Got a little complacent

[Letsfixit1]

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.

[BabsyWabsy]

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?

[Letsfixit1 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

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

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Letsfixit1]

It must be so difficult in a foreign country, with different foods and customs. Although, a recent trip to Bulgaria, was absolutely fine. I didn't expect it to be. Most meals are salad followed by meat & potatoes, so I just avoided bread and pastries (shame, they looked great). I love butter. But I have to keep it to a small amount. I do believe butter is good for me though. Full of fat soluble vitamins. In recent weeks, I have taken one loperamide, maybe two days running, and for now, I seem to be 'under control'. Don't know how long it will last. I do this when I have a busy week, but maybe it should be routine? No desperate dash in the morning. We shall see... I hope everything settles down for you. Lovely to see your son and family though.

[Hidden]

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!

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Hidden]

I’m going to have a see if that’s in my local library.

[Hidden in reply to BabblingBrooks]

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!

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Hidden]

Why did you decide to combine both , was it a recommendation and which did you start first ?

[Hidden in reply to BabblingBrooks]

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.

I do stress that this is a personal view.

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Hidden]

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).

[Hidden in reply to BabblingBrooks]

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

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it contains bacillus coagulans, FOS (fructo something or other) and Inlulin.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to BabblingBrooks]

Fermentable Oligosaccharides?

[BabblingBrooks in reply to BabsyWabsy]

I think so yes, probably not great if you’re trying to eliminate FODMAP but I’m going to finish them off then go back on Alflorex.

[Purplewoman in reply to Hidden]

Can I ask what you mean by adjustment symptoms

[Letsfixit1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rob, I will look for that book.

[Letsfixit1 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, replied to your later comment, trying to catch up with everyone. I will look for that book. Thanks

[Coachmanbythesea]

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.

[Letsfixit1]

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.

[TedsMum247 in reply to Letsfixit1]

Hi, I was interested to read your post. For years I've connected Fybogel to constipation, my MIL had this problem for years and always took Fybogel for it. I have IBS mainly IBSD and my GP prescribed Fybogel for me years ago, I was surprised because I've always associated increasing fibre was only to relieve constipation. My GP said in fact increasing your fibre intake can contribute to more normal bowel movements. I take Fruit and Fibre every morning and love it, but I think it's stress that causes my flare-ups. So the jury is out on the increased fibre for me, it can be a real nightmare at times. I should add I haven't taken Fybogel for many years.

[Letsfixit1 in reply to TedsMum247]

I too love dried fruit, but it seems to act as a laxative for me., so I have to be careful with things like fruit scones, currant teacakes etc. I add a small amount of sultanas to cereal like Weetabix, Shreddies etc just to add taste. There's also a lot of sugar in dried fruit, and I suspect that might be a trigger for me. I have had the worst flare up lasting a full 6 days since my trip to Canada last year, and I'm blaming the change of holiday diet and jet lag. This last two days its calmed down , I feel human again. I had 6 consecutive days of Loperamide, but have not taken any for the last two days. I haven't taken any Fybrogel or Ispaghula Husk recently, it tends to make me feel bloated and uncomfortable.

I honestly don't know anything any more, the more I read and research, the more baffled I become, there are far more possible causes and cures than I ever thought possible. I'm not downhearted, I'm learning to live with it, and when I think my insides have settled down I will try something else, probably Alflorex. I'm still cutting down on sugar and fat - I'm trying to eat as healthily as possible - if food isn't staying for long in my stomach, then I am probably lacking vital nutrients.

[Luisa22]

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!