Flare up?

[RingofBrightWater]

Had IBS diagnosis a couple of yrs ago having suffered occasional incontinence. A week ago I experienced a sudden onset of diarrhoea which has continued, with griping pain, nausea, aching limbs and back and fatigue. The frequency has slowed a little, in that I am not disturbed through the night but there doesn't seem to be any relief from it. Has anyone else suffered this kind of flare up, or have any advice?

[Liz1234ty]

Yes, I have exactly that although instead of nausea I had fever, then sickness, then D with immense griping pains. The worst of it passed in 7 days and I am slowly recovering (on day 9 now but with much reduced symptoms). I think it was caused by a winter bug/virus rather than flare up as it was so severe but the stress is wondering if there will be long term worsening of IBS symptoms. Its stressful. My advice is to drink plenty of fluids, take painkillers, eat small meals of easy to digest foods. Hopefully it will pass soon.

[RingofBrightWater in reply to Liz1234ty]

Thank you for that, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[xjrs]

It would be hard to say whether this is an IBS flare up or a tummy bug. Even COVID-19 can give gastrointestinal symptoms. Some people only get these symptoms and are not aware that they have COVID-19.

To give your bowels a rest, you could try white jasmine rice and easily digested protein initially. All of this will be digested in the small intestine and not the colon. Once things have settled more, you can introduce some well tolerated veggies such as carrots. Gradually move back to your normal diet.

[ELLE7771843]

Omg yes I've had incessant diarrhoea going for 4 months now I've had a couple of breaks where I have not been at all then diarrhoea again .it's been so bad that I've been going up to 15 times a day .had numerous trips to the doctor and gastro .I've had 2 colonoscapy been diagnosed with divirticulitis and severe ibs .I've had many tests my calprotectin levels are surprisingly high indicating immflamation in the bowel .even when I've pooed all out I still have the urge to go and just squits of diarrhoea which by the evening is blood .I've been pleading with my doctor to help me .the imodium was not working or mebevirine or buscupan or peppermint capsules however this week it's suddenly stopped again and I'm much more solid .l spoke to my doctor on Monday and she reccomended they take me into hospital was going to speak to gastro at 2pm Monday with a view to getting back to me however I'm still waiting !!!!!! Luckily the diarrhoea has stopped but it's either pain on eating or chronic diarrhoea atm the pain goes right through to my back and its agony .you have to keep pestering your doctor .my doctor told me there was nothing more she could do .I have been so low because living with this condition is debilitating .you need to be seen and I must encourage you to keep trying till you get some answers. I hope very much that this will get sorted for you kind regards michelle

[Februarygirl in reply to ELLE7771843]

I would urge you to see another doctor in your practice. I've found that GP,s don't know much about IBS and have absolutely no idea how it completely affects your life both physically and mentally. Good luck.

[ELLE7771843 in reply to Februarygirl]

Yes you are right my family keep telling me they are being negligent. I won't give up and I keep trying but it's incredibly draining especially when you don't feel very well anyway .while I'm dry atm I'm getting a break .I am taking dihyracodiene as well as other meds .I should be bunged up to the eyeballs and I'm not .all they seem to want to do is another colonoscapy but because the first laxative was so brutal I could not take the 2nd dose .even when I rang the out of hours emergency number for endoscopy unit nobody was there !!!! I finally managed to get hold of someone who told me to go to A and E but by the time I got through I was stuck on the toilet and laxative was in full force .I had an awful night and couldn't go through with colonoscapy as wasn't able to take 2nd dose .the diarrhoea from that plenvu caused me to have diarrhoea for 2 weeks solid .I'm low in mood angry at how I've been treated or not treated atm . apart from shaking someone so hard till they listen I'm actually out of options and I've been left to it .I have written a long letter explaining what I'm going through and how this is making me feel and all I got was there's nothing more they can do .!!! They treat chronic diarrhoea with opiods which I'm already on .for me though nothing seems to be working and honestly I don't know what else I can do and I'm not sure how long it will be before the next episode that seems to last weeks will present itself again .what are you supposed to do when your getting nowhere ???? Keep trying and I'm doing that

[Februarygirl in reply to ELLE7771843]

It sounds awful and I really feel for you. I couldn't function without taking Loperamide but that obviously doesn't work for you. My doctor came up with the bright idea of prescribing Sertraline for my anxiety. As I acknowledged that this condition was making me anxious when outside of the home and it made it all worse. Guess what one of the side effects of Sertraline is? I must have notched up a record of how quick I could get to the loo for hours on end including in and out of bed during the night. I only took one tablet! Wouldn't it be wonderful if a cure was found.

[Wlker in reply to ELLE7771843]

I have your same experience except with a highly recommended specialist. It has been 4 years since the last colonoscopy. I am going in for another next month, I do not expect it to be a lot different. Finally, after many calls to her office and an office visit, she gave me Lomotil 4 x daily. I only take it 2 x however. I think it has helped, but I live in dread of another attack.

[ELLE7771843 in reply to Wlker]

Yes I completely understand and only people who have this condition can truely appreciate how absolutely debilitating it can be .I have been to my doctor in tears on many occasions now .they keep saying it's my anxiety .I can't seem to get through to them that the ibs came first and yes now I have terrible anxiety around it .I carry spare knickers pads wipes gloves and volterol suppositories around with me everywhere .I refuse to go out unless I am close to a toilet .I've had to many accidents now to trust it .I am so fed up of having to explain myself to people about my intimate toilet habits. I just have to keep trying

[b1b1b1]

It sounds like a stomach virus to me. I agree with the advice of xjrs, above, to eat bland food until things settle.

[Luisa22]

Stay with strictly VERY simple foods until your gut starts to settle. Foods that are low in fibre and easy to digest, such as simply-cooked proteins (meats, fish, eggs) Stay away from cheese, and nuts. For carbs, try white basmati rice, toasted white bread (try and find a nice one, or a ciabatta or something a bit nicer than "plastic" supermarket loaves)

And you could try peeled boiled and mashed potatoes. White ones, not sweet potatoes. White pasta might also be OK.

No sauces or seasonings except salt. Sea salt is best or Himalayan salt. Anti-caking agents in table salt can be troublesome for a sensitive gut. I have found so, anyway.

For vegetables, I don't know what suits you. But you could include small portions of whatever does. I find well-steamed green beans and spinach friendly, but that wouldn't suit everyone. Likewise fruits. Some people find bananas a bit binding (I don't!) Don't eat raw salads or veg. Steam veg. quite well. Keep away from milk products.

I find dark chocolate gut friendly too. My favourite is Lindt 70% because it doesn't contain a certain additive that some chocolate brands have, and which upsets my gut.

Drinks: water, camomile or peppermint tea, black tea (not strong) China tea, loose leaf is better than tea bags

So keep things VERY simple food-wise, and see what happens. I hope that might help you get back to some kind of balance and slow your gut down just nicely for now.

[Wlker in reply to Luisa22]

Luisa22…I have been following these suggestions for last 2 years and it has helped ! Thank you for sending them.

[Brownlamu86]

Have they ruled out Bile Acid Malabsorption?

[RingofBrightWater]

Just want to say thank you to all of you for your consideration. I'm back to "normal" now so will just wait to see what the future brings..... hopefully this was a one-off.Take care all.