Silicon gel or glutamine

[winter2013]

Dear all

I have asked questions about probiotics and digestive enzymes before and people have kindly replied.

Still battling on with IBS pains, cramps.. you will all know about (!) .. but “ poo” has never been the main problem, more the bloating , churning, painful contractions etc

Having been on a low fod map diet for months, tried probiotics, I am now considering silicolgel or glutamine. I have read that both can make your stools harder. I have never had this problem over the years but since IBS has been worse these last few months I am if anything “ harder.” So don’t want to make that worse.

Any personal stories or advice welcome.

🙏 thank you!

[janetmtt]

I was looking at Ibergest on Amazon yesterday - take a look and read the reviews - I may try for bloating as probiotics are doing zilch for me at the moment - in fact I am of the opinion they are creating the bloat

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Will do Janet. Had one dose of silicolgel so too early to say. It made my throat feel abit sire but then I have a sensitive throat!

[janetmtt in reply to winter2013]

Check out reviews on amazon re this too

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Again will do now!

[janetmtt]

I always look for reviews before i buy

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

I did look on HealthUnlocked and as always seem mixed re silicolgel. Main problem seemed to make you perhaps constipated. Don’t know if you picked up any more?

[janetmtt]

Reviews i tead put me off on amazon and other sites. Think people gained weight so put me off

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Agree I don’t want that! Had 2nd dose 2 1/2 hours ago and feel more swollen and stiff... will go be it 2 more days then see! Oh the never ending quest to have calm guts!!!

[winter2013]

Ps have you tried symprove? Tried for a few days years ago but probably didn’t give it long enough. Even considering retrying alflorex. Took it for a month with odd days off. Who knows 😕

[janetmtt]

I did a good search on the internet for the gel not just amazon but just didn't fancy using it - my problem is bloating. Tried Symprove but it has a lot of things in I don't like - barley and other stuff I can't or won't take - worked first four days then got the bloat. I am trying small amount of Bioglan probiotic that seems to firm up bowel movements (sorry if TMI!!!) was using H and B mega probiotic but had reactions to that - used it before and was ok but I have histamine intolerance so it's a nightmare - best one ever was Biokult but has L.Casei in and HI people aren't able to tolerate it as it raises histamine

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Thanks for all that Janet!

I used to get mainly bloating , churning but last few months have bad cramps, contractions as well. Feel in such a mess. Been on low fodmap diet for months, had hydrogen breath test which was negative but gave me awful pains after. Gastroenterologist I saw privately found calprotectin levels raised but could be due to taking lansoprazole 30 daily. I need this for a lung condition I have ( Bronchiectasis as reflux makes it worse). Gastroenterologist said try stopping lansoprazole for 6 weeks which I can’t do. GP sits on fence. Long to have no pain, discomfort, eat normally as have enough problems with lungs and ME/CFS! Sorry moan moan!!

[janetmtt]

No it's an awful problem - I went to dr only once and she wanted me to go for colonscopy but I didn't go - but I feel GP's don't seem to know a lot about this and we have had to do our own research or see alternative therapists and pay private - I'm sick of people thinking it's in our heads but my stomach bloats and I am fed up with it - I restrict my diet - literally had two fish fingers for my breakfast - nothing as yet for lunch which I usually don't have and dinner is veg with either fish/chicken/turkey/pork - yet still I bloat! I'm sick of it - we only have the opportunity to moan on here to others who understand!

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Hear hear Janet. Totally agree in every way!! Like you I don’t know what I’m eating!! Nightmare as I am a vegetarian as well. Supposed to be alkaline for reflux but low fodmap has acidic foods in.

At least we can moan on here... so bye and heres to “off loading/ moaning!”

[janetmtt]

Yes some days don't know why I bother eating and I am wondering do probiotics make it worse as going back to pre probiotic days I don't think I bloated as much TBH - try coming off them and it's like you are now caught in that loop that the bloat is worse - I wish I'd never ever gone on them

[winter2013 in reply to janetmtt]

Again I totally!!! agree and understand everything you say. Also like you hate to seem obsessed and fussy with food but have no choice. Am always saying to my husband ... think I will just stop eating!

[Maureen1958]

Hi Winter, bit late in replying but just wanted to say that I tried silicon gel but only took one dose as I could tell it was going to bung me up. I got my husband (who doesn't have IBS) to try some and he said it was awful. I also tried glutamine round about the same time and that just made me keep going more than usual. Have also tried symprove (I continued with this for about 6 months or so on and off and with varying amounts (because everyone kept telling me to stick with it) but in the end I could not carry on with it. It seemed to dry my system out so I was slightly more constipated but still had liquid running through me. Alflorex had similiar effect on me. They both made my skin very dry too. Maureen.

[winter2013 in reply to Maureen1958]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply Maureen. Yes I’ve not “ been” since I took it and am so swollen and bloated so glad I only took 3 doses!

Interesting to hear your glutamine experience as that was something else I’ve not tried. Alflorex made me the same as well but don’t think I was this swollen! Did wonder if I gave it long enough as took for a month but I know it can take 3 months to repopulate your gut bacteria. I don’t know.... no easy answer.... if only !!