Hi all - was diagnosed with IBS after having years of abdominal pain and camping. This diagnosis was made after various tests one of which discovered that I had a slow moving colon.
After seeing a dietician I have now embarked on eating healthier adding kiwi and also using fibre supplements to stimulate bowel movements. This has had a mixed success rate.
Also been told to try Symprove - so would be keen know anyone who had tried this.
I have now found myself thinking about this 24/7 which is obviously having a detrimental affect on my life. I have been on anti depressants for years and decided to come off them 6 months ago. The flare ups last approx one day but can be extremely painful with cramping. I basically lie in bed and take various meds none of which seems to work quickly. The symptoms subside after flacualence and then after a day or so after return to normal.
Can anyone help or advise if they have similar symptoms. As mentioned on some profiles - doctors give you the diagnosis and leave you to get on with it which am an be difficult.
Need to get my life back !
Written by
Neal1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Neal1, I seem to have a similar problem that my gastroenterologist could not fathom with constant but differing pain in abdomen, that feels easier when I lie flat on the floor. I too have ‘slow transit’ and a tortuous colon,which never caused a problem until recently!
Anyway I’ve tried many things and at long last found something that does help ( not cure ) and that is Symprove. Maybe it helps to gently move things along, as this slow moving gut I think has repercussions throughout, causing trapped wind pain etc. I definitely recommend, it took about 10 days to feel the change, initially with an upset tummy but after that some definite improvement. Hope it helps you too if you try it. Best wishes, Mutley
I was in a similar position to you with IBS-C taking over my life. Hope you've find my answer to your other post useful.
In terms of probiotics, I have tried many over the years and Alflorex worked best for me, particularly with the pain. Also Linaclotide. When I started on this after 10 weeks my pain reduced to 50%-60%. When I added in Alflorex the pain reduced to zero and it made me more tolerant to a wider range of foods and the fibre needed for this condition.
you might find out that you have a dominant bad bug, which is what I did. However, how do you use that information? I became obsessed with getting rid of mine and was encouraged by the therapists to take antibiotics and antimicrobials to achieve this. However, antibiotics or antimicrobials deplete and undermine the microbiome in general, which will affect your overall health and the bad bug is highly likely to grow back, so you are back where you started. You are also possibly in a worse position since some of the good bacteria may also be depleted in numbers. Since I went through this process, I ended up with chronic constipation, since much of healthy stool is made up of bacteria. I now have to consume a huge amount of fibre to have a BM due to the loss of bacteria.
Many people with IBS will have a gut bacterial imbalance and one or two dominant bad bugs are likely to show up as part of such testing. All people have a mixture of good and bad bugs in their gut - this is actually normal. The important thing is whether the good bugs are keeping the bad bugs under control and things are 'in balance' in the gut. The best way to achieve this is through a good probiotic, which helps to kick the bad bugs into touch, without compromising your overall microbiome which antibiotics will. I recommend Alflorex which has been scientifically studied for IBS since it has been a game changer for my symptoms. I wish I had known about this sooner. This would have been far cheaper too and I wouldn't have comprised my health in the process.
The problem is I also have is a UTI which I am hopeful will be sorted out by the Antibiotics as I am constantly going to the toilet !
My dietician has recommended to take the AB's prior to the any probiotic which I suppose is a little risky, I have tried Alfrotex for three/four months without any real difference. I have ordered Symprove now and will see how this goes.
It is really hard to make these choices.............never know what to do for the best !!
Sorry to hear that you didn't get any joy from Alflorex - just goes to show everyone is different and down to trial and error.
Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is a beneficial yeast that has been proven to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhoea, is the best thing to take whilst on antibiotics. The reason it is so effective is that since it is a yeast and doesn’t consist of bacteria, antibiotics won’t affect it, so it can do its job. Take 2 Saccharomyces Boulardii capsules after a couple of mouthfuls of food at breakfast and at dinner whilst taking antibiotics and for 2 weeks to a month afterwards. If you start to become constipated on Saccharomyces Boulardii, this suggests that it has or is doing its job and it might be possible to come off of them. Probiotics can be taken in addition, bearing in mind that these need to be taken at least two hours away from both previous and next antibiotic doses to have the best effect and for the antibiotics not to wipe them out.
Tbf I dont ever get diarrhoea and my symptoms are generally ok apart from irregular bowel movements followed by associated stomach cramps. (which can be severe).
Good to know about Saccharomyces Boulardii, I was actually considering taking some Symprove whilst on the antibiotics. (Doxycycline)
I have taken Symprove for a few years now to help with IBS. It has helped a bit by lessening the symptoms. It is quite expensive but if it works I am willing to pay. At first your symptoms may get worse, I took my first doses over a long weekend when I knew I was at home. If you need any advice their customer service team are good at asking questions on Symprove. Good luck and I hope you feel a little better soon.
Hi, I have a tortuous colon which causes ibsC and I have struggled with that all my life but seem to have managed. However now I am getting terrible pain when the only thing that alleviates it is to go to the loo until I am empty but I am in agony until then. I have just changed my probiotic to Alflorex and take Mebeverine before meals but I am left feeling washed out and exhausted. I do hope you improve, it consumes so much of your life!
Yes I agree IBS makes such an impact to your life. I sometimes wonder what I would be like without it as it is me now. I do get jealous of other people just eating what they want and not worrying about where is the nearest loo. Or just waking up and not have to think is this a good day or bad day. Good luck with Alflorex I hope it helps you. x
I am in exactly the same boat. Just joined this forum to try and help. It's the most horrendous condition and very isolating. I'm at the end of my tether just now. Been thinking about Symprove, too. Shall aim to share positive stuff on here, too. Thinking of you and everyone else who is suffering
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
IBS & Menopause 
Help with ibs symptoms 
long covid IBS
Attending court with IBS/IBS-type symptoms
