Help and understanding

[Gizmo6]

Hi all, let me start with how much I love this site everyone is so helpful and understanding. I'm sorry if I go on a bit just sometimes things seem better when you write it down and get anothers view. I've had ibs c for 30 ish years. It was just constant constipation in the beginning. As the years went on I learnt what I could eat what I couldn't. Things improved. My brother passed away in 2020 he was my last part of my immediate family. He was much braver than me. When he passed I had a lot of paperwork to manage concerning his death, stressful. Then in 2021 we had to make an awful decision to introduce my mother in law to a nursing home. She was never happy but she couldn't be left at home alone. Then in 2022 I caught covid twice. This seemed to be the icing on the cake. My bowels went from bad to worse. Late 2023 we lost 4 people in our lives including mum in law. Now I'm struggling so much with constipation gas , gas I feel is the worse part. I'm so sorry for giving you my life in such a long post. I tell friends family as they don't suffer with ibs they don't really understand. My husband tries to understand but I know he doesn't. Anyway guys thank you for listening. Is there anyone who has found any relief for gas. This side effect is just awful. I do believe stress is a present factor for me. I am exercising more including voga. Thanks for being here guys 😊

[buggins55]

so sorry difficult times for you, I've had IBS for years and like you covid was the final straw been awful on and off ever since am cancelling stuff left right and centre but on this site is the place we can unload and talk to others who understand no apologies necessary hope things get better for you

[711debbie]

since you're in the UK, go talk to the good folks at Boots and Superdrug. They have Windsettlers and Windeze for trapped gas as well as Deflatine. There's also Colpermin and other peppermint oil capsules (make sure they are coated, i.e., enteric. Also, there's fennel seeds to chew on and fennel tea to drink. There are yoga poses for wind on the internet. You can use a water bottle or heating pad on your stomach. It won't go away forever but there is plenty to do to make it less annoying. (when I go to the UK, I load up on all the above products - life is much more bearable!)

[Gizmo6 in reply to 711debbie]

Thank you. I have tried these products i found Deflatine helped but too many made constipation worse. The hot water bottle isn't something that crossed my mind. I will try that. Sleeping sometimes is a nightmare I can feel the gas flying around my stomach a hot bottle may help. That must be awful for you not able to buy these products outside of the UK. I have bought these type of products on amazon if there not available locally for me. Thank you for your suggestions 😊

[711debbie in reply to Gizmo6]

also try the yoga poses:

health.com/fitness/beat-blo... - has 13 poses

sometimes if it's really bad, I just try everything and something finally works but I don't know which one. Also, look on internet/YouTube for stomach massages:

perfectbalanceclinic.com/ho...

[Gizmo6 in reply to 711debbie]

Thank you. I have tried these poses but don't work for me. I generally do yoga at least once a week. I will look in to the massages. Thanks

[xjrs]

Sorry to hear what you've been through.

I find Rennie Deflatine really helpful for gas.

Just remember that you're going through an unusual time and things will get better. It was good that you'd got on top of your IBS before and you will again.

I know COVID-19 can mess with the microbiome which is why it can make IBS worse. Have you tried any probiotics? Alflorex worked best for me.

[Gizmo6 in reply to xjrs]

Thank you for your kind words. This site is so helpful with such understanding people who are going through the same issues . Yes I'm presently on probio 7. I've tried other probiotics in the past but they always cause awful side effects I always end up back on probio. I took slippery elm a couple of years ago for the acid reflux but found they also helped ibs for me. I had forgotten I'd taken them in the past so I bought some on Saturday . This morning was the first morning I haven't woken up with a bad bitter taste in my mouth, Still an unpleasant taste but better. I had less gas yesterday my bowels seemed better this morning. So hopefully they are helping again, I do hope so.

[xjrs in reply to Gizmo6]

Fingers crossed

[Shoosh_kw in reply to xjrs]

So happy you felt a bit better after what you went through. Life is tough sometimes but look at the bright side and believe that who passed away is in a better place.

Hope you feel much much better and enjoy life.

Stay safe.

[Luisa22]

Yes, I love this site too because here, we all understand, even if we don't have exactly the same symptoms as someone else. But the world "out there" doesn't often understand IBS and how awful it can be.