Do I have IBS?

[Dogsmum]

Ive had problems with my bowels for years, either constipated or loose. I cant remember a normal formed stool. Mostly its very soft with urgent anf frequent visits to the loo. On the rare occasion Im constipated my rectum is full of rabbit like droppings. I do have constant backache, and for years attended a private physio, although I dont think that helped. The pain and stiffness appears to me to be muscular not spinal. Twice Ive had haemorrhoid banding. A colonoscopy a few years ago showed nothing abnormal. Last month I requested a cancer screening test which came back normal. Yesterday I had a very unpleasant experience. I had opened my bowels several times in the morning and felt quite uncomfortable when I had to go out. Within an hour I realised I should drive home urgently. The 15 minute journey was agony to control incontinence and on leaving the car and rushing indoors I had a massive uncontrollable evacuation of my bowel, which was VERY- distressing. Today I realised I must do something about it, thus my reason for finding this support group. I have not contacted my doctor due to the current covid19 problems. Im assuming if my self diagnosis is correct I will just have to learn to live with it?

[CoffeeLove]

Your doctor will still be available to speak to you despite Covid. It may be a telephone appointment but it’s definitely worth speaking to them about it.

[Dogsmum in reply to CoffeeLove]

Thank you, Ill try to speak to my doctor.

[xjrs]

Presuming you have IBS, it doesn't sound like you've been getting any help with your it. Here is some information about IBS that I have shared with others in this group in case any of these tips are of interest to you:

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 excess gas, 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 and Kings College fodmap apps, they 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-...

If all of the usual IBS remedies fail and you are experiencing diarrhea, it is worth getting tested for BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption), which can cause constant diarrhea - there is a separate test and treatment for that. Good luck.

[Claire44]

Good afternoon I am sorry to hear you are not too great. Have you tried Entersol gel, it's really helped me. I have ibs d and it's a game changer, stops the frequency, urgency and firms things up. Hope it works for you xx

[NOTHINGBUTPAIN76 in reply to Claire44]

Hi can you buy this at chemist plz.

[Claire44 in reply to NOTHINGBUTPAIN76]

Good morning you can or you can buy it on line from the Entersol gel website, Boots or Holland and Barrett's. Good luck I hope it works for you, I wouldn't be with out it xx