Any advice welcomed. I am at the end of my tether. Spending hours in the toilet with IBS -D and abdominal pain.

I have had IBS-D for about 2 years. Prior to that I always tended towards constipation, but it changed overnight to the opposite problem. It has been up and down in severity at different times, and I have been managing it with 30mg codeine x 4 daily, and mebeverine and lansaprozole daily. About 6 weeks ago, for no apparent reason it became much, much worse. The diarrhoea is just watery faecal fluid and I have had some episodes of incontinence. I don't want to be too graphic and offend anyone, but it is like weeing out of my bottom. I saw my GP again and the codeine has been doubled to 60mg x4 daily and 20 mg daily of loratadine added a week ago and it hasn't made any difference at all. I had a colonoscopy about 6 months ago and that was normal, in fact it was perfect! I don't know where to turn. I have been referred to a specialist nurse, but I have no idea how long I will have to wait. Has anyone gone private to see a consultant for IBS in the North of the UK?

[dotty423]

Hi. You don't have to be graphic - I know exactly what you mean and when I had a 'significant' birthday in December I decided I HAD to do something about it. I have read loads about the Low FODMAP diet and decided to give it a try. With the help of a dietician - about an hours drive away from where I live - I have been feeling so much better it is unbelievable! I am now starting the re-introduction phase and hope that I can identify which foods effect me. If you want to now more let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

[Lloyd1]

Do you use any non soluble fibre. I use Lepicol, available from H&B on the high street. It's a physillium husk with pro and pre biotic, works wonders for me as helps bind you up naturally . I now only use this every couple of days along with buscopan for any cramps, if required

My symptoms are not as bad as yours but anything to reduce your medication helps. I was also prescribed lansaprazole but no longer use this

[Hidden]

Don't give up. I was just like you until I did FodmAps diet together with self-hypnosis CD available from IBSaudioprogram100.com. Now been on low Fodmaps since last August and only flare ups have been from anxiety and I take only loperamide then, nothing else. Please give these a try. Start by going lactose and gluten free and cutting out alcohol and caffeine drinks. There is lots of info on this site about Fodmaps and it seems to help a lot of people here particularly IBSD

[Trekkiegirl]

I agree with all above; and I've had to cut out all dairy, caffeine, alcohol, wholegrains, pulses, nuts and most fruits although personally I haven't had to do the fodmap diet. I was just wondering if you've been on strong antibiotics lately. That's what kicked off an episode similar to yours for me - and I found that taking strong probiotics made the difference. They began making me feel better within about three days. It might be worth trying this if you haven't already? Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Trekkiegirl]

If you find that dairy and lacose affect you then you should read all the ingredients of tablet medication as even ibuprofen and loeramide contain lactose

[Trekkiegirl in reply to Hidden]

Obviously, however they do not contain enough lactose to disturb my IBS. I cannot tolerate either ibuprofen or loperamide.

[Hidden in reply to Trekkiegirl]

Have you tried ibuprofen in gel capsules

[Trekkiegirl in reply to Hidden]

You misunderstood. I am unable to take ibuprofen (or aspirin, for that matter) in any form, due to family allergy. It has been contraindicated since I was a baby.

[Hidden in reply to Trekkiegirl]

Oh - sorry

[Hidden in reply to Trekkiegirl]

Hi, I haven't had any antibiotics for a very long time. I do, however, take a lot of medication as I have multiple conditions. I think that might be the problem but my GP says there are none that I can safely stop taking.

[Ibsr]

I would suggest you try the FODMAP diet and if you still have symptoms try acupuncture.

If you can afford it go for the acupuncture first.

[physiogirl]

I'd agree with Dotty; try FODMAPS with the help of a dietician. You can find out if you have one in your area here: kcl.ac.uk/medicine/research...

Good luck!

[tansy-ann8]

Poor you, you have my sympathy; and of course it is so frightening and no one seems to understand. Yes I became so desperate and had lost so much weight I went to see a Consultant (in the East Riding of Yorkshire) privately. It meant of course another colonoscopy, barium enema and an MRI scan (because I paid for it of course!). I have since gone back to the NHS Consultant who has been excellent. I take Mebeverine, Ranitidine and Fybogel also probiotics and have just tried cutting out milk which is helping with the nausea. I do hope that you go back to your GP and ask to be referred back to (perhaps a different) Consultant. Keep on at them - it's their job to look after you and put your mind at rest. Good luck.

[Hidden]

You should try food elimination - I was lucky and found that lactose and dairy caused my symptoms.

You should also be careful if you find that lactose is a problem for you as a lot of tablet medication contains lactose, even ibuprofen and loperamide.

[jnbina]

I recommend the FODMAP diet and exclude DAIRY and CAFFINE...FODMAP is where you eat a limited food group diet for a couple of weeks, you should feel better in a couple of days if IBS and a few weeks if COELIAC - Then you start introducing types of foods back in till you find the exact group that hurts you ie Gluten (if gluten is the culprit you are COELIAC which causes trots, accidents and pee type poo!... Can't say strongly enough that dairy (which is not excluded on the FODMAP, only lactose) can also be a real problem. ..... Ask to see a NHS Nutritionist or buy the Monash University Book and use their APP (low price to pay to get better....around £20 for both)

GOOD LUCK,,and lots of support from a Dairy intolerant Coeliac and IBS sufferer

[Hidden in reply to jnbina]

Hi, I really hope it's not dairy. I am a lifelong vegetarian and I cannot think of anything worse for me personally.

