Really struggling...

[stardust01]

Hi everyone,

My first post and I can't tell you how much of relief it is to have found such a community. I have suffered with IBS since I was 21 (now 30) and each year it seems to get worst.

I've completely lost count the number of times I have been to my local GP and been poked and prodded at hospital. Only to be given an inconclusive answer of "oh you have ibs, here's a pack of mebeverine". No further help or discussion with how to cope.

Before begin diagnosed with IBS I was an outgoing, social that didn't spend much time at home having the world to explore. Unfortunately over the years my symptoms have become worst and now rely on having to take Imodium everyday and only leave the house if I have too. Any form of leaving the house would require firstly being on a good day and strategically planning where the nearest loo would be.

Unfortunately this week, I have had my worst ever episode and am now completely at rock bottom (no pun intended). Having had a really bad flare up and being rushed to a&e because of it at the end of last week my panic attacks and anxiety are on another level. My energy is completely drained and whilst I don't feel I have ever really been depressed, right now all I can do is cry. Oh and lets not forgot the awful cases of acid reflux.

Sorry I just needed to vent.

Antony

[susiewusie]

I totally feel for you. IBS is a horrid, embarrassing, debilitating illness, but take a little comfort in the fact that you are not alone. I personally think that a lot more ought to be done to research the cause of this illness and that at some point in the future there will be some discovery that shows this is all down to something much more systemic than we realise, like water supply or something in the food chain or atmosphere. I wonder myself whether ppl who weren't breastfed are more prone to IBS! We're you breastfed? I wasn't. But hey! We are left making ridiculous guesses at reasons for our suffering, because medics don't have the answers....yet. In the meantime, I think you have to come to terms with your condition and live life as best you can with this disability. I tell myself often that it could be worse, I could have Alzheimer's or be dying of cancer. Keep experimenting with diet and lifestyle changes and no two ppl are the same si what works for me might not work for you. I've had IBS d all my life till recently, when it's changed to IBS C and that causes me a lot more pain. I wake up every night in pain. Things that have seemed to help at times have been eating 6 tiny meals instead of 3 big ones per day. Cutting out wheat helps bloating and gas, but if you replace wheat with lots of 'gluten-free' stuff it doesn't work. Totally grain free might be better. Read a book called Wheat Belly by an American cardiologist, quite revealing. Try the FODMAP diet but be strict about it. Next things for me to try are giving up coffee and tea for a bit and increasing exercise. But when you are fed up with it, it's hard to be motivated to try yet another scheme to try and improve things. Don't give up Anthony, and try to keep things in perspective. Look on the bright side and try to dwell on things in your life that are good. Try to go out, but just make sure you take precautions and clock where the loos are. You'll feel more normal if you get out and see friends. Just say "I'm suffering a lot with tummy troubles at the moment" to explain your regular dives to the loo. I don't personally think it's any good going into loads of detail with friends about your condition or we rusk becoming IBS bores! That's what this forum is for. Nobody thinks you're an IBS bores here cos we all understand and suffer too. Hang in there!

[runswithdogs in reply to susiewusie]

Fully agree on fodmaps. The diet sucks, but if you commit to it fully for an elimination period you might be able to figure out some triggers. Also watch for corn. For stress release try yoga - this can help with wind (as does running). Keep posting - there's lots of good ideas here

[elwins]

Have you tried keeping a food diary to find out what triggers your Ibs, I have colitis and I find that certain foods cause me problems. Mainly wheat and corn. Hope things improve for you

[RLH90]

You aren't on your own with this I'm 25 and live off Imodium with IBS-D I've tried mebeverin and so many other tablets and nothing has worked I've tried the low fodmap diet to no prevail but I didn't have the help of a dietitian and turns out I was doing it completely wrong 😂 it's awful when you get to rock bottom and you are stuck back at square one. If you ever need anyone to talk to we are all here for you X the anxiety and panic attacks are the worst for mine I have Bach rescue spray and pastilles and they seem to help. I'm restarting my journey to conquer the problem and trying all different things so I'll let you know if they work for me so maybe you can try? Have you tried silicogel before? As that's the direction I'm going next x

[IBS_Problems]

I completely understand where ur coming from I live off Imodium,Mebevrine, buscapan,reduce remidie and painkillers (only when my stomach and back are hurting) and it makes my anxiety even worse u can try talking to some one like a counsiler maybe? This helped me understand what I'm scared about and has help me with my agoriaphobia and panic attacks

15, Kizz x