Silicon gel or glutamine: Dear all I have asked... - IBS Network

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Silicon gel or glutamine

winter2013 profile image
17 Replies

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!

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winter2013 profile image
winter2013
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17 Replies
janetmtt profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
janetmtt in reply to winter2013

Check out reviews on amazon re this too

winter2013 profile image
winter2013 in reply to janetmtt

Again will do now!

janetmtt profile image
janetmtt

I always look for reviews before i buy

winter2013 profile image
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 profile image
janetmtt

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

winter2013 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 !!

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