Hi guys, I'm new to the site so please be patient with me.
So I've suffered with IBS-D for over 7 years now and it has completely ruined my life. From work, to having a social life and having a relationship. The only thing thing that seems to stop me from having to use the bathroom frequently is having a few alcoholic drinks. The problem is that I end up drinking more than what is needed because there's no set amount of drinks that work. Some days 2-3 drinks will stop the urge to constantly go to the bathroom, some days it takes more.
I know alcohol can be a trigger for IBS but the time while I'm drinking my IBS doesn't play up. I'm sure there is some sort of psychological factor with my condition because when I'm stressed it definitely gets worse. It's gotten to the point where I only travel less than 5 minutes from my flat just in case I have the urge to go and there have been many occasions where I have had leakage and not realised. I am self employed and have had to call in sick to work because of my IBS, as a result I've lost contracts with employers and I'm afraid to go back to work as I had an incident not so long ago which was extremely embarrassing.
I've tried eliminating certain foods and drinks from my diet but it doesn't seem to work. I can have a certain food one day and be perfectly fine and then other days that same food will give me constant diarrhea. I've tried various medicines and nothing seems to work. There are times where I feel like I have gas and if I don't release it there and then, when I try to later on when I'm not around people it won't come out. As well as that sometimes when I try and release the gas, sometimes it's accompanied with leakage.
I really don't know what to do, if anyone has any advice I'd be so grateful as I can't go on with life like this. For now alcohol seems to be the only solution but I can't be drinking everyday like I have done for so many years.
Sorry if I went on a little bit and thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post and if you have replied.
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freddy834703
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Ok I know where you are coming from. 1st does IBS cause anxiety or does anxiety cause your IBS? For me personally IBS happens after lunch so it is difficult for me to go out for a day. Can't find a trigger but hot tea is suspect. The evening is my most comfortable time I have 2 small glasses of wine with my dinner and my tum is calm followed by a glass of water before I go to bed. I feel you may be nearing the danger zone with regards alcohol but only you know that. You have never mentioned in your email going to speak to your GP about your IBS problem. Suggest you do so. I feel I have some control over my IBS as I have an understanding GP who has given me medication, I also do sphincter exercises to help prevent leakages. Take care and wish you well for the future
Thank you for your reply to my post. It's hard to say, I've suffered for over 7 years now and I'm in a vicious cycle which is hard to get out of. I'm so use to having IBS issues over the years that I don't know what to do. Often when I'm at work within a close vicinity of people I get very anxious which doesn't help my condition. Tea is definitely a no no for me, hot drinks or any caffeine products go straight through me so I've cut them out completely. I've spoken to my GP and been referred to gastroenterologists. The first told me I need to be potty trained which was rude as f#*k but I bit my lip and let it slide. The 2nd didn't have results for my colonoscopy after a year so I lost my faith in the NHS. Recently I went private and spent over £3,000 to have another colonoscopy and endoscopy done, again my appointment was canceled 45 mins before it was scheduled!
Yes I am definitely in the danger zone, I recently stopped drinking and was admitted to hospital due to sudden alcohol withdrawal. I had 3 seizures and was put on a drip. This condition has taken over my life, I really don't know what to do. The days I don't drink I spend most of my day in the bathroom, hence why I drink on a regular basis.
You mentioned sphincter exercises, i'll look them p and see if they help. Again thank you for your reply and I wish you all the best.
Good morning I am so sorry to hear you are not too good. I have ibs d and I feel that, if you let it, it will take over your life. Like you I have tried medication and diet restrictions. I have been using Entersol gel for a year now and this marvelous gel has transformed my life. I take it twice a day and it calms the stomach and stops the runs. It's not a medication, but it works for me. I also take acidophilus once a day. Maybe it's worth a try. Take care xx
Oh my goodness you really are suffering!! I had IBS D for 3 years and I got to the point I didn't want to be here so I do empathize with you.
I can tell you what worked for me, hopefully it gives you some ideas?
I did a sibo breath test (private) which came back positive with methane. Turned out I got sibo from years of omeprazole use. The sibo gave me IBS D. Anxiety and food set it off.
The NHS referred me to a Low fodmap dietitian, but I downloaded monash university fodmap app and uk ones too to learn everything about fodmaps before hand. After about 6 weeks my dirhorrea stopped. My triggers were lactose, wheat and various fructans. So I avoid these to this day.
To tackle the sibo I saw a herbalist who gave me herbal antibiotics along side a probiotic called symprove (these both get taken for a long time, months).
For the anxiety, my GP gave me mirtazapine and that helped tremendously. I'm starting to heal, but it can take 2 - 5 years to undo all the damage.
If all of this had failed, I would of got tested for BAM, another common cause for dirhorrea.
I think in your case the main thing is to get help with getting off the alcohol first before anything. I understand it will be uncomfortable, but it just means you can progress to diet next.
