Diarrhea for 13 days now ..

[Kolbs]

I have been diagnosed with ibs almost 14 years ago now but recently I have had constant diarrhea for the past 13 days ive had a stool sample checked and thats cone back all clear just waiting for further tests . Everytime I go to the toilet if I make it its realy mucusy sometimes yellow sometimes light brown . The doctor has told me to now take immodium to stop so I don't get dehydrated . Has anyone else ever suffered for this long in the past its only ever been a day ? Any ideas how to ease the constant diarrhea? Also I no what most of my trigger foods are, they are onions ,tomatoes ,bannanas, peppers and grapes .

[Maureen1958]

You might want to check out Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM). See link below:

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

[Kolbs in reply to Maureen1958]

Thankyou im going to have a look now x

[Nibby71]

If you've eliminated other causes, I'd recommend getting a covid test. Diarrhoea is a symptom and I know of someone who had only that symptom. It lasted over 3 months. If it isn't covid then it can very well be ibs. I had Diarrhoea for 1 year after usually suffering from constipation, for 10 years, with my ibs. Imodium helped enormously but I ended up needing an iron infusion as I lost so many nutrients from food. They think I'm always partially blocked and Diarrhoea was my bodies way of getting rid of the waste. After numerous tests I've been found to have a slow transit and the muscles in my anus don't work pproperly along with other muscular faults on top of my ibs.

[Orchid99 in reply to Nibby71]

Are they going to treat your motility issues? I'm waiting for transit study tests and currently taking movicol for ibs c with overflow d

[Nibby71 in reply to Orchid99]

Yes but don't know how yet. Follow ups been delayed by covid etc..... I know last resort they said I might have to have an stoma bag to bypass bowels

[Orchid99 in reply to Nibby71]

Oh gosh, I hope they can do something other then that. I know there are some new motility drugs that have benefitted some sufferers, they may try those. My doctor mentioned it to me but said only a gastro can prescribe it if you are a suitable candidate, I have my next gastro appointment this week so should find out more then.

[Nibby71 in reply to Orchid99]

Ooo that sounds promising

[Kolbs in reply to Nibby71]

Yeah I have had a covid test I actually had it 3 months ago and my symptoms was diarrhea and headache it was awful .

[Nibby71 in reply to Kolbs]

I'm guessing its related to the covid then still x

[Nibby71 in reply to Kolbs]

It might be worth trying pre and probiotics on top of the motilium

[Xhouse]

Have you tried fybogel. I now get it on prescription, but you can buy it over the counter. It worked a treat for me in response to IBS induced diarrhoea. I had it for about a fortnight too. Went to the doctors, was prescribed the fybogel and it was gone in a day and (fingers crossed) has never returned.

[Kolbs in reply to Xhouse]

I use to have fybagel but it might be worth trying again thankyou x

[xjrs]

I once had almost constant diarrhea from my IBS for 6 months.

You might want to rule out other things (e.g. COVID as Nibby71 mentioned).

If it's just a case of the fact your IBS has changed, 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) 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. The year before last 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 (as per Maureen1958 's post) 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.

[Kolbs in reply to xjrs]

Thankyou so much for all the advice im at doctors tomorrow being referred for more tests but I'm going to make a note of what you have mentioned and speak to him about it x

[SueFML]

I had Diarrhoea for 9 months with what I think was IBS, suffered with anxiety in case I had to go out, lockdown was a blessing.

Gastric doctor did tests all negative. It started when I was very ill Christmas 2019 with a chest infection, loss of taste and tired and a feeling of being ill.

He reckons I could have had Covid 19 and I was suffering from “long Covid”

Touch wood I am a lot better just the occasional day with diarrhoea.

[MazzyB]

I’m almost the same! It’s absolutely awful I cannot eat vegetables at all! I’m definitely ringing the doctor tomorrow morning! I’m convinced it’s one of my tablets. I have Womb cancer 14 years ago so I’ve always been a bit bad but it’s really bad now! I really feel for you hope you get sorted.

[Kolbs in reply to MazzyB]

Thankyou and you too xx

[Hikeandlive]

Along with the other suggestions regarding probiotics I’ve experimenting with fiber and having very good results with stopping those long bouts of diarrhea. Specifically flaxseed or oat muffins (no refined sugar). Just a bit to start and work up to what is comfortable.

[Pammy124prms]

Sounds like classic IBS I've had it for 30 years go 17 times a day sometimes is there any blood in it that's the important thing. Worry will make it worse and too much rough age is a nono all the foods you mention will set it off. I'm on aumonal from doctor very good don't worry not avoid stupid thing to fill your head with your have a llot more dymptoms

[Kolbs in reply to Pammy124prms]

There is blood init once but not since .