Off the shelf IBS products

[rustydog]

Has anyone had any success in controlling their symptoms with any non-prescribed/off the shelf products?

I’m happy to look at anything which may be available from shops here in the U.K. or online.

Probiotics, herbal stuff, vitamins, minerals, foods like live yogurt etc?

I have exhausted most prescription stuff and haven’t had much luck with things like mebeverine etc. I am low fodmap but still suffer. I listen to gut directed hypnotherapy but still have symptoms.

I just want something which will calm my daily noisy, gurgling, grumbling, burping, bloating, acid, nauseous angry gut lol!

[Bits1961]

It's a problem I face every day and so if anyone gives you a workable answer please let me know as well

[Rice333]

Me to if you find anything can you pass it to me as well. Many thanks

Andy R

[Meleber]

I'm currently trying the probiotic Lactospore®, Bacillus coagulans for my symptoms. Also use rhamnus purshiana as laxative. Besides these scutellaria and berberine. After 11 days since I started using Lactospore I'm feeling some improvement in my symptoms but it's just too early to tell how effective it will be for me in the end.

[rustydog in reply to Meleber]

Thank you.

[Rossan]

Hi,

I find peppermint oil capsules help with my bloating & gurgling:

- hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

I've also found Alflorex great: it's helped me with fatigue, brain fog, light-headedness

- precisionbiotics.com/uk/alf...

[rustydog in reply to Rossan]

That’s great, thank you.

[Edgar77 in reply to rustydog]

Recent research has shown that peppermint is bad for IBS. My Doc prescribed Buscopan NOT the peppermint one. It relaxes the bowels and cramps. I found it worked well after a few days and do not need it every day. You can buy it over the counter.

[rustydog in reply to Edgar77]

I tried Buscopan a few years back. Tbh, after 200+ years suffering it was the only thing which calmed my noisy, unhappy gut and within 15 mins too. Unfortunately I also experienced numb finger tips at the same time so that really put me off trying again but nothing else seems to help so I am trying to pluck up the courage to give it another to lol!

[rustydog in reply to rustydog]

I meant 20 + years!! Although it often does feel like 200 😩😆

[Madavis]

I usually take IBgard, seems to help. However this past few days my stomach gets HUGE, so so uncomfortable. Nothing seems to help.

[rustydog in reply to Madavis]

I’m not sure if I can get hold of IBgard, I am in the UK

[Gardenishome]

You may find Symprove helps. It’s quite expensive but has helped me. I don’t use it all the time but had some recently to improve my bowel’s flora and fauna. symprove.com

[rustydog in reply to Gardenishome]

Thanks. I have often looked at it in our local chemist, you right it is very expensive but I would take it if I thought it could help.

[Gardenishome in reply to rustydog]

I bought 1 bottle of Symprove online at first from a different supplier to see how it went. Once it suited me I used a 3 month supply, from Symprove, which really helped. Their website has quite a lot of useful information and you can also speak to their advisers.

[rustydog]

Which one are you trying if you don’t mind me asking?

[Phil865]

I have tried a lot of things and found the few that work best for me. Remember everybody's gut is a unique microbiome with different needs. The most helpful one for me which reduced my symptoms by more than half, is Kombucha fermented tea. Strangely the bottle I bought from the store didn't really do anything. But the batch I made myself from that bottle was miraculous. It also tasted terrible. I still make it and drink a couple bottles per week.

Another one is the yeast Sachromyces Boulardi. Which is in Kombucha. I get capsules of it from piping rock online. You can use a capsule full as a starter to make your own too. But it won't make kombucha by itself. That takes two different organisms.

I also keep enzymes around at all times. Especially if I go out with friends to eat. Both the gasex enzymes but not the simethicone (useless for me), and the lactaid type.

I still have to remember to take an antacid after my evening meal or my gut will keep me awake all night. It seems my body builds up a resistance to whatever chemical it is so I have to switch that up every month. Recently switched from Cimetidine to Famotidine as the two most effective. Good luck

[rustydog in reply to Phil865]

I know someone who made kombucha for most of her adult life, she lived to 95. I have always been intrigued by it but the scoby she used kind of freaked me out, they look so alien lol! I have often thought of purchasing Sachromyces Boulardi as the reviews on it are usually all very good. Someone mentioned Famotidine to me the other day, I have a GP appointment in a few weeks so will ask for a prescription for it. Does it help you for upper digestive issues?

[Phil865 in reply to rustydog]

Yeah the scoby is really weird but they kinda grow on you when you raise them from invisible bacteria and yeast. They are the probiotics that do the work. Boulardi is the "Y" in S.C.O.B.Y. Famotidine is Pepcid here in the states. Cimitidine is Tagamet. Both over the counter.

My digestive issues go all the way through. Starting with a Schatski ring in my esophagus. Had a severe ulcer that was misdiagnosed for many years. Don't know why all this stuff ever started. But gotta deal with it.

[rustydog in reply to Phil865]

I feel your pain as my issues go from top to bottom, aren’t we just the lucky ones? Lol! I’m in the U.K. and sadly, I don’t think I can get either Cimitidine or Famotidine off the shelf but I will ask in the stores, if not I will keep my fingers crossed that my GP can prescribe for me, she just gives me PPI’s but they make me feel bad.

[IBSgraduate]

Alflorex is recommended by dietitians I know. Its available directly at Precisionbiotics.com + they have a support programme

[rustydog in reply to IBSgraduate]

Thank you

[Kariss]

Hi, I’ve suffered IBS since I was a teen, was diagnosed many years ago now and am now 66. Over the years I have found the best way to deal with it is to improve my gut health. I do use Buscopan which is great for cramping but like to use natural foods where I can. I have experimented with fermented foods and find these very effective. My favourite is sauerkraut and I eat it regularly. I find this brilliant - you don’t need a lot to provide the correct amount of good gut flora - a forkful a day is enough! I pop it in sandwiches or add it to salads. I make my own or if that’s too much hard work, buy it ready made from the supermarket. A small jar lasts ages. I find this more effective than the yoghurts with added probiotics, although I do eat a fair amount of live yoghurt too. I hope this is useful to you.

[rustydog in reply to Kariss]

Thank,you, I will look into that.