The Monster IBS

[Paulol]

Sometimes I just imagine dissecting my stomach and bringing my intestines out, giving my Colon a very loud spank yelling "Stop the rubbish you're doing in there" 😂

Don't mind me friends, just fu****ing tired 😴

[Maureen1958]

Hang on in there mate. I feel for you.

[Yasai]

A gastroenterologist I saw a few years ago compared my IBS to a naughty child misbehaving - every time I take my Macrogol I imagine putting my colon in the time out corner to reflect on what it's done 😆

If only IBS was a condition that we could politely tell to stop and it would listen! Take it easy and hang in there.

[Paulol in reply to Yasai]

Thank a lot

[Beetru]

Ah Paulol. You're post has touched me tonight as I haven't slept at all and on a serious new flareup myself. I'm feeling very alone with this 'stuff' and pain in the early hours. Your posts helped me realize it may come and go- this condition. And to hang in there. I've got acupuncture appointment today. That helped in the past. Have you tried that?

[Paulol in reply to Beetru]

No, how does it work?

[Beetru in reply to Paulol]

I suppose it depends on your condition. But for me starts with mental anxiety and stress that triggers,and then the intestinal wind takes off, and not being able to breath due to it taking over. So acupuncture treats both the digestion pathways and the mental stress. Plus i have to do all the other stuff like peppermint tablets and eating very very light Fodmap. So if yours is stress related, why not try it out. ( I'm a general IBS, not really a C or D).. need s a few sessions too..

[Batteria in reply to Beetru]

Acupuncture does help but you’d need it every day. Bx

[Krisbetty in reply to Batteria]

You can ask the acupuncturist where the points are and use gentle pressure yourself . I do this and it helps between treatments

[Krisbetty in reply to Beetru]

Acupuncture is amazing

[bridunsig]

Wow Paulol, I had the very same thoughts at the weekend. I am fine in bed and dread getting up in the morning as I know whatever it is will kick in within 10 mintutes. Even taking my peppermint first thing and Mebeverine with a large glass of water. The strange thing is that I know that by 11am I will be fine !!! No idea as to why. I have discussed it with my doctor for years. I've had endoscopy and colonoscopy and they find nothing unusual. I haven't been to the loo for a poo for 4 days now and very bloated. I have taken two sachets of Laxicol each day, a whole bottle of syrup of figs. loads of liquorice and about to start taking ground linseed on my morning cereal. Wish me good luck please or I might just reach for the knife !!

[Paulol in reply to bridunsig]

Pls do not reach for the knife, sometimes, I do think people with IBS-C are somehow lucky but your comment made me realize how wrong I was

[Epiphanies in reply to Paulol]

OMG bridunsig this sounds like me, unfortunately I keep being fobbed off by my doctor... who are reluctant to send me for a colonoscopy.... stating IBS but have did the word offered no treatment, help or advice... which causes more stress.. currently at the end of another painful spell just a so thought I was seeing light at the end of the tunnel

[Paulol in reply to Epiphanies]

Stay strong

[19-43_Old in reply to bridunsig]

Have you tried eating 4 to 8 dried prunes? That works for me when things are bad. I'm 78.

[bridunsig in reply to 19-43_Old]

Yes, tried prunes, apricots, liquorice, you name it, I’ve tried it.

[Batgirl3111]

Yep, same here. Also having a bad few weeks of it at the moment. Am moving house and I think the anxiety/stress has screwed up my system as if I don’t have enough to deal with already!! You are not suffering alone, there are people that totally understand how you feel. It’s effing rubbish.

[Paulol in reply to Batgirl3111]

Thanks a lot

[100IBS]

How much I understand you Paulol!! Seeing my gastroenterologist tomorrow knowing that he won’t be able to do much about my IBS but I need to vent out 😔

[Paulol in reply to 100IBS]

we are all in this together! Take care

[SueMount]

I totally feel your frustration . I have been suffereing with IBS since I was about 30 I am 51 soon. It totally ruins/ takes over your life. My partner of 22 years left me last August for a few reasons but one of the main ones was he was sicks of IBS ruling my/his life. Said he needed to be able to go out and do stuff and wants a partner who can do things. Totally broke me. I have often even thought a stoma might be preferable but I suppose that's just stupid.

[Paulol in reply to SueMount]

Wow! That's a lot, I totally feel for you, take care of yourself

[SueMount in reply to Paulol]

Doing my best, its been a painful time but I am just trying to move on. In some ways its easier being on your own as you don't have to put up with other people moaning because you are ill again!

