Hi

Hi my name is Shaun. I have just joined and looking for friends and chat also moral support with people who are going through the same

[Cimmy]

Hi Shaun, welcome to the group. You are in the right place for help support and a listening ear, how are you and what are you suffering from?, there are so many nice people in here that as you said are all

In the same boat. This site has been been my lifeline and it’s the place to be if you need to rant or just read others peoples post and get some very useful information. So welcome and hope you are well

Linda

[Hidden in reply to Cimmy]

Hi Linda, thank you very much, I am not too good at the moment, was diagnosed with IBS back in 2009, back in my early twenties. Not even a proper diagnosis I think anyway. The doctor just felt my stomach asked me a few questions about my symptoms and then said you have got ibs and prescribed me buscopan, which I haven’t touched for years. I am now 39 and the last year or so it has gone into flare up big time. Stomach cramps like you wouldn’t believe, nausea and very very bad diarrhoea. (I am so sorry to be so graphic). Also get really bad bouts of nausea with it. I do my partners head in with it who also suffers with IBS but he is a non complainer like me lol It is so nice to find a group that you can air your complaints and issues. Without the backlash lol. Btw I love my partner very much 17 years together.

Much love

Shaun

Xxxxxx

[Cimmy in reply to Hidden]

Hi Shaun, sorry to hear your suffering at the moment, it’s good you have an understanding partner, somebody to share your worries with. I’ve been with my husband 40 years now and he not so sympathetic but I have IBS for so long and he’s had enough I suppose. Have you been to see the doctor and had tests to rule out anything else?. Hopefully you’ll get it sorted. Nausea is my biggest complaint with my IBS, I’m on merbenerine and anti sickness tablets and also lanzarozal which help with reflux, flare up are horrible and can last a long time I’m afraid but the people on here will get you through it, take care and be kind to yourself, always here if you need a shoulder

Linda

[Hidden in reply to Cimmy]

Hi Linda, he has his days lol, there are days where I just do his head in a lot because I panic so much about being sick when I have the nausea. Not on any tablets at the moment apart from buscopan. Have also cut out cheese and started buying Alpro soya milk instead of using semi skimmed Haven’t drank any of it yet so I await my doom lol. It is so nice to be part of a network that I can talk to people about my problems. I really feel for you Linda and I feel your pain and I am also here if you need a shoulder.

Shaun

Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Haven’t been to the doctors yet, but am going to make an appointment on Monday just so I can find out what it is if anything else and have the significant tests if I have too. And also too for peace of mind

Shaun

Xxxxxxx

[Maureen1958 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Shaunine, our paths passed earlier. Glad to see you have had some replies. I would just mention you might want to be careful with the soya milk. Some people can have a problem with soya. I try to avoid that myself. Just thought I would mention it as you said you haven't drank any yet. Don't let me put you off but perhaps just try a little first and see how you go.

[Hidden in reply to Maureen1958]

I have also just gone off dairy to see if it helps. I enjoy almond milk.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Catherinerun, I don't know if you were replying me to or meant to be replying to Shaunine. I still drink normal milk myself. I have more problems with non diary milks. I did the York test about 20 years ago and it said dairy milk was a no-no for me. I tried to exclude it but gave up and felt much better when I went back to diary. I did do a little experiment again about a year ago, trying all the different milks that are out there now but gave up and went back to diary in the end. I know where I stand with that!

[Maureen1958 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, me again. Just wondered if you have heard of BAM (Bile Acid Malabsoption). It can give you diarrhoea several times a day. Take a look at the link below just in case it sounds like what you are experiencing.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

If it resonates with you speak to your doctor about it.

[Hidden in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen I I haven’t I will have a look at the link

Thank you very very much

Best wishes

Xxxxxx

[Dalph87]

Welcome! Sorry to hear you're suffering. We're all on the same boat here.

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

Hi Dalph, thank you very much, yes we are lol. How are you ?

Hugs

Shaun

Xxxx

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

On a flare up of IBS for months but my symptoms aren't so bad and I mostly sleep at night. What about you? How are you coping?

