flare up

[LEENOL48]

what does a flare up feel like. Today I’ve been bloated so much I look pregnant stomach pains around the naval area constantly burping and really bad nausea is this a typical flare up or something different

[mcjo]

Hi, possible a infection but first try some busopan, available over thecounter without prescription. If they don't help would consider A&E.

[LEENOL48 in reply to mcjo]

ok thanks I’ll try buscopan don’t want to bother a & e

[Eliana5 in reply to LEENOL48]

That is what they are there for. Don't ever think you are "bothering them" they are Doctors or gastroenterologists and they can help you so you don't have to guess or suffer in silence..good luck 🤞

[winfong]

How are your bowel movements? Any changes there?

That's usually what I look to when it comes to flares.

[LEENOL48 in reply to winfong]

bowel movements are normal maybe a bit softer but nothing serious

[Icanchangethislater]

Flare ups are different for everyone. My flare ups include diarrhea and multiple trips to the bathroom. When I have a flare up, I go on a bland diet for a couple of days. I’m finishing up the low FODMAP diet, but haven’t reacted to any of the food re-challenges yet. I wish I could pinpoint what causes my flare ups other than anxiety.

[LEENOL48 in reply to Icanchangethislater]

yes that’s the problem you start to feel ill and then the anxiety takes over so you feel worse

[Luisa22 in reply to LEENOL48]

That's kind of what happened to me last night. I "felt my digestion " working about 10pm and convinced myself it was a flare up coming and I so hate those! My whole system went into fight or flight. I managed to calm myself down then thought what the heck and had a cup of tea and a piece of plain cake! I did feel a bit peckish even though that makes no sense. By midnight everything had stopped happening. No flare up. I just got the effects of anxiety thinking my rumbly tum and feeling things moving about down there meant I would have a horrible night. Then I realised all I was feeling was my digestion working. Nothing worse.

Honestly what am I like??

But seriously I think flare ups traumatise us to a certain extent and anxiety sets in when we think one is coming.

[LEENOL48 in reply to Luisa22]

you’re right what are your typical flare up symptoms

[Luisa22 in reply to LEENOL48]

My usual flare ups can sometimes have a warning that develops a few hours before, when my gut just "doesn't feel quite right" (all low down in my gut, not my stomach area) Or maybe I was a bit looser that morning.

But sometimes they can come on quite suddenly. Gut starts making lots of noise, feels like a lot of movement going on, discomfort left side low down, go hot and cold, get a bit shaky, then oops....loo! It can sometimes be a normal bm to start but at an unusual time of day or evening. Then I feel better and it settles down, but comes back again, then basically it's loo at least every hour and it can go on a few hours. Bum gets so sore with wiping even though I mostly use small wads of toilet paper and warm water. Hands get sore and dry from constantly washing them. And my energy tanks out with lots of shakiness and shiveriness, though no fever. Sometimes it wrecks my emotions with a sad feeling and I cry.

It usually lasts 24-48 hours. I do get hungry though during these flares, but just eat hard boiled eggs, white rice, dry white toast, and am okay with a bit of honey and well-stewed apple.

[Eliana5 in reply to Luisa22]

Hi..I use the Tucks pads. They are not expensive. I can't remember if you still have to have a prescription for them..but they worked better than wet toilet paper which can still be irritating. Also a sitz bath works wonders. Anusol or Preparation H .. Hydrocortisone cream also is really soothing..also for dry cracked sore hands try O'Keefe's "Working hands" that stuff is a miracle. I get cracks on top of my fingers and I use it the next day they are gone. You can buy it online from Amazon or at a drug or grocery store..

[Luisa22 in reply to Eliana5]

Oh I see. I hadn't heard of Tucks pads. I still have some left of my favourite toilet paper which is infused with aloe vera. While it was still available...albeit on ebay....I bought 54 rolls!!

Sadly, it has now been discontinued. It isn't irritating at all but soothing. I am a bit 'grrrr' about the Andrex company discontinuing it. I suppose my alternative would be to buy some aloe vera gel and use a little on the toilet paper I use to wash with. Generally that works for me very well (the washing thing) But it's only in a bad flare up that my poor old bottom feels like it's had the life washed out of it!

[LEENOL48 in reply to Luisa22]

wow that sounds awful I’ve been nauseated and bloated for two days but today it’s all moving down I think stomach making bubbly noises and can’t stop passing wind must be a build up and now it’s all coming out

[Luisa22 in reply to LEENOL48]

I am sorry you are having a bit of a rough day today. Maybe the bloating and nausea might ease up when something comes out the other end? (what a price to pay -eh?)

I was meaning to say before, have you tried nibbling on slices of fresh ginger for the nausea? It's not as hot for the mouth when mixed with a little bit of honey, if you can eat honey.

[LEENOL48 in reply to Luisa22]

I went to the doctors today apparently the bloating and nausea is because I’m full of poo and the wind is creating pressure oh the joys of ibs

[Luisa22 in reply to LEENOL48]

Oh gosh, that's not nice for you. I had a feeling that might be the cause. What did the doctor suggest to help?

Sometimes even when we pass soft or loose bm's, there can still be some back-up in the piping going on. I hope there's something that can make you feel a lot better.

[LEENOL48 in reply to Luisa22]

he has prescribed me some sachets of laxatives but I’d rather go the natural way of more fibre and more water but it’s a weight off my mind which also helps as I thought it was serious and stress over feeling ill makes you feel worse

[Meleber in reply to LEENOL48]

Good to read that its somewhat better now. Next thing is that you need to find out how it could have happened, what is the underlying cause of fecal material building up in your bowel. Have you had a transit test already?

[LEENOL48 in reply to Meleber]

hi no I haven’t had one of those is that to see how fast you empty your bowels after eating I need to drink more water and add more fibre but obviously with ibs there is a fine line with fibre

[Meleber in reply to LEENOL48]

You have been officially diagnosed with IBS or is it a working diagnosis at the moment? And yes, the transit study is to find out if your intestines are working properly, without taking laxatives in any form.

[LEENOL48 in reply to Meleber]

hi yes I got diagnosed nearly 20 years ago

[60spirit in reply to Icanchangethislater]

Anxiety s causing flare ups

[Icanchangethislater]

It certainly can be a vicious circle.

[Eliana5]

You haven't given a lot of information to go by. Do you mean a colitis flare up..or Crohn's? Ulcerative Colitis? Diverticulitis.. Etc..

[LEENOL48]

sorry I meant ibs