My story from 6th June 2022: Hello my name is... - IBS Network

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My story from 6th June 2022

PAMEI profile image
22 Replies

Hello my name is Paul this is my third post I live in West Yorkshire I am 45 years of age married with 3 boys 19,16 and 11 . I am a painter and decorator always fit playing football and very active until 6 months ago:.I have recently been diagnosed with possible IBS in other words cameras have not seen anything so we are going to wash our hands of you.My diary log cover my physical, mental, and emotional pain I don’t mind sharing all of this there are 44 pages my contact is 07741 554052 anyone can drop me a text and I will what’s app it.I know there are people on here who have struggled and still are keep your chins up and keep fighting

paul

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PAMEI profile image
PAMEI
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22 Replies
Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22

It's awful how IBS can come suddenly and make a healthy life just disappear overnight. Did you ever have signs of gut problems before 6 months ago? Did you have Covid, and the gut problems started after that?

What do you think might have triggered it?

Mine also started out of the blue on March 7th 2020, though I'd had a few smaller incidents before that but I hadn't thought anything of them and ate a healthy diet. I had always had a healthy gut and was a very athletic type of person for my age and fit and well before IBS came. :(

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy

Hello Paul,

I am also in West Yorkshire. My gut issues began after a dodgy raw oyster eaten in NI sparked a bout of noro virus, shortly followed by a short period of time as quality manager in a large bakery. Now I have a wheat allergy plus colitis. Welcome to the club.

in reply to BabsyWabsy

sounds like a leaky gut issue. It's a matter of trial and error I'm afraid. My vet daughter was sneezed on by a dog and contracted some awful tummy bug as a consequence and spent 7 days in hospital isolation as they didn't know what it was. When she was discharged they said eat easily digestible things, like pasta and rice, and she ended up with a leaky gut too. A nutritional doctor might be a help-but it's not a cheap or quick fix!

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to

hello thanks for your reply I gave my New GP a letter in regards to a dietician plan but I will put money on it unless I chase it up the practice will do nothing

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply to

Interesting. No on has suggested that, but I have had my suspicions for some time. I am not sure if leaky gut is recognised yet in UK medicine.

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to BabsyWabsy

hi ime not sure either but saying that I don’t even know what’s happening to me

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply to PAMEI

Oh PAMEI, I am sorry. It is difficult. I am also in West Yorkshire.

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to BabsyWabsy

hello sorry for late reply I am just trying to make sense of things we all know our own bodies and we know when something is not right I have pain in my thigh I can not stretch it out and they have lumps I keep getting them felt but get different answers I have played football all my life and Road run i would stretch my legs out daily until all of this so I know something is not right.the pain between my shoulder blades and all down my spine is and lower back is ridiculous I feel air bubbles going down my back and my body is burning it’s crazy .May I ask what’s your story I would be interested to know but only if you would like to tell

Paul

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply to PAMEI

Hi Paul,

I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have your previously active life curtailed. I hope you are getting support. My story has been going for a long time. When I think back, I have had gut issues from being a child. Porridge with golden syrup would have me doubled up with belly ache. Cornflakes = migraine. As an adult, I have not eaten any breakfast cereals at all. Fast forward to my 60's. A trip to NI for work resulted in a bout of Noro virus from a single raw oyster fresh from the local lough. Not long after this I was doing an interim stint as a quality manager in a large bakery. This meant that I was breathing in wheat flour every day, and also had to taste panel all the products from the previous 24 hours production every morning. Result- wheat overload. I believe these two events triggered my wheat allergy/intolerance. That said, I am currently being tested for coeliac. If I prove positive, it won't solve anything, but will give me a handle to hang my gut issues on. It took years for my GP practice to offer any help at all. It took a locum to refer me for gastroenterology, while admitting that he knew nothing about gut issues (!). This resulted in a DX of microscopic colitis. I have largely learned to manage this, apart from the occasional flare up. I do not let it stop me doing things though. I am active in several community groups, enjoy horse riding and I am a school governor amongst other things. It has taken years to learn how to manage it though. Knowing you triggers and having some work arounds helps. Tomorrow, I am off to Sheffield to give a presentation. I will take a loperamide today and have a tiny breakfast tomorrow early. Two oatcakes probably. This is usually enough to clear everything through before I travel. Once I am underway, my innards usually settle. Something else to think about I suppose. In conclusion, you will have to work out what works for you. You do have some interesting symptoms. I hope you can find some answers.