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

My symptoms are pretty are pretty grim, lol. I panic a lot almost on the borderline of hypochondria according to my partner, he is a sufferer too but doesn’t complain as much as me lol. Been taking buscopan that works for a couple of hours then it’s back to square one. Nausea bubbly stomach diarrhoea or even constipation lol

Love to you

Shaun

Xxxx

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

Try Peppermint Tea and Mebeverine maybe? The combo works pretty well for me and many others too.

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

Hi dalph, thank you for that recommendation, what is mebeverine ? Sorry to sound thick lol

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

It's an antispasmodic med, usually effective to treat IBS, it relieves bloating and abdominal pain. Might not work for everyone though. For me it does.

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

When do you get nausea? Mine happens only early in the morning.

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

I get it when I go to bed and in the early hours in the morning say about 2 to 6 am xx

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

Nausea in the mornings is pretty common in IBS, not sure about early night though.

Usually what I do is grab a dry cracker or biscuit in the morning, I also inhale and exhale deeply and slowly, that usually settles the nausea quite quickly.

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

Different tea types might benefit you, if you have a lot of air and bloating you can try Ginger Tea, it helps a lot with wind.

Did you try Probiotics to restore your gut bacteria? Maybe Actimel? It's possible you have some imbalance down there so try to give it a shot. You have nothing to lose.

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

I was thinking about buying some ginger tea funnily enough lol, I drink a probiotic called actimel most mornings too xx

[Dalph87 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds good, let us know if you get any improvements.

Best wishes.

[Hidden in reply to Dalph87]

I will do xxx

[CRYSTAL11 in reply to Hidden]

Hi just going through your posts. Re ginger tea I just use root ginger I put a couple of slices in boiling water add a little honey. It’s lovely 😊

[Batteria]

Is the diarrhoea worse when you are menstruating? I had to have my periods stopped for eighteen years. This ameliorated the symptoms but did not stop them completely. I have had my misery for forty three years. I walked out on my husband because of his lack of sympathy. He treated me like a nuisance.

I never hooked up with another man romantically because I’d be terrified of him finding out about my difficulties and rejecting me. I do see an old flame from time to time but I fast and perform an enema and I don’t eat in his company.

I wanted more children but if you don’t do the sex no bairns arrive.

Notwithstanding all this nonsense I have still had an interesting life. I am a musician and am terrified of voiding onstage but this does not stop me from doing gigs. I have travelled the world alone and met wonderful people. I have become a trapeze artist and tight rope walker.

I only do back stage work at the theatre as I would not risk acting. I am a great actress because I’m always playing the part of a healthy person.

This forum is mega brill shaunine and you are very welcome. Keep looking for a solution. Buona fortuna. Batteria (Italian for drum kit)

[Hidden in reply to Batteria]

Hi Batteria I am a man lol

Xxxx

[Batteria in reply to Hidden]

I bet you doubled over laughing about the periods. Take care mate. Batteria

[Hidden in reply to Batteria]

I actually had a mouthful of Coca Cola in my mouth at the time, very wet me and kitchen table hahaha. Just going to search for some oil of evening primrose for my menopausal sweats lol. Where are you from ?

Take care buddy

Shaun

[Batteria in reply to Hidden]

We are only allowed to give minimal personal information so I’ll just say I’m an Italian scouser and I knew all four Beatles personally. I have had a symptom free week. I have felt more grounded and together during the lockdowns. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? Take care now. B

[Hidden in reply to Batteria]

Hi B,

I’m an Irish brummie if that makes any sense but now reside in Somerset. Wow that is phenomenal that you knew the Beatles. Me on the other hand haven’t had a symptom free week and am now waiting for this afternoon where I have a telephone consultation with my doctor. I am crapping myself. (Pardon the pun ) lol. I have that feeling also there is only me and my partner so we have been watching a hell of a lot of Netflix lol. You take care also

S

[Hidden]

Hi Batteria, I am male lol xxx

[Maureen1958]

Hi Shaunine, I did wonder if you were, but didn't like to ask.

[xjrs]

Welcome to the group.

Have you been getting any help with your IBS? 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 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.