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

IBS came back with a vengeance

Posted , 6 users are following.

jammyc1973
jammyc1973

Hi well I never thought I'd be posting on this group again after two years of being ibs free apart from a couple of bouts which I could handle. Six weeks ago a flare up started out of no where (I since remember having a strong coffee that I never drink which could be the cause). I thought it was another quick one but this lasted till last week. The pain became unbearable. I became a pain at work and a pain to my family. I was sinking and I started to drink to try and take away the pain. Bad move. In the end I broke down in the Dr's and was put on a course of setreline 50mg and signed off work for 2 weeks. I am quite an anxious lad and I guess this along with my diet, drink and stress took its toll. The last week has been a blur as anyone on sertraline would know. I have gone to try and repair my system with plain foods for a few weeks and hopefully the meds will cure my anxiety and calm me down.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • karen99499
    karen99499 jammyc1973

    Posted

    I can sympathise with you, IBS can be very debilitating, and sometimes it just strikes you down.  It is a lot of trial and error,  have you tried researching the FODMAP diet? It will help you if you keep a food diary and find out what foods you must avoid, then you can find alternatives.  I find it good to stick to plain foods, also too much stress is not good for your bowels. Peppermint tea or lemon tea is very calming.  If you have a lot of pain you can try Buscopan, ( buy it in supermarket or pharmacy) 

    ​Good luck,  hope this helps

    • jammyc1973
      jammyc1973 karen99499

      Posted

      Thanks Karen, it is horrible. Thanks for advice. I have started a food diary and noted what pains I am getting throughout the day. Going the plain food route with no dairy for a while. Think I have tried every over the counter treatment going but it doesn't even touch it.

  • meghan86445
    meghan86445 jammyc1973

    Posted

    Really sorry that it's flared up for you, I know the feeling & how horribly low it can make you 😢 I would suggest buscopan and also peppermint tea to ease the pain and any cramping that you have. Bit of a stretch but have you heard of gut hypnotherapy? It's something that I'm recently trying out, and find it really relaxing and helps me to forget about the pains more than anything! There's a few videos on YouTube that you can watch/listen to - might be worth a shot! Also if you don't mind me asking, what was it exactly that you did/used to practically cure your ibs for 2 years? (I could do with all the advice I can get myself!) Hope it starts getting better for you soon.

    • jammyc1973
      jammyc1973 meghan86445

      Posted

      Hi meghan. Thanks for the advice. I would try anything to rid of IBS. This is the worst I ever had it and guess it was the straw that broke the camels back. Its hard for people to understand the psychological effect it has and how it can spiral. My cure or what I thought was my cure was one probiotic in the morning (Holland and Barrett 20 billion acidophilus) and one aloe vera colon cleanser (again Holland and Barrett) just before I went to bed. Hope you find it helps you.
    • meghan86445
      meghan86445 jammyc1973

      Posted

      Hi! Thanks for your response! Funnily enough, I was considering buying the exact Holland & Barrett probiotics that you referenced, literally the other day, so I might give them a go. But I'd seriously recommend having a go with the gut hypnotherapy videos on YouTube - there's quite a bit of research that you can read up about it online which suggests that it significantly helps/sometimes even cures in some people. Hope it helps for you and that you get back to your normal self as soon as possible!

  • sam18386
    sam18386 jammyc1973

    Posted

    Oh dear, IBS is irritable! I feel for you I really do, it can take the least thing to spark it off. You've done the right thing though. Have things that are bland and go back to your doctor. You need to explain the difference/reoccurrence of symptoms. Good luck I hope you get it sorted.

    • jammyc1973
      jammyc1973 sam18386

      Posted

      Thanks Sam, yes would do anything to rid me of this. The psychological effect it has had on me has done me. Yep bland food (which is boring me already) and dairy free route for me. Stay positive.
  • KayKay051810
    KayKay051810 jammyc1973

    Posted

    hmm,i can kinda relate because when I was about 8 or so, I remember my doctor saying something about my bowel being senstive (not sure if he gave me a diagnosis of IBS) but for the past few months, I've been experiencing symptoms and just learned about IBS (i also have bad anxiety and stress). I'm not positive but I think IBS can go away for some time but it's not totally cured...you know what I mean? So Im not sure about the IBS free thing unless a doctor said so. I'm not a doctor or anything, I'm barely even 13 but I thought I should share my experience because I kinda have what you experienced (the IBS going away for a couple of years). Excercise helps me a lot and makes me more relaxed so maybe you could try working out more/meditate.

  • jammyc1973
    jammyc1973

    Posted

    So first day back at work after two weeks signed off. Days leading up to today I had kind of on off burning gripping pains that lasted 30 min and then went away and felt very positive. Today the pains have lasted much longer and have got me down. Is this because of work? It can't be diet now as I have eaten bland and clean for almost two weeks now. I have tried to remain relaxed and calm but have no control over the pain. I have been meditating for over a week... Does this take time. I really can't stand this sun longer. Its the longest and worst flare up I've ever had.

    • tealover
      tealover jammyc1973

      Posted

      Hello Jammy

      sorry you have been going through this for 6 weeks, you must be exhausted.

      I have read your posts with interest, I was only diagnosed IBS last year after years of what I realise now it was.   I am a week into what is without doubt my worst experiences to date.  The bowels are really intermittent - really vile D probably 3 days out of the 7, including today which was 4 episodes before 9am and then nothing since - I find that really wierd???  But yellow today which I haven't experienced and shocked me somewhat but I did get some probiotics and Vit B / C yesterday from Holland and Barrett so thought it may be that.  But my biggest part is the pain / discomfort.  Left side down in the groin.  Like a huge pressure.  But also in the pubic area.  I feel like I have had surgery,  Or done a million sit ups, and it has been like this for days and day.  The pressure suddenly builds like a balloon being blown up and I have to go to the loo - generally just wind.  Other than the diarrhoea I haven't had any bowel movements.

      So I read with interest about your Bland and Clean eating ways........can you please tell me a bit more about this.  What is bland - I assume you mean no spice etc.  And clean - just fresh veg etc?  Or is there something else ?  When I went through the FODMAP I actually eat most of Low anyway.  

      Wishing you well, thank you x

    • jammyc1973
      jammyc1973 tealover

      Posted

      Hi tealover, sorry to hear of your current situation. Yes I am totally exhausted. Physically and mentally. I can't remember the last time I laughed or felt what it was like to have a normal tummy. I am a keen runner but this has been put on hold. What I don't understand is my bowel movements have gone back to normal no diarrhea and just go once in the morning but yet still get this intermittent pain throughout the day. My diet just consisted of chicken and brown rice and a little veg and salad . I cut out all dairy and am trying gluten free. Not really seen a difference and during my long period of non ibs I ate anything and everything without a flare up. I hope your spell clears up soon and we can all get back to some normality.

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.