Help and info

[Thomaswomas]

Hi I'm new to the group and have had IBS type symptoms on and off since 2009 and I've never sought support until now.I get a series of very loose stools and feel unwell very suddenly out of the blue and have to lie down. This happens roughly every 3-4 months sometimes more and sometimes less frequently. An episode can last for an hour or up to six hours of feeling mild nausea. There are no cramps or pain just a horried, odd feeling of feeling unwell. Once I recover, I'm fine again for another few months.

It can feel debilitating when it happens and the unpredictability of it is awful and it puts me off visiting friends or travelling.

Please can I ask if anyone can recommend a remedy that might offer immediate help, i have seen over the counter products to coat and sooth the gut but do they work. For example the Collidal Silver liquid I think it's called looks quite good?

I take Fibogel daily in the mornings and a daily probiotic (bio kult).

I'd really appreciate your thoughts and thank you for reading this.

[Letsfixit1]

hI, welcome to the group - I have learnt a great deal here, and its lovely to be able to share your problems with people who understand. I also have IBS D with similar patterns to yours - at one time the loose stools, nausea, cramps and anxiety were almost a daily event. My biggest suggestion, while you try and work out what is causing these flare ups, is to deal with the anxiety. If you let it, the worry of an accident can ruin your life. So the first thing is to get yourself your Radon key for public toilets if you haven't already got one. Just carrying it means you don't have to queue for ordinary toilets, and its comforting to know its there. I take Loperamide if I know I'm going to an event, it calms the spasms and tightens the anal sphincter. And I always carry spare knickers, pads, wipes, and perfume spray! I have very rarely needed them. I lead a full active life - I play table tennis at the sports centre 3 times a week (good toilets there if needed). I socialise with friends - I avoid full meals out as its not really my thing anyway, but happy to have coffee and cake! I travel to Canada to see my son, and he's moving to Australia soon so I'm going out for a month. And my friends know about my IBS - I won't treat it as a shameful illness.

[Thomaswomas in reply to Letsfixit1]

Many thanks for your helpful comments. Is Loperamide a prescription drug please? Thx.

[Thomaswomas in reply to Letsfixit1]

Thank you so much this is helpful. May I ask is Loperamide a prescribed medicine please. Kind regards. Thomaswomas

[Letsfixit1 in reply to Thomaswomas]

Hi, its freely available in the UK without prescription. Its often sold under the brand name of Immodium, but that's much more expensive and is the same as loperamide sold at the chemists.

[Thomaswomas in reply to Letsfixit1]

Thanks so much I will get some and I'll try the suggested probiotic and see if it helps. I hope you are doing okay? Take care

[xjrs]

You may find some tips on this website useful:

ibsresearcher.com/

The probiotic that has been a game changer for my IBS is Alflorex, which has been scientifically studied for IBS. You could try that on a 3 month trial.

If you still have some issues at the end, you could try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet (Alflorex first since it may improve food tolerance).

In the mean time you can try the Nerva gut directed hypnotherapy app or mindfulness or meditation - lots of videos for these online.

Good luck.

[Thomaswomas in reply to xjrs]

Many thanks this is great, I will ask my doc for this probiotic.

[xjrs in reply to Thomaswomas]

You won't be able to get Alflorex probiotic from a doctor, since it is not considered 'medication'. However you can buy it online:

Single item:

precisionbiotics.co.uk/alfl...

3 month trial:

precisionbiotics.co.uk/alfl...

It is expensive, but it has been worth it for me.

Though it seems you can get it much cheaper via their Amazon store:

amazon.co.uk/Alflorex-Origi...

[Thomaswomas in reply to xjrs]

Great thank you for the information.

[xjrs in reply to Thomaswomas]

Looks like the cheaper Amazon price is available to Amazon Prime customers.

[Thomaswomas in reply to xjrs]

Great thank you so much for this.

[Thomaswomas]

Yes great I will go to Amazon. Thanks