IBS

[SueFML]

My bowels rule my live does anybody else feel the same.

[Sasical]

Yes, I feel the same. More and more I do everything always taking my bm into account. When I travel, meet friends, go to work...Because I feel so awful every time I have to go to the loo, I plan everything around it to minimize having a bad time or embarassing time

[SueFML in reply to Sasical]

I just know that feeling, I have to plan appointments for late morning or early afternoon, even going shopping has to be planned, nothing early morning that is my loo time.

[FRreedman]

Have you tried to retrain your bowels? At 9.00 am every morning, without fail, I go to the toilet and sit down for (if nothing happens) 20 minutes, and then get up and go about my business, doing whatever. Obviously, if I get the warning signs, I return to the toilet. However, if I have a BM, I remain as long as I feel comfortable for and try not to return unless desperate, before 12.00 noon. I did this every day for two weeks and managed to retrain my BMs to fit in with me, although there are times when I have to adjust my timing. Good luck and stay safe.

[SueFML in reply to FRreedman]

I must admit I do sit there first thing in the morning after my cup of tea. Generally go two or three times each morning. The other evening it was ten at night, warning signs and a can’t wait feeling.

[Hidden]

My husband says my bowels rule his life! I have IBS-C and so have no idea when I might suddenly need to open my bowels. Have cut many walks short or ended up almost running for the nearest loo!

[xjrs]

Have you had any help with trying to improve your symptoms so they don't rule your life? Here's some general advice about IBS I've shared with others:

IBS can be due to a number or combination of factors - these can be stress (including stress from early life experiences) which impacts the communication between the brain and the digestive system. There are lots of free webinars online at the moment regarding mindfulness meditation which might help. Plus you can ask to be referred for CBT or something similar to reduce your anxiety - I would have thought online appointments are available. Exercise can play a major role in IBS in terms of reducing stress, helping your gut microbiome and regulating bowel movements.

There is also not absorbing certain types of carbohydrates called FODMAPs very well, the residue ending up in the colon and bacteria feeding off them causing symptoms. Ordinarily feeding gut bacteria is a really good thing - when you feed good gut bacteria these produce by-products that have great health effects in the gut and throughout the body. However, in some people with IBS bad bugs might have the upper hand over good - these bad bugs may cause symptoms such as pain or disordered bowel movements. This is why it’s worth trying probiotics such as Alflorex (which has been scientifically studied for IBS) or Symprove to crowd out the bad bugs and make their numbers die down. If that doesn't work you can try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app it will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities. You can eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks and then introduce each type of FODMAP one at a time starting in small quantities, increasing over a 3 day period and wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount (1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size) of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then try to increment again . I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly. Ideally you want to eat as many FODMAPs as you can since they are good for your health. Many people with IBS don't have diverse gut bacteria - it has been found that people who lack a diverse microbiome are more prone to diseases in general. In the long run, if you can get your symptoms under control, the ideal situation is to have a very varied diet - lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables, a variety of protein and carbohydrate sources including cereal fibres. This may seem a long way off, but with the right treatment all of this is possible. Last year all I could consume to control my IBS was white rice, protein and limited low fodmap veg. Using the approach above (particularly introducing Alflorex) I am now able to consume far more foods - more than I've ever dreamed of including wholewheat bread which is unheard of for me.

If you are also suffering from pain. You may be suffering from visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:

iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorder...

It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain - this is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these. Linaclotide (for IBS-C only though) & Alflorex have helped me with this intestinal pain.

You may also find assistance with anti-spasmodic medication such as mebeverine (Colofac) or enteric coated peppermint.

You can find some info on self management here:

theibsnetwork.org/the-self-...

[SueFML in reply to xjrs]

Thank so much for all that information. I have been looking at the FODMAP web site. I also am taking Amitriptyline at night. Have had two sigmoidoscopy and two colonoscopy which after the first one was diagnosed with IBD which I take Asacol for the last two were clear and they discharged me. My Doctor has now referred me back to the Gastric Clinic as she is sure it is IBS as my KIT test was negative but my appt was cancelled because of the Coronavirus and now I go in July. When I think of it I have had troubles with my bowels all my life but never gave it much thought. Had a good childhood but have always suffered with Anxiety.

Thanks once again x

[SueMount]

Yes totally.

[Mishka123]

Yes. I feel this way too. Every single day I feel this. I know my bowels rule my life and my partner sees it too. Not only does it affect me but it affects our relationship and everything I do. I feel I can't plan for anything. l feel completely consumed by my IBS and SIBO.

[SueFML in reply to Mishka123]

It is a real bugger xx

[juicylucie76]

Yes! I am fed up, and the current situation post COVID is making me worse, public toilets not open in bars, supermarkets or shops. I literally feel like I cannot go out. Its a struggle taking my dog out for walks, as for meeting up with friends its practically impossible as I am so worried. I wish I was like a normal person and just go to the toilet once a day. I am minimum 8 times and always diarrhea and often its urgent 😩😩