How long is your longest flare up

[Beachy44]

I have had IBS for 20 years. Mine was always triggered by food culminating in stomach pain and diarrhoea. Then constipation. The longest flare would be a couple of months. But this has been going on for 8 months and I’m seriously starting to panic. I have had probably the most stressful Year!! Ever. So I’m trying to be rational that it’s stress related. Alcohol definitely doesn’t help. Peppermint capsules do help. But once a week diarrhea then a couple of normal bowel movements then diarrhea. It’s always after my evening meal. My anxiety is off the scale at the moment and this is making it worse. I haven’t been losing weight. I’m not tired. I have had a tiny bit of bleeding which the dr confirmed was piles. But all I can think of is that I’m seriously ill. I have moved three hundred miles away from family and friends and currently do not have a home as my new house isn’t ready and I’m living in temp accommodation with two children. My husband is working 200 miles away. I feel so alone with all this.

[JohnS63]

Sorry to hear of your symptoms...I can fully empathize.

At a worst case, my flare up can be up to three days.

Currently experiencing one at the moment that started last night and is gradually getting more intense.

I'm wracking my brains as to the cause. Like you I think there's an element of anxiety but think it could also be onions, that I didn't actually eat but were part of the dish I had yesterday evening.

John

[Cjc_woodworx]

My longest flare up is 4 months that was when I was first diagnosed about 5 years ago

[Humby]

My flare ups can vary from months at a time (by which I mean at least 5-6) to just a couple of days. What I find is that during a flare up, a cup of peppermint tea at the beginning of the day to replace my coffee, really helps to get them under control. It also helps with stress, so bonus!

[Marathoner]

What exactly is a flare up? No disrespect, but EVERYDAY I have diarrhea. Sometimes it's 2 or 3 times, sometimes, it's 10 times. In 6 years I can count on one hand diarrhea free days. I just know that with each meal comes a potty break. No gym in the morning as I need time to "clean out" and after dinner is always a disaster. I am not on any "prescribed medication" even after going through a battery of tests a few summers ago. When I am really really in pain or can not get my stomach to settle down, I take a 5 or 10mg muscle relaxer prescribed for my back pain actually, and for gassy bloatedness I just take Pepcid AC. I was diagnosed with post-infectious ibs.

[Beachy44]

Thank you for all your replies I have been taking Colpermin. Which has helped. It seems to have calmed down. Marathoner I know what you mean if I’m honest aswell it never truly goes away.

[MrE3]

As of now, 4 weeks.