Hi im 58 and have had ibs for 7 years. Does anyone get an overwhelming tiredness just before or during an attack of ibs I have mainly ibs C.

[nanabud]

[hope60]

Hi nanabud ,yes is the answer to your question .I find that I feel very down and tired just be for all I won't to do is come home from work and sleep. I am the same age as you and have one-Day.

[nanabud in reply to hope60]

Hi pissingmeoff, thank u for your reply. Its good to know I'm not alone in feeling like this. My ibs started after a patient attacked me, I worked in the health sector. Ive found it hard to work with my ibs since, I'm doing part time now but don't think I willl be able to continue as it has gotten worse in the last year. I've had all the tests, all the meds but no luck. I won't give up trying tho!!

[hope60]

Sorry the it has come out as one day .It should read ibs - d.

[Bibabunny]

Yes, I get this too during the flare up, i often have to go to bed. It just washes over me, I feel exhausted. I am sorry, I don;t have an answer to it though. But you are not alone.

[nanabud in reply to Bibabunny]

Thank you Bibabunny. I agree that the exhausrion "washes over you", its like a tidal wave and it just knocks you off your feet. Its so good to know that I'm not imagining this, I've tried to explain it to others but unless you have ibs its no use!! Thank you so much for your reply.

[Chocobella]

I too experience this overwhelming tiredness that you have. It usually precedes a flare up the following day or as I'm recovering from one. Along with the tiredness is a generally feeling of being unwell and experiencing low mood. I suffer with IBS-D.

[nanabud]

Hi Chocabella, I also get very down when I get an attack, ir saps my energy and although I'm a very upbeat person, I find I can't face people when it strikes. Its like a jekyl and hyde situation !! Its affecting my job, my social life and I can't have my new grandson on my own as I need to be in the loo so much. Its wreaking havoc in my life but I keep trying everything I can to get it under control. Over the past year it has gotten worse , I used to get it every few weeks but now its every week. I alternate between D and C but its mainly C. I'm seeing my GP this evening to get an allergy test, there's very little in the food chain I can eat at this stage, but I'm ever hopeful!! If he finds anything I"ll let you know. Many thanks for your reply, I appreciate it very much. It helps when you don't feel alone and its good to share

[hope60]

Hello Nanabud .I had to pack up my job as a community care worker, as my ibs-d got worse and I found it to hard to carry on with the job.I now work mornings for one lady in her home,which means that I am near a loo.Just now I am on the tail end of a patch,and had to take three days of work as I have no control over my body functions.Have had all the tests going .I have stoped going to the doc now as there is no point.

[nanabud]

Hi Pissingmeoff, how I empathise with you, I have had to do the exact same thing, at the moment I am a home visitor/liaison officer to the elderly, just doing 20 hrs a week and to be honest even this is proving difficult, I've had meetings with my superiors and I feel I can't continue for much longer! I have great days but when I get an attack I can't work and its causing problems. My whole life has been turned upside down with this ibs C and sometimes D, I try to be positive but if I can't work then there's the financial problems, you just can't win. There is very little recognition of ibs, I'm sure my boss thinks its a spoof despite showing her many medical papers supporting this. I guess I"ll just have to quit my job as its creating problems with other colleagues. Talk about early retirement!! Thanks so much for your reply again. It means a lot to have people who understand, its easier to bear,

[thehappytummy]

I have IBS-A and whenever I am flairing (C or D) I am super tired and cranky. I assume flairs and fatigue are related?

[nanabud in reply to thehappytummy]

Hi thehappytummy, it does appear that a flare-up causes this disabling tiredness and low mood! It seems many of us suffer in the same way. How often would you get a flare-up?? Mine is all too frequent these days, I seldom get many days ibs free anymore despite what I try or what I eat. Thanks so much for responding

[thehappytummy]

When I stuck to the FODMAP really strictly for about 6 months last summer I only had about one flair a month. I kinda loosened up on it since then and have been flairing more and more, (since December it's been at least twice a week) so I decided to get back on it. As of yesterday, I am gluten free, lactose free and low FODMAP. I have not noticed any changes in my energy level yet, but it has only been 2 days....

[Ibsr]

Hi there. Been on fodmap for 2 months and pains gone, energy and mood up. I ate something last Thursday and had a terrible few days...exhausted, painful, unable to move as ab pain kicked off, cranky, didnt want to see or talk to anyone. Still a little drained but I now know it will get better as long as I stick to FODMAP. Hope you find something that works for you soon.