IBS/Hot weather/new job

[Crystal89]

Does anyone else find that this very warm weather increases the severity of their ibs? And I've started a new job this week. My stomach is so unhappy right now. Just feel like giving up. I know it will ease, it always does. But when I'm in it, Im just so tired of this.

[Hidden]

First of all yeast loves being heated, next anxiety, yeast in the stomach loves this as well. Heat and the anxiety of a new job and bingo an IBS flare up. I know from experience that it is easy to say don't worry, but the reality is a lot more difficult to accomplish. Try to stay calm and stick to bland foods until you get through this flare up. That is what I try to do.

Good luck

[Crystal89 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying! Hearing that it's down to a simple thing like yeast makes it less frustrating and just one of those things. I heard probiotic drinks can help to rebalance the good bacteria to help?

[Iwilldothisthisyear]

Definitely, this heat has made me have flare ups & stress definitely makes it worse.

[Crystal89 in reply to Iwilldothisthisyear]

It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one. Been up since 5.30 with it and I've given in and taken an upset stomach tablet. I'm happy to ride it out.. If I was just at home. But when I'm in a new environment, it just makes the stress worse. Which then makes the ibs worse. Its a never ending cycle.

[Iwilldothisthisyear in reply to Crystal89]

That’s what I had to do on Tuesday . A couple of weeks ago I had to go back home with it as I couldn’t manage the walk to station .

[issy21]

Glad you said this as didn’t know if heat caused ibs to flare up as it’s been so bad recently!

[Crystal89 in reply to issy21]

I happened to me last year during the summer too and now it's happening again, I assumed the heat is the common factor. I usually suffer from ibs anyway and on medication for it but the way my stools are when the heat is affecting it, is different to my normal ibs. I really hope you're feeling better.

[grandylynda]

came across your post by chace but glad I did. Judging from the responses and my recent experience I would say definatly yes. I dren;t go out without taking imodeum

[Crystal89 in reply to grandylynda]

Oh bless you. I'm really happy that this thread has helped make you feel more at ease. This is a great website for making you feel like you're not the only one.

[xjrs]

Have you been getting any help with your IBS, so that you don't have flare ups even in hot weather? Here is some information about IBS that I have shared with others in this group in case it is of interest:

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. There is an interesting infographic on this here:

gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/....

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 and your bad bugs are under control with a good probiotic. 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) & 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-...

[Hidden]

If you are at the extreme end of flora imbalance in the gut be very careful how you use probiotics. They are not a wonder drug and can aggravate the problem more if not taken with a considered approach. It is usually those who have had massive doses of antibiotics that will have a detrimental effect taking probiotics randomly. You may well get a good result tweaking your diet and trying to deal with the anxiety. Not easy but doable.

[DaisyCat3]

Yes, definitely, was doing ok until heatwave then had chest pain with lots of gas for days now. Have that horrible empty feeling too so eating very bland food atm!

[j44y]

Hello I am new here and joined this site after seeing this post and got directed to this site from NHS website.

1 week and 1 day from today I been having diarrhea and body temperature change and feel weak. I phoned the GP 3 days into it and told me it could be stomach bug. First day my anxiety was something I have never felt in my life. Worry about my whole life and so on. I taken all the for diarrhea like Imodium and fluids. Now I am thinking is it due to the heat and by ibs as i am still having issues. Like sleeping issues. When i wake up i have a temperature and feel hot and sweaty. They have told me years back i have IBS but just plotted on with my life with just getting use to going toilet a lot more often.