Worse when you have a cold?

[janke]

I`ve had a cold for a couple of days and my ibs is very bad today. Just wondering if anyone else finds their symptoms get worse when they are ill in other ways - or is it just coincidence? I can`t think of anything else that might be making it bad today

[lbknox04]

Yes! I’ve noticed it for sure. I attribute it to the different medicine, or the coughing, or the phlegm. I’m usually taking a cold or sinus medicine when I’m sick, which I definitely think can effect your gut. I always get a cough with a cold, which effects your pelvic floor and pelvic muscles, which I feel like plays a major roll in a lot of IBS cases. And then there’s the extra phlegm, which is definitely known to upset your tummy. Ick, all so unpleasant. Hope you feel so better soon!

[MeredithW]

Yes definitely! I think when you have IBS your body is just so sensitive! I actually even find it can happen the other way round - my IBS flares up a little before I'm about to get ill as it knows something is on the way... (sometimes I see it as my early warning system so I make sure I slow down a little)

[Rach3187 in reply to MeredithW]

Yeah it does affect the guts for some reason....

[Crowdie]

I’ve found that medicine/ painkillers actually made it worse. Ibuprofen and aspirin caused massive problems and I avoid them now at all costs. If I take nothing like that my ibs is actually better during a cold - so there must be something immune system related going on with the ibs

[janke]

Thanks everyone - it`s quite reassuring to know it`s not just me. I wonder if having a slight temperature also affects the guts?

[char377]

I had a bad cold/flu at the end of last year and it definitely affected my IBS. I feel like my body just gave up for a bit. You'll be fine after you recover though. Best of luck x