Help .. Advice needed .. is this an IBS symptom?

[Pollyannna]

Hi, although not new to Healtthunlocked, I am new to your IBS group,

I have suffered with cramps, runs, constipation, and irregular habits for some years now. I now also suffer from water poo which happens whenever it likes, it’s shameful, I get no warning and don’t know what to do about it, once I had blue underwear on and it bleached the Cotten white which showed after washing. Does anyone else experience this ? And if so who can I stop it ?????

Pol.

[missymo]

Yes pollyanna i do.i swing from constipation to diorea.dreadful. when i go out i hi wear tenna lady throw away pants.on edge all the time. Thats why i stay close to home& hate eating out. Like you say..the cramps& bloating are vile. So tiring& upsetting. Sometimes colofac works but on the whole theres really nothing out there to stop it completly. Ive had it for 7 years.all due to surgeries round stomache area..& radiation damage when i had cervical cancer. Its dreadful.x

[Pollyannna in reply to missymo]

Hi missymo thank you for your reply I will try colofac. It sounds like you suffer a lot, thankfully mine is intermittent and due to the pain killers I am on I don’t suffer with pain half as much as I used to (before pain meds).

I hope your feeling well and have your IBS under control.

[missymo in reply to Pollyannna]

Thanks pol. What doesnt kill us makes us stronger..so they say!! Thats debatable..at times😢😢

[Helen37 in reply to Pollyannna]

Hi Pollyanna. What pain meds are you on to deal with IBS pain? I ask because I never found one that actually helped.

[Pollyannna in reply to Helen37]

Hi Helen, I am on pain meds for my back but they do work a treat on the pain of cramps.. I only feel them now when it’s really bad.. dose nothing for the bloating and other symptoms.

Also due to damaged nerves I don’t know when I need to go ..which doesn’t help. I am on ametrypiline, pregabslin, dyhydrocoadine, and paracetamol. Bit of a cocktail I know.

I am going to research the FODMAP diet though thanks

[Helen37 in reply to Pollyannna]

Thanks for reply Pollyanna. My IBS problem started over 20yrs ago after hysterectomy. I tried many (and expensive) treatments to no avail. Fodmap may seem a bit daunting at first but becomes easier as you learn which foods irritate the bowel and which foods are 'safe' for you. It had been going for 5 yrs in Australia before being introduced in U.K. At that time the success rate was 75%. I hope you will give it a try and that you will find it beneficial.

[Helen37 in reply to missymo]

If you have been diagnosed with IBS have you heard of FODMAP diet ? Originated at Monash University in Melbourne. You can look it up on line. It has had considerable success, and has been taken up by NHS. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietician who has been trained in use of this diet. I have had IBS for over 20yrs, and in and out of A&E frequently. Together with medication (Ametryptiline) -.trial and error to get right dosage for me. We are all different ! I tried everything over the years, but now hardly ever get a bout of IBS. Worth a try don't you think. I wish you luck.

[Lisahelen]

Have you had any coeliac testing done? I ask because from previous posts you have dental problems and fibro related issues. Both could have a connection to coeliac disease.

[Pollyannna in reply to Lisahelen]

Hi thanks for your reply, I did ask my go about coeliac disease but he said no.. I’m probably just gluten intolerant???

I am intolerant that’s for sure, but how I get through to my gp that I need testing I’m not sure.

[Lisahelen in reply to Pollyannna]

There are over the counter testkits available but i dont know how much they cost or how reliable they are.

Ideally you need your gp to do a blood test for coeliac at the very least. Any other gp at your surgery you could see for another opinion? Are you seeing any other consultants in the near future perhaps you could approach them about it

Coeliac has many symptoms some of which you certainly wouldnt connect- broken teeth for one.

[Pollyannna in reply to Lisahelen]

I will ask about over the counter tests and that may give me the confidence to ask for a blood test.

The broken teeth symptom is interesting as I have many and due to what I would call a nebby fall, I broke 4-6 vertebrae (depending which doctor I spoke too) .. hence going to the pain clinic, as I haven’t yet been officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia I am just convinced I have it, but again no not what to do about it.

[Rarararara]

Digestive enzymes have stopped this happening to me

[Pollyannna in reply to Rarararara]

I will have to google it hmmm

[Munchkin60]

It's not easy , sometimes you think it's just wind but the pain is unbearable, then too late it's not wind then it's embarrassing, I still have no idea what sets mine off, I keep away from dairy, spicy food and red meat, and I still get bad days, sometimes they say it's stress, maybe I'm stressed and don't know it then .. because I'm one of the most laid back people ever.... but watery poo, yes all the time, I wish there was an answer but I'm afraid not.

[Pollyannna in reply to Munchkin60]

Thanks for your reply I am a laid back person well that’s what I show on the outside. It’s the small internal nasties causing hell. Oh what to do and how to implement it.