Is your IBS mild, moderate or severe?

[As1992]

Even though IBS has it's ups and downs, which one of the above state are you most likely?

[Luisa22]

I think compared to what many people go through, my IBS is quite mild. Most often I only "go" once a day. I do get discomfort sometimes a few hours after eating dinner, but it's never really pain as such. The only pain I get is occasional trapped wind. I get some distension in lower abdomen but not horrendous, (only like approx. 3 months pregnant) and that symptom comes and goes.

On average I get about 4 or maybe 5 bad flare ups a year and they are pretty short lived though exhausting and horrible at the time. Most times it's low grade things like loose stool but not actual diarrhea. But I can have a number of days at a time perfectly normal! And I can even have weeks perfectly normal (for no reason I can work out.)

I can't eat too much fibre though, and my tolerance for fruit seems to have gone out of the window. Sometimes I can eat a high fibre food like brown rice and be fine. Other times even a spoonful makes me "go" a bit too well the next day. Some days I can eat peeled chickpeas with no bad effects, sometimes they are awful for my guts. It's as if fibre has a stronger effect on me than it used to. I'm not too bad if I eat pretty low fibre, but still eat a range of veggies. I don't think I'm lactose intolerant as butter seems fine for me, and so does some brands of milk chocolate, both of which have lactose. I'm not apparently gluten intolerant as one of my safe foods is toast! I also doubt if I'm fructose intolerant as I can eat honey just fine, but can't deal with fruit!

I am able to mostly go out, if needed without worrying about toilets, and am active outside in the day (except in bad flare ups.) I think I am very lucky.... so far so good fingers crossed.

[b1b1b1 in reply to Luisa22]

I am somewhat similar to you in terms of pain and bloating, except that I do have BM issues. I take magnesium citrate, as well as a fiber drink, and eat fruits and vegetables, however I really can't leave the house in the morning until I do go to the bathroom. Mostly this happens fairly early, but I can never be sure, so cannot make early morning plans. I also follow a modified fodmap diet. From time to time I talk to a medical IBS dietician recommended by my gastroenterologist and she is very helpful.

[M77L26 in reply to Luisa22]

yes ithink you are I get it that bad that I can not go out much ones it starts had this for years just been so bad the last few week only eating soup and having to eat for the last 5 days I’m all so taking morephin for the pain which used to stop me for going but it not this last few days been every were had every test this as been going on for years was in hospital years ago for5 week still thay said it was ibs get so downe with it I can believe some of the post iv seen on this page so you take care

[Luisa22 in reply to M77L26]

I am sorry you are suffering this badly. The pain must be unbearable to have to take Morphine for it. It must be scary and strange to be in so much pain, and yet have all the tests and the doctors say "Oh it's 'just' IBS" ! I wonder if hypnotherapy or acupuncture or both might help you? You sound like you would try anything to feel a bit better.

Wishing you better days coming soon we hope.

[Maureen1958]

I would say severe.

[ConcernedForumUser in reply to Maureen1958]

Mine too.

[ruskin10]

I would say moderate /severe. Have it every day, discomfort, gas, anxiety as to how it's going to affect my day. Food tolerance hit and miss.

[Luisa22 in reply to ruskin10]

Yes, even though I think I have quite mild IBS, my food tolerance can be very hit and miss too at times, and I always feel slightly ominous about what will happen on each morning because I never know for sure what my gut wil decide to do.

[b1b1b1 in reply to Luisa22]

I think the "not being sure" is one of the biggest IBS problems and I think all of us have this to some degree. It is hard to have complete peace of mind.

[Linley]

I would say moderate. Today a bad day pain and 4 trips to the loo after lunch, yesterday ok, tomorrow who knows?

[301246]

Severe. Pain all day, every day.