1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(Nearly) new diagnosis of IBS (2nd posting)

Posted , 6 users are following.

Loppylugs
Loppylugs

Hi

Further to my last (and first) post, I just wanted to run something past the Forum and am asking for opinions (let's be honest, reassurance) it  if at all possible. The nature of this IBS-C seems slowly to be changing. 

Recently, I've tried a daily dose of flax seeds stirred into breakfast porridge and psyllium husks taken in water before the evening meal. For 3-4 days I seem to have limited bathroom 'activity'(an improvement from none) then I have about three BMs over the course of a single daytime, which is better than it was, but that evening, after I've eaten, painful flatulence and also belching after about 20 minutes. This persists on and off through the evening and turns offensive after a few hours. Eventually I think I want to go to the loo but it is generally wind and sometimes mucous too (sorry). By the time bedtime comes round (about 4 or more hours after eating) I have stomach discomfort and mild nausea. I end up reading until as late as 4am when the pain feels more like hunger and I fall asleep. The next day I feel as though my gut was kicked by a mule and I'm not sure whether to eat, take flax and psyllium or not.

Does anyone recognise this pattern of event with their IBS experience? What do/can I do about the non-constipation days? Eat/not eat, take supplements or not? I have been taking probiotics throughout. Any feedback would be most gratefully received. It would help if I could be reassured that this might just be an example of a 'typical' IBS experience, if such a thing exists! Thank you.

Cheers, Karen

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • kay56561
    kay56561 Loppylugs

    Posted

    I have a dodgy pattern now i have to write on my calender where I am at. on constipated days I eat bananas and drunk extra water. I have had 3 admissions to hospital for impaction so give it 4 days before doing a heavy duty movicol session. the biggest lesson l have learned over 23 years since diagnosis is sometimes it doesnt matter what you eat or drink its how you feel. bowels are reactive to your emotions.  so much so l judge how stressed I am by my constipation x
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Loppylugs

    Posted

    Loppylugs..

    wow such a sweet picture... If I had a daughter this pox takes my heart away.

    YES in my experience IBS exists. It a catch all for many of us who suffer dicpvilitating pain and all the symptoms and prognosis that u can thro a book at. It is maddening. It took years for me to get a handle on it. That's just it what made mine better may not help others with similar issues. I blame a lot of it on the preservatives and chemicals put in foods.. Pest asides and cleaners any processed food. The list goes on and on as u know.

    constipation is a miserable no doubt about it. I generally take Colace a gentle stool softener right away. And alway alway drink lots of water. Sometimes it really makes a difference with some folks. And lots of movement walking exercising mobility is god too much sitting causes the muscles in the intestines to become non reactive. By keeping UR mobility moving that's not all u keep moving...hehe..

    CHEERS

    HOPE 

  • linda1947
    linda1947 Loppylugs

    Posted

    Hi.

    i have IBS and have tried increasing my fibre, taken Fibogel, prune juice. Nothing really worked satisfactorily. I also have episodes like you. It seems as though, although I seem to be having BMs every day they aren't much, it seems to build up over a few days then I have a day where I will have three or four BMs in a four, five hour period. After this I feel bloated and nauseous and usually the only thing which eases it is to go to bed.

    however, someone on this forum suggested trying Bumeno. I researched this and decided it was worth trying.  I don't say it cures IBS but in my case it has taken away the nausea and I am more regular. I still have these episodes but they are not as uncomfortable. It may not work for everyone but it's worth a go. It's a prebiotic. Research it and see if you think it will help you.

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure linda1947

      Posted

      Great call probiotics r very helpful. It's a main characteristic of renewal of gut bacteria. So many chemicals and drugs we take today destroy the good bacteria in our guts . I found in my case eating yogurpurt twice per day keeps IBS at bay..or supplements .

      CHEERS

      HOPE

  • Loppylugs
    Loppylugs

    Posted

    Thanks folks... :-)

    Between the three of you, it definitely seems as though this condition is varied in its presentation, cause and method of symptom relief.  Linda1947, you seem to experience a similar thing to me, which gives me much comfort that, although I am 63 and this is a new condition for me, it probably IS IBS and not something more sinister.  I have been a bit worried because text books and websites say that MOST people start IBS in their 20s or 30s, not in their 60s! It is because of my age that my GP is sending me to have an abdominal and pelvic USS; that did put the wind up me (no pun intended!) even though I'm glad he is being thorough.

    I have been taking probiotics for a couple of weeks now; heaven knows if they make a difference! I drink prune juice every morning and really love it. I don't know anything about Fibogel or Bumeno... I will consult the internet. As I said, I have been taking flax seeds (OK) and psyllium (horrible, like trying to swallow a cup full of popcorn husks) which were recommended by the NHS; I don't know if they're helping or not so far. I was also prescribed Ranitidine, a H2 blocker; this seems to have reduced the nausea, presumably by reducing stomach acid. 

