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

IB's Flare up

Posted , 6 users are following.

vicky103
vicky103

Hi,

So since Monday this week I have been experiencing an IBS flare up. First thing in the morning I will have stomach ache (which is pretty normal for me everyday anyway), but my stool will be soft, then get progressively looser (this is pretty 'normal' for me on a daily basis though), but the problem starts to kick in after about an hour. I keep getting cramps and need to go to the loo. Even though I feel desperate to go, when I get to the toilet I need to kind of strain a bit most of the time for anything to come out. And when I do pass anything, it's only small amounts. It seems to alternate between very loose (almost diarrhea), sometimes it might be slightly firmer (but still not what someone would call a 'normal' stool) and other times it's just mucus. The frequency that I am having to go is really bothering me though. Once I've been, I might only feel comfortable for about half an hour or so, before getting cramps again and having to go back to the loo.

I guess I just wanted to know if this sounds like typical IBS flare up symptoms? Does anyone else experience it like this? I don't think it's a bug, as I think that would be full blown constant diarrhea.

I took codeine phosphate on Monday lunch time, and that cleared it up for the rest of the day. Yesterday I didn't take any pills, but it seemed to settle down in the afternoon and I didn't have any more bowel movements.

As soon as I woke up this morning I was worrying about how my stomach would be...and it seems to be just as bad as it was yesterday morning.

I'm off work this week, so I think maybe the fact that I'm sitting at home fretting about it is possibly making it worse? I suffer from anxiety, so I tend to obsessively worry about things (my stomach issues usually being my main worry). My stomach is on my mind all day long, so I think this isnt helping matters. I'm going to Wimbledon on Saturday, so I'm also panicking that this won't stop before then. I was also trying to lay off the imodium until then, as I didnt want to block it all up, and then have a blow out possibly when I'm away from home for the day.

I do usually take imodium when it's bad, but as I'm at home for a few days, thought I'd try to just ride it out, but it's really getting me down.

I guess I just wanted some reassurance from other sufferers on here that they experience flare ups like this. :-)

Thanks in advance

Vicky

0 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

Next
  • sam18386
    sam18386 vicky103

    Posted

    Hi Vicky, I'm not expert but I too have ibs. You could take some charcoal tablets which deal with diarrhoea apparently. You need to see you doctor and maybe see about discussing and changing medication. There may be a reason why it's flared too. Have you been too stressed? Are you worried about something? Have you eaten anything different? Good luck see your doctor and report back.x

    • vicky103
      vicky103 sam18386

      Posted

      Hi Sam,

      Thanks for your reply. I had a flare up similar to this around the same time last year and my Dr prescribed me codeine phosphate for the diarrhea. I try not to take those too much though as I think they can become addictive .

      I don't think I've really eaten anything different, but I think my trip to Wimbledon in a few days is making me feel a bit anxious, so that may be why it's flared up.

  • peter19092
    peter19092 vicky103

    Posted

    hi Vicky , there are tablets available from your doctor to help with the cramps , I take mebeverine , I am presuming you have been diagnosed by a doctor? I know what you mean I have suffered for a 15 years and mny first thought when I wake up is how is my stomach going to be today, its draining. The thing is as well because the worrying and stress can also be a trigger for flare ups. 
    • vicky103
      vicky103 peter19092

      Posted

      Hi Peter,

      Thanks for your reply. My doctor prescribed me mebeverine over a year ago, but I didn't find it very effective, so I just stopped taking it.

      I think I've been getting worked up about going to Wimbledon, and my stomach being ok, that I've maybe triggered this flare up. I also think the fact that I'm off work means that I'm just sitting around dwelling on it, and getting myself more worked up, and therefore making my stomach worse .

      I just had to go out for a couple of hours so took 3 imodium, which seems to have settled things a little...not getting the cramps, but I still feel uncomfortable, and like I need to go to the loo, but I don't actually seem to need to...if that makes sense.

      I think my stomach actually felt better whilst I was out, and now I'm back home, it's feeling worse again.

