IBS-flare up for how long?

[Catsandsunsets]

Do you experience flare ups? Does stress trigger it?

How long do your flare ups last?

Do you experience IBS-D?

Do your bowel movements look erratic?

[BabblingBrooks]

Yes, for me apart from Covid, stress has been one of the biggest triggers for IBS flare ups.

When I first got Covid it was more C type which I was more inclined to suffer with prior to that, now 3 Covid infections and continuing stress I’ve gone the other way.

Probiotics have made the frequency more manageable.

[Starfush]

Stress burns up magnesium. Magnesium defiency can make stress worse. Also it’s lots in diatrhea.

[Frasina]

Flare ups can be caused by many things but stress is possibly the main reason! I know in my case it is stress, but you may find others will say eating something they know affects them etc...I havel mini flare-ups because asides my IBS I do also have IBD so take meds for that - my flare-ups only last a few days or a week (and mine are IBS-D). I doubt there is a 'set time' that flare-ups last etc..

[MatthewU]

Stress is one of the major contributing factors to IBS flare ups, obviously food intolerance is another. The way that I have approached it after much research is to use a SSRI such as a daily low dose Citalopram, also a special targeted probiotic called FeroCalm available directly from the manufacturers which primarily works when the gut is inflammed or under stress, whereas other probiotics actually die in these situations. I try to avoid wheat and milk, since they bloat me for days and also any obvious processed foods. I occasionally still have flare ups but now they only last a few days.

[Sparrow58]

I have flare ups due to stress and anxiety. It can be a flight or fight response. The length of a flare up depends on the level and continuation of stressful situation. It can be different every time and every one is different. I have IBS -Mixed but when stressed and worry more on the IBS -D side. It is hard because probably you know that ease the stress and the IBS will be a bit better, but i find that is not easy to do and then the flare up causes stress a catch 22 situation. There are apps to help you relax, a lot offer a free trial for you to try. All the best