Long story short, a long cocktail of antibiotics since last December plus third episode of Covid 2 months ago, struggling especially after Covid with loose stools, now on holiday abroad, don’t know if it’s stress, change of environment or all of the previous but trotting off to the toilet too much for my liking.
Do I see if it settles after a day or so or pop off to the pharmacy for Loperamide (don’t want to risk going the other way though).
Take Alflorex currently.
Visited a homeopath a couple of months ago who said my gut health is very poor and made some recommendations.
Wondering whether a dietary change on holiday has exacerbated it.
Anyone had something similar on holidays?
Cheers.
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BabblingBrooks
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When I was IBS-D, I would almost always get a flare up right at the end of the holiday, during the morning I was due to head to the airport to go home! This could have been down to eating things that I wouldn't normally eat at home and this building up over the holiday. There is no harm in going for the Imodium if it helps you to feel more in control (especially when travelling). Hopefully things will settle once you get back home and into your normal routine.
My guts were a bit unpredictable before my holiday especially after having Covid.
This particular variant has been brutal, pharmacist also gave me some probiotics to take with the loperamide so because I’ve already took Alflorex today I’ll start tomorrow, finish the course then back onto the Alflorex.
Since I know COVID-19 can really mess with IBS, I wear a mask with a filter when I meet others in person and say that I have a condition that can be made worse by COVID-19. I used to be in a bad way with my IBS and I don't want to end up back there again. I think it's easier doing this if you live somewhere where people know you. I've moved to a completely different part of the country and trying to make new friends. Some people seem to be pretty OK with it, though. All of this is down to what a person is comfortable with. I know this can be really difficult when no one else is wearing them, so I get it. I know I stand out and I am pretty self conscious, but at the moment this feels important for me.
I went to a homeopathic clinic who advised me to wear a mask because I suffer from chronic allergies all year round, I’m having a blood test to confirm what the clinic flagged up on the NHS.
My allergies have got worse since my IBS has and more so since Covid.
I'm guessing maybe diet changes on holiday plus stresses of travel, a different environment have made it worse. But the history of antibiotics and Covid haven't helped either. You probably were just about managing before you went on holiday?
Loperamide might help if it is really really bad. So you do have that to turn to. But you don't want to get blocked up and then end up paying the price for that! Unless you can tailor a certain dose that won't completely block you up?
But I would say keep your diet very very bland. I don't know how you're going to do that while on holiday and probably eating out!! Be careful of any additives which you know don't agree with you, and alcohol, soft drinks too. Don't go near any foods or drinks with sorbitol or artificial sweeteners as they have laxative effects mostly. Honestly? You'd probably be better off with plain old sugar. Avoid sauces, probably ice creams etc, and garlic, onions etc. Drink only bottled water, or teas that suit you.
Watch out for salads too. They are a bit harsh on the tummy anyway, but if you're abroad, that salad will be washed (if washed at all!) in local tap water! May not be the best idea.
If you're self catering you should be able to organise that and can cook things like lean proteins, simple-cooked eggs, white rice, mashed peeled boiled potatoes, cous cous, toast, and whatever steamed veggies or fruits are friendly to you. If you're eating out, it will be very tricky. Cook all your veg, and don't eat anything raw except something "well wrapped" like avocado or banana if either suit you in a flare up.
A very bland diet for a few days might stabilise your tummy.
Yes, I know. Catching any virus, Covid included, puts such a strain on the body.
I once had a non-Covid flu-like virus in winter 2016 which dragged on for weeks, and it was nearly 3 months before I could say I was over it.
But Covid is known for being unfriendly to guts. I think it's because the virus attaches to ACE receptors and any organ of the body which has loads of those suffers more.
Weirdly my gut was good during Covid and after it, for 6-8 weeks in 2020! But there are different strains of the virus now. It might take you some time to shake it off, and come back to a new normal.
I tried taking Astragalus herbal tea in 2020, and it did help me recover I think. It had no bad effect on my tummy. It is supportive for the immune system. It tastes nice too, sweetish-bland, but is a bit of a fiddle to prepare. But if you're on any medications it's best to check with your doctor first (if the doctor has ever heard of it!)
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