After main evening meals

[Will1234]

Firstly , I have not posted for a long time and noticed that 7 years ago I wrote about Christmas and IBS . I mention this , as it seems that I still have similar issues , which might be connected to over indulgence with Alcohol over the festive period.

I decided to basically say to hell with IBS and drink wine , quite a lot at Christmas dinner and thereafter on the evening with family . Since then , even as I write this a week later , I seem to have caused a really bad flare up .

Had no alcohol since then but now after most evening meals this last week , I have suffered soon after eating , gas which is very uncomfortable and often followed by an urgent visit to the loo. Without being too graphic, this is usually a massive diarrhoea type emptying . Usually all over in one visit but then this is sometimes followed by a horrible nauseous feeling , which sometimes carries on into next day and makes me feel awful . This sickly feeling just makes me feel like staying in bed or just sitting about doing nothing .

Maybe done something to upset lining of stomach or such like .

Anyway , just wondered if any fellow sufferer has experienced similar , or can offer any thoughts or advice . Obviously , of course , not drinking alcohol is obvious but I think my IBS often rears its head after eating main meals but don't always have this nausea .

Will 1234

[b1b1b1]

In my experience it can take some time for things to calm down after going off your regular diet. Try to eat very bland, easy to digest meals for a week or so. If that doesn't help see the doctor.

[Will1234 in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you for taking time to reply. Will1234

[Kitten-whiskers]

It doesn't take much to set off a flare, that's such a shame you cannot have some wine at Christmas, I have found that items that are a major trigger for me I have to avoid indefinitely, no amount of time that passes seems to change things.

Have you tried Silicol? I find this beneficial when trying to calm things down, I take a tablespoon in a small amount of water, I find it is more helpful than just taking the spoonful without water.

I really hope you feel better soon

Best wishes

Debbie

[Will1234 in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Thank you for replying , I tried Silicol a long time ago . Can't remember the results. Maybe need to try it again .Will

[Kitten-whiskers in reply to Will1234]

Also Membervine is something I find really helpful. Hope you feel better soon

[Will1234 in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Thank you again . I am feeling much better today . Now that festive season is at an end I will first stop Alcohol in case that has just been a trigger. If this keeps occurring I will investigate Bile Acid Malabsorption.

[Dollymae06 in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Have you tried Buscopan it may help you.

[Will1234 in reply to Dollymae06]

Thanks for reply - yes have tried it , a bit undecided about it.

Will

[BabsyWabsy]

Counter intuitively, I sometimes find that a glass of dry white can settle my stomach, whereas red goes straight through.

[Will1234 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Thanks for replying. This was white wine . But too much I think . Will

[jbrking]

I was told I had IBS but turns out I have bile acid malabsorption. Read bad-uk.org website as it sounds like you may be suffering

[Will1234 in reply to jbrking]

Thanks for replying. Sounds like that might be the problem. I need to investigate that further. Pretty much no chance of seeing a doctor anytime soon though.Will

[jbrking]

my doctor told me for 20 years I had IBS but it got worse and I had so much diarrhoea and was being sick so finally got referred to Gastro. They said a lot of people told IBS actually have this. Had a sehcat scan to confirm. You can ask your doctor for a trial of colestyramine sachets and see if they help. If they do then you most likely have. Some people are diagnosed this way now.

[Will1234 in reply to jbrking]

Thank you for the information. Interesting, I might try to speak to a doctor and see what they say. It seems a strong possibility, as this mainly does occur after eating .

[Iguvup]

Hello Will,

My response to David’s post might be relevant? Try Fodmap approach to identify what is triggering symptoms? And drink more water with meals and through the day. This helped me loads! Plus not eating too late, only drinking alcohol on two nights and only 2 units, and doing more exercise every day def helped me SO MUCH.

[Will1234 in reply to Iguvup]

Thank you for replying . I will take on board what you recommend. I have been trying to drink more water and cutting out certain foods . I generally play a lot of golf but currently the weather has prevented this so maybe lacking in exercise just now . too much sitting watching T V and maybe thinking too much about why I got this recent flare up which probably does not help.Thanks again .

[Luisa22]

Once we have triggered a flare up by something it can sometimes linger on for a little bit. Maybe you really irritated something and now it's still upset and rebelling when you have a proper big meal? Just because your digestion is upset?

In your case, probably too much wine?

I know I definitely can NOT drink wine any more. I have had to forget about it. And champagne was one of my favourite drinks. Nor beer, and I do like that.

Wine seems to be one of my worst enemies.

Yet I found I can drink small quantities of vodka! But I must let it down with something. I often have a vodka with honey and a cup of china tea on the side. I know it sounds eccentric. That never causes me any upsets, but I do drink it in small quantities.

But we all have our own triggers and if you think basically all alcohol is a trigger for you then the best thing is to go dry for a few months and see how you go.

This can be hard to do if you have an eating routine you have kept for many years, but have you tried smaller meals more frequently?

Have you also found out which foods are okay for you and which ones aren't? I have had to radically change my diet to suit me personally and it is a work in progress. Sometimes the most surprising foods we always ate and even the really healthy choices, can be bad news for our IBS.

Nausea can definitely be a part of IBS. I get a mild form of it when I have a flare up. Nasty little bugger!

[Will1234 in reply to Luisa22]

Hi luisa22 , thank you for taking the time to reply . Yes , I think I really upset my insides and I was very sensitive to almost any foods , particularly after main meals . It is just possible that I had a tummy bug. Currently I am feeling a lot better and not drinking any Alcohol. I think sulphates and other preservatives in wines can be a trigger. A pity, as I often have a glass in the evening . By going dry for a while it should hopefully make it clear if that was the trigger as suspected.

I know some of the foods that I must avoid , obvious ones, like fresh cream , onions , Garlic, beans . Having said that , some foods sometimes upset and then sometimes don't . I think, in general , food in any sizeable quantity often causes fast transit with me . If I take Imodium this does not happen but don't really want to take it daily . Prefer to use it for getting out , or going to events etc. Just get concerned that if I take it daily , I will end up needing more and more in quantity to be effective.

I don't always get nausea but occasionally and this time it was awful.

At age 76 and having suffered since about age 21 , I doubt if this condition is ever likely to leave me . It was a bad flare up, --as you said , a nasty little bugger.

Will

[Luisa22 in reply to Will1234]

Yes, there are tummy bugs going around, as well as flu and Covid. Typical winter illnesses. And of course, there's the price to pay for any Christmas and New year experiments with food.

Wine can be heavy stuff for the system. For IBS, histamine intolerance, migraine....all sorts of things. Even sulphite-free wine can sometimes be tricky.

I can tolerate neither wine nor beer at the moment. And one of my favourites...Guinness. I really miss that.

But sometimes a clear spirit like gin or vodka can be okay. Have you tried a gin and tonic or something with dinner instead of wine?

Anyway, going dry for a bit might be a good idea anyway to clean the system after Christmas.

I am sorry you've had to cope with IBS for so many years. Sending a little prayer for you right now, that you might get some times when your symptoms ease.

[Will1234 in reply to Luisa22]

Thank you very much

Will