alforex and ibs

[Waiting_for_godo]

hello

i have ibs d and chronic lower abdomen pain. I have started taking alforex and i feel while my D is controlled ( excellent ) the lower andomen pain persists and since taking alforex i feel upper abdomen pain which i didn't befor

while it's great my bm is controlled ( a bit c feeling ) pain is really affecting my quality of life

any advice /thoughts please

[Luisa22]

I have this theory that when the gut speeds up, all is well up top, but unfortunately all is not well down below. And when the gut slows down, that's when the upper stomach symptoms come. That's based on my own experiences. A time when my bowel movements became perfect during winter 2020/21, I was beginning to congratulate myself, until I started to get slight reflux, and a definite unstable sensation in the lower esophageal sphincter. Then when things (for no obvious reason) speeded up again, the stomach symptoms miraculously disappeared, but the bowel movements became looser again.

The upper stomach sensations were just as unpleasant as the IBS-D. It was a win-lose situation.

I wish I could suggest something for you. But I didn't have a clue how mine operated. It just did its own thing and I had no idea why. I did eat a lot of medicinal grade Manuka honey during that time, and I believe it did help to some extent, but I'm not sure.

Now, I never get any upper stomach symptoms any more, just the lower ones, but can have periods when things are more steady, as well as times when they're not. And I still don't know why.

It seems to have something to do with fluctuating gut motility. That's all I have discovered! As for the cause...no idea. Serotonin? Vagus nerve stuff? Don't know.

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Luisa22]

thank you you have explained well. So do you think Alforex is affecting my gut motility?

[Mascot68 in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

I tried Alforex , couldn’t tolerate the pain , so had to stop ! Started on Obtibac (blue) which I am tolerating much better and has massively helped with the diarrhoea ! Hope that helps

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Mascot68]

hI where about was your

[Luisa22 in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

I don't know. I've never tried Alflorex or any probiotic. There is a member here who knows a lot about it. I think his/her name is "xjrs" ? I might have remembered that wrong.. I have no idea what speeds up/slows down motility with IBS. It might just do its own thing regardless, or maybe a probiotic might affect the gut's speed? Wish I knew.

edited after I did a member search....yes this is the member who knows a lot about Alflorex:

healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Luisa22]

Thanks. Hopefully they will reply

[Maureen1958 in reply to Luisa22]

Brilliant description Luisa22!

[Whoopdedoo]

ring Alflorex. Their helpline is ver good.

Good luck

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Whoopdedoo]

Thx will try

[Glitterpants]

Probiotics affect me the same way. I have tried various probiotics one recommended by my nutrionist I was told the side affects would wear off in a few days but they dont. The stomach pain I get is worse than the niggles I get from IBS C. So I stopped taking them and the pain went. Sorry but I cant offer any solutions.

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Glitterpants]

Do you feel better without them?

[Glitterpants in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

Yes I do but didnt take them for very long. Seemed silly taking something that made me feel worse.xxx

[Maureen1958]

I think Luisa22's description of how the digestive system works is spot on! I have noticed the same myself. When my IBS was very runny getting on for 40 year agos, I only had problems down below but as time has gone on and I have got older and my digestive system seems to have slowed down, I now have indigestion type problems up the top as well. I think it's just the nature of the beast!

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Maureen1958]

I hear you. Trying to hard to listen to my body but still don't know whst it is trying to tell me

[Maureen1958 in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

Yes, it's sole destroying, I know, but what else can we do!

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Maureen1958]

Have to keep trying i guess. I ve had all vitamin amino acids dysbios. Gut microbiome test. I'll keep doing my research ... We cannot give up

[Maureen1958 in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

I just wish I could have a break for a while now and then, like other people do! It used to be about every other day when it first started but after my son was born (30 years ago) it has been everyday! And it makes me feel so tired now too.

[Glitterpants in reply to Maureen1958]

Its awful for you when its every day no doubt you have tried various remedies. My IBS I know is stress related. xxx

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Glitterpants]

True. Its silent suffering.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Glitterpants]

I think I have tried everything there is out there, but nothing seems to help and it just seems to get worse the older I get and COVID did not help either!

[Waiting_for_godo in reply to Maureen1958]

I'm worn out

[Maureen1958 in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

Me too. ❤️