Everyone seems to talk about flare-ups but does anyone else get it everyday?

[Maureen1958]

Hi, was wondering if I was alone in not getting flare-ups, as such, but just have it everyday no matter what?

[Eliana5]

Yes..I did..every single day after the smallest meal..which is why I am so underweight..the Seroquel has stopped the cramping..stool softeners are working (Colace)..but still have this unconscious "fear" of eating..like the "what if's"..like "if I eat this large meal..will I cramp" (as that is what I have been used to) it "it will it "back me up" and I will get "C"..working with a dietician..but I need something more for "fear" may be biofeedback therapy. Are you on any antispasmodics like Levsin or Bentyl..or Peppermint oil capsules?

[Maureen1958 in reply to Eliana5]

Hi Eliana, no don't take anything on a general basis. Tried antispasmodics and they don't do anything nor do the peppermint capsules. How are you feeling today after your dental treatment yesterday? Maureen

[Eliana5 in reply to Maureen1958]

A bit better..but not feeling right. Something still hurts from the fillings. I may have to go back. I just messaged you a longer letter. So worried about the Hurricane hitting Hawaii and my friend who lives in Maui, not answering her phone.

[SueAber]

Me too. Every morning mushy unformed stools since February 2017. Lots of morning wind but no pain or urgency. Had lots of tests including colonoscopy and diagnosed IBS. The nurse said 1% have the same and live with it. To be fair, it’s bot bad compared to others experiences. Have tried so many things to no avail but am seeing a dietician in November (first available appointment!).

[Maureen1958 in reply to SueAber]

Thanks for replying, It's nice to know I am not alone. Good luck with your appointment in November, let us know how you get on. Maureen.

[Eliana5 in reply to SueAber]

Hi..have you tried Levsin or Bentyl?

[Flik22]

Hey yes mine tends to be most days too, I have the odd day of being ok but that tends to be if I've over done the immodium!! I suffernif I don't take immodium and suffer if I take too much! Can't seem to find an ok medium ground!! I have flare ups where my anxiety takes over! Sometimes I can cope ok then other times my anxiety makes me soooo much worse! I'm sure hormones are partly to do with it all too! Xx

[Fergie53 in reply to Flik22]

Hi Flik, your experience sounds like mine! I have loose bowel practically every other day but if I take Imodium I get constipated, also anxiety makes mine much worse, I get bloating, anxiety, flatulance etc and sometimes have bouts at night, I also can’t eat big meals but then eat wrong things and suffer for that!

[Maureen1958 in reply to Fergie53]

Hi Fergie53, thanks for joining the discussion. See my reply to Flik22. Maureen.

[Eliana5 in reply to Fergie53]

Have you lost weight? I have lost so much weight for fear of cramping or eating large meals, so I are like a bird for almost two years losing significant weight..people make mean comments. I fear for my health..being malnourished. Dietician is trying to help me, drying to drink Ensure, but Medicaid won't cover it, unless I am on feeding tube. She wants me back to 145lbs. Right now I am on a pathetic 119lbs..and I am 5'5. Even a lot of my hair is falling out, it used to be so thick..now it is so thin. Stinks..so have to try one of those less expensive powders to "gain weight". No way to live. There needs to be a cure. Yes, good idea to not take Immodium, very constipating..

[Maureen1958 in reply to Flik22]

Thanks for replying. I agree totally with what you say, it seems whatever you do you can't win. Also agree about hormones having a lot to do with it too (don't know about the men - I'm assuming your female). And yes, good old anxiety always has to raise it's ugly head (whether or not you were anxious before getting IBS). Maureen.

[sweetsusie in reply to Flik22]

I had my doctor prescribe Welchol for me and it stopped my chronic diarrhea in it's track! It was expensive, though, so I had him switch me to Colestipol..which does exactly the same thing. These 2 drugs are bile acid sequestrants and are used also for high cholesterol and to treat type II diabetes..neither of which I have. Tell your doctor to let you try either one of these...they will change your life...

[Hidden]

Yes I did Maureen. I had chronic IBS every day.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alison, thanks for replying. Maureen.

[helen1992x]

Hi Maureen - I do get flare ups when my symptoms are so bad, it really affects normal day to day life and will leave me near tears but nearly everyday I'll have mild/moderate symptoms and I will end up with IBS C if I don't take a daily laxido - daily it's usually bloating and nausea x

[Maureen1958 in reply to helen1992x]

Hi Helen, thanks for replying, it seems that quite a few of us get it on a daily basis. Perhaps like you, everyone has symptoms on a daily basis, but to varying degrees.

[helen1992x in reply to Maureen1958]

I just get so used to it that a flare up feels awful now hope you get it sorted x

[Eliana5 in reply to helen1992x]

Same here..

[sweetsusie]

I had my doctor prescribe Welchol for me and it stopped my chronic diarrhea in it's track! It was expensive, though, so I had him switch me to Colestipol..which does exactly the same thing. These 2 drugs are bile acid sequestrants and are used also for high cholesterol and to treat type II diabetes..neither of which I have. Tell your doctor to let you try either one of these...they will change your life...

[Maureen1958]

Hi Chocoholick, was just wondering how long you have had IBS and your age (don't have to say if you don't want to of course), it's just that I was like that when I was in my 30s and early 40s. I'm 60 now. It's amazing how it is always changing (subtly) but still does basically the same thing (if that makes sense). Maureen.

[Eliana5]

Have you tried Welchol or Colistipol..I saw someone mentioning it above..

[Maureen1958 in reply to Eliana5]

Doctor wouldn't give it to me, they only give it to people with Bile Acid Malabsorption in the UK. I got tested for it last year (as I had a cousin with it) but it came back negative.

[Maureen1958]

Yes, mine started about that time, I think I was about 28, didn't make a note of it because I thought it would be short lived!! But liked you it just won't go away, it's always there whatever I do.

[Eliana5]

Okay..I hope they find a solution to all this. You should not have to suffer like this..😳

[Hidden]

Hi Maureen, yes I have IBS every single day. Each evening my tummy swells like a 9 month pregnant lady. It's wind really. I am currently testing what may be causing my IBS but I have had it for about 2 years now. I have stopped eating bread as I think the wheat is expanding in my tummy. I am following a lactose free diet at the moment, my symptoms seem to be a little better, although not gone altogether. I have looked at the fodmap diet. It looks interesting but I bet it's difficult to keep it up. Have you tried that at all. X

[Maureen1958 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but didn't notice your post until late last night. Funnily enough my stomach is quite flat when I wake up but increases in size the more I go to the toilet.

I have had IBS now for over 30 years (I'm 60) and I have tried everything I can think of but nothing ever works. I have not tried the FODMAP thing as most of the foods it says are OK to eat, I would avoid and those it says you should avoid I can generally eat!! I tried giving up milk for a while some years ago but had an awful stomach ache (it felt like stomach acid in my bowel) one day which I knew would get better if I had a small drink of milk. So I had some milk and within ten minutes I felt better. So went back to drinking milk. Have tried the other milks available recently (ie almond etc) but they have a constipating effect on me, so I'm better off sticking with dairy. I eat bread but as with lots of things, it depends on the consistency of it and how much I eat! Maureen.

[Hidden]

Me too

[Hidden]

Some days I have to text my boss to say I will be late as need at least an hour and a half in the morning before it subsides. Such a frustrating ailment