Is there ANYTHING I can take or do to help my ibs

[gonewithtthewind]

That's it really. It's really starting to get me down, constant stomach cramps, constant pooping. I take Imodium to manage it (doctor said this is fine I get it prescribed) but it doesn't seem to do much these days. It's driving me
Mad, doctor didn't offer any other solutions 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm 18 weeks pregnant today, thought pregnancy would make my ibs better but nope, worse 🙌🏻 HELP HELP HELP

Hypnotherapy could help, let me know if you want more info xx

I’ve had IBS for 24 years with 2 pregnancies during that time. First pregnancy my symptoms completely disappeared, for a year and the second pregnancy the symptoms were 100% worse. I’m now in perimenopause and my symptoms are absolutely awful again. I am sure hormones really upset IBS. Have you tried the low fodmap diet? I used to have awful diarrhoea with my IBS but that eased off when I gave up dairy (although obviously you may need dairy during pregnancy). Many sufferers swear by gut directed hypnotherapy, it’s not helped me much but is relaxing so I still listen to one on YouTube, it’s IBS meditation by Generation Calm. There is also the Nerva app which many people say has helped them. Do you take peppermint? It can calm down the gut and is safe in pregnancy.
Sorry you are experiencing this flare up, it’s the worst time to have it when pregnant.

Was there a reason your pregnancies were different? Did you have different gender babies? Im pregnant with my second and havent done a solid poo the whole pregnancy and has some really bad flare ups when i have attempted to eat anything not beige. I had none of these symptoms on my first pregnancy.

Ginger tea worked wonders for me. Switching to a vegan diet has helped even more. (Just general ginger tea/ ginger and lemon/ whatever version really).

But check it's ok as you're pregnant

Peppermint tea was great for me and as far as I'm aware it's safe in pregnancy although it can reduce breast milk supply if you're planning to feed that way when baby arrives. But fine up until then in my experience. I used the capsules when I wasn't pregnant as well just for future reference!

I found mebeverine from GP really helpful x

I swear by inulin in my tea. Check it's OK though as you're pregnant. But it has sorted my stomach right out. I get an enormous pack off Amazon for about £10 which lasts ages.

You can also buy mebeverine over the counter in pharmacy. I'm not sure if there's a generic version, mine always comes branded Colofac. Doctor wanted to prescribe antidepressants for it (said IBS can be caused by anxiety). Mine is totally random not anxiety related and I didn't want to take something daily for a sporadic problem, so gave me mebeverine instead. Wish I'd discovered it years ago.

Low carbing. Completely cured it.

I wouldn't while pregnant though. In your case, peppermint oil capsules.

Also if your gut isn't happy probiotics can help with symptoms. I get lactobacillus from Holland and Barrett.

Probiotics really helped mine, and are safe in pregnancy.

I saw a dietician and we worked through triggers and I avoided them. Also got help dealing with anxiety and that helped also (if that's a factor).

MrsTerryPratchett when you mention low carbing do you mean full on keto style or dropping most grains and white carbs? In the 25 years that I have suffered IBS, low carb is something I have never tried. My friend went keto 5 years ago and lost 6 stone, she was happy to find it also ‘cured’ her IBS. I have since read of several sufferers saying very much the same thing.

Low carb has worked wonders for me. I do eat very low carb but may have the occasional grains such as a little flour in ready made cauliflower cheese.
I was having regular explosive diarrhoea and often felt a great sense of urgency- shamefully on occasion I didn’t quite make it to the bathroom. My wind could also be toxic.
Within a few weeks of starting low carb my stomach really settled, feels like a miracle cure!

Fodmap diet really helps mine, you need to identify your individual triggers but mine are mainly gluten, garlic, onion, dairy. Which makes eating out a huge pain but it is worth it to feel so much better.

Came here to say low carbing for IBS D. It is constipating, basically. Maybe one to try after the birth?

No grains at all. Carbs just from vegetables etc. It's not full on keto because I will eat things like berries and as PP says, I'm not really strict. And I go 'off' it periodically. But any more than a few days off and it's back.