Morning pain

Good morning all…every morning I wake up about 5.00 feeling I want to poo and have pains stomach and lower back. It has been on for months now and seems to be getting worse. Once I have been the pain eases - it does not seem to matter what I eat or drink. If I don’t go feel uncomfortable all day with constipation. All tests seem clear. Any advice? Thanks ian

[Chidacsmum]

Morning Ian,All I can say is I feel your pain (literally). I have had this practically every morning for the last 18 months. When I told my specialist he didn’t seem to make very much of it and said it was probably my IBS exacerbating everything. The only thing that helps sometimes is a hot water bottle. I wish I could be more helpful but you are not alone.

[Hidden in reply to Chidacsmum]

Thanks it does help to know you not alone. I understand everyone is different and there is no magical cure! X

[Stuart24]

Have you tried looking at when you eat? I think firstly try not eating at all after 6 pm, in this way you won't be restimulating a digestive cycle when you are inactive.

[Grindercoffee]

Have your tried to clear your bowel more often during the day. If you try normafibe or something similar after lunch and/or dinner . It will stop a large build up in bowel. Dont eat after six. Increase fliud intake. I get extreme bowel and allergy attacks and have spent a ridiculous amount ofmoney trying to control my ibs . Taking normafibe has helped.

[dordle in reply to Grindercoffee]

Can I ask when you take the norafibe? I have Fybogel which is probably similar and was taking it after breakfast and after dinner (at about 7.30). Never quite sure how long after the meal to take it. IBS diarrhoea being a problem at present, is the Fybogel helping or aggravating this would you think? Thank you.

[Grindercoffee in reply to dordle]

I only take straight away after evening meal. I only take 2 teaspoons . If i took any more then it would cause diarrhoea. I take so i dont get a build up in bowels. Helps to keep more regular.

[dordle in reply to Grindercoffee]

Did I post my reply in the wrong place! Thank you, I've been leaving it too long then.

[alicemarsh in reply to dordle]

You should take fibogel straight after a meal

[dordle in reply to alicemarsh]

Thank you, I will do that today.

[alicemarsh in reply to dordle]

Straight after a meal is best for fibogel

[dordle in reply to alicemarsh]

Thank you Alice, I will do that.

[dordle in reply to dordle]

Thank you so much, I've not been taking it until 30-40 mins after!

[Hidden]

Thanks for the adviceAnybody tried rhubarb complex or Digestic tablets

[Krisbetty in reply to Hidden]

I have used the max strength for IBS-C. It worked for awhile but i now take 2 buscapan and 2 amitripltyine at night and found that my pain on the morning is less severe

[Catty1234 in reply to Hidden]

Just came across this how do these work please ? X

[xjrs]

You may be suffering from visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:

iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorder...

It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain. Your bowels 'wake up' at 5am or earlier to prepare for a BM in the morning. Since this is when the bowel is at its most active, it stands to reason that you are more likely to experience pain at this time. This is what happened to me. In fact the pain I experience is in my lower back. I was diagnosed with this when I had a very painful colonoscopy and CT colonoscopy (where they blow you up with gas). The extra gas from the procedure causes the intestines to stretch. When you have visceral hypersensitivity the overly sensitive nerve endings in the gut send pain signals to the brain.

Visceral hypersensitivity is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these. Linaclotide (for IBS-C only) & Alflorex probiotic have helped me with this intestinal pain.

The reason why the probiotic can help is that sometimes the intestines can be additionally sensitised by the dominance of a bad bug in your gut. In fact, my IBS started after food poisoning. Alflorex can help fight off the bad bugs and bring things back in balance.

Meditation can help close off something called the 'pain gate' which in turns blocks these pain signals from the gut to the brain. Trying something like the Nerva app might help.

[Hidden]

Thanks some very good information. Had a lot of recent stress which I know does not help

[sunlightgardens]

I have exactly the same and have tried everything. hot water bottle helps and the occasional pain killer to get a good night sleep. The only time it does not hert is when I am exercising. Starting during Covid. I think the tablets I was taking for acid reflux have not helped so have stopped taking them.

[Hidden]

I think COVID has made a lot of us more anxious and stressed - we must not forget how tough things have been..turn the clock back 18 months or so and who would have believed how things have changed!

[Beempty]

Are you under stress, why I say that is digestion starts in the brain, if we are under stress or anxiety, we suffer from stomach and intestinal problems. Have you had a colonoscopy, I would suggest it. Also I a a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist, look up information and read The Lotus Sutra, English translation by Burton Watson.

[Hidden]

Had colonoscopy and everything other test all clear!

[MMili]

I have been having similar issues for over 18 months now. I also may be going through early Perimenopause. I am on amitripltyine.