Hi everyone, I don't know how long the average flare lasts or whether it's different for everyone? But mine started after a stressful life event and has been dragging on for 4 weeks and counting. I'm pretty sure it's kicked off due to the stress. Visit to dr's last week and they do nothing but examine stomach, no red flags and givee mebeverine. It did work as took away some of the bloating and muscle spasms in my stomach. It felt like I had a tight band around my stomach. But I'm still left with pain localised on right side. Plus it has now moved lower and is now also on left side too with constant cramping and hurts when pressed across both sides. Feels like I'm all inflamed inside. Then wind, frequent bowel movement, all different consistencies. Nothing I take gets rid of the cramps and I now feel exhausted and fed up. Only thing that helps is lying down with a hot water bottle. I've had my stools tested in past, all clear. I've had pelvic scan, all clear except small simple cyst but Dr said that's common and nothing to worry about as so small. They tested my bloods for inflammation, infection and cancer markers, again all clear. I also get my bloods tested regularly for kidney and liver function due to other meds I'm taking and all normal, so that only leaves IBS as cause. Fed up, don't know what to do next. Do I just try and relax, accept it's IBS and hopefully it will eventually improve and pass? I've tried buscopan, mebeverine, peppermint capsules, fybogel, windeze, you name it. Now trying Actimel.
Flare up lasting weeks: Hi everyone, I don't... - IBS Network
Flare up lasting weeks
Can definitely relate to lying down with a hot water bottle being the only guaranteed way to make me feel better. I was recommended bimuno supplements which I think has helped me more then anything else, but you may have already tried that. Mine is mostly stress and tiredness triggered, with my worst flare up being whilst I was away from home with work and that was about 2 months total, I've been better since then with just a week or two of discomfort at a time (especially linked to my hormone cycle).
I did investigate therapy and I see alot of suggested ads for anxiety IBS therapy in my social media which might be worth investigating? Sorry your feeling this way though, I can definitely relate, I hope you find some comfort soon
Hi, thank you for your reply. Sometimes it's nice to have someone relate to your symptoms just to feel like I'm not the only one and reassure myself that it definitely is still IBS. I've not tried Bimuno before, so will look on to that thanks. Also interesting you mentioned a hormone link with your flares. I'm potentially perimenopausal so always wonder what effect that might be having on IBS too.
I bimbled along with fairly mild IBS symptoms for years until last year when the heatwave put my body under physiological stress and kicked off the first flare-up in years.That flare-up lasted possibly 2 months, and my guts haven't really settled back down since, although most of the issues are now bearable. I'm certainly not back to where I was 12 months ago.
I had severe diahhroea over a couple of weeks, bad gut pain, and then started with anal leakage which was (is) pretty depressing.
We are all different and it takes time to find our own mechanisms for gut pain relief - Buscopan works for me, but it's not for everyone.
Sorry to hear what you have been through. IBS flares can last some time (my longest was 6 months). Have you tried Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS? If not, might be worth a 3 month trial. It is the probiotic that helped me the most with symptoms. There is also the Nerva gut directed hypnotherapy app to aid relaxation of the gastrointestinal system.
Hi, sorry to hear of your flare at the moment. I noticed you are premenopausal, I myself was 50 when I first started with IBS D. I have always wondered if our hormone changes are partly to blame but have never found any answers. The menopause is now talked about a lot more now than it was 20yrs ago when I went through mine. Stress and low self-esteem worry ect this to me makes sense.Over the past 20 yrs I have tried many things to help .
As xjrs has said Alflorex has helped me it is expensive but I feel it is the best for me to keep up the good bacteria in our tummies.
As a last resort for me I started a low dose of Amitriptyline three months ago and I must admit along with the Alflorex had helped.
The Amitriptyline helps the brain calm the nerves of the gut, worth doing some research.
I wish you well and hope you can find a way to manage your symptoms,we are all different.
Take care Pollyboo
Hi, thanks for your reply it's very helpful 😊 I've also replied collectively to everyone else below, but wanted to mention the amitriptyline. I've been on that before and it helped in the past. However it was prescribed for tension headaches originally , just so happened to also help with my IBS. I think it helped release some of the tension in all areas of my body, not just my headaches. I've requested a new prescription to start again, hoping that it will also help again with my IBS, so just waiting on getting that from my chemist. It's a low dose 10mg. Fingers crossed 🤞
Hi thank you for the tips. It's nice to know different things that works with each person. May I just also add that just be careful on medications side effects or toxicities...Like I was informed that Amitriptyline may cause cardiac arrest/toxic to the heart in the long run. And buscopan is not good to take all the time, as it just masks the symptoms but not really heal the gut (may cause ileus) ... So just be careful of these types of medication.
Diet modification/lifestyle changes are better I believe and the probiotic as these things are better compared to synthetic drugs.
I know it is tough having IBS, but I salute everyone for trying to help our ownselves and also help each other out. GOD Bless to all 
Thanks, I definitely would prefer a more natural solution than strong medication. I'm already on some DMARDs for an autoimmune condition so the less additional meds I take the better. I've ordered some Alflorex probiotics after so many positive recommendations and fingers crossed they help.