      I'm pretty sure my brain is a big part of the problem. 🙁

    • peter19092
      peter19092 vicky103

      Posted

      Hi Vicky , I know how you are feeling funnily enough I feel a bit better since I came on here and found other people in similar situations to me , I thought I was the only one in this position .Another thing I have tried is amotrypaline I think that's how you spell it , it's supposed to send the nerve from your bowel to your brain to sleep to stop the messages that you need to go to the loo.

    • vicky103
      vicky103 peter19092

      Posted

      Hi Peter,

      Yes, I agree. I feel better talking to people on this website too...it's nice to know you're not alone in having this problem, and that other people are experiencing similar things.

      My Dr has suggested anti anxiety medication to me before, so u may have to go down that route at some point.

      I'm already getting myself worked up about tomorrow, worrying that my stomach will be bad again...so it probably will be! *sigh*

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 vicky103

    Posted

    These are very normal IBS symptoms.  Don't worry because this will make your symotoms worse.  I had diarrhoea a week ago with IBS and didn't make it to the loo on my final bout. I had to take Imodium. Then I got bunged up again as I usually have IBS C.  I started back on fruit to get my bowel moving again and today I started getting sudden stomach cramps and urgent bowel movements again.  I haven't had a normal bowel movement since June.

  • Taylordebs
    Taylordebs vicky103

    Posted

    Hi, I am totally new to this forum...just seen your post and I am laying

    on my bed feeling scared about my tummy pains.

    Had very similar to you since a sickness bug back in February and after

    that I have had lots of tummy pains...I started eating lots of natural yoghurt

    With the good bacteria in but think I have made things worse!

    Been off sick the last two days but mainly because I finally went to the Drs

    On Tuesday and she said she will do vatious scans and blood tests etc

    And that has freaked me out and sent my panic into overdrive! My pain is all

    Over my tummy and radiating into my back but that back pain is only recent

    So probably more that i am moping about. She gave me Mebeverine to try and only

    Had a couple so its too early to know. The problem for us really is that the anxiety

    Hurts our tummies so its hard to know what is real symptoms and what is anxiety. Just

    Wanted you to know i feel the same.

    • peter19092
      peter19092 Taylordebs

      Posted

      well I hope that the tests prove that it is ibs ,its not easy to live with I drive myself mad some days worrying that its more , I wish you good luck and hope things improve quickly
    • Taylordebs
      Taylordebs peter19092

      Posted

      Thanks...I am lucky that my dr is putting me forward for tests

      but I suppose it scares me that she is taking it seriously! Cheers

      For your reply...all the best to you too.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Taylordebs

      Posted

      Be careful with Mebeverine; it is a stomach irritant.  I got bad reactions within minutes of swallowing the first tablet.  After four days I threw them out. I tried them twice to see if I had imagined the reactions I got.  Unfortunately, the side effects were very real.  A lot of oeople can't tolerate it.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Taylordebs

      Posted

      Ask your doctor for a different antispasmodic such as Buscopan which is much milder and helps with the pain.
    • Taylordebs
      Taylordebs pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks...what I dont understand is that i dont feel it is in spasm...

      Just continued pain like period pain...how would a spasm feel please?

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Taylordebs

      Posted

      IBS is not always like this.  I don't really get sudden, bouts of spasmodic pain.  My pain tends to be more period like, constant pain.  I have just had an uexpected bout of diarrhoea after my usual constipation and since then, I can't reintroduce fruit without sudden pain spasms followed by loose, urgent stools.  However, an anti spasmodic will help with both types of pain.

      Try not to understand your pain; this will only intensify it.  Rather, accept it and trust your doctor when he finally diagnoses you.  Acceptance is how you get better.  

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Taylordebs

      Posted

      I think my bowel has finally settled down after two weeks.  My stress level has got better too.  I shouldn't get anxious on holiday, but I had been faced with learning new practical tasks which I find very hard being autistic.

Back to top
Next

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.