Does anyone wear nappies for IBS?

[NameChangeIBSHelp]

Name change for obvious reasons.

I've had IBS-D for a few years now. It's partly controlled by diet but not really, I never really have a good day but I know if I follow a FODMAP diet I don't have any really bad days. However it is really affected by stress and anxiety and that's what I'm struggling with at the moment.

DS has started school and there are a lot of early morning shows, assemblies, meetings etc. I find that my IBS is much worse on these days. I haven't had an accident yet but I will be sat panicking, cramping and sweating, or a couple I've had to miss. I was thinking of getting some nappies to try and combat the psychological element of it. Has anyone does this, and has any recommendations?

Thank you

Could you take Imodium before an event instead.

I would sooner take some imodium preemptively - would that maybe work? Or not eat until it's over? I'm so sorry you struggle with this, I did for years! Citalopram and propranolol worked for me as it was so heavily anxiety based

@Moonshinerso @PinkSweatshirt I have taken Immodium before an important event before, but I find it makes my stomach really hurt for a couple of days afterwards. I might have to suck it up though now it's affecting DS.
I did used to take Amitriptyline which helped, but it was messing with my heart rate.

Name changed. I use very large nighttime incontinence pads, not the pants sort but have considered these. It helps with the anxiety aspect and if I can’t get to the loo in time, but I have to carry a cleaning kit with me. It helps keep my underwear and clothing clean if I do have an accident. I do take Imodium sometimes as a preventative but prefer not to make a habit of it. Maybe a different medication brand would be better?

I can’t see it harming to try. When I was in hospital for mental health reasons and they transported me to a different hospital they gave me disposable incontience pants to wear as I was anxious my IBS would play up. It worked really well and my stomach settled because I wasn’t anxious about it. Are you on mebevrine? That works well for me. Also have you had your nutrient levels checked? My IBS diahhorea was awful when I had iron anemia.

if amitriptyline worked then I would also consider other anxiety medication.

This is a bit ‘off the wall’ but I have found it surprisingly effective with the anxiety related episodes. The gut contains a very large number of brain cells. It is known as the little brain. Think of all the phrases referencing this eg ‘gut reaction’. I talk to my gut as if it were a small child that needs soothing and reassuring. Also hold it while soothing it. Also use deep breathing techniques.

Pads.

@NorthEastWind @LeapingSpringLambs sorry you're both going through this too. 100% anxiety is my biggest trigger, over and above food. I can have the biggest, fattiest, most garlicky pizza and if I've got no plans the next day then it's perfectly manageable.

Once I finish weaning DD from breastfeeding I'm definitely going to go to the GP and ask about anti-anxiety medication. But for now I'm hoping that planning for an accident will mean that I don't have one. I would obviously rather go to the loo than actually use the nappy so maybe a heavy duty incontinence pad would be enough.

I find that if I plan for the worst it really helps. Good luck.

have you ever tried enterosgel? It’s fairly pricey but I did find that helped me a lot. Codeine tends to work quite well on IBS-D also, I don’t find Imodium agrees with me so I take a half a co-codamol the day before I know I need to go to something and that really helps, doubt that is medically recommended but it keeps it at bay for an assembly/sports day etc

What about some serious period pants? They are pretty amazing these days at holding everything in, and it could give you that extra confidence? But without feeling so icky?

That’s a good idea. I won’t go into details (!) but modibodi 24 pants definitely do the job.

I work with someone who wears an adult nappy and the reassurance of being protected has reduced her anxiety and she says has barely had any accidents

Have you tried Fybocalm. I find it really helps me.

I've never heard of enterosgel but it looks interesting, thank you. It seems to have really positive reviews.

That's a good idea. I've been meaning to get some for my periods so that might be two birds with one stone. Thank you 🙂

That's good to hear, that's what I'm hoping happens for me 🙏

Would the period pants be a bit unpleasant to clean? As opposed to something disposable? I sometimes have similar issues and have used pads before.

I did a while ago. I can't seem to remember it doing very much but I've tried so many things I'm losing track. It's worth having another go, thank you.

I don't have ibs, so can't begin to compare, but I will share my own experience. I had two events where I nearly lost control. The events were so bad that, in addition to the copious sweating and embarrassment, worry about whether i would make it to the loo, all the muscles that I never knew I had in that area were sore for days after. The events put the fear into me, and of course that upset my stomach. I wore big overnight period pads for years after. It's only recently that I've taken flights without them. The psychological component was really helpful. I still carry them for that reason (post menopause here).

Oh that sounds terrible, it's awful what our minds can do to us. This morning my son had an appointment I was supposed to be taking him to, so of course I was stuck on the toilet. As soon as my husband agreed to take him for me I felt instantly better 😒

That sounds so hard. Again, I shouldn't be commenting, because I don't have ibs, but it also helped me to map out all the possible toilets. My two events were on my work commute, and at that time i only knew of a cafe where I changed busses. I got on a bus at 6 45 am, and went through sleepy villages for 45 min, changed busses an arriving at work about 1.5 hrs after leaving home. I assumed there were no other toilets, but I found 2 more cafes, and I just gave myself permission to go to the loo whenever I need to. I can be late. All these things helped to reassure me gradually.

Is there any chance you could have bile malabsorption?
My sister had really bad problems and the only thing that worked was codeine linctus which doctors were unwilling to prescribe on a regular basis.
After what should’ve been the holiday of a lifetime being ruined by sudden attacks of diarrhoea she went to see a gastroenterologist and begged him to try and find out what the problem was.
It turned out she had bile malabsorption and was prescribed cholestagel which she takes every day and the problem has cleared up.

Dont think nappies, think incontinence products. There are loads of these on the market for adults which are discreet. No reason why you shouldnt use these 'just in case'

Sorry to sound dim but what's the difference between nappies and incontinence products?