I am at a complete loss, how do I get my gut health back on track?

[Grownyourownway]

Sorry in advanced if some of this is tmi (I promise this is a genuine health concern of mine) but I’m getting myself in such an anxious state over my gut health that I no longer know what to do anymore.

My issues are daily, ongoing and wearing me down.

I have a bad tummy and weird stools most days. Have to go the moment I wake up. Loose but not fully diarrhoea (although that can sometimes strike at any time, out of the blue) but it’s kind of mud/peanut butter/toothpaste-like. Sometimes, like this morning I have to get to the loo quick yet other times I can sit there for ages trying to squeeze out this toothpaste poop it leaves me with a feeling of incomplete emptying.

I have such a horrible gut. I have suffered from IBS for 26 years and it is just getting worse. I no longer know what I can eat, I am scared to eat if I’m honest. I stick to low fodmap eating, I don’t eat any dairy and I only drink water but nothing helps. I even went gf for a year and saw no real difference in my symptoms.

I have tried all the medications recommended, Imodium just holds everything back (and often just constipates me) and the moment I stop taking it the floodgates open. Mebeverine or peppermint oil never help either. Probiotics make me worse. PPI’s make things worse (give me diarrhoea) and amitriptyline/nortriptyline left me feeling like a zombie.

Gut directed hypnotherapy is lovely but does nothing to help (I do listen every day though as it helps me to sleep). I walk my dog every day so get plenty of gentle exercise.

I also suffer from daily upper issues and experience lots of nausea, burping and gas. Literally, the whole of my digestive tract seems affected. I have had all the tests/procedures (2 colonoscopies, a gastroscope, biopsies for h pylori, coeliac disease etc), a bile acid scan and various stool tests all via my gastroenterologist and because these all come back as normal I feel she has just given up on me, she really doesn’t want to know anymore despite my issues getting worse. She basically implies that it’s all in my head (I have a telephone consultation with her tomorrow but I don’t hold up much hope of any help form her).

I can’t function properly, especially in the mornings and am often scared to leave the house because my symptoms are becoming increasingly unpredictable (I no longer enjoy a social life, I just endure my part time job for fear of having an accident and then come home). I am lucky that I only work part time but I am going to have to give up my job soon as I can not predict when my tummy will get upset. I have no idea how I am going to bring any money in without working. This is a constant source of stress which is obviously not helping. It affects my relationship with my dh and dc and my friends as I no longer want to go anywhere as my guts dominate everything.

I feel constantly exhausted and washed out. I also have constant pelvic discomfort from endometriosis and adenomyosis but it’ll be a full year before I get any surgery due to long waiting NHS waiting times. I feel a complete mess.

Can anyone offer up any advice, something I may not have thought of that could possibly help me? I am going crazy.

We had issues with our.daughter too. An apple.a.day and kefir has been.a.game changer here.

I've had IBS for years, stress and anxiety definitely make it much, much worse. Low fodmap does work for me (onion and garlic are my biggest issues) but something I've found really helps if I'm having something 'bad' is taking Holland and Barrett multi digestive enzymes. Have you tried anything like that?

Intermittent fasting helps my digestive system a lot.

For food, homemade ferments, I like Asa Hansen's book. Keffir, a small glass every day instead of sporadic large amounts. Beans and lentils, but start small and build up. Lots of fibre in general. I don't think probiotic pills really work, food is better.

Thanks, I will take a look at that.

I have tried many digestive enzymes but not the H&B one, I will look an see if it contains anything different from the one I currently take.

Sadly, I just can not tolerate any form of fibre. I tried whilst working with a dietitian but it just exacerbated my diarrhoea not matter how little I started with.

I have practised IF naturally for years as I simply can not tolerate food first thing so in general I will stop eating around 7pm and have my first food of the day around 10.30-11am. Unfortunately it does little for my digestive woes but keeps me slim so I stick with it!

I think I’ve read most of the thread - has no one said HRT?

the fluctuation and drop in oestrogen and progersterone relaxes your bowels causing issues. It’s like some women get loose stools around periods.

the fact you said it got worse from 45 and you’re 51 makes this a clear link to me

try HRT.

It has definitely all been exacerbated since I hit peri.
I went to see a new GP a few weeks ago specifically to ask about hrt. She has referred me on to a hospital menopause clinic. Because I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and my mum has just been diagnosed with breast cancer she said she would like an expert opinion on the best type for me to try.

I am hopeful it could help, keeping my fingers crossed over this.

Best to check all risk factors for sure. Links with breast cancer are endlessly researched and debated. Hop over to the meno pages on here for more info.

if your other risk factors are good (weight, no alcohol) etc patches are very very low risk. You could try for for six months and see if any benefits to you.

Are you over weight? Do you eat healthily?

M@s meat is quite reasonable. If meat and fish worked I'd stick it out.
Cut back on other things.

I have a bmi of 20 and eat healthily, all low fodmap and avoiding my trigger foods. I only drink water and the occasional mint tea.

I'm also 51 with adenomyosis and periods that refuse to disappear. I have just been put on the mini pill to help deal with those.

I'm on HRT and it's made no difference - in fact I think the progesterone side of it makes me constipated!

I tried Symprove and it did nothing.

Out of the blue now I suddenly can't eat onions either - it's miserable.

Have you looked at MCAS? I don't have it but they should check you for it

Is the mini pill helping with your periods? It has been suggested that I try Cerazette. I also suffer from a failed uterine ablation which causes me so much pain during my periods, I was hoping at 51 they would have stopped by now but no sign of my cycle ending yet (52 in March so it better hurry up). Tbh, if it made me a little constipated I would be quite happy with that right now!

Onions and garlic have become my nemesis too, so frustrating isn't it? I love the taste of both and they are in so many foods, I now spend an age reading every blasted food label.

I have wondered about this but my gastroenterologist and GP dismissed the idea. I don't suffer from hives or any major reaction like that but I do itch a lot but had put that down to perimenopause.
I am not sure who to ask about it if the medical professionals have all rejected the idea.

@Grownyourownway so frustrating. I think they could do a blood test to check it?

So far I am bleeding lightly but not heavily and I don't have any pain so fingers crossed it is working.