New and need help!

[Emmy-89]

Hi everyone! I'm pretty new to this IBS network, im female and 28 years old. I'm having really bad issues with my stomach and have (Tmi) pretty bad D every morning which leaves me feeling very lethargic and really sick sometimes. My question is does anyone else feel like this and also are your symptoms worse after not having enough sleep? I even wake up sometimes early morning around 5/6 and have to rush the the toilet! This is really effecting my life and its getting me down. Is there anything any of you find helps symptoms? My stomach feels upset all the time at the moment! Any advice or hearing other people's experiences would really help. Thanks for reading my post!

[Haylesss]

Hi Emmy-89.

Sorry to hear you're suffering.

Bad stomachs are quite common in the morning as the bowels are waking up and I know that if I get less sleep then my symptoms are generally worse.

Have you taken a look at following a low FODMAP diet? It's really helped calm my stomach down and I have a lot less D and loose movements generally.

It has allowed me to pinpoint triggers - so far gluten, dairy, soy, legumes and yeast - and given me an overall better quality of life.

I would also suggest trying a probiotic if you aren't already - there are so many - so unfortunately it might take a bit of trial and error with them, but I researched online and am taking Alforex(UK name)/Align(US name) and I have no complaints so far.

I hope that's of some help! Good luck!

[Emmy-89 in reply to Haylesss]

Hi, thanks so much for taking the time to read my post and reply to me! I'm trying to fodmap diet at the moment and same as you gluten and dairy are a big no for me. Sometimes I do find that it doesn't seem to matter how careful I am I still end up with D! Sometimes I'm fine with a particular food and then the next time I eat it I'm not okay. So frustrating! I do take a probiotic which so far has been the most helpful thing, I take natren health trinity and it's great! I was suffering even more before I started taking the probiotic. Does your IBS ever make you feel like you have a virus?

[Haylesss in reply to Emmy-89]

Yes, it does actually - however a lot less so when I exclude gluten. I had an annual check up at the doctors at the weekend and he said I'm fighting fit - throat, ears etc (waiting on bloods) - but I still feel sluggish reasonably frequently and my throat always feels sore... I'm hoping the blood work might pinpoint a lack of iron or B12 or something. Right now I just try to eat well (and restrained), do yoga frequently (just at home for 15 to 30 mins) and take it easy where I can. Have you tried something like yoga? I was a sceptic at first but now love it.

[Haylesss in reply to Emmy-89]

Oh, also heat is a trigger for me and intense exercise. (As if there weren't enough triggers already, haha). Always worth thinking about random things outside of food. Oh and of course, stress or anxiety.

[Lisahelen]

You could try keeping a food diary, not an instant cure i know, but it might help you see if there are certain trigger foods which are the cause. Unfortunately at this stage it could be anything from gluten to coffee. As suggested fodmaps is a good way to go but it is normally advised to be done with the help of a dietician. Have you spoken to your gp for any advice or medication?

[Emmy-89 in reply to Lisahelen]

Hi! Thanks for replying to me! I've been meaning to do the food and symptom diary so I will that next I think! I'm currently doing the low fodmap diet! Diary wheat and gluten are the worst for me! The GP just tells me to take Imodium and buscopan. I have to take a third of an Imodium comfort tablet 3 times a day however still have diarrhoea in the morning. I'm seeing the gastroenterologist on September 18th so I've got plenty questions for them!

[Doug1847]

Try taking an Imodium tablet before you go to bed. That seems to slow things down and help some people not have the urgency first thing in the morning.

[Emmy-89 in reply to Doug1847]

Hi Doug! I'm already on the Imodium, thank goodness for them or I'd be even worse!

[3682]

I am the same in middle of night have to go,then first thing in morning.Feels like wind but you can't take a chance it's ruining my life just don't know what to do for the best.