Remedy that works for me

[klp77]

Hi guys. Haven't been on here in a long time but recently I seem to have come across a combination of meds & supplements that really seem to have worked for me. So I've had IBS for over 30 years (mainly IBS C but regular episodes of IBS D too) and more or less managed it for many years, up until entering peri-menopause with all the delightful symptoms that comes with that. I ended up on HRT for about 6 years (it was that or divorce) and it became apparent that my IBS had become so much worse, to the point I wouldn't eat if I had to go anywhere. I did a bit of research and discovered that HRT can have an adverse affect on IBS sufferers, so after weighing up the risks of coming off HRT against the impact of my IBS, I decided to stop the HRT. Withing a month or so there was some improvement with my IBS (and my menopause symptoms were manageable) but still wasn't great. I was taking alverine/audmonal meds plus a 50 billion probiotic. Then a routine blood test showed I was low in folate (folic acid) so I was prescribed folic acid tablets to take for 4 months. And boy, what a difference that made!!!! I went from having a BM maybe once a week with an 'explosion' every couple of weeks to going regularly every single day! I haven't been like that for years!! Anyway, after the 4 months I stopped the folic acid, and things went downhill. So I bought some folic acid with Vit D3 to take daily, and hey presto, back to being regular again. So it would appear the combination of the alverine, probiotic and folic acid is the holy grail for me. If I forget to take one of them (normally the probiotic) then I can definitely tell, but as soon as I get back on track things improve.

Not sure if folic acid is a big factor in IBS, but this really seems to have worked for me so maybe it might work for others.

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi KLP77, Probiotics are a very personal thing and to date, I haven't found one that makes a difference for me. This is great news. Thanks for sharing. I might try some folic acid. My husband used to take it after blood tests showed his was low. I have never considered it for myself.

[Kimberly99 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Try drinking 4 oz of Kombucha daily. I do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It's the only probiotic that has worked for me.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Kimberly99]

I have never tried that, so I'll give it a go, if I can find some that is unpasteurised. Or make my own maybe?

[Kimberly99 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

I don't know that any of it is pasturized. I would be surprised since it's really just fermented tea. You can get organic, that's what I do. I also am making my own right now. It takes 7-10 days so we'll see. If it's going to work for you, you'll notice a difference right away. I noticed a difference on day 1.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Kimberly99]

I have seen it in Sainsbury's in the dairy aisle, pasteurised for a longer shelf life, which rather defeats the object. Probably the best thing is to make my own. I am an avid tea drinker, so let's see how it goes. Thank you for the encouragement.

[juniepoonie]

that's good to hear that you have found the magic potion to help you! I was prescribed folic acid after a blood test like you but l had to stop taking them they mucked my bowels up! Still got them might try again🙏I take probiotics an digestive enzymes which seem to be helping me

[klp77 in reply to juniepoonie]

I had the same reaction to folic acid the first time I was prescribed them and gave up, but when I was given them a second time I had a grumbly gut for a few days but then was fine.

[juniepoonie in reply to klp77]

Maybe l will try again an finish the perscription

[LFHell in reply to klp77]

have you checked the ingredients? Maybe there is added lactose or sorbitol?

[xjrs]

That's intriguing. I did a google search and found this:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

those with IBS were not more likely to have a folate deficiency

Although this mentions 'muscle weakness'.

patient.info/allergies-bloo...

Maybe in your case the intestinal muscles weren't working properly due to the low folic acid which may have contributed to the 'C'. The explosion you mention was probably due to backed up stool.

However, anyone considering it should probably get this checked with the GP first, like you did. Glad you've found something that has benefited you. It's as if each person with IBS needs their own medical study to find out what is going wrong with them specifically.

Here's some natural sources, though some items some might struggle with:

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/F...

[LFHell in reply to xjrs]

This is interesting, it say IBS patients more likely to have high copper-zinc ratio so getting too much copper? And also more likely to take vitamin supplements . I don't know how that would happen though because most vitamin supplements have 100% zinc and less copper, unless the copper gets preferetially absorbed before the zinc.

I did feel better the other day when took zinc & folate supplements as was feeling lightheaded from iron defiency. But i was also a bit on the low side for copper on a mineral screen i did years ago. I think its ok now though. I think maybe the mineral supplement i took at the time had too much zinc and it lowered copper. So confusing the paper says its the other way around? :S

[klp77]

You could well be right. I've always been told I had 'slow motility' in my digestive system but was only found to be low in folic acid in my 50s.

[LFHell in reply to klp77]

have you been checked for celiac disease also? As that causes low iron and low folate

[WhatPollyDidNext]

that’s great. I was reading something about folic acid recently

[Vvjordan]

i have a feeling my simptoms are better with B vitamins ( entire group)

[Lee8]

Hi klp77,So glad you found the combo that works for you. How many mgs of folic acid were you prescribed?

[klp77 in reply to Lee8]

I can't remember the prescription, but the ones I'm taking now are 400ug

[LFHell]

Thats really interesting. I used to take HRT (for something else other than meno) and it definately messes up the gut! Do you know what your blood level of folate is now? Mine is slightly low but hard to know if it should be much higher as NHS ranges are quite wide. I take folate anyway now. For those who dont know, some people have gene mutations (MTHFR) which are quite common, which means folic acid doesn't work for them and they need to take methylfolate. So if your folic acid supplements dont work..

[klp77 in reply to LFHell]

It was 2.3ug/L. Normal range is 3.0 to 20.0 (according to my online medical records)

[LFHell in reply to klp77]

That is low! Mine has had been about 5 in the past. I think over 20 is more optimal.