    Thanks again all. Knowledge is power :-)

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Loppylugs

      Posted

      Reducing stomach acid is a big help also prevents GERD .

      i am UR age and have had this issue off and on for years. When I slip I get in trouble. In general Zantac and yogurt and no greasy or fried foods help a lot and stay Mobil.

      your eating all the right things and I am glad to hear UR doc is doing further test .

       

    • Loppylugs
      Loppylugs hope4cure

      Posted

      Hi... thanks for the encouragment; I'm glad I am on target with my approach.

      You said that you are my age but that you'd had the IBS 'for years'.... this is a new diagnosis for me (it started in April); one of the 'red flag' warnings about it possibly being an organic disease, rather than IBS, is being over the age of 50! Apparently it is unusual to first develop IBS when you are older; having already had cancer this is a concern for me. Do you know of cases like mine?

  • lorraine172
    lorraine172 Loppylugs

    Posted

    I have posted to several similar questions recently about what has worked for me.  I found a natural product which has helped me greatly and would like to share.  I think in the past I put up with a lot, thinking it was down to stress and only now, looking back do I realise that I was struggling uneccessarily.  I take a daily'shot' of an Aloe Vera drink, which is really great for the digestive and immune systems. I really miss it and notice te change in me if I do not take it. I'd be happy to tell you more. take care
    • Loppylugs
      Loppylugs lorraine172

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine... it's kind of you to reply to my message. Please don't think me rude or take offence but, as I worked for NICE for several years, I tend to heed their advice because I know how rigorously they research all clinical evidence (that was my job). The NICE guideline on IBS specifically does NOT recommend the use of aloe vera and, for that reason I do not wish to try it. Having said that, it obviously works for you and probably other folk too. Again, thank you for taking the time to reply and to be willing to share your ideas; I am not unappreciative :-)
    • lorraine172
      lorraine172 Loppylugs

      Posted

      That's fine, no offence taken - as you say anything that works for one person is not necessarily ok for everyone else - but I would just like to say that I did not chose this product lightly as it too has been greatly researched and is the best quality on the market, only using the inner gel of the leaf smile    to be fair, here is just one example from a renowned doctor for those who might be worried or uncertain, rather than just my view smile

      "ARTICLE (extract): Aloe Vera Myth or Medicine?     by Dr Peter Atherton

      [listed in aloe vera, originally published in issue 20 - May 1997]

      IBS is complex in its make up, and it is acknowledged that there is usually both a physical and a psychological component, resulting from stress. It is called a functional bowel disorder because if the bowel is examined it appears to be perfectly normal in every respect. There is no known cause and no uniformly effective conventional medical treatment. However, it can be extremely debilitating to the sufferers who complain of abdominal pain and bloating or intermittent diarrhoea, sometimes alternating with constipation. Occasionally there is passage of mucous.

      The physical disorder is thought to be a dysmotility or alteration in the normal smooth peristaltic movement of the bowel and so it seemed a good subject for Aloe Vera. As I hoped, regular consumption of Aloe Vera gel worked well in the majority of patients who tried it. One female patient was so pleased with her newly controlled bowel that she said "I can go shopping now with confidence – it's great". It is now my first line treatment for IBS.  "

      Lorraine

       

    • Loppylugs
      Loppylugs lorraine172

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine

      Glad we are having a conversation about this; it is interesting :-) Regardless of the limited currently available scientific findings, of course, people are free to use whatever they wish. The scientific evidence is so scant, who knows what a large study might find? 

      Since 2006 to date there has not been a single randomised controlled trial of aloe vera. The NICE guideline (which inform practice of the NHS) presented the following summary in 2013:

      "There is only one trial of aloe vera in people with IBS (Davis, 2006 which consisted of 58 particpants, although 17 failed to complete the trial), but this gave fair evidence to show a lack of effectiveness. The Guideline Development Group (GDG) took this into account, together with aloe vera’s potentially serious adverse effects. Aloe vera should not be used by individuals who may be at increased risk from adverse effects, (particularly people with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and blood disorders). Since Aloe vera is a commercially available product that people with IBS pay for at considerable expense, the GDG wished to highlight these points by discouraging its use. Clinicians and people with IBS should be made aware of the lack of effectiveness and potential adverse effects."

