Pain...

[Dazzamma]

It's my 1st post, so not too sure how it works...? Anyway, I have had stomach pain for far too long. Been to the docs and was prescribed Buscopan IBS relief. These had no effect, so now on Mebeverine tablets 135mg...And, still no ease of pain. What else can I do please? Should I push for a scan? I've just ordered some Complete Probiotic tablets (supplement). They contain - 5 strains of probiotic

Contains 3 digestive enzymes and is a highly dosed formula. Also for those in the know ... There are nearly 8 Billion CFU’s .

Thank you for your time in reading this and if anyone can give me advice on Probiotics I'd be grateful.

Daz

[Nick137]

I have just started on something called Symprove, it is very expensive but does get fairly good write ups. They have a website with some interesting reading, just google Symprove, can't comment myself if it is any good as I have only been taking it for 5 days.

[Dazzamma in reply to Nick137]

Thanks for this. I will certainly look into this medication. Please will you keep me posted on any progress you experience.

Many thanks!

[Nick137 in reply to Dazzamma]

Dazzamma, it is not classed as a medication as such but a food supplement, it can take up to 12 weeks to work (if it does for me)

Something else people on here says that helps is the FODMAP diet, I am sort of following it !

[Hidden in reply to Nick137]

Oh, come on now, Nick - 'sort of' following the FODMAP diet just isn't an option - either you do it or you don't! You'll never find out whether it works for you or not if you don't fully commit.

[Nick137 in reply to Hidden]

I have only just started it Rosie and I am avoiding the high FODMAP foods and have a lot to learn, also wondering if I should consult with a GP/dietician before fully committing to it.

[Hidden in reply to Nick137]

Some people do get on better working with a dietitian for FODs, although when I eventually saw one, I was amazed at how lax the NHS guidance was for following the diet - it's pretty watered-down and includes recommendations for some processed foods. Monash's guidance is much more strict , but it works for so well for so many of us, it's worth it.

I started the regime about 18 months before the NHS latched on to it and the best book I found to help me was 'IBS-Free At Last' by Patsy Catsos who is an American, Monash-trained dietitian. It gives a very clear plan to follow although you have to find your way around American foods.

Dr Sue Shepherd, who was one of the initiators at Monash, has a good cookery book out called (guess what?) 'The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook'.

Rosie

[Nick137 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info Roie, I have downloaded the Monash iPad app which I am working to but find it limited (a lot of foods not mentioned)

Do you know of a more detailed list for the UK

[Nick137 in reply to Nick137]

Sorry, should read Rosie above, iPad correcting me !!

[Hidden in reply to Nick137]

Some foods haven't yet been tested , however, the app is updated with new info as it comes in.

What sort of foods are you looking for that aren't on there?

[Nick137 in reply to Hidden]

Sauces :- Tomato ketchup, horseradish, salad cream and mayonaise, and tinned vegetables, are all tinned bad or only the red flag ones. Few other things that I can't think of right now.

[Hidden in reply to Nick137]

You have to read the ingredients' labels on absolutely everything that's processed and work it out. Also, one brand of tomato ketchup or salad cream won't have the same components as another so check every time.

Tinned vegetables are fine if they're a 'green' light unless they have added 'red' ingredients.

It's a minefield out there and you soon begin to become aware of the c*** and chemicals that get put into processed foods. Use fresh, organic ingredients and cook from scratch whenever possible - especially in the elimination stage.

It's very tough initially, but as runswithdogs says, when you start on the reintroduction phase, you'll most likely find you'll be okay with quite a lot of stuff. This is the only way to find out though.

[runswithdogs in reply to Nick137]

I used a dietician after about a week of trying FODMAPS. That way I knew what I was missing/what meals I was struggling with. It let me get the most out of my appointment because I was familiar with the diet. You're right that it's limiting, it's certainly not fun during the elimination phase. I put it off for months, but was amazed when I fully committed to it. Odds are a lot of those foods will be okay for you when you reintroduce them, but it's life changing if you can find even some of the bad foods.

[Polly45 in reply to Nick137]

Hi where do you buy it from . Thanks

[Dazzamma]

Thanks Nick, appreciate your time

[smj2004]

Mebervine is Colofac and it's no use. The best which I have found is Colpermin (100%) pure concentrated peppermint. Take one 3 times a day before meals. I've had IBS since I was at school I'm now 57 and like yourself suffered a lot of pain. Try these and let me know how you get on.

Shirl

[Hobbies in reply to smj2004]

Oh, I seem to be the other way round with those tabs but of course everyone has different reactions to most meds.

Have you been referred to a Consultant yet, if not ask your GP & your GP can refer you directly for procedures & send stool samples if not taken yet.

Hope that helps.

[Hidden in reply to smj2004]

Ive been on colpermin for nearly a week now and so far they are helping my stomach.dont know how long for lol.

