IBS can’t stop pooing, travelling soon

[Laurabora89]

Hi,

I have suffered with IBS since I was 12, in and out of constipation and faecal urgency.

Recently my symptoms have gotten worse and as a shift worker in a hospital this is becoming an issue. I am finding I am in massive pain and then the pressure and spasms come and I am literally going to poo myself if I don’t get to a toilet. This is then followed by constipation which has lasted for over a week and the cycle repeats.

I have lost weight recently and changed my diet which I feel has improved my regularity but I’m finding myself so stressed it’s starting to affect my daily activities again (would stop me going out as couldn’t stop pooing).

I recently went away to Paris and my bowels were so bad I had to have my seat changed on the plane to the back so I could be near the toilet, I also had terrible bowels on another flight back from Vienna. I am starting to become stressed at the thought of flying again and I don’t know what I can do to help the situation which I know is going to occur, I have a trip in just over 2 weeks.

Can anyone relate or am I too broken? Looking for some advice.

[Hidden]

Think first of all see your GP just to make sure nothing else is going on.

Stress won’t help, of course, you are probably stuck in that vicious circle.

Unfortunatly, I believe that shift work is not ideal for you either.

If it is still confirmed as IBS, then you may need a complete review/change of diet. Have you tried Colpermin, I find that is good for wind and calming the system.

Are you eating regualar meals or are they a bit erratic because of shift work? You say that your changed diet has improved things a bit, perhaps there is a clue in that! Food intolerance can cause serious problems, watch bread, pastry, batter, cereals, toast, all can cause serious wind, pain and cramp.

Assuming doc finds nothing, it will likely be caused by diet/lifestyle.

[Linley]

Do understand so well Laurabora89 until I controlled the stress/anxiety of it all I was at sea with the symptoms. First, see your GP and check if it is IBS. Then if the GP says yes it is IBS sort out what food may be making it worse. If your shift work takes you away from a toilet then speak to your employers or contact the IBS network who will be able to advise you. Once you take back control all should settle. Something else that may help you I was told by a Gastro that you can take immodium long haul if you have confirmed IBS D. Good luck

[Poppywoman]

Hi Laura. I can relate! I have suffered with IBS d for many years. Have had all the tests, which came back normal, tried FODMAP, exclusion diets etc. to no avail!! Certainly any stress makes things worse so now I "manage my bowels".... When I travel I take 2 Imodium tabs before I go to bed. I don't eat anything in the morning & take 2 more Imodium tabs. It does make me constipated for a few days & windy, but I'd rather that than having to poo frequently! I also take Citalopram prescribed by my doc, which helps calm the anxiety I feel when about to travel & not being near a loo! It's not ideal by any means but at least it gives me the "freedom" to travel, meet friends & family.

[Hidden]

Yes many other people have the same symptoms. They may be due to stress and anxiety

but often may be linked to a food intolerance. Dairy egg, gluten are tested for by doctor but some people have multi grain dairy egg and other intolerances which combine to produce histamine in the intestines which may not be standard on the NHS. I found when I removed my intolerances, it did help. You could ask your doctor for food tests as your symptoms are much worse.

The stress which affects the muscles in the colon is not under your conscious control.

By taking a medication to calm the bowel muscles so they do not go into spasm may help.

I take fibre gel drink sachets. They help to absorb the excess water in the bowel so you don't have all those alternating symptoms

I find Colofac medication helps calm the bowel and stops the cramps and pain.

Don't know what your doctor will prescribe - but some drugs such as merbentyl can act as a general sedative relaxant rather than targeting the bowel muscle only. I use co codomol

if I have an occasional attack. I can usually track it back to eating something like cream.

. If you haven't been to your doctor would advise you do so. You could try a diet cutting out bread with white flour, rye, barley and maize and egg and changing to lactase free milk. Expect you know what sets you off. I take an antihistamine which helps to lower histamine response every day. I still have to avoid all those foods which work against my metabolism.

[Laurabora89]

Thanks for your responses!

I have had the fybogel sachets and colofac capsules before but I didn’t find they helped, in fact I found that the fybogel made it worse..I was getting attacks every morning and having to go 5/6 times maybe more!

I have changed my milk to almond and I think that has helped, I have noticed that sometimes too much dairy kills me but I cannot pin point one one specific food group. Alcohol also hates my insides.

I don’t tend to suffer with gas, it’s the urgency to go and horrendous cramps. I was diagnosed years ago with IBS but I have noticed some changes like a discharge/mucous which is passed which had occurred before irregular which then became regular around 6months ago and has since calmed down.

I also noticed that after a particularly bad attack an oil like film on the water surface..don’t reallu know what is going on. I know some of it is stress related, as for my job I have to work shifts as it’s the NHS and I have a stressful role.

I just feel alone, I can joke about it with friends and family but no one reallu gets it

[alicemarsh in reply to Laurabora89]

Hi because you said about the oil like film this could be fat malabsorption- I suggest u tell the doctor about this. See - steatorrhea there are several conditions that can cause this.

I would ask to see a specialist as you need to get this sorted

So you can feel ok again. There are tests they can do.

Best wishes with your search for answers.

Alice

[Star1993]

Hi Laura I’m in same position when I fly I will book a seat next to the toilet to put my mind at ease also I will take some Imodium in the morning before I fly. Flying stressed me out so much and gave me panic attacks my doctors gave me diazepam only 2mg I took one tablet while queuing up to board the flight and that is enough for me by the time I have sat down it kicked in and make me feel so relaxed. I know this may not be a option for everyone but I only take 1 before I fly.

[sweetsusie]

Please have your doctor prescribe either Welchol or Colestipol...these 2 drugs will stop diarrhea in it's tracks! Don't let the doctor tell you these are only used for people who have had gallbladder surgery..many drugs are used for many different issues...these are 2. They are also used for Type II Diabetes and to lower cholesterol (but only in conjunction with a statin). They are wonderful! I use Colestipol because it is less expensive over here i the States.....