IBS D now IBS C

[3443Ness]

Hi I have suffered with IBS D for over 28 years but I had a bad flare in January which lasted until 3 weeks ago but all of a sudden I have gone to IBS C and I am really struggling to go and if I do it's like hard pebbles and it takes ages to go. I am waiting to see a gastroenterologist but it could be awhile before I get an appointment any help would be appreciated.

[naryshkin]

Very sorry to hear about your flare, they tend to come at the worst of times!

I used to find that Senna tablets (generics or branded, both worked) worked fairly well in getting things moving, alongside adding more fibre and fluids into my diet. Peppermint oil capsules, Buscopan, peppermint teas and short walks helped with the trapped gases.

Oats for breakfast, vegetable-heavy lunches and dinners with fibre-heavy grains like quinoa or buckwheat, and lots of Greek yoghurt. I threw in lots of pulses into my meals. If you're sensitive, you might start off with lentils or tinned beans in order to keep the FODMAPs on the low. At one point I became vegetarian/vegan in order to facilitate digestion. Frozen fruits and vegetables work just as well as fresh ones. People didn't really notice anything, maybe thinking I took up healthy eating. You do get good skin though!

This was before I found out that I was hypothyroid and anaemic, so it could be worth asking your GP to arrange a blood test or a thorough check-up for other conditions where IBS is a symptom.

Good luck!

[3443Ness in reply to naryshkin]

Thank you I will try some of ur suggestions. I have been using foods on the fodmap diet to help with the IBS D and had loads of blood test and stool samples done which all was ok but over the last 3 weeks I have been constapated and finding it really difficulty to go and if I do it's like pebbles and then I feel like I still need to go but nothing comes out.. I have suffered with IBS D over 28 years but never had constipation with it so this is new to me I am waiting to see a gastroenterologist but they said it could be ages before I see them

[naryshkin in reply to 3443Ness]

I had IBS-D for many years before waking up with IBS-C, really feeling your pain there! It's possible to readjust according to mitigate some of the symptoms.

Do remember that you could fall in-range and still have symptoms of conditions like thyroid disease since you'd fall in the grey zone - and the NHS can be pretty strict with their ranges. Some GPs or experienced NHS consultants might be nice, but I haven't really met anyone (they made me more ill, like the clowns at Guy's Hospital's Gastro!!).

What I did is that I went first into private, saw a few consultants a few times to find out what's wrong and then once they came up with a treatment plan, I switched over to the NHS. If you're able to afford it, it's definitely worth considering as it saves time and money.

Read up on your patient rights and NICE guidelines. The NHS has treatment guides available online for you to read up, so you know the whens, whats, whys and hows when your consultant or GP decide to treat you (or not). Always ask for a second opinion if something goes awry!

[3443Ness in reply to naryshkin]

I did have thyroid probably 19years ago when I was pregnant with my son then it went back normal after my son was born then when I was pregnant again I had overactive thyroid again but as before it went back normal but I do get checked every few years as my mam has thyroid disease. And I will look up on the patients rights I was going to try to make an appointment with my GP next week as I am off work and will be able to go see them just don't like being in discomfort it's in my back more than my stomach now but when I was IBS D it was always cramping in my stomach now it's in middle of back feels like it's in my spine

[naryshkin in reply to 3443Ness]

There's a very good team of gastro specialists at the London Clinic, if you're in the area or able to travel in from wherever you are.

I had a very senior GI specialist who was able to help me where the NHS wasn't able and he was very understanding about me going back (because finances), so he steps in sometimes with guidance where my GP is unable to make a decision about my treatment. This is also an alternative if you've decided to take the private route.

*** I'm not advertising or affiliated with them in any way, but I was very pleased with the treatment and reception there. ***

The IBS Network is a UK charity focused on IBS. Maybe someone from their team is able to provide a list of consultants able to help with your issues.

theibsnetwork.org

For more about thyroids, check the thyroid forum where some would be able to give some pointers. Thyroid UK provides lists of friendly consultants, both NHS and private, just email a kind lady named Dionne.

[3443Ness in reply to naryshkin]

Wish I could take the private route but with my finances it would be in possible at the moment but thank you for the information

[MOLLYMILO007 in reply to naryshkin]

Yes that's good advise ..I go private to spire as waiting to see a consultant could take months..I know it isn't fair bit it seems the only way to go...your health is everything...Good luck ..❤

[Smeese in reply to naryshkin]

You have almost the same routine as I do! I can't do the yogurt myself but I know the probiotics in it are good for other people.

[naryshkin in reply to Smeese]

You can find pretty decent probiotic tablets for ok prices at Boots and other pharmacies if you can't tolerate yoghurt or kefir too well. There's also vegan options with live bacteria culture in the market, at Tesco and Sainsburys. I went for these options until I was able to stomach LF yoghurts and kefir.

[Smeese in reply to naryshkin]

Thank you. I've got Biokult and the Alforex recommended on here at the moment but it's good to know that I could get less sensitive to yogurt etc in future.

