embarrassing Ibs

[Hel52]

Hi

I have ibs for years as young as childhood

Now in my late 50s it’s causing me too not eat or leave the house my husband does understand I have had accidents outside and had too return home

Has anyone had problems I am intolerant too wheat and dairy olive oil a whole new lists of food

Hel52

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi Hel52, it is a bonus that your husband is understanding. Some folks on here take a rescue pack with them when they go out. Change of clothes, wipes, plastic bag for anything soiled. Knowing you are prepared seems to help. Are you able to take loperamide? It helps keep my D under control, but I take it a day or two before an event. If you are anxious about going out, that can make things worse. Having a strategy might help.

[Hel52 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Hi Babyswabsy

Thank you for reaching out I have the loperamide I saw a gastroenterologist she recommended them I have been taken them for 7 years I have tried every treatment under sun I have fibromyalgia my gastroenterologist said it’s made worse due too fibromyalgia and another autoimmune disorder that makes it difficult when I try food food list has got bigger over the years for triggers to happen sadly my husband has refused too take it seriously this flare up has lasted 3 weeks I use wipes take a change of clothes while out I take the loperamide in advance but it’s stopped working having tests at the moment it will take weeks for the results we just wait my doctor said all the lower half of my abdomen is all tender it’s usually there anyway I find not eating helps but it causes weakness i find all the dairy free and wheat free trigger food triggers we can only be patient so sorry for the drooling on.

Many regards

Hel52

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Hel52]

Oh sweetheart you are having a tough time. Not drooling on at all. It's so tiring when it just keeps going. I get it. You are not alone. Not eating can be a short term fix for me too. My medics are not happy, but this is how we learn to manage as best we can.

[Hel52 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Hi BabsyWabsy

Thank you it’s been a rubbish few months I have had it for years as we get older it’s got worse I am up all night due too insomnia sorry for the late reply I have brain fog 😶‍🌫️ or it’s walked off for good

So sorry you’re going through this as well I agree with. the not eating part just short term I had 6 days of not eating and still ended up with another bad stomach throwing my clothes away and trying too explain too my daughters why it’s taking so many long you’d think they would find the other toilets too use we have three 😞

Big hugs Hel52

[xjrs]

Have you tried any of the usual IBS remedies? If not, I would try things in this order.

1. A well studied probiotic. I've tried lots and Alforex worked best for me and has been scientifically studied for IBS.

2. If the above does not work or you are still having some problems, but less, ask for a dietitian referral via your GP to take you through the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet.

The reason I say that order is that the Alflorex may make you more tolerant to different foods, so you don't have to eliminate any unnecessarily. Always keep a food diary when trying anything new - always one thing at a time and starting with 1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size for 2-3 days, then increment or cut back to a previous amount for longer if issues.

Alongside the above you can try the Nerva gut directed hypnotherapy app.

If none of the above do anything for you and your symptoms are exactly the same, for instance if you get absolutely no relief from the elimination phase of the FODMAP diet, ask your GP about BAM (bile acid malabsorption), this is a different condition with different treatment.

In the mean time, you could try incontinence pads to give you a bit more confidence in going out.

Good luck.

[Hel52 in reply to xjrs]

Hi xjrs

Thank you for all your advice I have never heard of a lot of these treatments I have the fodmap book I couldn’t get my head around it so confusing a lot of advice from American experts I am not being dumb it didn’t make sense.

I have done the elimination diet so many times always good to get back to basics sadly nothing is working I am still having terrible bouts of if upset stomach I know it’s not a virus.

I will look at the treatments

Thank you so much.

Hel52

[Superzob]

I agree completely with xjrs , but would simply add that Alflorex may take several weeks to work so you might have to be patient (though that’s pretty normal for anything to do with IBS!).

I find loperamide takes much longer to work with me these days and stores up trouble for later. I often find that the problem resolves itself without it but, if I’m pushed for time, then I tend to take it - it helps improve my confidence which, in turn, reduces the stress which exacerbates the IBS-D.

Hope you find something that helps.

[Hel52]

Hi Superzob

I have looked at the information on on Alflorex it’s very expensive as all probiotics are I will give it ago until my results come back from the GP bloods and the horrible other 3 tests not sure how long maybe a few years knowing the nhs.

Thank you Hel52

[Sparrow58]

Are you eating shop bought wheat and diary free as a lot of this food contains additives like fructose etc. and can also contain a lot of sugar. I try to cook from scratch but it is so hard and difficult if you are short on time etc.

My IBS is worse when I am going out somewhere especially a medical appointment. I always make them in the afternoon as my IBS is usually bad in the morning and I have had a bad night worrying about the day ahead.

If it was only 1 thing that caused IBS it would be easier but it seems to be a number of things and this can change week to week.

[Hel52 in reply to Sparrow58]

Hi Sparrow58

I haven’t had them for years they have changed plus it’s high fats and sugar.

I mostly do eat fruit and veggies and low fat meats with some eggs eggs have a bad reaction intolerance too the yoke also some nuts cause my throat to get itchy my mouth feels like cotton wool I have too take a histamine tablet.

If I go out I have a change of clothes make sure there’s toilets I have the radar key I all so take medication in advance thank you so much big hugs Hel52