It's gone .... for now .... so have hope

[XDjames]

I don't understand but I'm not complaining. Week before last was 'the works', five relentless days grinding me down to a wretched state, but last weekend like a switch flipped. Spent the weekend getting strength back, since then no wind buildup and excruciating discomfort, I could get on with my life.

Been 'normal' for last days. In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined being able to drive 150 miles, overnight in a hotel and know I'd be able to drive back, also eat junk food with no obvious bad effect.

So it can disappear as soon as it arrives.

Why?

I asked my daughter to pray for me (you don't have to believe that, but I had a 'day off' after a similar previous intervention with absolutely no other change).

Last weekend I restarted on 15mg mirtazapine. But that previously never seemed to have any effect other than to give me vivid dreams. I honestly can't think of anything else significant.

Finger's crossed, not counting chickens etc, but if you're in the depths, there is hope, it can and does disappear.

This was sudden, but lets see if it endures. Last year it gradually died off and stayed off for best part of a year.

[Luisa22]

It's good that you get times like this. So do I, and I am having a similar experience to you right now too. I was up and down and not great for about a month....Coronation Day a horrible flare up and a few milder flare ups, and wasting so much food all over the place.

Then three days ago a switch just flipped and everything was normal again!! Normal bm's. No discomfort or distention a few hours after dinner, etc.

And no idea why.

I looked back in my food diary and could see no reason for WHY the flare ups happened, and could see no reason why they stopped. Always the same diet, (except my "emergency" flare up white food diet which was only for a couple of days anyway and I have a low stress life really. I couldn't relate it to one single thing.

I think we just have to be grateful for any remissions. Here's hoping we get really LONG ones. I wish you all the best.

[meadfoot]

Thats good news. Pleased you feel so much better. Such a relief and release, enjoy normal living again.

[Jackie1612]

that’s really good to know XDjames. Fingers crossed that it continues. I feel that mirtazapine may have played a part (and the prayers of course!)

[Boxroad]

a little break from it is good but I think it will be short lived to be honest, just because symptoms have gone does not mean the IBS has moved on so eating junk food is just going to flare it up again in my experience. If it has decided to give you a break think of the foods and lifestyle you were living in the weeks before it calmed and try and stick to that.

[XDjames in reply to Boxroad]

Yes, indeed, I'm not counting my chickens just yet, but seizing the days and thanking at least God.

For junk food, I took the chance for a getaway and eating in restaurants wasn't really an option so it was fast food and sandwiches. The latter I never got on with too well with (particularly meat and cheese ones, but egg mayo on SWS is relatively kind, so had that). I find shop fish and chips is a bad idea, seems to be the fish (oily of course, plus the batter). Pizza I wouldn't risk. McD bacon roll meal (BRM) is my treat on a good day, and low penalty. Resorted to Big Mac meal (once in a blue moon occasion) on Saturday night to save time, suffered a little for that. KFC ( old style two piece meal , not hot-spicy, no bun) is OK but I avoid corn and coleslaw sides (they put onion in! So unnecessary). Of course wifey cooking is best and going out/away has always been a bit risky. So as you say back to what seemed to be stable, i.e. spelt sourdough bread, chicken, lots of grilled fish, noodles/spaghetti, Turkish rice, mediterranean veggies, home-made GF banana bread, lactose-free milk and don't do lunch.

[Icanchangethislater]

There’s a fair amount of scientific literature about the effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of IBS. So I think you’re on to something regarding mirtazapine. Here is one article:

bpsmedicine.biomedcentral.c...

[XDjames in reply to Icanchangethislater]

thanks for the pointer ....

[asbayford]

Absolutely praise God for the ibs free days! He led me to the Low Fodmap Diet when mine got so bad I begged Him for help. Once He showed me this diet, I got my life back. Praying these normal days stay for you and I x

[Luisa22]

I meant to say this in my earlier post. It's to do with prayer.

I once was having the most awful flare up and was on some online site (I can't remember where now!) I had responded to a post a young man (I think) had written, about Jesus and healing.

He said he would pray for me. I thought that was very kind, so thanked him but more or less moved on that evening, kind of forgetting about it. But later that night a wonderful feeling of harmony and peacefulness came over me. I had known that feeling before but hadn't felt it in a long time.

I fell asleep and in the morning I felt perfectly normal and well! It lasted for a few days.

[XDjames in reply to Luisa22]

Luisa22, I'm the planet's greatest sceptic. I massively distrust any kind of mathematical model particularly if it's rammed down my throat, I don't believe data unless I acquired it myself or whoever did has proved to be trustworthy. I will try my hardest to pick holes in my own or other's data. So I have had the toughest time getting my head round global warming. A real 'doubting Thomas' then.

After many years of being wary of churchgoers (what's their motive for being friendly?) I discovered a pretty local church full of genuinely very nice people and starting attending. A few months ago I had a nasty health scare and it tipped my IBS. After week of this I somehow made it to the morning church service and the lovely curate prayed with me. I had the most amazing 'normal' day. I can only say it was miraculous, and then recently .... So while medication and CBT, and belonging to a community help, and alas it's unfashionable, I'm sure I got help and I do believe in God.

As Dave Allen would say, may your God go with you.