Hello
Mine started when I was 50 too, I swear it was triggered by hormones. I used to be fine, ate all sorts of healthy veg and fruit, since then, I've never been the same. Every meal time is a palarva wondering what to eat, I'm in the process of a pretty bad flare up and there's always a little man on my shoulder tell me it's something else, something bad, so I worry more and my guts get worse and so it goes on. I feel really depressed when I get like this and overwhelmingly tired, I'm sick of it all 😞 and ive lost weight due to not eating much.
Hi, I hope you are feeling a bit better, and your tummy has calmed down.I know how you feel, it gets us down. Tummies always seem to misbehave just when we don't need them to.
Think positive and don't let this awful IBS win it isn't easy I know.
Take care
Pollyboo
Good morning everyone, Pollyboo xjrs Hetchins1946 thank you so much for all of the replies, your support is much appreciated. I am taking everything you've all suggested on board. I'm interested in Alflorex as it has been mentioned so many times on the forums as I've been reading and a lot of success stories so I will definitely consider that. One thing I'm noticing having looked into suggested meds and apps is that these companies charge very expensive prices for things that may or may not help us. I feel like they're exploiting us for financial gain knowing we will pay in desperation. However, I've now managed to find a deal for Alflorex on H&B so have ordered a trial of 3 months worth. Got the chewables more or less half price. I've got nothing to lose really so will give it a go.
Hi, I found a really good company called Hey Nutrition and they do a probiotic complex that had great reviews online it was pricey, however the reason I mention it is that if they don't work for you after 2/3 weeks they give you a full refund. They didn't work for me unfortunately but good to know you won't waste any money finding out.
Sorry to hear what you are going through. I have ibs for years since going through the menopause and have taken peppermint tablets which help with the cramps butI have recently changed from normal tea to decaffeinated tea. The difference is unbelievable, I’ve actually felt a lot better even although I’m having a flare up at the moment.
I hope you can find some relief soon.
Thank you, I'm potentially perimenopausal so feel hormones have an effect on these things. I have other health conditions so sometimes it's hard to know what is causing what.
I don't know if there is an average length. My first big one started slowly sept 2021 peaked Nov-Feb wondering what on earth had hit me and then faded in March (CBT helped there), then this one came last December, oscillates from hell through just bearable to days that (apart from horrible first few hours of the day) seem almost normal, now with pain that seems to be quite localised. Like you, is this REALLY IBS? Recent turd test was OK. Ulcer? Sometimes feel like part of my gut is burning. Tried everything you mentioned (and getting through a lot of paracetamol which numbs it for a couple of hours) but super cautious about stuff like Bimuno after bad experience with Alflorex. I have to be positive that, like last time, it will go, be resigned to a temporarily massively reduced world, thank god for Zoom and WFH, and make the most of the good days when I can get out for nice country walks etc. which keep me sane.
What to do? Be careful what you eat, insist on your right not to be bothered by others' demands on you, manage their expectations, say no more often, try CBT to stay positive and rationalise things, avoid stress and above all get out in the fresh air as much as you can.
Will try the hot water bottle.
Thanks, sorry to hear you are suffering the same. I think the mind gut link is a major factor in my flares, I'm using the headspace app for some light meditation as that has helped me in the past with anxiety. I'm also lucky as I'm currently also allowed to WFH and I'm so grateful for that as that's always another stress worrying about time off work. I have other health issues which compound my problems, I also have Sjogren's syndrome and associated myositis as well as coeliac disease. So WFH is a lifeline for me just now. They're wanting us to go back to office though hybrid working, mandated days, so trying to extend my WFH full time as a reasonable adjustment. That in itself has added stress as they've said no, but I'm going to reapply again. I also like to get out in fresh air for a daily walk, nature is one of my healers you can't beat it.
I've been taking Alflorex chewable tablets one daily they are really heping me. Try these I chew one at night before bed Consultant recommended these. Hope this helps I know what you are going through it's awful.x
Thanks for your suggestions. I am seeing Alflorex suggested a lot so I've already ordered some. Also the chewy version, good to hear positive reviews that it's helping you, gives me hope. Thanks again.
Your very welcome I do hope they help you too.x
have you been tested for SIBO ?
Hi, no it's not something I've heard of until reading the forums. I've had IBS for over 10 years and my GP has never mentioned it. Is it something a GP would test for? This kicked off for me after recently losing a relative to cancer. It was a very distressing time and that it when it all started, so I'm pretty sure it is stress related IBS.
yes stress can definitely trigger symptoms most GPs don’t mention or understand fully you need to see a gastroenterologist or functional doctor who will carry out a breath test which will confirm if you have hydrogen or methane SIBO I. The mean time I would reduce your sugar and carbohydrates the bacteria thrive on these and produce gas bloating and cramps. Antibiotics would be a line of treatment but it can keep reacurring and these antibiotics are not available on the NHS
Thank you, I will bear this in mind if I don't improve. My dr's are pretty rubbish with IBS. Every time I go with symptoms I'm struggling with I always feel like I'm wasting their time as it's trivial to them and they just check no red flags, give me yet more antispasmodics and painkillers and send me on my way. So I end up battling it on my own, throwing everything and anything at it in desperation not to keep feeling ill. Seems I am not alone in this sadly 😔
if you can afford to I’d go private and get it properly diagnosed
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