Chronic Pain

[Avacadoking]

Hi, I have IBS but this week pain has shot up

In lower abdomen. It’s like a stabbing pain that moves right across the abdomen and I have lower back pain too

I had type5/6 stools this morning but now frequent small formed movements

I ate a very mild Chicken curry last with rice , which has never been an issue before so I don’t know if it is the cause

as a consequence my anxiety has spiked which probably isn’t helping, taken some buscopan but no improvement

Anyone got any suggestions

[Jackie1612]

sorry to hear that you are going through this.

Sometimes certain foods don’t seem to have a bad effect and sometimes they do. IBS is a painful mystery. If you eat avocados (I’m thinking of your name!) they give me a lot of trouble

[xjrs]

Sometimes pain can be due to trapped gas, so you could try Rennie Deflatine to see if that helps.

More about pain and IBS here:

ibsresearcher.com/pain/

[Luisa22]

Maybe your gut just did a sudden U turn on curry.

I wouldn't even dare look at a curry and have adapted to simpler foods and done OK on that so far. But I've had the experience of a food I'd been able to "get away with" on numerous occasions, suddenly coming to bite me in the butt! literally.

It might not be that. Keep an eye on your pain and don't be shy of getting this checked with the doctor if it gets worse. Or phone NHS 111.

But maybe you could try what is always advised for dogs who get tummy upsets. Water fasting (electrolytes also if possible. Something like Dioralyte? ) For at least a few hours. 24 is ideal, but less is OK.

Followed by plain white rice (with some salt added and nothing else) Yes, boring.

Then if there's improvement, try boiled or plain baked chicken or some fish -again only with a sprinkle of salt. Plus the plain rice.

Of course, salt isn't advised for dogs but OK in moderation for humans.

See how that settles the gut. It should do. But constipation can happen, so gradually introduce some vegetables and/or fruit, and see how that goes.

The idea is to ease back into the normal diet. But that can often help a flare up I have found, too.

I also include other bland foods that suit me and never cause upset, such as toasted ciabatta bread, a couple of veggies, plain sponge cake etc. Just until the gut settles and you can extend into healthier foods. You will have your own foods which are OK for you.

I would give curry a bit of a break for now.