Sudden flare-up

[Growyoung]

Out of the blue my IBS flared up. I think it's related to stress but trying usual things. Buscopan and eliminating foods that aggravate it. I feel so awful with tummy cramps, wind and C&D not sure how to manage it at the moment. We are going on holiday 2 weeks time so don't have the chance to wait it out. Has anyone suggestions ?

[Harmonica2]

Enterosgel is a natural medicine which comes in a sachet to take with you/ a tube which is the only thing that works for me to relieve symptoms. I would recommend giving this a try

[Growyoung in reply to Harmonica2]

Many thanks I'll try that.

[Harold2 in reply to Growyoung]

Try Alflorex really good may just help you.

[Growyoung in reply to Harold2]

Thank you. I'm going to try a probiotic. 🤞

[Dollymae06]

The same thing happened to me yesterday I just made it to the bathroom or I would have had a fecal accident. I can't control it once it starts it makes me really anxious. I have been taking Alflorex for over 6 months I am now going to try Enterosgel I bought from Amazon.

[TedsMum247 in reply to Dollymae06]

Oh, I feel for you, I'm having similar problems and now don't want to go out anywhere. I can just about make it out if I take 2 or 3 Loperamides early morning, or better still the night before I'm going away anywhere. But I had a bad flare-up two days ago and it made me feel drained and spent the rest of the day in bed watching tv. I'm looking for something I could take so will check out the Enterosgel. I had two occasions where I had slight leakage before Christmas on trips to the supermarket. Not good and I'm now just happy to stay at home and let hubby do the shopping😊 Hope things improve for you, let me know.

[Dollymae06 in reply to TedsMum247]

Thank you for your reply I use Immodium Instants you put under your tongue they have helped when I have to go out. My hubby does the shopping most of the time as I get anxious about leaving the apartment. We are not alone with this awful illness we can support and help each other which means alot . X

[TedsMum247 in reply to Dollymae06]

Thanks for your reply, I haven't tried Imodium instants or other Imodium because they're so expensive. I buy 36 Loperamides from Amazon and just use as necessary, that's less than £4. Are you taking decaf tea and coffee only? I know caffeine is an irritant, I drink decaf tea always now, but yesterday had "fully leaded coffee", this may have triggered me off. Take care x

[Dollymae06 in reply to TedsMum247]

I buy mine from Amazon they are cheaper than Immodium but do the same job. They are called Diarrhea Instants pack of 4 boxes of 6 for £11.99 so in total 24 tablets. I take ordinary Loperamide half tablet daily with Mebeverine if I'm not going out. I do have decafinated tea but still have one cup of Cappuccino a day can't deprive myself of everything life is miserable enough with this . Hope you feel better soon.x

[Growyoung]

Thank you. All the best, let me know if it helps.

[Starfush]

Depends are you getting at least the RDA of magnesium and vitamin D. You can get these in sprays aswell. Stress depletes magnesium and then can Inhibit vitamin D and have knock on effect.

[Growyoung in reply to Starfush]

Thank you for suggesting Magnesium & vitamin D. I take vitamin D everyday. I shall get some magnesium, that sounds a good idea.

[maccafan1954]

I take Buscopan & Immodium. Buscopan for the cramping that takes me down to my knees at times with a bad spasm & then charge to the toilet & Immodium which seems to calm my bowel. Its awful & a constant worry that I may not make it in time to the loo.

[Growyoung in reply to maccafan1954]

Thank you for sharing. I share your worry about the loo dash!!

[gulfofslides]

Detox diet, eliminate all diary, gluten and sugar for 10 days then add safe foods slowly back into your diet. IBS is caused by inflammation in your gut. Drink only coffee, tea and water. Do not add milk or sugar, sugar substitute, to the coffee or tea. You can use almond milk w/o thickeners, or gums

[Ibstenyears]

I have IBS mix, but mostly D. I use Bio Triphala 500mg (Ayurvedic) every morning 2 pills. Keeps me better balanced, less pain, almost regular morning toilets. Buscopan when there is pain. Sometimes, I can't actually feel the cramp, it's more like localised dull pain or discomfort, then I'd take Buscopan, 2 tablets. Peppermint oil in capsules for wind, bloating and such.

[Growyoung in reply to Ibstenyears]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Ayurvedic is a new idea to me. Do you have a practitioner who is advising you? I'll keep it in mind for later, don't want to start too many new things just now.

