IBS

[Holly2006]

I have suffered IBS since I was 20 and I will be 63 on Sun. My passed away last June and ever since Sept I have had constant lower tummy ache every day. I am so careful woth my diet, I also have Diabetes type 2 diagnosed 2yrs in May for which I have to take 2000mg a day of Metformin. I have had flare ups over the years which have lasted no more than 6wks but this time is seems it not going to go away.

[Holly2006]

Thank you Kerry, I agree that my IBS is mainly stress related, I suffer from anxiety as well, even when I feel ok with no stress in my l ice my tummy doesn't seem to improve. I have done the NHS bowel screening and that came back clear, I do get to a point when I start thinking that something else must be going on. I am prepared to try anything!! Went to a homeopath a few years ago but the meds she gave me didn't help at all. Maybe hypnosis so is the next step. X

[stix]

contact your Diabetic team, and ask for a replacement for Metformin, i have improved a lot since stopping taking it, but i have not replaced it with anything else

[Holly2006 in reply to stix]

Thank you, I would be more than happy to leave off the metformin and control my sugar by diet but the nurse told me that I have to take the tablets. It seems that different diabetic teams at other doctors advise differently. My last average sugar blood test was 6.7, that was last June, was told to return in a year for another check up. X

[stix in reply to Holly2006]

I would ask your Doctor, your blood is better than mine, and it was my Doc that told me to cut it out.

But by the time you get an appointment it will probably be June anyway

[Rumbleybelly]

Mmmm I am Diabetic and have had IBS symptoms for about 5 years i often wonder if their is a link between Diabetes and IBS or IBS and Matformin in particular.

Like you I have had horrendous stress including my Wife getting cancer.

[Holly2006 in reply to Rumbleybelly]

I am so sorry to hear about your wife, bless her, do hope they can cure it for her. Last year 4 women in my street had breast cancer, thankfully they are all in remission. I have had IBS since my late teens, I have read that metformin is renowned for upsetting ones tummy. I was put on the slow release ones and was more or less ok until my Mum passed away. I also suffer from anxiety which doesn't help matters. X

[Holly2006]

Yes, I had one in June and it was 6.7 which the nurse was happy with, I had,to have a blood test every 3 months to get an average reading. I don't think many people understand how painful IBS is, they think it's just a tummy ache and do not realise that flare ups can go on for ages. X

[Hidden]

Hi Holly 2006. Like you I have had IBS since my early 20's and just turned 70. The only thing that I found helpful is the FODMAP diet. I am doing better for the past 6 months, since I found out about it. I am not !00% but much less bloating, queasiness and the other

annoying symptoms. When I am careless with the diet I definitely get the old symptoms back. God Bless.

[Holly2006 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying, I will look into the Fodmap diet, I am unable to eat fruit except bananas and the occasional pear plus tinned peaches in juice. Most Vegas are out of the question, am ok with carrots and a small amount of cabbage, it's a nightmare. It is a life long condition as we both know!! I suffer from anxiety too, I lost my Mum last June which has made things worse. God Bless. .x.x.

[Hidden]

Hi Holly 2006. Like you I have had IBS since my early 20's and just turned 70. The only thing that I found helpful is the FODMAP diet. I am doing better for the past 6 months, since I found out about it. I am not !00% but much less bloating, queasiness and the other

annoying symptoms. When I am careless with the diet I definitely get the old symptoms back. God Bless.