IBS

[dogmumma]

I'm in my late 20's and suffer quiet badly with IBS, I get flare ups at least once a week, sometimes it'll only last the day through the evening, sometimes days/nights at a time, it can make me feel really quiet unwell, bloated, gassy, pain in my lower back, instant bowel movements which are normal always like a running tap, and this can be immediately after eating, so it's making me become quiet anxious about eating when out. I also find when it's particularly sometimes when I sit down I can almost feel a heavy pressure down below...
I've been doctors beforehand, and they said they believed it to be IBS. I can't seem to figure any distinct pattern or certain food that triggers it. I'm just wondering what others experiences are with it? I know it's not something that curable, and will be with me most my life. But sometimes I find myself getting all paranoid thinking ' this can't be IBS, and my mind starts running wild thinking, it's cancer'.

Had anyone got any helpful tips and tricks to make it a little more manageable?
Other peoples experiences with it? Symptoms etc. would be nice to speak to people who also suffer from it, as I don't know anyone else. Can feel quiet lonely and embarrassing.

This is at the extreme end of IBS symptoms and you do need investigations to rule out treatable stuff such as coeliac, diverticulitis or chrohns.

I agree with the poster above you need to ask for some further investigation

To you take anything?

I suffered like you in my 20s, I knew fatty foods (like fish and chips) were a trigger but apart from that couldn't pin point any other triggers. I also think I was massively over eating. I was very active so thought I could eat lots but looking back I think I overate and my stomach couldn't handle it. The first 12 weeks of each of pregnancies were awful but at the 12 week point it cleared up entirely until I gave birth.

I'm mid 30s now and while I still suffer its either calmed or I have a much better handle on it. I take buscopan, 1 every morning and again after lunch if I feel rumblings. I try to do intermittent fasting. I generally try and eat 9/10-5 as I think my stomach genuinely appreciates the rest. Alcohol is a big trigger for me now. I suffer with acid reflux badly now so avoid anything citrus'y. I've also started silicol gel and think that is making a definite difference. Oh and acidophilus prebiotics to.

Things are a lot more regular but Im still terrified of eating out. I went out with friends on Saturday and halfway through the main my stomach bloated like crazy and I felt the sweats coming on but thankfully nothing else happened, not sure why.

I really feel for you op, it's awful and embarrassing and most people don't know how bad it can be. I don't drink now and friends can't get their heads around it. Some think I'm being soft and unable to handle a mild hangover but if I drink too much I actually end up spending 3 days near the toilet and my stomach doesn't properly settle for a week.