[Boxroad]

Research into soluble and insoluble fibre and watch Michelle kenway bowel management videos

[3443Ness in reply to Boxroad]

Thanks I will look into it

[Smeese]

I get it in my back as well. It's the pressure of the inflamed large colon on the spine at that mid point. I have C more often than D and this is where it gets me worst. I have oats with chopped up nuts for breakfast and add some flaxseed. During the day I have a glass of water with some milled psyllium husk and if it is bad I have another about half an hour before my evening meal. Up your vegetable intake - when the flare up is bad then vegetable soup is great for soothing and helping transit - and warm food will feel better than salads. I use the mint buscopan too and Senocalm when it is needed but I think upping soluble fibre with oats, veg and flaxseed works better for me. Dairy and cold food slow me down even more.

[3443Ness in reply to Smeese]

Thank you I will try them I definitely think the middle back pain is to do with the C like I said it's right on the spine like pressure never had it with the IBS D

[naryshkin in reply to 3443Ness]

Have you thought of using a TENS machine? You can find them pretty cheap (no more than 30 quid) and many women with endometriosis in this forum swear by it. I've used it myself and it's eased some of the pain when things were at their worst. I'm sorry for not bringing this up any earlier!

[naryshkin in reply to naryshkin]

Though that depends on your pain, whether its in the spine/nerve or muscular...

[3443Ness in reply to naryshkin]

I will look in to buying one the pain feels more in my spine so don't know if it would work

[naryshkin in reply to 3443Ness]

I'm afraid I can't help you with that, but someone else might possibly know. Sorry!

[3443Ness in reply to naryshkin]

Thank you

[Kazzacrazy]

Hi lovely gutted you're still suffering its bloody sods law 😪 can't really advise as you know I'm on daily meds now for my constipation.,but I take flaxseed or linseed on my breakfast every day that might help .I can't tolerate much fruit and veg as it starts off the cramps etc so introduce it slowly. If you know what fibre your body can tolerate from your fod map diet maybe just have bigger portions of it! Good luck I really hope you get your appointment soon xx

[3443Ness in reply to Kazzacrazy]

Hi lovely to hear from u hope you are ok and the meds r working for you. Still waiting for my appointment but they did say it could be awhile I am of work next week so if I am still constapated I will make an appointment to see the GP and see if there is anything they can give me. I even ate onions last night to see if I could go as I no they r one if my no nooos lol . Managed to go this morning but still not good. I know I complained with the diarrhoea but at least I new I could go and not constapated. Take care xx

[FRreedman]

Do you remember when you were first diagnosed with IBSd, you had to amend your diet. Almost do the reverse now. First, make sure you drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day (excluding tea or coffee). Walk a minimum of 15 minutes at a brisk (ish) pace. Try to avoid medication at the beginning as the doctors will prescribe more than enough later on. Do not eat peanuts or sweet corn as your body cannot digest them. If, after a week of this you only improve slightly, then I would suggest one can of (CocaCola) diet or otherwise, on day one 2 cans on day2 3 cans on day 3 miss one day and then repeat. Obviously stop at the point it becomes successful, if no success after the second set, I would stop and contact my GP again. Again, if you start getting worse pains at any time see your GP or A&E. Good luck and stay safe.

[3443Ness in reply to FRreedman]

Thank you for ur reply I am in the middle of going from constapated to diarrhoea at the moment don't think my stomach knows what it is doing at the moment if it's no better next week I am going to see if I can get a GP appointment but I don't hold much hope for that 🤣 carnt seem to get an appointment these days. I will try some of ur suggestions and see if they help

[Pte82 in reply to 3443Ness]

3443Ness, diarrhea causes a loss of magnesium that in turn affects processes dependent on it. One is activating vitamin B1 critical for brain and nerve function among others. The brain gut connection through the vagus nerve can be a factor in conditions like IBS. The last 2 link identify anti thiamine factors impacting available thiamine levels. The B vitamins work better together so check out their role in your health too. Review these links to understand this possibility for your symptoms. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.

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[juniepoonie]

I have the same problem as you 20 yrs d now c 🤷‍♀️Have had pain under right rib for ages do git to see gp last week he orders poop an blood test came back with blood in fit test so all urgent now to see fasto in 2 wks for more tests🤦‍♀️Get yaself an app plz

[3443Ness in reply to juniepoonie]

Hope everything goes ok when u get ur appointment it's such a worrying time for you and I am going to make appointment for next week to see GP. Not had a very good night been in pain with middle back and stomach don't know if it's stress has had to rush my dog to vets yesterday as she was very ill and bleeding from her bottom end she is still there getting treatment to try and make her better but the stress off her been ill and trying to get the money for her treatment is stressing me out they now how to charge I'm just hoping the end bill isn't over more than I have 😒

[juniepoonie]

Oh that is an awful worry lve hit dogs an l dread them being unwell there my babies an the cost are atrocious! I do hope your dog 🐶 s sorted very soon. I got my app today it's on a 2 week cancer pathway so lm being seen on the 15th for ct colonography! Please god it's all going to be ok

[3443Ness]

I hope everything goes ok with ur appointment I've got my fingers crossed. I got my appointment through to see gastroenterologist it's in October so not much longer now. We have our dog home is still is not herself and after 2 nights on fluids and antibiotics and doing bloods on her we still don't know what is wrong with her properly we have the medication she was sent home with so hoping she will get back to her bouncing self soon the vet bill was horrendous we could of gone away for afew days on the price they charge. Keep us informed on how u get on take care