Desperation!

[Knit-pic]

I have suffered from IBSC for over 20 years on & off in addition to an under active thyroid for which I take thyroxine. More recently my IBS swings from being constipated to emptying my bowels several times though not diarrhoea. I’ve tried everything but not sure what to take to regulate my bowels as they alternate now between the two symptoms. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Rice333]

Hi I've had that about 6 ish weeks ago I revewed what I eat ..it worked ...

Hope this may help good luck .

[Smeese]

Psyllium husk works for me. Also maybe go back to basics and look at what you are eating/drinking with a careful eye? I tried just about everything but only going back to low fodmap diet, low sugar intake, no sweeteners, less caffeine and lots of water really helped. You do have to stick to the diet for a while as it's about clearing the fermenting undigested stuff in your gut and that can take a week or so - the psyllium and water speed up the process. Then re-introduce the higher fodmap foods one at a time to see which group are the culprits - Fermentable Olligosaccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono saccharides and/or Polyols. For me it was the Fructans group which were the issue - Wheat, onions, garlic are the worst.

[xjrs]

I will pm you some tips.

[Superzob]

I’ve recently changed from IBS-D to IBS-M following a change in probiotic, so you might want to check whether you’ve inadvertently changed something in your diet.

Hypothyroidism will tend to give you constipation, whereas hyperthyroidism gives diarrhoea. With that in mind, and given that you are on levothyroxine for the former, it might be useful to check that you are not taking too much. My wife’s requirement for levothyroxine has reduced over time, so you could be over-producing thyroid hormone which might affect your bowels.