How Long?

[Phil_Layshio]

how long can an IBS flare up last? Can it last weeks? Can it be chronic?

[RickyW]

I've had flares last months. I think the trouble is once it goes beyond a few days the stress creates a vicious cycle.

[Jacko37]

My so called flare up has been going on since last June!

[Fybogellover]

I’ve had four breaks in three and a half years, each lasting around seven weeks, it’s a curse!

[Aqb2c3]

It can go on for months and the longer it goes on you worry that it must be something much worse

[Phil_Layshio]

thank you, all. that is helpful, and makes me worry less.

[CryptoKid]

When I first started experiencing IBS it was just after my wife beat cancer. I was convinced I had something serious going on. Although I have techniques and medication to mitigate /subdue what I think is going to be a flare up now when I do get a flare up I still get the worry that its something serious!

My flare up technique is to switch to a fast. I find if I only eat between 1700 & 1900 it gives my body 22 hours to repair and rest. Bloating is managed with charcoal tablets at night, I use Holland & barrat as I found boots ones didn't work.

I did read a report somewhere that those with IBS see the doctor X% more than those without it. The report was trying to get more research funding into IBS as a money saving exercise for GP practices and the NHS.

[Ronnieboy]

Nothing worked for me so I knocked the statins on the head and bingo.

[Starfush]

I’d recommend looking into how much essential minerals and vitamin D your receiving from your diet. Magnesium, calcium , vitamins A/D. There much higher rates. It’s just irritated bowels, somethings or lack of something is irritating it and doesn’t mean living on a restrictive diet of certain foods

[Luluanne]

Flare ups for me can last anything from a couple days to a couple of weeks. I find I feel my worst when it's a stressful or anxious time like christmas, holidays etc and like someone else said the longer the flare up is the more you start to worry that it's something more serious which causes anxiety so it's a vicious circle. I find taking silicol gel for a couple of weeks eases symptoms, it works out quite expensive but does work ( for me anyway )

[Fergie53 in reply to Luluanne]

Yes I’m the same, always worse around Christmas/ holidays and times of stress.

[Jackie1612]

sorry to say that it’s chronic for me. I’ve reluctantly gone back on a very restricted diet recently in the hope that I can get out of this very long flare up

[TR90]

November to March, it was awful. Chronic pain, so distressing.

[Bracondale]

I think that it depends on the underlying cause, obvious ones being stress, infection, food sensitivity. So if they're not addressed (and stress is a very hard one!) then it will likely continue. And totally agree with RickyW, it does become a vicious cycle re stress/symptoms. But it is possible to improve/return to 'normal'!

[Laxmik]

mine last anywhere from few days to few months. Longest flare I have had is about three months. Everyone has different symptoms with IBS. But if you feel something is off better to get it checked. My symptoms also differ from flare to flare. Sometimes bad sometimes very mild.

[Cat58Lover]

I don’t really get ‘flare ups’ as such with my IBS - in a way mine is mild but my issue is more about wind which would wake me up at night time.

My IBS has been going on for years - in fact I’ve only just realised/recognised and accepted that it is IBS since starting the Fodmaps diet just over 6 weeks ago. Hope this helps.

Have you tried the Fodmaps diet? I have found sooo much relief and hope from doing it. Wish I had started it sooner!!

[Luisa22]

A flare up can last any amount of time. i.e. the gut can switch over to feeling upset in one way or another most days. Very often that can be followed by...the exact opposite (symptoms wise) or a steadier period.

But don't be fooled by a steadier period and imagine it's fine to eat absolutely anything. It ought to be that way but in my experience it isn't. I can usually eat a larger variety of foods when that happens, but do stick within a certain framework (foods that I know by experience are OK for me during those times) so I don't go and think I can now eat Thai green curry, lentil stew, or (in my case) stacks of root veg.

But I'd say know your body and don't dismiss any really worrying symptoms as "just IBS flare". It does become easier to tell the difference between miserable old IBS, and something unusual.

[XDjames]

in 2022 and 2023 I got 5-month breaks and in 2024 I got 11 days off.