[smj2004 in reply to Hidden]

They stop my cramps. I'm waiting on result of Coeliac Disease. God bless

[Polly45 in reply to smj2004]

Hi I've suffered since I was mid teens to. I also have been diagnosed a year a ago with diverticulitis. Still take apercap. Mebeverin. Buscopan not sure what helps, I also vomit so when I've taken the tablets , sometimes they stay sometime the don't! I find the pain lasts for 3 -4 hours but by then most of the days ruined. Just looking in to fodmap it seems to be something everyone mentions, so nothing to lose , got the book yesterday.

[Hidden]

I take Alflorex which is a precision biotic and find that helps me. I think it is important to remember that what works for one person does not necessarily work for another and also that stress and anxiety can play a big part in IBS.

[katesampson65]

I had all the tests, as well as many of the other miserable feeling people on here who can't find solutions. Mine all normal. I truly believe a lot is what I eat. And stress definately plays a role. I was prescribed Linzess a few weeks ago because I was so bloated even after colonoscopy and hurt every time I ate. It took about a week or more to notice but all of a sudden I wasn't suffering as much and bloating went down tremendously. I started eating the foods on the FOMAP diet, which I googled and that made a huge difference also. Stay away from anything processed also. Eat natural foods and that should help. I still don't feel 100% but way better. I have struggled for 25 years with this and still can't figure it out. Like everyone else here, I probably never will but hopefully will control it better.

[Hidden]

Hi Dazzamma,

Yes, I think you should push for a colonoscopy or scan, as all other possible causes for your symptoms need to be ruled out before you can have an IBS label stuck on you.

As far as probiotics go, I've wasted so much money on this stuff - from the cheap to the very expensive - and none of them have made any difference to me. I think the jury's still out on the subject though as they do seem to work for some people. I can only think they must have been really lucky in selecting the very product which contains the bacterial strains they need.

The latest trend seems to be to drink kefir - yet another option I tried unsuccessfully.

I'm on the low-FODMAPs diet which keeps me 90+% symptom-free and works for 75% of people with IBS issues. Link to the official site is:

med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gast...

Rosie

[Dazzamma in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rosie,

Thanks for the link and post. Just about to watch the video 'Beating the Bloat: the FODMAP diet & IBS" 2013' By Peter Gibson.

Many thanks...

[sickandsore]

I do think if the pain is causing you great distress and affecting your ability to do every day tasks then yes, you need to push for a scan or even a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Just to be sure it is ibs. Have they ran bloods? Tested for celiac ? I think gps too easily assume ibs. With regards the pain, do look at your diet, do you eat foods that cause excess gas like beans, pulses,onion,garlic, cauliflower, drink fizzy drinks? Sometimes pain is attributed to colic..its not just babies who suffer!! Also you could have a wheat intolerance, might be worth going wheat free for a few months and see if that helps at all. I'm afraid I don't know much about probiotics, but I have spent a fortune over the years on health supplements to ease symptoms and probably wasted a lot of money.What I will say s try looking at diet, increase your fluid intake and take moderate exercise daily to keep your bowels regular. Also avoid taking ibuprofen as its not a friend of the bowel, can cause ulcer. Too many drugs like mebeverene and buscopan actually slow the motion of the bowel, do they do ease spasms but try not to rely on them.x

[Dazzamma in reply to sickandsore]

Interesting feedback....and thanks. I have noticed my bowel movement change over the past week. It's more difficult to have a bowl movement, it's kind of bung me up a little. I was actually thinking of going wheat free for a while and also thought of gluten free too. No I have not had bloods done for IBS. I have bloods done every so often, but for something totally unrelated. My diet is quite clean as I'm in the gym 4 times a week. I will admit my indulgence of alcohol and caffeine, and I admit these alone are not kind on the gut. Forgot about garlic and gas, so will look at my ingredients too.

Thanks again for your reply.

[Franjanu]

Are you having diarrea or constipation or a combination of both? Are you also suffering from anxiety and what is your diet like? It depends on these factors in order to try to subscribe something...... Subscribe to my blog I'm writing a segment on stomach issues and anxiety. coconutandwhat.com

But definitely keep taking probiotics. I take one I order from iherb called Jarrow + MOS it's lactose and sugar free too

[Dazzamma in reply to Franjanu]

Yes, I often experience both when it comes to bowel movements. One day I'm solid, the next too loose! I do suffer from depression with anxiety and have been on medication for over 15yrs. I am aware that anxiety can bring on all kinds of dysfunctions to the human body.

Thanks.

[Franjanu]

coconutandwhat.com/2015/10/...

[1234ds2014]

I have tried both plus peppermint plus probiotic supplements I've had various doctors at my surgery but I finally have a hospital appt it's definitely worth pushing for tests and scans I have had a blood test that ruled out coeliac and chrons which was a start but hopefully some more in depth probing will help more than a doctor prodding my tummy and prescribing me various tabs if they're not subsiding with the regular medicine I suggest pushing for tests

[grahamrupertrules]

HI

Well have you tried a low fibre diet? do you have other symptoms?

probiotics did nothing for me even expensive ones but some people gain relief.

if no improvement in a week or so ask for referral for lactose test and or nutrionist/dietican.

hope you soon feel better

gff