what to do next

[Sp1952]

well had my colonoscopy no cancer which is great news, but no help for my ibs seems to be just get on with it

[Trekkiegirl]

Did you not have a follow up with the gastroenterologist after your colonoscopy? They should have offered you help with the IBS. There are drugs out there which can help, depending on the type of IBS you've got. I've got IBS-D, and I find that a combination of mebeverine (Colofac) and amitriptyline help me to keep it stable. Ask what else is out there and what the docs think might be helpful for you. Hope that helps!

[Sp1952 in reply to Trekkiegirl]

I did have a follow up he told me nothing showed up that cld explain my symptons, gave me child strength Imodium to help, but I also have constipation laxatives don't seem to help

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed, following a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy, in 1996. I had initial help and advice from my doctor in the form of being prescribed Colofac (unfortunately that didn't work with me) but then 'got on with it myself'. I did have around 6 sessions of Colonic Irrigation and that does help and isn't painful at all. I read an article many years ago in a magazine where a man was suffering with IBS (it didn't stipulate which IBS as it was just labled as IBS back then without D or C) and he found that Multibionta multivitamins by Seven Seas helped. These multivitamins contain probiotics - I have been taking these for many years now and although I still suffer with IBS it's not as bad as it was in the early days. Even if they don't work for you for the IBS they are certainly excellent for the immune system - I swear by them. I saw a dietician back in December 2012 and they were supposed to contact me within 6 months to put me on the FODMAPs diet but I had to phone them back only to be told they no longer have the funding - great - not!! I've now decided to purchase the FODMAPs book by Patsy Castos - the reviews are excellent and I will be following the diet under my own steam. I am just going to get rid of temptation in the house before I start i.e. foods that aren't on the diet. I don't suffer with Diarrhoea but am constipated at times. I hope you find this useful and very best of luck.

[Sp1952 in reply to Hidden]

I have heard about the fodmap diet I might look into this thanks

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Just wanted to say that I started on FODMAPs 9 months ago - some time before the NHS kicked off with it. I bought Patsy Catsos's book and downloaded the smartphone app from Monash Uni in Australia,where the diet was (and still is) being developed, and this was all the info I needed. When the NHS finally got moving with it, I found that the info I received was nothing like as good as that which I'd got from the app and book - so go for it, I hope it works for you!

Pagan

[PatV]

Did your GI give you a detailed report of what they did find? I have a lot of diverticulosis plus a mucuos patch all of which was biopsied. She said my pain was partly neuro-muscular (I have PD) and I go for PT specializing in ab pain. And partly irritation from certain foods, hence following the FODMAPs diet.

[Sp1952 in reply to PatV]

said they found nothing to explain my syptoms

[Hidden]

Hi 3741, I have now ordered the IBS Free at Last book written by Patsy Castos. Will report to you all in a few weeks to let you know how I am getting on.

[Sp1952 in reply to Hidden]

ok hope it works for you

[Trekkiegirl]

Yeah I swear by probiotics too. If I were you, I'd go back to the docs and ask for more help.

[Hidden]

I have been on mebevarine for a few years now, and it works for me. Also i stay away from foods that bloat me, i have found that over the years keeping a food diary so i can tell what to avoid. When i have a flare up i use buscopan ibs and it is great along with a heat pad tucked in my undies!!

[Sp1952 in reply to Hidden]

its the feeling off needing to go to the toilet all the time but cant go that gets me down tried loads of laxatives but don't help.

[Hidden]

That's a bit like me 3741 as I feel like I have a full bowel but find it very difficult to go to the toilet, that's what I am experiencing at present. Exercise does help me alot most of the time but at the moment there is nothing I seem to be able to do. Have now ordered the FODMAPs book so it should be with me shortly. I'm going to study the book first before embarking on the diet. Oh, and laxatives don't work for me either! You could try colonic irrigation, it certainly eased my symptons for a couple of years but I don't have it done anymore as I didn't feel that well after my last treatment but that was probably just me. Best of luck to you

[Sp1952 in reply to Hidden]

yes I have heard about fodmap but the more fruit and veg I eat the worse I get, hope it works for you

[Hidden]

Have you tried movicol and bisocodyl? combined they help me keep regular but i monitor when i need to take the movicol and take the other every other night to keep the stools soft enough to pass. I have got nerve problems and reading up on ibs it could be a nerve related problem. In discussions with neurologist i have less pain sensation in my back passage therefore cant feel when i need to go, i get a stomach ache along my bowel that is my warning i need the loo.

[Sp1952 in reply to Hidden]

don't think I have tried those tried so many I have forgotten which trying duclcoease at the moment

[Hidden]

You know what all, it's a good job there is a forum like this as there are so many doctors that think IBS is just irritating when it is actually life changing. I have been sat with a hot water bottle alot lately and it's far too warm to have it on my tummy but it does help. Best of luck to you all and we must keep on writing and saying how we are doing as we help each other out so much.

[Hidden]

I agree it was great for me to find this and other forums on the site it sure helps you learn more about ibs and the medications and tips for keeping it under control especially when it flares up unexpectedly. Yes lets keep it up.