IBS Flare Up - Diarrhoea for over a week

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi everyone,

I've been suffering with IBS-D for a few years. I heavily rely on immodium, but have found that I usually need to take 5 or 6 a day now in order for them to work. I do take them almost daily, even as a precautionary measure.

Since the weekend before last, I took 4 immodiums in the morning but I was feeling nervous as I was going to a BBQ. I felt an upset stomach coming on, but didnt have access to a toilet (it was on the beach) so I took a 5th immodium. I somehow managed to last a few hours, but when i got home a had a bad bout of diarrhea, followed by another about an hour later. I then took 2 more immodiums - total of 7 that day which is the most I've ever had. I then was okay for the rest of the day/evening.

The next morning i passed about 3 solid stools (took 5 immodium), then I had bad stomach pain, and then diarrhea came on again, so took another immodium. I was okay for the rest of the day.

Then the next day, I couldn't go at all. I went to work, then came home for lunch. All fine, then all of a sudden I had an urged to rush to the toilet and had a bout of diarrhea again. Later on, I passed a solid stool.

Next morning, passed normal stool, but whilst eating dinner in the evening I got anxious and diarrhea came on again.

I then got myself into a really anxious state (I suffer from anxiety).

I took the next day off work - had solid stools all day - but spent the whole day worrying about eating dinner as I thought this would bring the diarrhea on again, and then 2 hours after dinner I had two bouts of diarrhea again.

The next morning I had sort of normal stools again, took 4 immodium, got worked up about my evening meal, and had diarrhea again 2 hours after dinner. But I was literally thinking about my stomach all day and how it would be upset after dinner.

The next day I took 6 imodiums which seemed to stop me having any more bouts, but my stomach hurt all day.

Then on Saturday I had diarrhea for most of the day, even after 5 immodiums. I took a 6th and this seemed to stop it.

On Sunday I decided to go without immodium. I had a couple of bouts of diarrhea and then in the evening it was more solid.

I then read about silicol gel and started taking this sunday night and have taken 3 times yesterday and once so far today.

It seemed to be helping a bit yesterday, had a bout of diarrhea in the morning, but in the evning I was going a lot but it was solid.

Today I am having lots of bouts of diarrhea.

My anxiety about it is out of control and I can't stop thinking about it and panicking about having diarrhea. I feel like this is never going to stop and this is my life now.

I'm also worried that I've damaged my stomach from all of the immodium.

I can't get out of this panic and upset stomach cycle.

Has anyone else experienced this? I can't stop worrying about my stomach, which is making it worse, which is making my anxiety worse and so on.

Has any one else gone through this? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    hi vicky. STOP taking immodium and ring your doctors now, the stress will cause your ibs to worsen as i'm sure you know, but that's so much medication. say to your doctors you need an URGENT appointment, your ibs has flared really badly, you need an appointment TODAY! sorry to be so blunt but someone needs to help you now! you poor bugger it doesn't sound nice at all!

  • Posted

    Severe anxiety is your problem. Look into relaxation therapy, CBT, or ask your doctor for anti anxiety medication.Try distraction techniques such as a hobby to take your mind off your stomach.

    • Posted

      Hi Pippa58442,

      thanks for your reply. I'm currently on sertraline but I think I might need to up the dose. I've tried CBT a few times before. I think i need to be more strict in sticking to it.

      I'm finding it so hard to take my mind off if it. It's literally on my mind all of the time. I can't stop worrying about it.

      if I knew that this was just a flare up and that I haven't wrecked my stomach with Imodium, I think that would put my mind at ease a bit.

      I've got a Drs appointment tomorrow so I'm hoping he'll be able to help a bit.

    • Posted

      There is no point in worrying about what ifs. You are having an IBS flare up and your symptoms support this. You may need to ask your doctor to up your sertraline to treat your anxiety which is causing constant stomach upset. Your worry and symptoms are linked.Once your anxiety is brought under control, your IBS will get better. The cause of my IBS was anxiety and stress and my symptoms were at their height while I worried constantly about not getting a diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis stopped my anxiety and the lack of stress improved my IBS. Ask your doctor for more help with your anxiety.

  • Posted

    Hi yes Im the same get anxious if have to go antwhere social or on transport or worrying about where ti find a toilet. I have derverticulitus to so there are alot of foods I cant eat. I avoid as a no.no Coffee Tea as a laxitive. About two months ago was told by a consultant there is no harm in taking 16 immodium a day I found that ridiculous. Also said why had I. ot been given antibiotics when I get a derverticulitus flare up I said wasnt aware could have as doctor hadnt issued me and I had diarrhoea for 6 weeks ended up in AE. Also you may have dirrhoea but actually be constipated. What happenes if you have a blockage and watery diarrhoea faeces cant get past the blockage This is what happens with derverticulitus where the intestines as you get older in some people gets weaker and pouches. form where food gets stuck. Causes inflamation. I now take buscapan and Gaviscon immodium. I have been told not to rush my toilet habits and take timevto sit and relax often we think we have cleared are bowel and havnt. as rushing about in life and work other. Life is stressfull. I use to take another set of underwear everywhere and trousers wipes you name it Was becoming a joke. Have you had a colonoscopy or tests for Crones or derverticulitus ? Anyway if your getting all this diarrhoea you need to take dyrolite sachets from the chemist replaces enzymes Reason. your loosing. fluid water these and not replacing so thats. what will cause a vicious circle of diarrhoea. Also stick to foods your not suppose to eat and or drink such as fizzy drinks Alchol. Coffee and tea.can give you urgency to go as a laxative. and chocolate When you get these I B S pains try to relax and stop thinking toilet. toilet. toilet. Often thisc has started to work now for me especially. at home. You may suprise yourself by realising half hour later you didn't need the toilet. All this worrying and stress brings these pains on. Can get obsessed with ever toilet finding becomes like a habitual drug. You need to tell your doctor effecting your life social and other lay it on the line frightened to go out. Also ask for tests for food intolerance and Celiac disease or gluten intolerance if you havn't already. Good luck

    • Posted

      Hi Melekie,

      thank you for your reply. I really do feel like it is an anxiety think as I do suffer badly with anxiety. My brain keeps telling me that I've wrecked my stomach with Imodium and it can't function without it, but I've googled it and people say there are no side effect. plus if your Dr told you you can take 16, i guess 6 a day isn't too bad.

      I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering as well. I'm not too sure what diverticulitis is, but it sounds like it is a difficult thing to live with. I hope you are getting the help and support you need.

      I do often find that I get worked up and feel like I need the toilet, but sometimes when I get to the loo i didnt actually need to go. at the moment though every half an hour or so I get the dreaded pains...go to the loo and its often (I hope this isn't too much information) but just a tiny bit of diarrhea.

      My brother has Crohns but my doctor did a blood test for me and told me i didn't have it. I turned down a colonoscopy before as I am a bit scared, but i think I will ask about having one when I see my doctor tomorrow.

      I'm also getting myself in a panic that it's never going to stop, which obviously isn't helping matters.

      Do you think this sounds like it could just be a flare up which is being fed by my anxiety? I really need to believe that this is getting better and break this cycle.

      Thanks again for your reply. 😃

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.