Hi all,
When you get a particularly bad IBS flare up, when it feels like everything sets you off, what do you do to help?
It often makes me panic when I'm in a lot of pain because of it, and I struggle to swallow buscopan. Any tips/advice would be amazing.
Thanks for reading 🌺
I know what you mean! It’s hard to think of anything else when the cramps start. I am currently sat with a hot water bottle trying to watch TV x
I hope you feel better soon!
I start by making plans for everything, but the first thing to do is put some spare clean underwear in a bag, with loads of wipes and hand sanitizer. Then make a route for where I am going, which passes hospitals, pubs/bars, fast food outlets and getting shops and garages. (These all have toilets you can use). Finally make certain that there are plenty of bathroom/toilet facilities available at the destination.
Thanks that's really good advice 
I do all that but isn't it so annoying that we have to be so prepared, I will dose up on Imodium if I'm on a day trip and even then I still need to know of toilets on the way and destination,
I'd go to the doctors and get some better medication. Be careful what your eating cut out wheat and lactose see if that helps . Hot drinks, hot water bottle, massage your abdomen.Try taking paracetamol. I hope you feel better soon. I'm having a flare up it's very debilitating.
I would say , go back to basics. Simplify your diet, don’t eat prepackaged food and drink lots of water. Good luck.
Thank you, I'll definitely try it!
I take Imodium and just water and bananas, usually subsides within couple of hours oh and rest , hope you feel better soon x
If you are travelling don't eat before and take immodium x
Also try to relax I know it's hard you could listen to a relaxation DVD see if that helps. Good luck.
Thanks I'll try it
Hi Panicmad, there's a couple of things you can do for an IBS flare up, ill use an example for myself when I thought eating lots of fibre was the best thing to do but I was having explosive diarrhea! I would say the main thing to do is identify your trigger's and stay away from them for a while everyone it different it could be things like FODMAP vegetables or fruits, Gluten, Dairy, Animal Fats, Fructose, Stress the list goes on. Try doing a food diary for 5 days write down your symptoms, what you've eaten at what time etc so you have something to work from. For me when I was in a bad way I got instant relief from a combination of probiotics + diet change never really took any medications for IBS as its just plastering over the problem. You could try things like Root Vegetable Soups, Chicken Soups, White Rice, White Potato's, Lean meats, Omega 3 rich fish like salmon, you need to give your gut lining a chance to heal in my case I needed soluble fibre, as insoluble fibre would destroy me from the inside. Things like insoluble fibre are like Nuts, Beans, vegetable skins, wild rice all these things were very abrasive to the gut lining as its harder to break down, they were most likely FODMAPS aswell which made them more fermentable by bacteria and cause more discomfort.
Check Your Vitamin D levels checked as low Vitamin D is linked to stomach problems and especially diarrhoea. If you're not taking probiotics try one for baby's first then slowly increase the dose, if you have never taken them. Try taking a Fish oil supplement as they are anti inflammatory, your body needs good fats to function.
Hope this Helps, any more questions just ask me
Sorry you’re having such a bad time 
I definitely rely on my hot water bottle when my IBS flares up (I actually have 3! A normal one, a belt one and a mini one to take around with me), I find it more useful than most of the drugs like mebeverine or buscopan.
I’ve been drinking a lot of ginger tea recently whenever I feel unsettled which has helped to some degree.
Loperamide has pain killing properties so I sometimes take them if the diarrhoea is taking over my life and the cramps are too much. I find that opening my bowels too much in a day makes the pain worse!!
When this happens , I have learned to just "hang up the day"... "give it up ", just do everything you need to do to relax....stay home cancel apts etc. , lay on heating pad , watch tv , or computer stuff....do something thats good for your soul and let your body do its thing, and go with it. ..and I have learned not to worry so much if people dont understand. Take care of your self, and we are here to talk too
Hi. I have recently been diagnosed and have also been struggling. Stomach cramps can be so awful. I am trying to drink more water not ice cold though as that sets it off! Buscopan, and mint tea. Try to stay hydrated. Coffee tends to send me into cramps as does chocolate. I’m trying to work out my triggers which is such a massive challenge. I have just started medication from my gp to see if that helps and so maybe seek their support as well. I have also been referred to a dietician to see if I have intolerances or allergies. I avoid lactose too. Feel better soon. We are all in it together!
Same, coffee and chocolate trigger me too. I've just started to cut out lactose and if that helps maybe I'll try cutting out some gluten too. Thanks 😊
As well as using a hot water bottle or wheat pad, when I have a very bad flare up, I eat porridge for every meal, and and usually find it gone the next day. it`s worth a try.
Good luck.
I get severe painful cramps now and then to the point I cannot walk for the pain.
I avoid all junk food, food cooked in oil, I sometimes go gluten free if I have bad flare but as I go to the toilet 2-4 times on average. I don’t really eat much because I have to go to toilet straight after especially in restaurants. I found that going gluten free sometimes helped me
Hi there,
We have information on our website that may help you theibsnetwork.org
How do you manage? 
Managing IBS and work…
How do you know it is IBS and not something more serious?
Do I have IBS