[Paulol in reply to SueMount]

Stay strong

[Batteria in reply to SueMount]

I have asked for a cholostomy many times but they always refuse me saying I have a healthy bowel! Then my friend had to have one and she says it’s heartbreaking. So I’ve changed my mind and now I’m resigned to soldiering on. Thank heaven we don’t live forever. It was ruining your partner’s life but don’t be too hard on him. He will always love you and wish you well. My marriage foundered because of ibs but now forty years later my ex only wants to help me. He remarried but his wife is far iller than I ever was and he has the burden of looking after her. Life is never perfect for anyone. It just seems like others are better off. Look after yourself now as you are the most important person. Con amore Bx

[SueMount in reply to Batteria]

Yes IBS is difficult to cope with as people can't see whats wrong with you. Yes in real life I am sure a stoma is much worse to cope with, its just at times you get desperate. I will just carry on and try to build a new life now. Trying to just enjoy the peace of being on my own and doing things I can do without feeling pressured.

[JulieB5200 in reply to SueMount]

Hi,that’s pretty awful your hubby leaving you.What happened to in sickness and in health?😒My hubby pretty much ignores me when I’m suffering.I sometimes wonder if I would be less ill without him as he is a stressful business man who expects me to do everything for him!So I can understand it’s less pressure being on your own.However it would be nice if you meet a caring person who could support you.xx

[SueMount in reply to JulieB5200]

We weren't actually married, so we never said those words but after 22 years I think it pretty much equates to the same thing. We often laughed and joked about growing old together over the years. Sadly that isn't to be . Yes I know what you mean about your husband adding to your stress. I look back now and realise that he caused a lot of my stress. He was always wanting to be busy gong out here , there and everywhere. And if I got ill it just annoyed him. In the end I think he just decided he had had enough. Said He wanted one last crack at life. One last shot of excitement before it was too late. Well good luck to him.

[merve1 in reply to SueMount]

I was extremely close to being in your situation a couple of years ago, so really feel for you. Because of my poor state of physical and mental health coupled with practical restrictions on travel - having to be near toilets etc - my relationship of 22 years began to fall apart. (My IBS began 47 years ago when I was 18). My partner began to abandon me and neglected our children. We are still together after a lot of work and improved IBS on my part, but I do wonder if we should have split and indeed I still think from time to time about walking away. You are much younger than me and have time to turn your life around. I do hope your IBS (and the rest of your life) does improve. It can: for me, investigating Bile Acid Malabsorption proved life changing. There are decent people out there committed to caring about those they profess to love and being (more than just) content with a more domestically-centred life. I also think more discussions on how to manage our personal/romantic/sensual lives on these pages would be very helpful...

[SueMount in reply to merve1]

Thank you . At the moment the pain is too raw. I can't think about anyone new but I am sure it will get better in time.

[SueMount in reply to merve1]

I have wondered about BAM but not looked into it with doctor due to the current COVID situation but in time I think I will. I have had CBT but not much use. Also had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago due to gallstones.

[Maureen1958 in reply to SueMount]

Sue, please try and get checked for BAM or ask your doctor if you can try a bile sequestrant.

[SueMount in reply to Maureen1958]

Yes I will do. Just waiting for COVID to go away

[Maureen1958 in reply to SueMount]

You could ask your doctor to let you try a bile acid sequestrant! Somebody on here a while back did that and they tried it and was allowed to continue with it. It depends on your GP. In America they don't have to do a test at all!

[SueMount in reply to Maureen1958]

oh right I will speak to them. Thank you

[Maureen1958 in reply to SueMount]

Good luck, let us know how you get on please.

[Batteria]

I know they always say talking gently and kindly to your gut is key but, like you, I sometimes give it down the banks because it deserves a telling off from time to time. Con amore Bx

[Hidden]

Hi Paulo I want to give my intestines a good beating too ! I don’t trust it at all it’s proper sly sometimes a fart doesn’t turn out to be one ,the toilet is turning into my most lived in room and anusol is my best friend , cos I have no friends as I can’t go out for fear of shitting myself 🤣x

[Paulol in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow! Stay strong pls

[Batteria in reply to Hidden]

Never let it stop you from going somewhere important. Fast for 24 hours before event. Enema before leaving. Eat nothing while outside. This is what I had to do when my daughter married. I bet folk naturally lose their appetites before anything mega. Especially if they are being televised. I recently tried an anal plug but it slid out every time I urinated so that isn’t an option for me. You do have friends. I know you can’t see or meet us but we are all on your side. Imagine us cheering for you when you are at your worst. Con amore Bx

[Hidden in reply to Batteria]

Thankyou my issues are from the laxatives I have to take lol I’ve gone from can’t go to can’t stop going 🤣x