IBS-D non medicated on medicine

[Eatpower]

I’m experiencing a strange occurrence when I’m medicated also when I’m not medicated.

If I take co-codamol my symptoms stops. If I don’t codeine I’ll get severe diarrhea with insomnia and with chronic rectal burning. Unfortunately, my healthcare provider have decide to take me off this medication and my quality of life has massively deteriorated and was hoping if anyone had any luck with any other treatment. I have tried an array of other medicines and dietary adjusts such as FODMAP, nerve relaxers and pepper mint oil tablets (sometimes I can smell the menthol when I’ve opened my bowels) I’m literally at my wits end and it’s making me suicidal.

[MyStar86]

You can buy co codamol from the chemist, it will probably be a lower does than the gp but it is worth trying the otc ones to see if they help. Have you tried Imodium? Peppermint isnt actually good if you have IBS-D it will make your bowels looser…..

[Escherichia in reply to MyStar86]

I also get rectal burning with diarrhoea. I am going to ask my GP (if I ever see one) about Bile Acid Maladsorption (BAM). Apparently this gives loose bowels with burning particularly in those who have had gall bladder problems or removal

[Eatpower in reply to Escherichia]

Funny enough, I’m currently being investigated for bile acid malabsorption I have to have the scan where you have to swallow the radioactive pill to show the gall bladder. Not till the end of the month.

[Escherichia in reply to Eatpower]

I’d be interested to hear what happens, good luck and best wishes. I don’t have a gall bladder now. It became infected and I developed sepsis, 6 months after I recovered they agreed it should be removed.

[Eatpower in reply to MyStar86]

I tend to find only prescription level codeine works. I also find buying the codeine at the chemist means I have to take more than I need too

[MyStar86 in reply to Eatpower]

Sorry I was just trying to think of a day to help xx

[Eatpower in reply to MyStar86]

Oh, dont be sorry, I feel bad now. I was just explaining how sensitive my body is and how it responds to medication.

[MyStar86 in reply to Eatpower]

Don’t worry I know what you mean. On the other thing you said if you do have BAM it’s usually triggered when you eat fatty foods try eating a very low f at bland diet and see if your symptoms improve. Good luck

[Jackie1612]

Amitriptyline might help, a low-dose of 10 mg. It causes constipation though, but as you have severe diarrhoea, it might be okay for you.

[Kiwichick55]

I have had IBS D for many years. I was able to be in control with codeine but my Doctor won't prescribe that. I use imodium daily which allows me to work and function to a basic level.

[Superzob]

I don’t know whether you can get a rebound reaction from stopping codeine but, since opioids are addictive, it is possible that your bowel has adjusted to them and the natural mechanisms of diarrhoea prevention are no longer there. Your GP might agree to a more gradual reduction in dose and you can compensate with Imodium if required as there is no interaction. I understand that the 8/500 version of co-codamol is not strong enough for you, but you can take 8 per day and perhaps gradually reduce it from there?

[Eatpower in reply to Superzob]

I’ve not been prescribed codeine since 2022 I luckily get given some by a family member who gets codeine prescribed to them, as they know my quality of life has massively declined.