[JulieB5200]

Hi,I’m suffering just as you are. It’s not very nice having these awful cramps and numerous toilet trips. I too go away next week and I’m thinking please let things settle down 🙏 cos I want to enjoy my holiday. I take the buscopan like you,three a day and I am very careful what I eat. I try to relax and not over exert myself. Hopefully this will settle down for us both. Sending love and basically letting you know you’re not on your own xx

[Growyoung in reply to JulieB5200]

That you Julie, have a wonderful holiday! I shall go armed with tablets! It certainly helps knowing that others care. You'll be in my thoughts 💕

[Jillmac]

Amitriptyline is what I have been given by my GP I cut a 10 mg tablet in half as it makes you sleepy but it does stop stomach pain. If it’s any consolation I don’t really get IBS on holidays - not sure why. Hopefully you will be the same.

[Februarygirl]

I really feel for you as I know exactly what it’s like. I am never free of it and am too nervous to go on holiday sadly. I must have given most things a try but over the last couple of weeks thing’s haven’t been as bad. I now take one loperamide every morning and if the cramps and twinges are uncomfortable I take two Buscopan and sometimes two paracetamol. I plan to take two loperamide one morning next week when I am going on a coach trip with friends, as just the thought of it makes me nervous I still take an Alflorex every morning too although I don’t think that it is doing anything for me now. It was marvellous at first but the effect seems to have worn off. I have taken Amitriptyline in the past both 10mg and then 25mg. It does work but unfortunately only for a time. It seems that my body gets used to things and then it doesn’t work. I don’t know if that’s the same for everyone. At the moment things seem to be steady for me even if I have had an unwelcome trip or two to the toilet when out but the loperamide slows things down enough to give me enough time to get there which is something. I can see that someone has mentioned taking Imodium. Incase you don’t know, the active ingredient in Imodium is loperamide which you can get from Tesco for £1 and Lidl for 99p. Also the person that said about a detox and advised drinking tea and coffee didn’t stipulate the decaffeinated versions. Don’t touch caffeine in any form or fashion, it’s bad news for us with ibs-d. Also any pain killer with ibuprofen in it. You probably know this already but I found out the hard way.

I hope you enjoy your holiday and try not to stress too much over it as that will only make things worse. If it comes to it and you have a bad day or two when away then just don’t go out. You’re allowed to do what suits you best.

[Growyoung in reply to Februarygirl]

Thank you that's very helpful and reassuring. I'm sorry you suffer so badly, I'm pleased you do manage to get away. 🙂

[gloden]

Hi. I feel for you. I’m the same. Mine started the last dayJanuary. Awful diarrhoea and stomach and back ache. Don’t know what has set it off. I’m usually the other way with constipation. Don’t know what’s worse. I’ve suffered with IBS since my early 30s and I’m 86 now. I am taking buscopan and loperamide and pain killers. Feel pretty dreadful to be honest . I find going back to bed and curling up and keeping warm can help or watch a nice film or cartoon might. Do hope you begin to feel better soon and enjoy your time away. Lots hugs

[Growyoung in reply to gloden]

Thank you for sharing. Yes, hot water bottle and snuggled under a blanket helps me. However, some advice suggests exercise 🤔. I find that incredibly painful but confess I do feel a bit better after some gentle walking. People on this site are so good at their experiences, I'm certainly trying some of them. 🙂

[TedsMum247 in reply to gloden]

You sound just like me, I've had a few anxiety -related flare-ups recently. The odd thing is I can be ok for weeks then out of the blue something triggers it. I suspect my most recent episode was caused by an impending dental appointment. But I started off with a "normal" loo trip, then another two after that and it was awful without getting too graphic. I felt drained and went back to bed with hot water bottle, got snuggled into bed for an afternoon of tv. Can't say I'm big on exercise though, when you've had three or sometimes four trips to the loo after wakening up, exercise is the furthest thing in my mind. I feel so drained after it, that bed, hot water bottle and a good film is the only remedy. Good luck!

[TedsMum247]

I can sympathise with you, I've got the same problem. Mine is stress-related too, I'm perfectly fine if not going away anywhere but as soon as I get uptight about having to go away anyway holidays or even shopping I'm back and forth to the loo several times after I wake up. All the thoughts flood into my mind and that's me off. Only Loperamides can put a stop to it. We bought a motorhome because my hubby thought having the on-board loo would help. But when I know we're going away I'm uptight about travelling and back and forth to the loo. The only thing that helps me is taking two Loperamides either the night before we travel or taking them early that morning. It's a nightmare, and it's now getting to the stage we'd be as well selling the motorhome because the idea of going away in it terrifies me. Let me know how you get on. I know taking the Loperamides sometimes mean I end up not going to the loo for a few days, but that's not as bad as the other acute problem. Good luck!