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BOWEL EMPTYING

Posted , 4 users are following.

lynn41704
lynn41704

Have been to see GP today re abdominal discomfort. Sometimes I empty bowels twice a day and sometimes 5 or 6 - always a.m. GP prescribed IBS medication and  Fybrogel. Told me bowels can get sluggish as we age (I am 64).

Any advice appreciated I am concerned about taking IBS medication and Fybrogel laxative in the long term.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Tim038219
    Tim038219 lynn41704

    Posted

    Hi Lynn,

    as I'm sure you know, there are many components that could cause this. I suffered (and still do from time to time) with the 'morning rush' and used to be up 2 hours before I had to be anywhere so I could go to the toilet 2-4 times before leaving the house. 

    What are your stools like on the Bristol Stool Chart? I was recommended by a Dr to take Fybogel to try and get all of my stool out in one go, but since then I have spoke to another Dr who was against this idea as they said that may interfere with biofeedback loops and, due to my stools being loose, told me I need to thicken them up and try to give myself constipation as that would level out the constancy of the stool.

    It can take ages to find out what works for you and it seems each Dr will tell you something different. 

    • lynn41704
      lynn41704 Tim038219

      Posted

      Thanks for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated.  I must admit I am not keen on taking Fybogel.  If you don’t mind me asking what did you do to try and thicken up your stools..

      Take care and keep in touch.

      Many thanks.

    • Tim038219
      Tim038219 lynn41704

      Posted

      Two ways to 'attack' the problem I think - including and excluding certain foods. 

      So far I've been eating only once-twice a day (intermittent fasting) and adding things like potato, rice, banana, peanut butter, yogurt and 'unhealthy' versions of food items (white bread instead of brown, regular spaghetti instead of wholewheat, etc).

      I've also pretty much cut out fruit, onion, garlic, mushrooms and leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli) and reduced my intake of beans, lentils, etc. 

      I also added probiotics to my diet. 

      I ate a 99% plant diet beforehand, but I think my 'system' struggles with processing so much fibre. I'm an active individual so was eating 2,500-3,000 calories of plant food - which is a lot! 

      So at the moment I'm eating more 'junk' food (meat, bread, pasta, etc) and cutting back on the fibre-rich foods. 

      I'm far from having perfect stools but, whilst they're still loose, it's far easier to clean up and I'm not going as often. I used to go 3-6 times a day. Now I'm going 2-3. 

       

  • shelia22921
    shelia22921 lynn41704

    Posted

    Try to add small amount of fiber at a time to much stomach will be up set, start off slow it will help a lot, eating green's and veg.

    • lynn41704
      lynn41704 shelia22921

      Posted

      I am confused about what to do. Collected Fybrogel from chemist and it's for constipation which I am not suffering with. Increasing fibre may be bad for abdominal discomfort which doctor said is IBS. You could say I am a crazy mixed up women and I would not disagree with you.

    • karen99499
      karen99499 lynn41704

      Posted

      Hi Lynn

      ?I have just read your post, and your symptoms are exactly the same as mine. Can you tell me what IBS meds did doctor give you and how are you getting on?

      ?You are certainly not crazy, IBS is a nasty condition and I know it can be debilitating. I have been suffering for a while and use Imodium and Buscopan as and when needed. My doctor has recently prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep and hopefully this will help the IBS symptoms too. 

      ?You may find keeping a food diary helps, it is a lot of trial and error, you will be able to cut out foods which don't suit you and find alternatives. 

      ?Also I find lemon tea or peppermint tea helps. IBS can make you feel very anxious about your health and too much stress does not help with diarrhoea.

      ?Best wishes and hope to hear back from you

    • lynn41704
      lynn41704 karen99499

      Posted

      I stopped taking the Fybrogel as it was causing diarrhoea. My bowel stool screening test was normal.

      The medication for my IBS is Mebeverine 135g film coated tablets, I was taking them three times a day at first but now only take twice a day.

      My symptoms have really improved, I have cut down a bit on fruit and vegetables and dairy and am drinking more water, I also drink peppermint tea.

      I think I make matters worse when I get stressed out so I am trying hard to keep calm.

      Take care of yourself, hope you feel better soon.

    • karen99499
      karen99499 lynn41704

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you are feeling better. Yes it takes a lot of perseverance and it is not always easy to keep calm. Best wishes to you.
    • lynn41704
      lynn41704 karen99499

      Posted

      Take care of yourself Karen. Hope the tablets help you to get some sleep and that your IBS improves.. Best wishes
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