Advice!!!

[Toonarmy1]

After some advice... I’ve had IBS for a while now and often get left sided abdo pain and bloating on this side... always the left side!!! I feel like I have to pee more often too!!! I’m always constipated and wondered if anyone else has these symptoms?

[Linley]

Morning

Firstly, what tests did you have to get a diagnosis of IBS?

[Toonarmy1 in reply to Linley]

Hi I saw a gastroenterologist and had an endoscopy

[Linley in reply to Toonarmy1]

Well if you had a colonoscopy and it was recent then what I thought may be troubling you obviously isn't, that being diverticular pockets. I am no clinician just a layperson who has diverticular. I agree with xjrs if your symptoms have changed or meds not working please contact your GP🍀

[Toonarmy1 in reply to Linley]

My endoscopy was a couple of years ago so I’m gonna give gp a ring

[Linley in reply to Toonarmy1]

Good for you

[Toonarmy1 in reply to Linley]

Can’t get a call back today... told to try tomorrow!!! How frustrating!!!

[xjrs]

Have you been formally diagnosed with IBS-C (constipation dominant IBS)? I have heard that constipation can put pressure on the urinary tract making you feel the need to pee more often.

I have IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it and I am also taking Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS and is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM without laxatives including 4 tablespoon oatbran, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 8 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and 3 shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

[Toonarmy1 in reply to xjrs]

Hi thanks for the reply. Yes I drink 3 litres of water a day and I do exercise 3-4 times a week... I have normally been able to manage using senna and mebeveribe but these don’t seem to help anymore

[xjrs in reply to Toonarmy1]

You'll need a GP phone appointment if you have had a change in symptoms.

[Toonarmy1 in reply to xjrs]

I think it’s more the fact that I stopped taking my mebeverine regularly as my ibs seemed to improve but has come back recently ... I’ve been on antibiotics so I’m wondering if this has caused my flare up

[xjrs in reply to Toonarmy1]

Absolutely antibiotics will have an influence. Might be best to go on a good probiotic to get some balance back into your system.

[Toonarmy1 in reply to xjrs]

And this is my 3rd lot !!!

[Toonarmy1 in reply to xjrs]

Can u recommend a good probiotic?

[xjrs in reply to Toonarmy1]

I've been on Alflorex for a while now and it's the probiotic that has helped me the most. It is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org (£24 annual subscription).

[casares8]

Yes always the same for me too, left hand side. Emptying bladder 4 times a night! I think definitely the blocked bowel presses on the bladder. I also have a hernia which pops out when constipated.

[Toonarmy1 in reply to casares8]

I was starting to get worried!! I’m a nurse on a cancer unit so was thinking the worse... it’s slightly better this morning after taking senna last night and going to the loo finally!! Still tender over my left side though