How do I get IBS flare up under control ?

[CazO46]

I was diagnosed a few months ago with IBS and areas diverticular . I also have vestibular migraines so al in pretty miserable time . I have IBS with mostly diarrhoea and haven't been able to get it under control. I'm on MENEVERINE and trying a low fibre diet... I can only manage build up build up drinks today. Does anyone have any suggests about how to stabilise?? Thanks for reading my post, I'm grateful.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Know just how you feel. What I thought was a UTI turns out to have been a flare up of my IBS and the doctor thinks diverticulitis or something like that. I saw the practise nurse with a sample that wasn’t a UTI and next day I saw my doctor. Could have hung around and seen her later the same day but I felt so awful I went home to bed instead.

I find my IBS much easier to cope with when it is diarrhoea, this time it was constipation and that is just miserable.

I was prescribed amoxicillin for seven days and Mebeverine to take twenty minutes before each meal. That was on Friday and I’m now feeling fairly ok. I’m lucky (I think!) that I don't go off my food. Even though this time I felt really nauseous.

Totally ruined what was meant to be a long weekend in France though. My French is ok, I can do shopping and even broken down car but bowel problems - don’t think I want to get involved in that when I’m only away for four days.

Hopefully you will get back to normal soon. It’s no joke IBS.

[CazO46 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I'm supposed to be going to a family BBQ soon but I'm afraid to go as there is only one toilet at their house and I can't face the embarrassment. Hope you feel better soon, I agree it is miserable and I'm only eating because I've lost a lot of weight but have no appetite 🙁

[Linley]

Hi!

I cannot imagine having migraines and the pain you go through. But I can try and help you with the other issues. I have IBS D and diverticular pockets.

I am fortunate that I have not experienced any problems with the diverticular as all my problems are on the right. If any probs particularly pain and fever appear on the left my GP says go and see him. As for my main problem IBS D, the first thing I would say is never let it get the better for you. I take Mebeverine to calm the wind and cramps and I take Immodium if I am travelling far. I have a radar key and can't wait card available from the IBS network so if I prepare myself I am ok. Food wise I try and eat plain carbs as I find it hard to maintain weight. Hope that helps and good luck

[CazO46 in reply to Linley]

Thanks so much for your advice, just started meds so hopefully it will calm down and I won't leave home without it! Take care thanks again

[b1b1b1]

I may have already mentioned this, but if not, consider the FODMAP diet. As to the barbecue, take an immodium before you go, and eat carefully.

[CazO46 in reply to b1b1b1]

Thanks for the advice, I have been looking online at theFODMAP diet, looks a bit restrictive but might be worth the effort thanks again

[b1b1b1]

In the beginning it does feel restrictive, however within a few weeks, at least for me, it became very comfortable. My dietician now wants me to try challenging it and adding back some of the restricted foods gradually. I basically just want to remain on the diet. My gastro says it is OK to stay on it if I want, as there is enough variety for good nutrition. I note from another of your posts that you are dizzy and nauseous. I wonder if the IBS could be caused by the nausea. I am so sorry you are suffering from all this. xxx

[CazO46 in reply to b1b1b1]

I see you can get a cookbook from Amazon so I think I might give it a go, thanks

[torcol]

I find that if I do anything, housework, laundry, yard work, heck I’ll paint a room! It takes my mind off it and I feel better. It’s not magically going to disappear but I can change how I react. That’s all I’ve got right now!

[CazO46 in reply to torcol]

Thank you, I'm on medication from yesterday so I'm hoping that helps too

[TerrymC54]

Probiotics & Prebiotics have helped me. I also drink Heathers Fennel Tea, I purchase over Amazon. Banana, a little oatmeal, scrambled eggs. Small meals. Heathers Prebiotics helped with the diarrhea. Good luck, I am so sorry. It's miserable. I'm just coming off of a bad flare. Hugs ❤

[CazO46 in reply to TerrymC54]

Thank you, I bought some probiotics but I wasn't sure if o should take them until the flare up was more stable

[TravellerNZ in reply to CazO46]

I have just join this site. I take inner health ibs supports -Probiotics.

