IBS Flare up : Hi What is the longest someone... - IBS Network

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IBS Flare up

Bassem1979 profile image
31 Replies

Hi

What is the longest someone has had a flare up ?

Am on day 10 and just wanted to know if this is normal or some people have similar time frames.

I am coming to the back end of it I think, I have just watch a YouTube clip that someone advised on here and it made me realise that my bum pain could be related to straining when trying to pass wind as it effects the pelvic muscles and why my bladder is so weak too.

I didn’t realise that IBS symptoms can effect other systems in you body too.

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Bassem1979 profile image
Bassem1979
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31 Replies
Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958

IBS can interact with other conditions. I have had IBS for more than 35 years and now feel that I have developed Fibromyalgia and TMJ. They all interact with each other. Regards your first question, my latest flare-up has lasted roughly 30 years! 🙃

Bassem1979 profile image
Bassem1979 in reply to Maureen1958

Omg 30 years, so am lucky with 10 days. Sorry you have suffered that long I wanted it all to end after a few days and now am fully down.

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to Bassem1979

No, you can't feel that way, you have to treat it as a challenge. There's lots of information out there on the net, you may find an answer or at least something to help!

Bits1961 profile image
Bits1961 in reply to Bassem1979

Snap 1990 when I first went to gpAfter various tests returned clear I was dismissed as a hypercondriac

so that was it "don't call us we'll call you" in other words

🙁

Meleber profile image
Meleber in reply to Maureen1958

😅 in reply to Maureen1958 on her flare up. I'm 52 years old and now think that I must have had bowel problems since my childhood. Not necessarily direct problems with my bowel like I have now but more indirect like fatigue, anxiety, depression, skin problems, other neurological symptoms, slow growth etc. All can be linked to a dysfunctional bowel as I'm now aware of. Hippocrates already knew 🤔

Meleber profile image
Meleber in reply to Meleber

I think my mother's IBS, although never officially diagnosed must have started 60 years ago or so. She's 76 now. So there is a genetic link between her and me, obviously 🙂 And I strongly suspect my father has bowel problems too although he will never admit it. Maybe because he doesn't know better?

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to Meleber

Yes, my fear has always been that my son will get it, but he hasn't yet, he is 29 now, so hoping he may have escaped it.

Bassem1979 profile image
Bassem1979 in reply to Maureen1958

Can happy at any age…. Am 42 and this only started about 2-3 years ago but been worse this year. Became worse after my second Covid jab, don’t think there is a link just a Coincidence.

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to Bassem1979

Mine got worse when Covid started, we think my husband had it and gave it to me and it seems to have made the IBS worse. I can't think of any other reason it has changed!

happygirl71 profile image
happygirl71 in reply to Maureen1958

It’s funny you mentioned that? My IBS got considerably worse right after Jab #2 after getting Moderna ! I got a bad case of gastroenteritis 18 days later? And my IBS has been in flare since October for a month until right about thanksgiving I was feeling better, now it’s flaring up again! I was diagnosed 15 years ago.

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to happygirl71

Yes, I have seen other people saying that on other forums!

Gorilla85 profile image
Gorilla85 in reply to happygirl71

Just reading this thread and can relate to your post! I have had my fist flare up since my 2nd Moderna jab and it has lasted much longer this time, how strange!

happygirl71 profile image
happygirl71 in reply to Gorilla85

I don’t understand it? And I’m usually more resilient than that? My flares or triggers usually last no more than a week? And this time it took 4 weeks plus two weeks now? I’m getting some food sensitivities to foods I was able to eat before the vaccine. I’m hoping as time goes on, the vaccine efficacy will lessen and it will bring my IBS back to baseline before I got the jabs. Maybe it’s the protein inside, I’m still baffled as to why? This happened.

Delzek profile image
Delzek

15+ years with a bit of respite

MissRita profile image
MissRita

You have to retrain your bathroom habits like when we potty train. Same thing. Do you go too much or not enough? If you don’t going enough you may have to get a couple of tests which Are virtually painless. Depends on what country you are from. Let me know if you need additional help.

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to MissRita

I'm interested in what these tests are?

MissRita profile image
MissRita in reply to Maureen1958

It’s called an anal manometry, it showed that I had slow propulsion, delayed emptying and poor relaxation to move my bowels. Are you in the US? Have you had a colonoscopy and endoscopy?

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to MissRita

Thanks for replying, I was just curious about what this was but it's not relevant for me, thanks all the same. I'm in the UK. I had a colonoscopy about 20/25 years ago.

MissRita profile image
MissRita in reply to Maureen1958

So you go too much?

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to MissRita

Basically yes!

