IBS

[Uglow]

Has anyone else got IBS and polymyalgia as iv noticed it playing up significantly more. Is pred is it stress! Thank you all

[Tayzee]

My IBS was playing up and I found if I lowered the carbs a lot it was a lot better

[Uglow in reply to Tayzee]

Cheers

[Kendrew]

I suffered from IBS in my 30s, 40s and 50s (I'm 63 now) but since my early 50s, have pretty much had it under control. For me, high fat, high sugar foods as well as stress and anxiety would be the main triggers that would severely irritate my gut......muscle spasms, pain, diarrhoea and constipation were a constant companion until I changed my diet. Your triggers will be different but unfortunately, digestive problems tend to be par for the course when taking steroids. Steroids can be highly irritant to the gut so if you already have a delicate stomach, this will probably need you to take extra measures to protect it. There are things you can do......eg. ask for gastro resistant tablets, always take your steroids with food (even just a few spoonfuls of natural yogurt will suffice) speak to your doctor about medication if nothing else seems to help and I'm sure others on here will be along to advise you with further anecdotes that work for them.Try not to get too stressed as this may also cause issues.

I'm sure you'll get this under control again but it may take a little time. I wish you all the best and please let us know when you find something that helps as it may in turn help someone else.

[Uglow in reply to Kendrew]

Thank you yes iv had for years I had a period where it was under control but gone mental lately.

[Pr0jection in reply to Uglow]

I have had it off and on and now take goat's kefir daily. Works a treat.

[Sophiestree]

Are you also on Omeprazole or similar as well? They can also affect your stomach in terms of needing the loo more often. Once I stopped those it changed dramatically.

[SnazzyD]

When on doses of Pred above about 10mg I had variation through the day in bowel activity with always loose in the morning (I was a pm Pred taker). Later in the day it was ok. On high doses it was much worse even being explosive diarrhoea every day. Omeprazole made my gut windy and bloated. Later under 10mg I developed a spell of food intolerances manifesting in bowel problems and increase in other allergy symptoms which subsided over a year to 18 months. Posts have cropped up here about allergies appearing on low doses so I know I wasn’t unusual.

[S4ndy]

Yes, my IBS was very bad on higher doses or Prednisolone. Also when I took ppi's. My gastroenterologist took me off the ppi's and I take Buscopan when I flare. I have followed the FODMAP diet at my doctor's request and identified foods that trigger me too. Worth doing but takes a good few months and is very restricted for the elimination period. On balance though it has given me back control over my bowel. I am no angel though so my IBS bouts now are self-inflicted after a Chinese or when I simply crave one of the trigger foods!

[SandyBoots]

Yes, I have had IBS for many, many years and have tried diets, medication, supplements, meditation, etc. etc. to no avail. However, I have to admit that it was actually better when I was on about 8-9 mg of prednisone. Not only was my IBS better, but so was my ezcema - guess it had to do with the inflammation being tamed. I have just tapered off prednisone and everything is coming back (slight achiness in neck, hips and knees), ezcema and IBS - ugh! I think i am going to try watching the gluten again. I tried fodmap, but can't say i was very compliant. What to do, what to do?

[Uglow in reply to SandyBoots]

It’s never straightforward is it

[Smallstepsforward]

Hi there - I had IBS before PMR diagnosis. I had lessened the symptoms over a couple of years with an elimination diet, Low FODMAP diet, supplementation, antibacterial/parasite treatment. It had not gone completely. I have been doing breathwork with an instructor weekly and then daily with recordings that she has made for me. My symptoms have pretty much gone. My litmus test is whether I can eat FODMAP foods, which I can.