Hello everyone. I'm not sure if I have IBS, it hasn't been a confirmed diagnosis. Mainly because it was quite bad at one point. Back in 2019 it started with sudden diarrhea which increasingly got worse and became an on and off thing, cramping, spasms, constantly feeling like somethings being twisted inside of me. then my periods started to become excruciating and they thought I may have endometriosis. Went on the pill, symptoms became easier to deal with. Also tried colpermin, buscopan, alverine citrate etc... came off all of those including the pill cause they weren't doing much and months passed and I became slowly better (without any diet changes, in fact I was feeling my best when I was eating whatever I wanted) and about 3 months ago I felt fairly normal. Stool was being passed often and it was normal. (I did still have pain and cramping in the morning that but that was always relieved after a BM).
Fast forward to now, a month, nearly 2, after my laparoscopy (they found an omental adhesion to the anterior abdominal wall and removed it) and I don't know what is going on inside me. Everything feels and sounds like it's going haywire. I was given oral antibiotics to take for a week but this was a month ago. I know antibiotics can mess with gut microbiome but surely it can't make you feel THIS bad? I've been taking probio7 twice a day but it hasn't helped so far. It feels like I've gone back to 2019 and it's really upsetting as I reached a place where I was doing well. It increasingly gets worse throughout the day, I get feeling of spasms ALL day, bloating, woke up and had diarrhoea today twice already, sometimes I feel constipated too, my intestines feel like they're doing dances inside of me and yesterday night my entire abdomen was hard and swollen. Even my pelvic area aches.
I'm just going to go ahead and treat this as an "IBS flareup" because I spoke to my gastro and he said that's the only thing he can suggest at the moment. He also sounded like he couldn't wait to get off the phone with me so he wasn't of much use. I'm just scared this could be the start of a very painful journey for me again just as I was beginning to get better. I don't know if the laparoscopy triggered something off inside of me but that was a month and a half ago so surely that can't be it? I've taken buscopan but it's not really doing anything.
I'm at my limit here, every day I wake up in pain and it doesn't stop. Been like this for 5 days now. Anyone know when or how I can reach the end of this flare up? I've ordered alflorex but now I'm hearing people say it made them feel worse and I don't know whether to risk that.
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Amywoodx
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Also could it even be the antibiotics that caused this? because it was just up until last week that I felt like this bad and the antibiotics were taken 1 month ago- however my pain DID get increasingly worse since taking them, just not drastically until 1 week ago
Good morning I am so sorry to hear you are feeling awful. My journey began 4 year's ago after having 3 lots of different antibiotics to treat a sinus infection. I too had terrible tummy spasms and rumbling which led to constantly going to the toilet. I've tried pro biotics, including Alflorex, which made me quite ill. I take mebeverine 3 times a day, follow the fodmap diet and drink peppermint tea. My life safer had been Entersol Gel 3 times a day. It is expensive but definitely worth it. It slows down the trips to the loo and firms things up, without side effects. Works for me. I also found my periods got worse and my ibs d was dreadful around that time. I hope you feel better soon xx
It was around a few weeks after I had completed the last course when my tummy troubles began. The GP informed me that antibiotics can kill the good bacteria off in your gut, which could have triggered my IBSD x
Wow that’s awful, I really wish I hadn’t taken the antibiotics now. They weren’t even necessary, I had a skin infection which probably cleared up more by cream that was given than oral antibiotics 😭 now I’m scared I may have to suffer like this long term
I am sure you won't. It does get easier and this forum is an excellent source of support and information. I agree that you need to have a diagnosis and then you can ensure you receive the right medication and advice. From what I understand there are quite a few triggers for IBS. I was 44 when I got diagnosed and now find its manageable with simple lifestyle changes and medication. Wishing you good luck xx
I can tell you just about for a fact that antibiotics will cause this reaction. by their nature they kill off both bad and good bacteria. I have been experiencing constant daily IBS C due to antibiotics i took ages ago, it just needs something minor to kick it off. Dr's are all too easily perscribing drugs because its the quick fix, i may now have IBS for a long time thanks to someone we trust. Mine case is actually worse given a toxic drug that i knew nothing about for a bout of Roscea, called Accutane, the pain has followed. Please dont beat yourself up about doing what we all do, you trusted someone to make you well, and they let you down. Im sorry to hear of your troubles and pray that you are on the mend...
Sounds like it could be endo to me,especially if youu've had adhesions and symptoms eased after going on the pill. My cousin suffers with endo and has had severel lesions removed with laser treatment a few were attached to her bowel. If I were you I'd go and see a gyne and insist they check for endo
That’s what was suspected at first: I’ve just had a laparoscopy on 21st September and it was all clear 😩 none of my docs know what to do next. It all got better 3 months before my lap I even had painless periods but now it’s come back. I don’t know if the lap has triggered it but I wish I never went
My cousin had endo for years before it was detected, she had severel laproscopies and ended up going private. She eventually had laser to remove it and was given the mirena coil, hasn't had problems with it since My other cousin developed it after having a baby by ceaserian. It could be that the pill suppressed it somewhat and it may have started ' growing ' again since your lap. Don't give up and ask for more tests
No, I’m glad you went. Leave no stone unturned. I was so desperate once that I went to Alcoholics Anonymous just to be listened to. I was tee total and I told them I was there under false pretences and they were marvellous. They said it was nice to know there were other problems in the world besides addictions. I said I wouldn’t go again as I didn’t want to take the place of someone in need and they said their meetings were open and I could go any time. They all hugged me and said they would think of me often. I’m not suggesting you do this but I hope you will keep delving and studying until you get yourself well again. Medics are run off their feet at the moment but they are be beginning to see sense and we must be optimistic. Best wishes.
Hi I understand exactly how you feel - I’m also scared to take probiotics such as alflorex too because of the stories I’ve heard of it making things worse for some people 😭
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Is this actually IBS flare up?
how long after antibiotics will a flare up disappear? 
Time of the month and IBS flare up
mother of all flare ups
Flare up still going on
