Supplements/enzymes - gas,diarrhoea...

[MB4991]

Hello everyone,

I am 30 years old and have suffered with IBS symptoms for over 15 years now. My main symptoms are diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating and burping.

I've been on live bacteria tablets for a good few years now which have worked really well to relieve me of the stomach cramps, and the diarrhoea isn't as bad anymore.

I'm still struggling with a lot of excess gas which is really affecting daily life. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on what supplements I could take? Currently looking at switching my live bacteria tablets and have read Bifidobacterium Infantis is good for IBS. Sometimes the diarrhoea is ok, other times i'll have to go after food (many times i've had to rush home during an after-tea walk).

I'm also looking into taking digestive enzymes which i haven't done before.

I've been referred to the hospital but they haven't classed me as a serious case so i could be looking at a long wait. Could it be worthwhile paying to talk to a gastroenterologist?

Overall, i'm just so tired of being this way and not being able to enjoy life. I've got high anxiety now if i'm not near a toilet plus a bunch of other stuff, which i'm sure a lot of you can relate to.

Thank you!

[MB4991]

Oh also i am dairy and gluten free (apart from when i'm treating myself - but i react to foods that i'm meant to be fine with). I can react to the same meal differently depending on the day (which according to a professional my sister has seen, this isn't a sign of IBS but something else).

[JNM1234]

Honey, I can relate. I too am troubled..I hope we find answers soon. I plan to try doxycycline after New Year. I am convinced an antibiotic is the answer.

[Harley1020 in reply to JNM1234]

Hello, can you please advise if the antibiotics work? I’ve often wondered if this might help. Many thanks.

[Edgar77]

I was told that reacting differently to the same meal was often the case with IBS . Depending on how stressed you are at the time. Not so sure I'm convinced though.

[xjrs]

You might want to have a look around this site first to see if there is anything useful to you:

ibsresearcher.com

There is also a page on enzymes:

ibsresearcher.com/enzymes-2/

I can highly recommend Bifidobacterium Longum/Infantis 35624 (found in Alflorex and Align probiotics).

Presumably you've had all the relevant tests done to diagnose IBS from blood and stool sample tests?:

ibsresearcher.com/diagnosis...

see second box down in the diagram.

[MB4991 in reply to xjrs]

This has been helpful, thank you!

[MB4991 in reply to xjrs]

Also yes, i've been tested multiple times over the years but samples and tests always come back fine.

[grumpyold]

I found Alflorex (the chewable banana and strawberry ones) helped me and I also take saccharomyces boulardii, two a day. I get the Jarrow formulas ones, ordering from the internet.

My gut is so much better as long as I still avoid my known trigger foods.

[Superzob]

I certainly think there’s a possibility that the particular strain of probiotic bacteria could cause wind, even though it might help with the diarrhoea, so trying a different probiotic is a good idea. Unfortunately, we’re all different, and there’s a lot of trial and error in this but, hopefully, you’ll find a combination which suits you best. Hope it doesn’t spoil your Xmas - have a good one.

[crispysundew]

Take probiotic called Digestive Advantage. You can get it at Walmart. It is helping me. Perhaps you can give it a try.

[Snowcat18]

Hi. I too had a lot of excess gas daily and I know how miserable it is! I used to feel like sticking a pin in myself to let it all out lol! I had an abdo scan and the person doing the scan said she couldn’t see everything clearly due to all the gas! I happened to mention it to my urologist and he said try giving up dairy. I told him I already used lactose free milk and he said yes, but it might be the milk itself - after all there’s no other creature that has milk after weaning age and from another species! So I gave up all dairy and the gas went! I’m just so relieved - maybe try that and hopefully it’ll be your answer too!