[Hidden]

Wow, thank you all for your replies. I felt really down and seeing all the replies, suggestions and encouragement has helped such a lot. I haven't heard about FODMAP until now but I will certainly look into it and the other suggestions. I wish I had found this site sooner as I was given the diagnosis but no advice about management at all.

[sickandsore]

Like you I have had ibs c for many years and then a few years ago totally opposite, couldnt leave my house til lunchtime most dsys as had to be close to a loo..I had colonoscopy, bloods, mri etc and resorted to trying the lowfodmap diet..it was not an overnight cure, takes a few months to see any great improvement. What it did teach me is how my gut reacts to certain foods and its not the obvious culprits either!! In my case it was certain fruits and vegetables. Everyone is different though so my advice would be see gp again and insist on seeing a dietician.if the dietician feels concerned that things arent improving he ir she can request you see a gastroenterologist for more tests. Good luck. X

[orange123uk]

First codeine can make you constipated you may think you have the runs but if it is just fluid no solid it could be called back up that means when you are constipated only fluid come out because nothing else can. Get an X ray first it will show if your backed up if not male them listen to you explain to your Doctor how it is runing your life and that it is your right to see a specialist. Most of who you see on the n.h.s. do private work and like me you might get the same person always ask who the doctor is when going private. I fought to be heard as most people say you might never get better I am still fighting but got something done a few weeks ago. Say you want to be seen outwith your area also your right to choose. Good luck let me know how you go.

[Hidden]

Hi orange123uk. Thank you for the information. I will certainly know now to ask 'who' if I do decide to go the private route.

[willgina]

Hi there I know how you feel I am so fed up this is worst it's been going anywhere is a nightmare I'm taking probiotic from h& b but was diagnosed recently with fibromyalgia so taking other meds but I hardly eat anything and still have to rush to the loo people don't understand we get invited round to friends but they only have one toilet & 3 children when I need to go it's instant any advice anyone please

[Hidden in reply to willgina]

I know what you mean, fm is one of my other 'conditions'. It is very easy to end up becoming a recluse. For me it's not just the use of a toilet but the embarrassment of the smell. It's bad enough at home, but in someone else's home......

[Flicky]

Hi

I totally understand where you are coming from. It's horrific! I've had 'loose bowels' and diarrhoea for as long as I can remember. But 2 and a half weeks ago I finally worked out what caused it!

Since then I go to the loo once a day with a normal movement!!

Very simply it was caused by fat. It seems that the fat speeds up my bowel and won't allow anything to stay in there. The symptoms of this are a very foul eggy smelly frothy liquid stool, which has a name that I can't remember!

I now eat on average 30g of fat a day, spread out over the day and avoid anything that individually has more than 3g of fat in. It's been a miracle for me!

It may not be what's causing your issue, but it sounds so similar to me I had to share.

I found out what caused it by keeping a food diary using an online calorie counter app as it breaks down your food groups it was really obvious to see the link.

Good luck, I hope you find your fix!

[Hidden in reply to Flicky]

Thank you for this information. It's something to bear in mind, and the smell is vile.

[_tooth_fairy]

Hi I started with the exact same symptoms 8 weeks ago. I feel line I've been to hell & back diarrhoea approx 15 times a day.

Paid privately to see consultant as NHS urgent wait times were a joke.....4 weeks after sigmoidoscopy & biopsies my results are still to be reported on.....I feel abandoned by the NHS!!

I've been to see a homeopathic chemist 2 weeks ago & started vsl#3 a really strong probiotic which is in our NHS formulary as a food supplement but is sold in the USA as a treatment for Chrohn's, ulcerative Colitis & IBS.

What a miracle, one sachet a day & I felt better within a few days & have not had one episode of diarrhoea since I began taking it.

When the consultant finally sends me an appointment I will be only to happy to share this experience with him. Hopefully raising awareness to help all the other IBS sufferers out there.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to _tooth_fairy]

Hi tooth fairy, I know what you mean about feeling abandoned. I got seen quite quickly but because my colonoscopy results were normal, it was a case of it must be IBS then and that was it. No advice, no treatment, no further investigations to rule out other causes. If it is IBS I still don't understand how I can take so much codeine and loperamide (for 3 months now) and it make no difference at all. What is the product called that you have taken, I could use a miracle about now, lol.

[drsachdeva]

I have been through the same thing that you are going through. Now I'm almost cured. I haven't had diarrhea for about last few months. Since you're suffering from IBS with severe diarrhea I wouldn't suggest you to follow low FODMAP diet it will do nothing but make your symptoms more worse. Start using folic acid and zinc supplemen

[drsachdeva]

I have been through the same thing that you are going through. I haven't had diarrhea for about few months. I am almost cured. Since you're suffering from IBS with severe diarrhea I wouldn't suggest you to follow low FODMAP diet it will do nothing but make your situation more worse. Start using zinc and folic acid supplement along with s bolardii and lactobacillus rhamnosus. Mail me at [e-mail] if you feel any difference I have permanent cure for that.

[dwitt]

lialda - look it up. Work great on my IBS - one needs to take folic acid. Note Lialda is expensive.

[Goldiwonder1]

I have found that organic cider vinegar is helping me . Go the site for it. Also I am on amiltryptaline 50mg and that stopped it straight away but then had to take movicol cos it caused constipation. Worth your looking into. Good luck.