[Hidden]

2 cups of camomile tea a day and plenty of water. I don’t drink anything else now. I noticed a change in a couple of days. I’ve not taken mebeverine since doing this and used to take it everyday.

[CazO46 in reply to Hidden]

I'm a fan of camomile so I'll keeping drinking that. Thank you

[LisaFearlessFoodChef]

I also have a history of IBS and migraines. I use an app to track my migraine attacks (called Migraine Buddy) as I wanted to try to identify whether certain types of food were a trigger. I actually discovered that I was getting them around the time of my monthly's. My IBS symptoms, however, are week to week. I have noticed that my migraines attacks to also coincide when my IBS is particularly intense. I have followed the low fodmap diet and this really helped. I identified main triggers of onions and garlic, so it's definitely worth pursuing as when I avoid these foods, I feel much better. I hope you give the low fodmap diet a go and gain some relief.

I also find magnesium, vitamin E supplements and a herbal remedy called Migraease help for my migraines.

[CazO46 in reply to LisaFearlessFoodChef]

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm getting as much information as I can about the diet before I start as I am already a little underweight and don't want to loss any more. I feel more stressed when I have a flare up which I think also makes my vestibular migraines worse too. I've just started taking magnesium and I've read peppermint oil capsules might help too? Thanks again

[Lulububs]

Well i got diagnosed about 18 months ago now probably after years of suffering but just used to think “ oh u got bad stomach today” but actually ended up in a&e once after days of not being able to keep anything in and losing over stone in 2 weeks.

It turns out i was gluten and dairy intolerant and it had built up and built up till id made myself ill.

I now take probiotics ( twice a day) digestive enzymes( twice a day) peppermint oil capsules( AGAIN twice a day) and i have gone gluten and dairy free and i only eat little and often so not big meals as ur body cannot digest big meals ..

That seems to have sorted me.. with divericulitus u need to stay away from things like corn and nuts and seeds little things that can get stuck in the pockets and become infected.( i havent got that but have a friend who has).

Im afraid ibs is about learning to totally re train ur body to eat better and no spicey foods, try not to eat much yeast. I learnt the hard way my body cannot cope with to much beef or red meats but loves chicken... but it was the tablets that sorted me. Also if i have a flare straight to buscopan,peptobismol and peppermint tea. Also fast for that day, do not eat anything and it soon goes

[CazO46 in reply to Lulububs]

Thanks lulubuds, I'm still getting to know what I can't eat but am keeping a food diary. I'm trying to eat only small amounts of gluten even though I've been told I'm not gluten intolerant but I feel like I digest it easier. Thanks again for all your help 😊

[Lulububs in reply to CazO46]

Thats ok.

We gota stick together and help each other. I wished when i got diagnosed someone had helped me or i knew about this site.

I suffered untill i eventually paid to see a gastro dr and a allergist.

I still have bad days and realise i have another intolerance every now and again.

Last week i found out it was red meat the hard way!

Im ok if it hot and small amount but i made the mistake of eating a slab cold OH MY GOD WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS... i literally thought i was dying

[CazO46 in reply to Lulububs]

Oh no how awful. I'm still nervous about foods I used to enjoy so I'm going to take it slowly, hope you stay well X

[Gutfeelings]

Hi Caz.

I haven't been here for a long time but I have found for me that the low fodmap diet has helped. When I'm having symptoms or in a flare the only thing I can do is fast and rest...had a v bad day yesterday think it was maybe I'd strayed off the low fodmap foods...I have found that sometimes I'm ok to eat something and fine but other times I will eat the same thing and feel awful...

The other thing is I find taking a good probiotic really helps me...they are expensive but I tried one at a local healthshop and have managed to get it on Amazon I buy it on subscribe and save which adds to the saving. Its called Quest Mega 8 biotix, it has 8 strains of bacteria and is slow release. I take 1 a day to make them last a month 30 in pack but do better on 2 daily..take it with or after food.

Just remembered... if you decide to try fodmap diet there are a ton of recipes free on pinterest which is where I've got mine from...

Hope you feel better soon

Take care

[CazO46 in reply to Gutfeelings]

I'm really grateful for your help, I have bought probiotics but I was a bit unsure about taking them as I was worried adding something else in during a flare up but I think I will start. Thanks again for your help .