MissRita profile image
MissRita in reply to Maureen1958

Ohhhhh ok..

happygirl71 profile image
happygirl71

Hi!! It’s interesting you mentioned that? My IBS got considerably worse right after Jab #2 with COVID vaccine Moderna ! I got a bad case of gastroenteritis 18 days later? And my IBS has been in flare since October 2021 for a month until right about thanksgiving I was feeling better, now it’s flaring up again! I was diagnosed 15 years ago. Never ever, have I had a flare this long, which lasted a little over a month. I’m attributing it too, the COVID vaccine, it made my IBS worse I’m hoping it will subside as time goes on. I have to do a food journal and was on a Low FODMAP diet, I’m also doing hypnotherapy for IBS.

Tess359 profile image
Tess359

Hello Bassem1979, I have had IBS almost continuously since I was about 4 years old, that was 62 years ago. I have had periods of respite, but they don't last long. I also get inflammation causing chronic neck pain and headaches. My father had digestive problems, as did my grandmother so I think some people have a genetic predisposition to it. However, that does not mean that you will develop it in such a chronic and persistent way. One thing this forum shows us is how many different ways people can have this condition. My IBS gets worse when I am under stress and not just emotional stress, even something like a cold will ramp it up. The Low Fodmap diet, a probiotic and Psyllium husks for constipation have helped reduce the symptoms for me.

Frasina profile image
Frasina

I just want to add that although now in my sixties, I had IBS-D on and off (always much worse when I was under a lot of stress so I would say my 'flares' lasted for a few weeks each time; probably up to six weeks). This was for the best part of 20 something years -father had diverticular disease in later years so, there is definitely a genetic predisposition as there is for many health disorders. I was 'officially' diagnosed with IBS after a colonoscopy found nothing else untoward 9 years ago...However, I would suggest to those who do suffer that you need to be aware of other changes like feeling your gut is inflamed; I have just been diagnosed with colitis (I did not have bleeding at all - just a lot of D, bowels not feeling as they ever emptied even after going, a lot of fatigue and I could actually feel parts of my colon being inflamed). GP dismissed it all as still IBS as FIT test came back showing no blood yet I knew something was going on! Ended up having to take matters in my own hands and paid to see gastro; colitis confirmed (through colonoscopy) and now on meds for this. No definite evidence IBS leads to other disorders (there is clearly a lot of crossover) but perhaps all IBS sufferers need to be proactive if they think other things could be going on. Not easy in the UK with the pandemic and a struggling NHS due to backlog etc but one thing we do all know - we know our bodies better than anyone!

Hope your 'flare' dies down soon Bassem.

Meleber profile image
Meleber in reply to Frasina

Yes, your body doesn't lie, trust your intuition / gut feeling, literally.

Frasina profile image
Frasina in reply to Meleber

Absolutely - I wish more people trusted intuition!

Sparrow58 profile image
Sparrow58

I have had IBS for 35yrs but I have always had stomach problems from a child. It affects the whole body and the more you worry about it the worse it gets. There is no cure you have to manage it. But we all hope that one day someone will work out why some get it and others can eat anything and have no problems. You should report your stomach issues from your jab on the yellow card scheme. This will alert the medics so they know and may look into the problem. Take care and I hope you feel better soon. x

Chidacsmum profile image
Chidacsmum

IBS since late 20’s. I’m 65 now and my longest flare was this year. 6 months of waking up every morning in pain until going to bed at 9.30. I can’t remember a time since I was diagnosed all those years ago that I can say with all honesty I wasn’t in some discomfort of some kind. Still, at least with IBS it doesn’t land you in an emergency situation in hospital like I have had with my diverticulitis.

Bassem1979 profile image
Bassem1979 in reply to Chidacsmum

Instead of letting this get me depressed I need to try and live with it. It’s just really hard not to let it get you down.

Chidacsmum profile image
Chidacsmum in reply to Bassem1979

Exactly. I woke up today for the first time in over a year and I had no pain!! I listen to a lot of meditation stuff on youtube which has really helped my anxiety and it sounds stupid I know but I try to be thankful every day for what I do have. I know it’s hard but as someone else said, we know our own bodies better than anyone else, so if you feel things are getting too much speaking to someone who is going through the same can help a lot. Belonging to this group has been a lifeline through some tough times for me. There will always be a sympathetic ear for you when you need it. x

Hollywood2021 profile image
Hollywood2021

IBS can last for months or years, you have to find something that works for you. I was in constant pain for 6 months and had every scan MRI showed nothing bad. Consultant recommended Fibergel it has helped so much with painful wind. He said I had a lazy bowel and I assume the Fibergel is moving things along and I don’t get the horrible pains anymore

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