hello

[rubberpants3]

so this is a summary of my journey with IBS.

I hope it may be of some interest.

I experienced much uncomfortable constipation as a child, I remember it quite well.

And I also experienced episodes of uncontrollable and occasionally explosive bowel movements of diarrhoea .

It caused some difficulties for me as a child - hence the rubber pants I guess.

Time passes, and the bowel issues continued.

About two decades ago, i noticed my constipation was followed by even looser bowel movements and my diarrhoea was becoming worse. I spoke to my then GP, who thought I might have IBS. I had heard of it, but knew little of it.

Over the intervening years I have had two colonoscopies and two endoscopies.

A hiatus hernia and a single polyp were diagnosed. Blood tests; stool samples followed, and a year ago at last a formal diagnosis of IBS d.

I have read a little, and taken notice of posts on this site, and watched some YouTube videos. I am a little wiser.

Now, I wear adult nappy and rubber pants much of the time for security, at night particularly, and on going out of my home.

Accidents are now contained, however I am increasingly and sadly inclined to stay home a lot.

I rely on suppositories at times, and I have Loperamide to take before I go out of my home.

I do feel very isolated with my IBS d, and I wonder if that is a shared experience.

IBS d affects me most every day to varying degrees. Sometimes all is ok, and throughout I hope I can still find humour.

Other times my explosive sloppy bowel movements leave me feeling drained and exhausted.

I am very pleased to be on this site - it’s so good, it does let me know I am not so alone.

Best regards.

[heartmatters1]

So sorry to hear of your suffering. You are definitely not alone here. There are so many of us in the same boat. It’s a debilitating condition 😖. I am quite recent to this journey, I never know from one day to the next how I will be. I am reluctant to arrange anything.

Anyway you take care & don’t lose your sense of humour 😜

Best wishes

[rubberpants3 in reply to heartmatters1]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. All the best to you also.

[JanetJAM]

I know how you feel I have very loose stools all the time and when I go out I always wear tena pants then at least I know I’m a bit safer it does get me down and I’m always anxious when I’m out which I think makes things worse so your not alone.

[rubberpants3 in reply to JanetJAM]

Hello, and thank you for your very understanding message. Very loose stools are much of my issue too. I am pleased your Tena pants give you some security. I have tried Tena Men, but these did not provide sufficient protection. There may be other Tena products that I'll come across. At home, mostly evenings and at night I now wear Abena Abriform adult nappies and my waterproof pants to limit leakage during the night. I would feel very self-conscious wearing them when I go out of my home.

I am very pleased that I have had two very interesting responses to my post - thank you. It is helping me to feel less isilated. I wish I could message privately with someone in a similar position to me. That would help even more.

Best regards

[Lupin1587]

I'm sorry this has happened to you rubberpants3. It's a debilitating condition and the added embarrassment and uncertainty about your day to day condition can get you down.

My condition varies depending a lot on what I've eaten. If I'm going out I am very careful what I eat before hand.

I do hope you can get out a little bit as I find it always lifts my spirits.

Take care and I hope things improve for you.

[rubberpants3 in reply to Lupin1587]

Hello Lupin1587, thank you for responding to my post in such a supportive and kindly way.

You are very right in what you say - I have experienced bouts of debilitating depression going back a long time. And it is not unconnected with my tummy troubles over many years

I agree IBS has the potential to be very embarrassing. I have dreaded being asked about my sometimes frequent and lengthy times spent on my toilet. I have at times felt very self-conscious about my IBS. And I used to hide my nappies and pants, and my bottles of laxative, and packets of suppositories.

However I no longer hide my packs of adult nappies and my waterproof pants - they can be found in my bathroom and sometimes, in my sitting room too. Maybe I am slowly opening up about my IBS . Close friends and workmen have all seen my nappies and rubbers. I think now that in my own space, my home, i am definitely developing some confidence around my need for nappies and protective pants.

In time I hope to venture outside more than i do now. At the moment, prior to going out I take two Loperamide tablets. Just in case.

And in your life with IBS, i do hope all your aspirations are fulfilled. Thank you again for your message.

[rubberpants3]

another disturbed nights sleep

Does this happen to others here ?

I woke at 3am, with another soft and urgent bm on its way. What do I do - try to sleep, which I wanted, or get up and shower.

It is exhausting, this.

[Eastbourne11]

Hi rubberpants I understand your problem completely. My solution is take a loperamid after every meal. I take four a day and doctors should prescribe it for you. There are two strengths 2mg you can get at the chemist. 4mg from the doctor. Try three a day regularly and see the results. If this is not enough take four a day. If this makes you constipated then it is too many, but just let your colon push the stuff through, don't take a laxitive. Like everyone else I have suffered for years but have found this solution. I have been told by a cancer doctor that one can take up to six loperamid a day for years with no ill effects. I recommend the "Low FODMAP Diet" by Sue Shepherd and Peter Gibon. This worked for two years for me then stopped working. I do know what it is like to defecate in a public place, traumatizing. No doctor has ever helped me - I have had to research on my own and Health Unlocked has helped. I have the feeling that "nervous stomach" exists but I do not know what the answer to that is. " Buscopan" (available at the chemist) helps if you are nervous, and can really calm one down, like when waiting for a train and it not arriving and you have an appointment to keep. I wish you good luck.

[rubberpants3 in reply to Eastbourne11]

Hello Eastbourne11, and good morning,

Thank you for your very informative message - most interesting. My Loperamide tablets are 2mg, from my GP, and as yet I don’t take them regularly. I take usually two tablets before venturing outside and I carry the packet with me, so that if I sense things may be a little loose, I’ll take another, and that does me until I return home. So they are very helpful for me. However, I can then be a little constipated for a couple of days. I will look up the FODMAP diet you refer to - thank you.

Yes, years ago I had a defecation accident in public - very embarrassing and I rely on my Loperamide and my protective wear, to prevent that happening again.

Thank you for messaging with me - I feel very fortunate on this site to receive some very interesting messages.

enjoy your day.