I made the decision some time ago not to let this IBS interfere with my life, to go back to eating mostly what I like, but in much smaller portions.
Had a massive flare up this weekend - was having a lovely afternoon pottering in the garden in the sunshine, and then relaxing in front of the tv in the evening. So what caused the sudden flare up of stomach cramps, a dash to the loo - literally a 5 min warning, I have no idea. Followed by 4 further quick visits over the next 12 hours. Back to the immodium, I absolutely swear by it. It also has the advantage of tightening the anal sphincter.
Not going to let it get me down any more - I'm learning to live with it, and just my lifestyle around it. Tears and food diaries have got me nowhere. A map of the nearest toilets helps a lot more.
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Letsfixit1
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I can relate to this. It doesn't happen often, but can on occasion have me up half the night for no obvious reason. I think it is sometimes because I eat too much. I also find Loperamide very useful (generic Imodium and much cheaper! It is the same licenced medicine.) What are you eating? I find too much fat e.g. buttery scrambled eggs, is now off the menu as it has me 'trotting' all day to the extent that I need to stay at home. Maybe have a look at what you are eating, even if it is smaller quantities. Excess sugar also impacts negatively and then wipes me out for a week, could sugar be an issue for you?
Yes, that's almost exactly what is happening to me. Agree - butter, sugar, high fat - I am sure are the main culprits. Before my holiday to Canada to see my son I really cleaned up my diet and was much better, but 3 weeks of different diet options, time zones, even the drinking water, healthy eating became really difficult, and to be honest, not much fun! . And its difficult to pinpoint an exact cause even at home. I find it much harder to replace what I eliminate, as sugar and unhealthy fats are in so many bought foods, and of course it tastes so much better than a carrot! I cook as healthily as I can, bake my own bread, sometimes it just becomes such a chore. I seem to have the "healthiest diet" of all my friends, and the most stomach problems! I am so glad you've posted this, helps me get back on track! Thanks
Sorry to hear all this. I’m sure you have tried all the standard measures( including trying one or more reputable probiotics) . Do consider buying a book, IBS Solutions, by Professor John Hunter. His team developed the product Juvia. You’ll find a guide which might help you achieve a better control of your symptoms, and to identifying whether your IBS might be helped by this novel approach. Good luck!
Worth a look. It is suggested that malfermentation is the cause of certain types of IBS, and that the product, Juvia, and enzyme formulation reduces the amount of undigested glucose reaching the large bowel, which is utilised by pathogenic ( harmful) to produce adverse symptoms. Very novel mode of action!
One thing is clear from what I have gleaned as a sufferer , and from what I know of IBS professionally, is it still remains unclear as to what the exact pathogenesis is for this condition, and that no treatment works for everybody.
At the risk of repeating myself, for me, personally,the combination of Ferrocalm and Alflorex, is making a huge difference, reflected in severe adjustment symptoms, which, at times, are driving me to distraction!
It was a personal decision. I started taking Ferrocalm about 6 months ago, and noted adjustment symptoms from day 1 which became significant at 11weeks. The manufacturer of Ferrocalm suggests that standard probiotics are ineffective in some individuals with IBS because the probiotics don’t have the ability to utilise iron which is secreted into the gut during periods of stress from which many IBS individuals suffer, and are experienced as relapses. Pathogenic bacteria can utilise iron, in contrast.I have had intractable symptoms for eight years!
I am sure that my situation was not helped because I had been taking vitamin supplements containing iron! I understand that it is currently mooted that iron intake, in the absence of proven iron deficiency, damages the gut microbiome.
In addition I had been taking another ordinary Bifidium/ Lactobacillus product for about three months, but decided to try Alforex again which I had tried four years ago, and which had helped partially.
I have been experiencing horrendous adjustment symptoms since starting the Alflorex 10 days, which, confirms on my mind, that, in my case, my gut microbiome is so disturbed that Ferrocalm has enabled Alflorex to work more efficiently and effectively.
What were your adjustment symptoms and have they settled ( Ferrocalm) ?
I started on Starpowa gummies after being constipated which worked for a bit but I decided to change to Alflorex which after bad symptoms ( constipation again) worked well enough.
Even after several rounds of antibiotics it was effective enough, it was after a third Covid infection (June) I felt its effects diminished ( kept getting flare ups which wasn’t something I suffered a lot from).
Back on Starpowa now but it’s not great (day 5) now I have the dilemma of stopping and going back on Alflorex ( capsule this time ), seeing how it goes and then possibly adding Ferrocalm.
It feels like we’re Guinea pigs/mini pharmacists ( that’s how it is for me).
Adjustment symptoms include flatulence, loose bowel, headaches, malaise, joint pains and occasional skins rashes. The latter are part of the Jarisch-Herxheimar reaction, which can be a response to the effect of the probiotic on the gut, and elimination of harmful bacteria. BTW, I haven’t heard of Starpowa, and assume it’s a probiotic
my experience has been almost identical to yours! I have diverticulosis and up until recently I’ve been hell bent on ‘beating it into submission’ with everything ultra high fibre, Fybogel morning and evening. It worked at first but then I couldn’t do anything to keep my guts level. Last week I had my second routine colonoscopy and that came back no change. Funny thing was that prior to the procedure I went on the ‘as near to zero fibre as possible’ diet and guess what? My guts reverted to acting normally as they can be. The result is that I’ve ditched all high fibre, no more Fybogel or probiotics etc. I realised I was trying to treat it long term but now, just like you, I take it day by day. I have to accept that I get bad days and good days and have to deal with it accordingly.
Hi, that's very interesting. I have noticed that increasing fibre intake seems to increase the bowel frequency rather than firm up stool consistency. And with my IBSD the loose stools and urgency are my main problem. Yet that's what every consultant/doctor/homeopath I've ever consulted has suggested, increasing fibre. And I've never been 100% sure, whether its soluble or insoluble that's supposed to help.
I've also noticed that on holiday, where available food tends to be lower in fibre, my stomach is calmer.
I honestly think food diaries for some of us don't help much in the face of IBS which seems to do what it wants for no logical reason, then goes back into its box again for "x" amount of time, only to hide, then come back again!
I was really quite normal through a big chunk of the summer, and during that time, found I was able to eat some foods I hadn't been able to eat for a while -and with no ill effects.
I didn't kid myself because I know IBS can play tricks, but all seemed well when I experimented with some things I probably hadn't dared to eat since early 2020.
Even repeating the experiments caused no issues.
I was still a bit careful and didn't start eating lentil curries, and stuff! (I wish...I used to make a really good one and I miss it.) But I got away with quite a few foods and felt quite positive. That went on really until the first signs of a more Autumnal feel in the air, when things changed a bit with my tummy. Now I have to put the brakes on slightly. I don't really mind too badly. It will maybe even out again in the winter (my IBS seems affected by seasons though that's not set in stone.)
I think it's always worth trying different foods to see how it goes, and a food diary might be helpful for some people? But even a food diary doesn't explain the times when out of the blue you can eat something and be fine, and a few weeks later, you can't!
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