I.B.S.

[milojenny6]

I am a new to this website. I have suffered from I.B.S. for years and it is getting worse so it effects me as like so many others, a fear of going out for walks etc. I am on imodium and peppermint capsules and a very loose sphincter muscle which will be investigated within NHS time. Yes I do suffer from anxiety and soiling of sheets and underwear but what else can you do?. I have modify my diet as much as possible but as I live on my own it does not work sometimes. The simple things like walking, walking group, yoga etc-cannot do it. What is the answer? I do not know.

[dinghy]

Hi milojenny6

If you head to my page it probably has previous replied I have posted in relation to IBSd.

In a nutshell, my Ibsd is related to stress and anxiety and I suffered for decades. The only thing that finally got it under control was a combination of CBT and taking silicolgel. It helped me recover my family, work and social life. I now only need to use silicolgel as a precaution before travelling or going out socially. If I think I may be in a stressy meeting or situation, I take it. If you read my other posts you can see how it all started but I can safely say for me that if I hadn't been able to rely on the fact that the silicolgel would help, and that then gave me the mind space to focus on relaxing and managing my anxiety, then I would still be suffering badly. Worked for me but not for everyone. Cbt is really good if you find the right person to help you. I infact did cbt myself and read Dr Megan Arolls book IBS navigating your way to recovery. Think it is on Amazon as is silicolgel or silicol.co.uk where you can read other people's experiences of using it. I hope you find something to at least ease your symptoms soon. Take care.

[milojenny6 in reply to dinghy]

Thank you for the advice.

[Sparrow58]

So sorry you are having a bad time. The trouble is that the IBS and going out etc adds to the anxiety. I think sometimes it is a vicious circle. As to your question What is the answer? Who ever finds out the answer to why we have IBS and ways to treat it successfully. I think he or she deserves a knighthood.

[milojenny6 in reply to Sparrow58]

Yes Indeed but a solution will not be found. Whenever the word "Syndrome" is used in medical text-then they have not got a clue.

[Sparrow58]

I was thinking the other day as I watched the news what if for example Boris Johnson or someone like that who has to make speeches or public appearances had IBS and was late as they were ''in the loo'' or cancelled public engagements due to ''having a flare up '' What would happen then? I wondered would they get treated different or would they get ''It's only IBS''

[milojenny6 in reply to Sparrow58]

I am afraid there is one law for the rich and the poor. Mr Johnson like many others would have the special treatment from day one and would not suffer the wait and lack of understanding that we endure.

[Sparrow58]

Yes probably. But you never hear of it. Wouldn't it be good if someone like that spoke up about it to raise awareness of this issue.

[milojenny6 in reply to Sparrow58]

Yes indeed but who would listen.

[Superzob]

I'm not clear on your reasons for taking peppermint, unless it is to settle your stomach, because it could exacerbate the diarrhoea. I would be tempted to stop it, or at least reduce it, and see whether the diarrhoea improves

[milojenny6]

Problem is that it helps with the effects of diarrhoea and stops or reduces the frequency of going to the toilet. Reducing it will only excasperate the problem when going out even for a small distance. Catch 22 I think.

[eliz45]

Hi. I have all kinds of digestive issues and am familiar with peppermint oil. I think that I have read that pepperming oil causes the sphincter muscle to relax and that might be the answer to one of your questions. Have you tried to use loperamide/Imodium to help control the diarrhea. It can give you some safe time if you figure out when it goes into effect in your system. Good luck.