      Hopefully in time there will be good evidence to illustrate Aloe vera's effectivenes and safety but, until then, I would not take it myelf. That doesn't negate at all the fact that it works for you! Dr Atherton points out himself: 

      " ...it is generally not possible in general practice to do proper randomised controlled trials using just one's own patients but I am convinced that there is enough evidence available now to suggest that the properties of this amazing plant should be properly tested, to prove whether or not there is just a myth or real medicine here"

      Cheers, Karen

    • lorraine172
      lorraine172 Loppylugs

      Posted

      yes, it is good to discuss. It's interesting hat it mentions 'considerable expense' in the article you posted - as I think I pay less for my one aloe vera product and get benefits in all kinds of areas - not least from vitamis and minerals that the plant itself contains.  I know Dr Peter has pointed out that tests would probably be beneficial, but I would think these would costs lots of money an if people try it and it works it kind of wouldn't really matter whether the outcome showed only a small percentage benefitted.  I just think that people ought to know that Aloe Vera is good for more than just burns and when there are people out there spending money on al knds of things that do not work, it is at least worth knowing that it ay be an alternative and worth a try.  I even had a money-back guarantee (that I didn;t need to use lol) so it was no rsk really smile 

      I'm sorry that you cannot use it, as I said I loce it and it's as pue as you can get - like takng straight from the plant really, so I'm not worried about the 'safety' .

      Hoping youfind the right thing for you soon Karen - take care smile

    • Loppylugs
      Loppylugs lorraine172

      Posted

      Hi... We can agree to differ :-)

      If I were considering trying any non-prescription substance I would ask my GP first as some people assume that stuff bought from health stores or off the internet is safe for them when that might not be true. Misuse of St John's Wort is a good example. I think that if any substance is being sold as a medicine as such then it should be as rigorously tested as a pharmaceutical drugs; plants are drugs too!  I have enjoyed this debate... :-) 

      Cheers, Karen

    • lorraine172
      lorraine172 Loppylugs

      Posted

      Hi Karen, yes I think we can smile   but it has been nice to be able to explain. I don't always understand why people will very readily take manmade stuff that has all kinds of 'unknown' things in it just because some big pharaceutcal company or the like says it's ok (and I dont doubt they have checked it thoroughly) whilst they throw their hands up in horrr against something that grows naturally . I know of course that there are poisonous plants that grow too, but we usually know about them. The thing is that is is not sold as a medicine - there are no big official medicinal claims, it's ust the likes of me who have seen benefits and want to share in case others can benefit too (and 'm talking many all over he world). For me it's just like I wouldn't go to my GP to ask if it's ok to drink orange juice (though I do check the label of contents first!) in order to get my vitamin C and I think of this as the same - the only 'interference' is to stabilise the gel to keep it fresh and I buy direct (I wouldn't buy off the nternet) so I am really comfortable about it all.

      I'm not against prescripion drugs by the way just that it's a shame that seems to be the only acceptable course of acion sometimes and I do worry about it's overuse and having to take additional things to counteract what you start on until you end up on a 'cocktail'.

      Anyway, each to their own way.  If we each happy with our way, then I'm not one to force my opinions on others, but it is nice to be able to air them smile .  I thank you too for the debate

      All the best, Lorraine  

  • barb95783
    barb95783 Loppylugs

    Posted

    Hi Loppy, if it is IBS and you are dealing with IBS-C, flax and psyllium is good as they are natural. You can get psyllium in capsules so that you don't have to drink the nasty stuff. But keep in mind that you should start out slowly and work your way up as it can produce a lot of gas and bloating. And from what I can remember there can be some mucousy stuff as well. I had worked my way up to quite a lot of psyllium and took it for many years. When I started developing nausea 6 years ago, my GP suggested going off it as it can become fermented in your stomach. I am not saying that you need to be concerned because it is new for you and hopefully you are not take the large amount that I was. But just keep it in mind.

    My preference is magnesium to move things out. You can take up to 2,000 mg nightly. But as with anything else, start out with 400-800 and see how that works. 

    Hope you feel better.

    Barb

    • Loppylugs
      Loppylugs barb95783

      Posted

      HI there Barb

      It's early days yet on the flax and psyllium. I mix one dessert spoon full in my porridge and two teaspoonfuls of the psyllium husks in water (gross). If I carry on with that I will hunt down some capsules; it is like trying to swallow horsehair. I have noticed the increased bottom burping so perhaps I should hold back on the psyllium until my body gets used to the flax! This is very reminscent of the first time I tried muesli - I had no idea of its 'effects' and had a huge bowlful. I learnt that lesson very quickly and very painfully :-)

      I'm going to discuss the magnesium with my GP when next I go. He suggested the other two things and so I felt that was probably safe and a good idea. I'm not bold enough to try experimenting on my own just yet.

      Thanks for replying and for the advice... I am listening :-)

      Cheers, Karen  

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Loppylugs

      Posted

      IBS is such an individual thing what helps one may not the other. I stay my my suggestion to EAT YOGURT & keep a food Journal...keep track of the foods u eat during flares & while eliminating known foods.. Sounds like UR in a flair and need to goto a web site that details a program that works.

      with foods and meds for IBS. 

      cheers

      hope

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.