My apologies if you've heard this all before, you never know
You really are your own worse enemy. STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL. Fizzy drinks of any ki d are as bad. It can cause problems for days after.
The problem with intolerances is that there could be multiples of combinations
For instance, I can eat potatoes if I don't eat carrots at the same time. I can tolerate both on their own though.
It is thought now that it's all caused by the wrong type of gut bacteria. I would recommend following a low Fodmaps diet (no spicy, greasy or garlicy foods)and get yourself some Symprove. It's a bit expensive per bottle do just get the one and try it. It delivers the right kind if bacteria to the gut. Also, exclude dairy/ lactose for a month.
I suffered almost daily with bouts of diarrhoea!! It ruled my life!! My gp referred me to a gastro after keeping a good diary & various tests I’ve been on medication for Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM). My life has been totally transformed. I can go out, eat, walk for hours without needing the loo. I’ve not had one episode since I started the meds in August last year!! I really feel for you, it’s such a horrible thing to suffer with. Good luck. Look up BAM!!
Strangely, I can partially relate to this, because on the days when I get really uncomfortable bloating, usually, a glass of dry white wine will shift it quite quickly. I agree with Squirells about asking to be tested for BAM. Not sure yet if I have it officially, but taking a sequestrant improves my D, which usually occurs after breakfast and sometimes after lunch. Not so often in the evening. My brother also has BAM, and being prescribed Questran has changed his life.
Thank you all for your replies I really appreciate it. I will definitely ask my GP to refer me for the BAM test. I've had stool tests done but these have all come back negative. I'm off of work now so I can try different things and not worry if they could potentially react badly with me.
Also I ordered YORK test the other day which has just come in the post this morning. It seems like a great test which tests your tolerance to 208 different foods and drinks so I will let you know the results and whether or not it would be a good idea for anyone else to order it.
Thank you again for your replies and support, it's reassuring knowing that I'm not the only one who's suffered with this horrible condition, and that there are options to keep it under control.
Vodka, it's always been the drink I've drank. I did go through a period where I had Rose but there was way too much sugar in it so I switched back to vodka. It's really weird, when I drink my IBS is non existent. Last year I went to a festival, didn't eat and just drank and I was fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I ate the following day late afternoon, within an hour my IBS-D came back. I know it's not the best of solutions but I swear on my life it's the only remedy that seems to stop me spending half my day in the bathroom. It's a catch 22 and I don't know what to do. I stopped drinking a short while ago and after a few days I went to A&E, collapsed in the waiting area, had 3 seizures and was admitted immediately. They ran some tests and discovered I had a rapid heart rate. This was treated as well as giving me some supplements via IV infusion. I was given lorazepam which really seemed to help my IBS whilst I was there, but the Doc refused to prescribe any more due to the potential of it being addictive, he advised me to take phenergan which hasn't helped one bit. I also take amitryptiline 50mg at night which seems to help a little bit because if I don't take it, I feel the difference the following day.
I'm really hoping this YORK test gives me an indication as to what I have an intolerance to, will save me a lot of time having to eliminate a million different foods from my diet for a month, fingers crossed the results come back conclusive
I personally have been to therapy to alleviate the anxiety and stress caused by IBS.
Firstly I will say that I completely agree with what you're saying....I love drinking because it is one of the only things that alleviates the pain and stress of having IBS. The reason for this is it is keeping you distracted. A lot of IBS is caused mentally and so when you are drunk you are not thinking about how your stomach will react. This being said you cannot rely on alcohol to make you feel okay.
I want to suggest that you make an appointment with a therapist (in the UK we have talk plus and they are thoroughly educated on IBS) so you can talk your problems through. If you still feel like leaving the house is too much then online/ telephone appointments are always available. I have found that the mind and body have a huge link between them; meaning that if you are happy mentally you can help yourself physically.
I'm not going to lie I am not the best at giving advice however really wanted to write something to help you out.
I have a post on my page that I think you would find helpful. Please give it a read and it may help.
If you feel you would like to talk to someone please do not hesitate to message me privately. I live a very busy lifestyle with work and my personal life however I always have 15 mins to talk.
Have you tried keeping a wellness diary recording food and mood? This may help identify patterns and triggers to your IBS. Stress and anxiety are triggers.
Hi drink peppermint tea in morning ,alcohol.makes it worse after day or2,it ok when drinking when stop it gets worse,take bio kult replaces bad bacteria in gut,other than that diet,no fatty food or 2 much dairy.
Have you tried kombucha? It got me through my worst. I copied and pasted an explanation of it from Google in case you're not familiar with it. Here it is: Kombucha is a fermented, slightly alcoholic, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly consumed for its supposed health benefits. Sometimes the beverage is called kombucha tea to distinguish it from the culture of bacteria and yeast.
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I had IBS D for 3 years and I got to the point I didn't want to be here so I do empathize with you. 
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