Has anyone tried Mebeverine or Alverine Citrate?

[rustydog]

Although I have had IBS for over 20+ years the last 4/5 years have been virtually non-stop.

Two years ago I had lots of tests including a gastroscope with biopsies, a colonoscopy, ultra sound scans and a ct scan. Nothing was found. But still the symptoms persist.

I have tried so much over the years and spent a small fortune at Holland and Barratt! I am low fodmap, listen to gut directed hypnotherapy and the Headspace app yet everyday my guts are unsettled, gurgling, growling, popping, feel like I need the loo even when I’ve been. Bloating and gas. Lots of upper digestive issues too.

Occasionally peppermint helps. I’ve tried Buscopan it did ease the activity in my guts but gave me numb hands which put me off trying it again.

Anyhow, my gp has said she can prescribe mebeverine which I think I’ve tried in the past but can’t remember if it helped or not and Alverine Citrate. I just need something, anything right now that will help settle my very unhappy digestive system without giving me more symptoms or worst still for me, diarrhoea as that’s a huge fear for me.

[Prance]

To answer your specific question I have tried all three. I find Alverine more effective when I have a flare than either Buscopan or Mebeverine. I often take omeprazole and don't seem to experience problems others have. I have been taking daily probiotic for some years and was recently advised to also take daily prebiotic which I must say has made a difference.

[rustydog in reply to Prance]

Thank you. I must try probiotics too.

[rustydog]

Thank you very much, that is very helpful.

[Purpletara]

Hi. Like prance I have tried all 3. Was on mebeverine for years and then switched to buscopan. I found the buscopan better but have recently been switched to alverine citrate and find this works better for pain.

I’m very sorry for you- I’m having a flare up at the moment and it’s a real pain!

Unfortunately we can tell you what works for us but IBS is not an easy condition to treat. What works for one person is no good for another.

I am taking silicol gel at the moment which is helping.

Where did you find the gut related hypnotherapy and does it work or help? I too use headspace.

[rustydog in reply to Purpletara]

Thank you, you are so right, it’s such a strange condition because what works so well for one person can cause huge side effects for another sufferer. I have used many gut directed hypnotherapies including the Nerva and Zemedy apps and the IBS audio 100 downloads but they are very expensive imo and I gained little relief so it didn’t feel,like money we’ll spend for me but as is with this condition it could work well for others. The one that I listen to now, which is free and really lovely, is on YouTube. It’s on a channel called Generation Calm which is run by a lady called Clare, she is a clinical psychologist. I really recommend it, she has a few gut related relaxation bits on her channel and she has a lovely soothing voice.The one I listen to is called IBS meditation -IBS pain relief.

[Purpletara]

Thanks very much.Will try the IBS meditation.

At least it won’t cost anything - have spent a small fortune on IBS remedies over the years!

[rustydog in reply to Purpletara]

Gosh, me too. I think of all the fun meals out and trips away I could have spent that money on if only I didn’t suffer from this wretched condition!

[Orchid99]

Do you know if ssri's or tricyclic antidepressants are effective for pain management in slow transit constipation?

[rustydog in reply to Orchid99]

I believe that tricyclics tend to cause constipation, my sister takes amitriptyline and is often very constipated. I think if you are already IBS-C then SSRI’s are a better choice. There is a video clip from Prof Whorwell (he was a gastroenterologist here in the U.K.) taking about Nortriptyline, he says it is often causes constipation which many IBS-D patients are please with but he suggests a gentle laxative if it’s too much. You can find the video on YouTube under the IFFGD channel titled Antidepressants for IBS.

[Orchid99 in reply to rustydog]

I tend to have both, I get overflow diarrhoea because my transit is too slow, its a shame about the tricyclics because they are the most effective ones for nerve pain, I think snri's are also used but I don't know a lot about them. I'm not sure that the ssri's are any good for the pain side just anxiety related ibs i think?

[Hpaddict]

Yes and neither spasmanol or alverine help my IBS.