think I could couple if it was every so often but it's been like this everyday since August.

I never feel stressed but I guess I could be. My dad died suddenly six weeks ago and I have a stressful job but I don't feel stressed.

I just keep worrying its something sinister

@IBSHelpMe I'm always subconsciously stressed, maybe you need to look into a hobby that would de stress you even if it's just walking

@MrsCl19 Your maybe right. I do find walking eases the pain

Sitting at a desk makes it worse

I have had an MRI of the small intestine and this showed nothing I will ask about the camera pill though.

She had an MRI too which showed nothing. Thanks for your good wishes. Good luck.

Things that help/have helped me:

• Going gluten free (massive improvement)
• Cutting down lactose
• Cutting down alcohol
• Avoiding tomato skins, apple skins and sweetcorn
• Avoiding anything high fibre really
• Not eating (gluten free) bread with seeds in
• Amitryptyline
• A kick ass probiotic
• Judicious use of loperamide

Have you followed the low Fodmap diet for any length of time to see if it helps? It is strict but it can really be a life saver.

@Silvercatowner great tips thank you!!

I haven't been offered any prescription drugs as yet been told there's nothing for IBS but will ask again.

Gluten free does help but need to stick to it.

Vegetables in general are making it worse if eaten in abundance ie veg soup

Probiotics make me worse but maybe I need to ride them through a bit longer

@ZoeandChandon I have tried but it's very difficult.I am under a dietician but she said its a last stop solution

Sounds like you have Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). If you look it up, the symptoms very similar to celiac but there's no test for it – you have to do an elimination diet and go strictly gluten free. From what I've read since being diagnosed (after doing the elimination process) it's often mistaken as IBS.

Does anyone find pain one sided? Mines at time left sided. More constipation than diarrhoea

My husband has IBS, we find that onions and garlic are particularly bad and have cut them completely. Gluten, lactose and fructose are problematic it taken more than quite small amounts. Stress is also a trigger. I have friends who've found kefir to be helpful.