confused and would appreciate some guidance

[DickDonk]

IBS mainly mildly most of my life and have had great success with VSL3 probiotics which allowed me to eat pretty much anything I wanted to . June this year I had a colonoscopy (all ok) and my gut wasn’t settling so I took VSL3 after a year or so of not taking it. Acute IBS attack that night with cramps and diarrhoea. Then also more issues caused by anxiety from work restructure which is ongoing. Acid stomach symptoms and more IBS acute episodes. I feel like I’ve turned the IBS on and want to know how to turn it off. Any advice?

I’ve tried buscopan on advice of IBS nurse, started to give me constipation. Now trying Colpermin peppermint oil. Genuinely need some good advice as I’m very nervous of taking more probiotics but I’m presuming they will eventually be the answer. Thanks

[Luisa22]

Maybe a bland diet until your gut starts to settle and then slowly one by one, reintroducing more "healthy" foods that you are used to might help?

It sounds like the colonoscopy (probably the prep) did a number on your tummy. So eating fairly bland low residue foods might be good . But hopefully not for too long.

I don't know a lot about probiotics, but I can imagine that suddenly sending billions of bacteria into your gut after the shock of the prep, plus not having taken them for a while, might be too much at once.

I think, from what I have heard, that maybe you could take a smaller dose and gradually build up? Or even try a probiotic with not as many bacterial strains at once.

Hopefully someone who knows better than I do will comment.

[DickDonk in reply to Luisa22]

Thanks!

[Jayjayvee]

I agree with Louisa22. You might find it helps to reset your digestion. I would take a probiotic with not many strains, then slowly eat gentle foods, building up your fibre intake as you tolerate it. Drink plenty of fluids and also electrolytes if you have diarrhoea. The colonoscopy preps can be very fierce. I had Moviprep this time, which was easier on my gut.

Good luck

[DickDonk in reply to Jayjayvee]

Many thanks! Consultant said it wouldn’t affect my gut bacteria but I didn’t trust that

[xjrs]

I agree with Luisa22 & Jayjayvee . I also take a lower CFU and single bacteria strain called Alflorex (Align in the US) that may help you to get back on track, but like the others say just be gentle with your eating for a little while to allow your system to recover from the prep initially. Eating things like white jasmine rice and protein at first will just be digested by your small intestine to give your bowels a rest, then introduce a well tolerated veggie (e.g. carrots), then gradually move towards your normal diet. Try Alflorex if still having trouble.

[ELLE7771843]

Oh you sound so much like me the peppermint capsules work for me but I get a rash behind both ears that's so itchy I can't seem to catch my breath every pore in my body oozes peppermint oil they make my heart a little racey and I do nothing but burp up peppermint and get really bad indigestion .I am very sensitive to them but atm I have nothing else that works I've tried buscupan mebevirine imodium and they don't do a thing .my investigations are still on going. I can't even get to have a colonoscapy cause the hospital laxatives are so brutal for me .I felt very sick and had lots of pain I couldn't bring myself to take the 2nd dose of laxative .how are you getting on with peppermint ? Do you get side effects .

[DickDonk in reply to ELLE7771843]

Thanks, I get a little lower gut pain from the peppermint and remember getting the same from Moroccan mint tea which definitely didn’t agree with me. Best wishes

[ELLE7771843]

Yes its difficult as what works for one person doesn't always work for someone else .I still haven't found anything that works really well yet 😕

[iloveglee]

I have had experience with buscopan, which kind of works and kind of doesn't. Sounds a bit strange, but, if I take it 3 times a day I get constipated. If I don't take it I get frequent loose stools. I am now on a 3-2-1 regime. I take 3 a day, then the next day take 2 and the day after take 1. Then back to the beginning. I have only just started it so I don't yet have any idea how it will work. But I will try anything!!

[Wlker in reply to iloveglee]

I think Peppermint capsules work, it is hard to tell. I do not have a problem with them. I prefer taking peppermint before trying something stronger.

[Wlker]

The only way I can turn off a full blown attack, which lasts about a week is to eat nothing bit small amounts of white rice and Aldi sourdough bread and water. After about 3 days, I add chicken or bone broth and very soft potatoes. I have tried this every time for the last 2 years and it makes the stomach feel better if nothing else. I drink mostly water now and eat a very bland diet. I snack on the bread throughout the day and night.

[DickDonk in reply to Wlker]

Thanks very much