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to BabsyWabsy

Hello hope you have had a nice week thanks for responding.I try take the positives out of everyday but if I am honest for 6 months no support what’s so ever it’s really been shocking and disappointing and utterly disgusting I am sorry to hear of your struggles and for such the length of time you have lived with them.I bet most people could not even imagine not eating any cereal these are little things most of society take for granted.It sounds like you have gone through a lot and still do I am sorry you have had to go through so much but I am so happy for you that you do a lot of social groups and enjoy your horse riding you sound to be a busy individual.I always tell my 3 lads time and patience has the answer for everything I have visited A&E twice in the last 3 week the 1st visit consultant says he thinks nerves I probably need to see a neurologist come back in a week if it’s still happening.I returned 2 week after 2nd time consultant says I need to be referred to a neurologist and need head to foot MRI but he does not have power to do it in A&E so he writes a letter to GP, I am scratching my head thinking OMG what is going on I have not been right for 6 months and I am literally fighting a system that really should be helping me between my shoulders feel like somebody has hit me with a shovel my spine is throbbing I have lower back ache and pain in right leg which I keep telling everyone I have a load of small lumps in which I know was not there before not to mention the usual tight hips and abdominal pain.my spine lower back and legs are constantly burning it even wakes me up when I am sleeping si I would be kind by saying frustrated.People who read this must think this can not be happening believe me this is really happening and nobody is doing nothing for me I am at the point I will be contacting every newspaper 6 months of utter hell and I need help I really do I am sorry to go on I know it’s not your problem or anyone else’s I can only keep going and fighting

serena-g profile image
serena-g

Hi there - I recommend the FODMAP diet - it figures out your triggers so gives you a way to control things - I now avoid fructose and gluten and it's all much better - it took a while. Also a good probiotic to help your gut. I use Biotiful Kefir and Mindlinx capsules from BioCare (some contain fructose these don't). Best of luck.

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to serena-g

hi thanks ever so much for your reply and advice it means alot

Allot profile image
Allot

The gps don’t want to know ! Tell you have IBS and leave you to get on with it - after horrendous accidents I’m too frightened to leave the house am on antidepressants (not helping as yet) am so anxious I feel there’s no point in carrying on - have now insisted on seeing an gastroenterologist as I want confirmation nothing else is going on - now worrying on how I’m going to get there 😱I used to go gym 4 times a week and had active social life - last day out I had despite taking immodium had an embarrassing panic attack. If it’s IBS it’s ruining my life !!

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to Allot

hello it’s just a joke what support and empathy you get from certain professionals please don’t get it in your head you don’t want to carry on I have also been there and if you feel like this you message me keep fighting and find that inner strength. I am in same boat just a different angle keep your chin up

Allot profile image
Allot in reply to PAMEI

thanks for your support- I’ve booked an online CBT appointment to see if I can control the anxiety as I think it makes everything worse. I’m sure lots of people endure worse symptoms but it makes me feel that I’m disgusting I know it’s an over reaction but can’t control these thoughts. I very much appreciate your offer thanks for caring

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to Allot

your welcome and your not disgusting so don’t think that your no different to me or anyone else we all have some issues going on at time we all feel overwhelmed and anxious it’s always better to text or talk you are never alone

Allot profile image
Allot in reply to PAMEI

Thanks for your empathy - very kind

kay-os profile image
kay-os

hi Paul, like to help you and read your pages. Can call you to discuss, don't do texts, don't use a mobile. I am 79 with a lot of experience in gut and pain issues plus dealing with our limited NHS. Let me know. Kay

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to kay-os

hi sorry for late reply I work a lot and with family life the days come and go I can email you if it’s easier

kay-os profile image
kay-os in reply to PAMEI

Hi PAMEI My best email address is bunnylovesa@hotmail.com

look fwd to your info Kay

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to kay-os

thanks for the reply i need to go to work on a few hours I will try get some sent before I go

PAMEI profile image
PAMEI in reply to PAMEI

hello I sorry I missed your call I am just at work I have had hospital appointments over last 2 days and have also had to work I will start to send you some stuff through tonight

Many Thanks

Paul

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