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Tummy cramps

Sleepyhead_ profile image
13 Replies

Hi all

Do any of you have bad tummy cramps to do with IBS (I hope) if so how do you ease it, paracetamol and hot water bottle haven't worked ....

🦋

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13 Replies
gemimafibro profile image
gemimafibro

Hello Sleepyhead,

I've had IBS since I was a child and these are a few over-the- counter things that have helped me personally during flare up's and some of the pro's and con's I've found with them 😊 (Obviously drinking enough water and diet are the most important thing, but sometime IBS just wants to be IBS regardless of how well you're eating 😂)

Buscopan tablets - they help relax your muscles, which I presume is what is giving the cramps in the first place, but i'm not a doctor so don't take my word on that. I have no con's for this one as they haven't given me, personally, any bad side effects.

Colpermin capsules - peppermint oil capsules. They have helped me when cramping and occasionally constipated. However, too many of these have caused me to have severe diarrhoea, so you have to figure out how many work for you. They do also make absolutely everything minty, including your derriere on the way out 😳.

Windeze capsules - I believe they help to disperse the bubbles of trapped wind, which cause bloating and discomfort. Again, I haven't had any bad reactions to these personally, but I don't take them religiously, just when I'm desperate for relief.

Lactulose liquid - This is a laxative type product. It is a sweet, syrupy liquid that you have about 15ml of. I have found it to be the gentlest of all the laxative product I have tried myself. There are others like Laxido sachets, Movicol sachets etc, which you mix with water and drink. I personally found these too harsh and they just gave me more pain.

Rennie's - Again, I haven't used this one religiously, but occasionally they will help take the edge off if you've got terrible heartburn alongside the cramps and pain.

If you are taking other medication, always speak to a pharmacist before taking any extra medication, even over the counter meds, in case of interactions. These may or may not work for you, they are just a few I have tried that have helped me personally. IBS can be incredibly debilitating so I am incredibly sympathetic to your struggle with it.

The biggest thing I have done to help with my IBS is switch to a Low Fodmap diet, so that is also something I recommend looking into if IBS is affecting your quality of life. It's not for the faint of heart, but I have found it extremely beneficial.

I sincerely hope you find some relief ❤️

Gemima

(P.S. sorry this was so long 🫣)

Smoothie2go profile image
Smoothie2go in reply togemimafibro

Hi

I recently saw some tablets on line called Wild Dose, I have dreadful IBS that I was beginning to believe would hinder everything I loved doing in my life due to my digestive issues. I have fibromyalgia, an underactive thyroid and I’m menopausal!!! Quite the mix , I can tell you. I’m not one for social media so it was with much scepticism that I purchased this product. OMG is all that i can say. They have been brilliant for me . Of course I know we are all different but believe me when I say I was getting to the end of my tether with cramps, bloating and gas. You are able to make a one time purchase, which I did. Then I subscribed hope this helps. X

DoubleMalibu profile image
DoubleMalibu

Good Morning Sleepyhead!

Your name definitely applies to me right now🤣

You say you hope it’s IBS causing your stomach cramps, have you not had a definite diagnosis?

I had to go via my Dr’s years ago, who referred me to various bowel consultants to give me a definite diagnosis, I take medication every day, but all prescribed by the consultants.

There are many over the counter products as Gemimafibro has very well listed.

I wouldn’t of thought paracetamol would help sort IBS linked stomach cramps tbh.

I take 4 doses of paracetamol a day, as part of my pain management for fibro and they’ve never helped the IBS. I can’t take anything stronger for body pain, as they impact the IBS

If I was you, I’d speak with your Dr for a proper diagnosis, he may prescribe something himself, save you having to see a consultant, unless he thinks you need extra investigations.

Fibro is bad enough, so if you can eliminate some pain elsewhere, it’s a relief for sure 👍🏻

Good luck🍀

Welshcatlady profile image
Welshcatlady

Hi, I have suffered with IBS for many years, it's a fickle problem, if I eat some foods it's ok and then out of the blue, same food but awful stomach cramps. I also get reflux so take Acidex usually 5ml before bed and it keeps it under control. Sometimes I have to take Rennies and Gaviscon tablets, especially if I'm out and away from my Acidex! 🙂 I had particularly bad cramps a couple of weekends ago, I couldn't shift them so after looking on line I sent my husband out to get me some 'Buscopan Cramps' they were marvellous, almost instant relief. I saw my GP about a week later for another problem and mentioned the Cramps and Buscopan, and she has added Buscopan tablets to my repeat prescription. I can't say that the Buscopan will help as much as 'Buscopan Cramps' as I haven't needed to use any yet. I get constipated often when I'm having to take Co-codamol for pain, and I have Laxido sachets to take when that happens. I also have a high fibre breakfast, usually shredded wheat or porridge with prunes and other fruit to keep me regular.

Chrisbel profile image
Chrisbel

I managed to get rid of my IBS, by adding L-Glutamine to my daily diet along with stopping foods I was intolerant of, such as wheat based foods, sugar and its derivatives, and most dairy, it took 6 months but it has gone and not come back,

FrostGyre profile image
FrostGyre in reply toChrisbel

Now this is more like it. Well done. 🙂

Smilesalot profile image
Smilesalot

Hi sweetie 🙂🤗,I get Alverine citrate capsules off my Gp and have since 88. .

At least ask ur Dr for something ?🤗 🤗Dawn 🤗🤗🤗🙃🤗

Yassytina profile image
YassytinaFMA UK Volunteer

A good reply from Geminafibro, warm bath for me, certaintly diet is most helpful and we get too know what aggrevates IBS. I do drink a lot of fluids , I seem too get on with sparking water, and a friend of mine told me too try half a lemon squeezed in hot water in the evening . xx

Inthesticks profile image
Inthesticks

Hi Sleepyhead. I used to get terrible stomach cramps with IBS. My Doctor put me on Hyoscine Butylbromide (Brand name Buscopan). 2 tabs 4 x daily. Heaven !! NO more cramps. I've been on them for years and in the last year have reduced my dose to 2 twice daily and still fine. If I go without I'm in trouble !!

I hope you see this reply as it is a long way down but I cannot emphasize enough how brilliant effective and simple these tablets are.

Wishing you a cramp free life x

FrostGyre profile image
FrostGyre

The solution is to change your diet. 👍

Elaine200756 profile image
Elaine200756

Hi Sleepyhead, I sometimes get cramps with ibs. I find buscopan really good and I am trying to slowly change my diet xx 🤗

Tabby-Cat profile image
Tabby-Cat

Dicycloverine Hydrochloride 10mg.A prescription antispasmodic that is the best thing I've ever found.

Those little magic pills stop the pain within a few minutes.

Kayh59 profile image
Kayh59

Hello Sleepyhead, I too used to suffer with tummy cramps and found probiotics helped me.

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