Hi I am new on here and I would like to get some advice on my ibs I am currently having a bad flare up at the moment with constant diarrhoea and cramping in my stomach I have had this for 3 months now been to the doctors and had stool sample no infection but it came back abnormal faecal calprotectin have to repeat stool test in 2 weeks to see if my calprotectin levels have gone down. Has anyone else with ibs ever had the same problem I would appreciate any advice.
Worried about my ibs: Hi I am new on here and I... - IBS Network
Worried about my ibs
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Morning I'm in exactly the same situation as you. I've been having episodes since January . My calprotectin was slightly raised too. luckily I have private medical insurance so have been to see a gastroenterologist he's put me on the fodmap diet but so far it's not working as I've had diarrhoea and cramps for 7 days again now its horrendous. He said it could be over flow diarrhoea as I suffer normally with IBS-c but I'm not convinced. I'm due to see him at the end of the month and if nothing changes they do a colonoscopy. Do you normally suffer from IBS-d or is this a new thing? I'm sorry I can't offer much advice I'm taking buscopan and loritax when it gets too much. Maybe see what the next stool test comes back with then take it from there? I really hope your symptoms ease soon it really is a living hell.
Thank you for replying I have suffered with ibs since I was in my 20ish. But have never had a bad flare up as I am having at the moment.i have heard people talk about the fobmap diet but never tryed it yet I am going to ask my doctor about it as I would try anything to relieve my symptoms at the minute. I am constantly taking Imodium to stop my going to the toilet as I have to work and if I don't take them I am constantly on the toilet I also get bad cramping in my stomach and it's started affecting my sleep as I am in pain all off the time. Have u had any sleeping problems I am getting so depressed with always been in pain and not getting a good night's sleep isn't helping had a really bad day yesterday but it was my day of so just hoping I can get through my shift today have had 6 Imodium already this morning to try getting me through the day. Hope you start feeling better soon doing stool sample end of week so hopefully may no more by then.
Please look up Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM).
gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...
Maureen
I have just search for (BAM) I have never heard of it before now so thanks for the information and I will ask my doctor about it
If you have any questions about it, please feel free to ask.
Do u know how they test for BAM Have u ever been tested for it
Yes, I was tested for it about 3 years ago, but unfortunately did not meet the criteria. Can I first ask if you are in the UK?
Yes I am in the uk
Okay, that's fine. It's just that not many countries do it. I had to be referred to the hospital by my GP. So they go through your symptoms with you and then you have to go back to the hospital on two more occasions, a week apart. The first appointment they get you to take a capsule which contains a very small amount of radio active powder. The next week you go back for a scan that will show how much radio activity is left in your body and that determines the amount of bile salt you have retained. And from there they can make a decision on whether to prescribe you a bile sequestrant or not. Sometimes, I believe, they skip the hospital test. I don't think all hospitals have the machine to do it. My local hospital did and was very close to home and my doctor would not let me try the bile sequestrant without doing the test. Also, during COVID, some people on here have been able to skip the test and just been given the bile sequestrant to see if it helps.
My sleep is affected as I'm on the loo in pain every 2 hours when I'm having an episode 😥 i managed a full night last night just praying it lasts! I'm going to carry on the fodmap diet until I see my consultant again and pray its just something I'm intolerant to that I can identify and eliminate. I hope you get sorted keep us updated about how you get on.....sending you gentle hugs x
Glad u got a full night's sleep. I was having cramping in stomach during the night but I am like that most night lately not much sleeping these days but wasn't on the loo as I had taken Imodium yesterday to get through my shift at work but off for afew days now so no more Imodium until I go back. I've not tried the fobmap diet yet but am going to ask doctor to refer me to dietrition to see if they can help me with trying it. Can I ask do u suffer with joint pains when u have a bad flair up as I am at the minute take care x
I do have bad joints but not just when I have a flare up so i put that down to the menopause 🤔 but some bowel conditions can cause joint pain so it could be connected, it's a mine field isn't it? I hope you can enjoy your days off X
I am also going through the menopause but mines more the hot flushes 😠 they make me feel like I'm on fire. Maybe my joint pains could be the menopause but they seem to be worse when I have a bad flare up. It's good to be able to talk to people who understand. Managed to get to the shops today for some shopping but once the Imodium worse of I'll be back to say on the loo lol 😂 xx
I take loritax its half the price of immodiom and works the same, I get it from tesco! Did you manage to look at the fodmap diet? It's not easy but if it helps then it will definitely be worth it x
Will look at the cheaper once thanks. I have looked at the fodmap diet but didn't really understand it there is alot to get ur head around would love to now what foods r good to eat if u have any advice. And if u have any breakfast ideas I could try so I could start the day of correctly I usually skip breakfast and dinner the days I work and eat when I get home but I now that's not helping my IBS D