Hoping for some coping advice

[Dh19]

Hi all,

I’ve suffered with IBS for years, had colonoscopy, endoscopy and CT scan end 2021, all clear. Recently had proctitis (treated well) but now my bowels have gone crazy and new feelings I’ve never had!!

Really bad bloating, gurgling, stomach cramps pain under left rib, going into back. IBS - M, pellets one day, loose the next. Nausea and belching. Been to doctors a number of times, issues with normal medication, PPIs etc but no relief 🥲

Do others have similar symptoms? Really at the end of my teather, any advice greatly appreciated 🙏

[Jackie1612]

sorry to hear you are going through this Dh19.

I have had similar symptoms. Walking and swimming sometimes helps me and meditation. I have been taking 10mg of amitriptyline for a couple of months now. This has helped a lot, although it does cause bad constipation. I am taking a stool softener, Dulcoease, for this. My life is much improved with the amitriptyline.

I was reluctant to take it but it is the only thing that has worked for me.

[Carercmb in reply to Jackie1612]

Anything to help with anxiety as this is the largest factor.

Keeping hydrated drinking lots of water.

Walking and swimming as Jackie1612 said.

Dulcoease gentle but helps.

Checking your diet, bananas , green veg, help me but we are all different.

[Dh19 in reply to Carercmb]

Some great advice …. I do walk and exercise as I find it helps. My diet may need a looking at … thanks

[Dh19 in reply to Jackie1612]

Thank you Jackie … my doctor has just prescribed Propananol to help with anxiety so hope that helps 🙂

[Carercmb in reply to Dh19]

This will definitely help I am sure.

It’s my anxiety ( at everything) that’s my problem.

Mixing with friends and listening to music keeping busy definitely helps me.

Good luck going forward.

[binks in reply to Dh19]

Can you take one off doses of Propanalol for anxiety, or is it a regular dose? I'd be interested to know whether it helps!

[Dh19 in reply to binks]

My doctor has prescribed me a course, 56 tablets assuming one a day (picking them up today). Once I have them I’ll let you know. As I understand they take a few days to get in your system so can imagine one off would be no good.

[Dollymae06 in reply to Dh19]

I have just been prescribed Propranolol and Gp said take when needed so I think it works that way aswell . Hope this helps.

[xjrs]

When you say you have IBS-M, you might in fact be IBS-C. The loose stool may actually be overflow diarrhoea, with liquid food seeping around impacted stool. Also, if you are backed up, this may be causing the other symptoms that you are experiencing.

You could try working on fibre to see if this helps. If you need any further tips on IBS-C, I can post them here if needed.

[Dh19 in reply to xjrs]

Thank you for your advice … very much appreciated

[MountainHare1]

Hi,

Like you (a male of a similar age :-), I have suffered IBS for years and experienced similar symptoms to you and more!

For me with my BM, it is different every day and up until yesterday I have had a fairly good BM for quite a while now. Then all of a sudden I had really bad diarrhoea yesterday for no apparent reason. However, reflecting on what I happened, I think having taken a small course of Naproxen recently has unsettled my gut.

Having reading many posts on here from people who asking for help, want to find a medication that will help relieve their symptoms, which I can understand and appreciate but personally I think to improve your life in there long term, the key is to look at making improvements to your lifestyle and to do the things that you enjoy and also to be active.

I am sure you are familiar with the phrase…'the gut brain axis', in that they are constantly to talking to each other, so when the brain is unsettled through stress and anxiety it then sends distressed messages to the gut which then affects our IBS.

My personal belief is that if you can keep you brain happy then your gut will be happy too, which in turn will help with your IBS.

We are living in a stressful and anxious world which makes people like us, who have IBS, lives' that little bit harder.

Take care

[Reindeer1]

Hi I am 74 and have lots of the same symptoms and had them for many years. Have had colonoscopy, mri, scans etc all clear. Have seen a private consultant and now use an enema most days with reasonable success. After the colonoscopy I was told both my large and small bowel were partly blocked. Use Laxido occasionally and senokot the odd time. Have lots of wind and have days when I am really fed up. Am trying Nerva relaxation app as well.

[Linpin63]

Hi Dh19, sorry to hear you are having a tough time. I have tried all sorts of medication to no avail. I have same symptoms, which started in my 20's. It's great that you got all clear, but at the same time, it just leaves you feeling more confused and anxious I feel. PPI's dodgy nothing for me and the only relief I get from cramps and bloating is peppermint tea. Whether it's in my head or not, I always feel the warmth in my tummy, which soothes me. Stay strong and I hope you find what works for you