Worried about my ibs

[3443Ness]

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.

[Kazzacrazy]

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.

[3443Ness in reply to Kazzacrazy]

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.

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

Please look up Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM).

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

Maureen

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

I will look it up thank you

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

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

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

If you have any questions about it, please feel free to ask.

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

Do u know how they test for BAM Have u ever been tested for it

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

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?

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

Yes I am in the uk

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

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.

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

That is really useful information and I will speak to my doctor about it. I have got to do a stool sample this week as I had abnormal faecal calprotectin last time so if that doesn't show anything up I will book appointment to see doctor

[Kazzacrazy in reply to Maureen1958]

Thanks maureen I'm going to ask my consultant about this too will add it to my list of questions 😏

[Kazzacrazy in reply to 3443Ness]

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

[3443Ness in reply to Kazzacrazy]

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

[Kazzacrazy in reply to 3443Ness]

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

[3443Ness in reply to Kazzacrazy]

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

[3443Ness in reply to 3443Ness]

Sat on the loo lol xx

[Kazzacrazy in reply to 3443Ness]

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

[3443Ness in reply to Kazzacrazy]

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

[Kazzacrazy in reply to 3443Ness]

I've sent you a message and diet sheet i hope it helps xx

[xjrs]

I will pm you some tips.

[3443Ness in reply to xjrs]

Thank you