IBS 'flares': how long do yours last?

[XDjames]

Although I was diagnosed in 2017, my 'nasty' flares have been from mid Sept 2021-mid Mar 2022, then November 2022 through April 2023, then October 2023-present (so looking forward to a break).

Within these it ranges from really good days (can be as good as being able to function as if it's not happening) to really bad days (can be as bad as struggling to get out of bed at all).

How do yours come and go?

[Luisa22]

I get what I call "mini flares" that last a short time, and involve just a very urgent and loose bowel movement in the morning after I get up. That might also last a few hours as a vague "unease" low down in my belly, then pass off by dinner time.

But a major flare up can last me one full day, night and part of the next day, and can leave my belly a bit "off" for a couple of days after when I can only eat the simplest plain foods, then gradually I go back to normal. Then I can re-introduce my normal diet including a range of vegetables, (which is to some extent restricted, but has become "normal" for me.

And sometimes I've had half-day flare ups when I am better by evening, and whatever I eat (within my range of foods) causes no upset the following day!

I honestly can't work out how IBS operates sometimes. Upsets can come out of the blue, and foods that seemed to upset me are fine the next time I try them! (and vice-versa.)

I also get times of relative normality out of the blue for no discernible reason, when I can go for weeks sometimes with perfectly normal bowel movements and no upsets. I keep a steady diet and don't go crazy with foods at those times as I've learned it has not gone away, I'm just getting a respite break. But I might be able to eat some foods again like carrots, beetroot, blueberries, some nuts, which I incorporate into my diet gently, and they have no upsetting effect on my gut at all.