Drastically worse IBS-C/constipation for no apparent reason, after 19 years

[Ariande30]

Hi - I am posting to see if anyone has ever had a very sudden and drastic worsening in their symptoms of IBS-C/problems emptying the bowel?

I have had IBS-C/constipation for nearly 20 years, and 10 years ago it got far worse after a surgery. Since that time it improved and has been consistent for years, til overnight I had a sudden worsening a year ago. I went from needed 1 movicol a day, to needing 6 movicol, multiple different stimulants, and finding older medicines like linaclotide, milk of magnesia or senna don't work. An x-ray showed nothing, so not cancer.

It's so bad that my next step is to request to be fitted with a stoma bag. But before I go this far I'd like to see if anyone has had a similar experience of a drastic worsening for no clear reason.

The only thing I can associate the worsening with is the start of a new relationship, which was not stressful. Has anyone else had that experience, or had their symptoms worsen out of the blue for no reason?

[Rice333]

All I can say sometimes gastroentorlogist has told me it can change no rime Or reason .I do feel for you ibs is horrible to as we all know ..I have been told having sex can affect it ( Hope you don't mine me say that ).

Hope you situation improves.

Andy R

[Ariande30 in reply to Rice333]

Thanks. I have had worsenings and fluctuations before, but aside from what happened due to my surgery, nothing like this, it's utterly extreme. I DID wonder if sex was a factor, tbh, it was the first regular sex in some years. But after 7 months the relationship ended, yet the symptoms did not abate. The having sex thing would affect it more in women, surely? -did your gastro bring up the sex affecting it thing?

[Rice333 in reply to Ariande30]

No but I by ibs was brought òn by long time stress and the work I've done over the years ..neve ( back damage ...etc it's called proctalgia fugax/ lavertory ani syndrome. No cure . As said different situations. I do know sex can be a factor .

Not good at your age .See a gastroentorlogist they may be able to help hopefully. All the best .

Let me know how you get on ..if that s OK

[Ariande30 in reply to Rice333]

At my age? Thanks

[Rice333 in reply to Ariande30]

You would be surprised my grandaughter has similar situation to you she's 21 Well I.hope you get it sorted friend all the luck in the world to you.

[Ariande30 in reply to Rice333]

Early adulthood is the classic age for getting this, I was 20, 40 now. It doesn't usually worsen out of nowhere, at least not drastically

[Gardenlover2020]

Hi

I’m IBS C , I’ve found my constipation has got gradually worse over the last few months . It started 18months ago with a bout of constipation out of the blue & has got worse & worse & like you I have gone from one or 2 macrogol to 3 Bisacodyl & 4 Prucalopride !!

But I haven’t been in a relationship for several years so having sex is not a contributing factor for me ?

I too had thought of requesting a stoma bad as the constipation & associated problems that come with it are making my life so difficult x

[Ariande30 in reply to Gardenlover2020]

Have you tried linaclotide?

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Ariande30]

Yes it didn’t help , it’s the motility I have a problem with , the Prucalopride does help , it’s just not as effective as it was & the Linaclotide gave me diarrhoea, but to be honest I didn’t try it for long .

Have you tried Prucalopride?

[Ariande30 in reply to Gardenlover2020]

Yes I have, thanks though. I really did the rounds after my surgery worsening ten years back

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Ariande30]

I’m sorry you’re having so many problems, I can’t help but think surely life would be easier with a Stoma bag , I know it’s drastic & the last option but it would relieve the awful constipation .

[Readmeastory in reply to Gardenlover2020]

I asked for a stoma bag . As pain ever day cut out lots of stuff but nothing helped . I was on lidocaine and it helped a lot but doctor took m3 off it saying it gave m3 low salts . But now on 3laxido a day but nothing . Tried senna but cramps where so bad . Doctor put me on meverbine as well only second day but I think it’s making it worse . But I’m seeing doctor on frid so will ask fo4 something else . I was told I didn’t need a stoma as just have to deal with the pain . I’m 66 only had this problem for 2years and it’s ruined my life . But have to keep going ,

[Rozzy46]

I don't know if it helps but I've had IBS C for 12 years - triggered overnight by food poisoning (regular as clockwork before) and then literally the day after Brexit in 2016 it drastically worsened, as did my anxiety about it. I have been bad ever since. The thing that does help me is meditation, belly breathing and conscious relaxation - doing it consistently every day. Visualising my colon working normally helps a lot. I'm not back to normal but I'm not in a desperate state any more and although I have incomplete evacuation, I do think that my state of mind plays a key role in making the problem worse. Brexit was a bit of a trauma! My bowels now work albeit I still get cramps in the morning and it can take 4 'goes' to empty myself. I continue to feel embarrassed about it and don't want to go and stay with people because of it.

I empathise with how panicky it can make you feel - it's wretched and my heart goes out to you. I hope my experience is useful because the mind/body connection is so strong and fear can so easily take over.

[Ariande30 in reply to Rozzy46]

OK, that's interesting, I mean I'm not happy about Brexit but it clearly worried you more! Yes, relaxation is a good idea. The bizarre thing is, stress hasn't affected my bowels in 17 years, and I've had some very traumatic experiences in the last decade! I can't understand it, unless somehow stress can sort of move around the body and not affect one thing for years then suddenly affect it.

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Rozzy46]

I agree with you totally , the belly breathing is a major help to get things going & anxiety too is a contributing factor in making things a lot worse . I also have several attempts to get empty , generally taking a few hours from start to finish , which is tedious to say the least !

Some days are better than others & generally depends on how I manage to control the panic/ anxiety. CBT is helping with this , because like you say the mind / gut connection is very real.