ferrocalm : Hi - is anyone else trying this... - IBS Network

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ferrocalm

Jess54 profile image
11 Replies

Hi - is anyone else trying this probiotic? I have taken it now for 4 days & my IBS - D is much worse ! What are other people’s experiences with IBS - D . I am not keen to keep taking as it’s making my anxiety worse . I am not sure if it takes a bit of adjustment, whether to continue or just stop . Any advice I would be grateful,

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Jess54 profile image
Jess54
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11 Replies
Pangea56 profile image
Pangea56

Hi Jess. Stick with it as you’re experiencing adjustment symptoms, which is a sure sign it’s working. Be encouraged by my own example- I have been taking it for 18 weeks and I’m still have adjustment symptoms. I hasten to add I was diagnosed with severe IBS-C and have had intractable symptoms since I developed the condition 8 years ago. Hence my preparedness to put up with adjustment symptoms for 18 weeks in the expectation that my IBS should improve vastly.

Again, stick with it!

Pangea56 profile image
Pangea56

P.S. I don’t know whether you have tried Enterosgel but it can be very helpfu with IBS-D. It’s used to reduce the symptoms of infective diarrhoea, but has been shown to be useful in IBS-D. I recommended it to friend a few months ago who advised me that it has transformed her life!

Jess54 profile image
Jess54 in reply to Pangea56

Thank you for your advice. I don’t think I can keep taking it , I just won’t be able to travel with it , it just makes my anxiety so much worse . I will have a look at the gel you have mentioned. Like everyone I’m looking for that magic cure ! I just want to lead a normal life , where I can accept invitations & travel etc without the anxiety of needing a toilet near by !

Tuscansun profile image
Tuscansun

From my own IBS-D experience, when SIBO or SIFO is present, probiotics can make it worse.

I was eating “healthy” food such as lentils, broccoli, celery, pepper and salmon and my IBS was getting worse and worse. I added probiotics and it got quite bad - until I read about SIBO symptoms.

It might be not probiotics per se but rather bacteria “food” that probiotics contain that exacerbate SIBO. And starches - in my case lentils was the food that strongly “encouraged” SIBO or SIFO growth (actually, I believe I have both).

I switched to lean beef for few days and it helped to some extent, at least with symptoms.

Jess54 profile image
Jess54 in reply to Tuscansun

That’s interesting. I’m not sure , something to look into . Thank you x

Tuscansun profile image
Tuscansun in reply to Jess54

Sure, carry out your research. And try to experiment with food to check what works for you.

lizziedas profile image
lizziedas

Keep trying the Ferrocalm. I've now been using it for three months and my IBS -D is greatly improved. Enterosgel also worked for me but taking it three times a day I found inconvenient.

Jess54 profile image
Jess54 in reply to lizziedas

Thank you . I feel I can’t use it , as it’s made it so much worse , which then makes my anxiety much worse. I have tried to contact ferrocalm for advice but I haven’t received a reply. I hadn’t heard of Enterosgel. I will have a look into it .

irishwife93 profile image
irishwife93

I have a combination of IBS-C/D but predominantly C. I tried some probiotics in the past and they made my symptoms so bad. Then I went on to symprove for 12 weeks and although there was a few days where I needed to be near a toilet around week 5, eventually my gut adjusted and I’m now completely fine. Been taking it for 4 years!

I second what Tuscansun said about healthy certain foodsI found a dietician on the HCPC register and after many sessions with her and keeping a food diary she said I was eating way too much fibre and cruciferous vegetables. She also pointed out my trigger foods - high fat foods like lamb and pepperoni and ripe bananas of all things. I would never have realised this myself as I was mainly focused on things like gluten/dairy. Consider seeing a dietitian if you can, it is very helpful! Or even take a food diary for a few weeks and track symptoms.

Pollyboo profile image
Pollyboo

Hi Jess, so sorry to hear about the problems you are having. It is not very positive at the moment, but you are only 4 days in. I know it is tough but try to stick with it for a bit longer.I myself am 5 days in today. I have experienced alot of wind and rumbling. Have taken Imodium and Buscopan, which is the norm for me. The imodium and the Buscopan normal for me but more rumbling but not bloating.

I know it is hard anxiety, mine is bad too.

Jess I think we both just want to lead a normal life, just to be able to go out and about, see friends and family without the worry of this awful IBS.

You have done 4days, they are in the passed, I think we should give it time to let our tummy adjust.

My previous GP said give everything 2/3 weeks trial and I understand this.

Keep going Jess, try to stay positive at least you can say you gave it your best shot.

Sending you best wishes, let me know how you are doing.

Take care Pollyboo

Jayjayvee profile image
Jayjayvee

I've just started taking Ferocalm but I note it only has streptococcus thermophilus whereas my usual probiotic multistrain from new leaf has the same amount plus several others as well. Is it just marketing hype? No chang in bowel habits yet but I'm only 2 days in. I did read somewhere that it is good to keep changing your prebiotic from time to time to make them more effective.

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