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IBS-sudden change from D to C

Posted , 4 users are following.

stephanie53759
stephanie53759

Hi guys. I've been a reader of this site for a while and even though I've never contributed you have helped me so much! I'm going through a bit of a tricky time at the mo' and I'm confused by my IBS so hopefully one of you will be able to offer some insight.

Background: I suffered from IBS type D for about two years. My attacks would come on pretty suddenly and the pain was horrendous. I'd been on audmonal for when the attacks were particularly bad but after the first year I had it relatively under control although there was the odd flare up. In November though I had a loss of sensation and pins and needles in my arms and legs. I was subsequently diagnosed with a deficiency in vitamin B12 and had injections over two weeks to get my levels up. In Dec 2013 my IBS felt much better; I was actually able to indulge a bit over Christmas without any bad side effects. However, my pins and needles were returning.

In January this year there was a sudden change. One night at midnight I felt severely constipated; I had the urge to go but nothing happened. Cramps followed and this triggered a nasty attack of diarrhea. I had a very basic diet the next two days but on the third morning since I had a bout of IBS type D again (which was fine as at least that was normal). Since then though I've just not been able to go. I've increased my fibre substantially and have the urge to go but nothing happens. If I get cramps then it's almost always in the middle of the night which is unusual for IBS. I went to be doctor and he gave me mebeverine; he also said my returning problems with my arms and legs was due to a lack of folic acid so I've just started taking folic acid supplements. The mebeverine worked for a couple of weeks but now it feels like it has almost completely stopped working. I'm going back to my GP next week but I just wondered if this was normal for IBS or could something else be going on?

And also, which foods would help my IBS type C? I usually have two bowls of porridge a day and some strawberries. If I have a proper meal then it's chicken cacciatore but with added carrots. I've eliminated red meat from my diet but I do still have a high sugar diet. If I got rid of the sugar would that help?

Any information would be appreciated. It's really starting to impact on my life and work.

Thank you so much.

Steph.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • sue54395
    sue54395

    Posted

    Hi Steph

    Sorry about what you're going through sad my only advice as it works for me is to take a strong 20billion, 8 strain probiotic, at least 2 litres water and digestive enzymes with betain hcl which helps digest my food.

    Sorry that's all I can offer but helped me tons! You don't say what age you are but as you get older I think you need a bit of help!

    S smile

  • stephanie53759
    stephanie53759

    Posted

    Hi Sue. Thanks very much smile I'll have a look at both the probiotics and digestive enzymes now (I was hoping to avoid them though as I can't really afford them all that often) . I'm only 23
  • penny05672
    penny05672

    Posted

    I don't know what investigations you have had to be given the diagnosis of IBS . If you have not seen a

    gastrontologist then I would ask your gp to refer you. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel for over 20 years

    until I was diagnosed with crohns but not until I had a bowel blockage. good luck

  • caro13
    caro13

    Posted

    Agree totally with Penny. Any changes in bowel habits need investigating and one would expect your GP will refer you straight away. And - if you have not been tested for Coeliac disease do read up on symptoms and diagnosis on Coeliac Org UK website - as you should have been tested for that before being diagnosed with IBS. Once you start eliminating basic foods (containing gluten) from your diet you are unlikely to get an accurate diagnosis until you have been eating them again regularly for 6 weeks. On your current diet you are unlikely to test Positive even if you are Coeliac and it could be missed. This happens to so many people and prolongs the illhealth for years! Read up on the website urgently so you know a lot more about it before seeing your GP. You can also ask questions via their Talk to Us link.

    By the way - most sugar containing foods often contain wheatflour as well - bread, cakes, biscuits, pizza, gravy powders etc etc - and it is the gluten in wheatflour, barley and rye which makes Coeliacs ill - damages the gut and prevents absorption of vitamins and minerals...a downhill spiral if not diagnosed. Once diagnosed and on the diet - and reading the ingredient labels of everything you eat - you gradually get better! And boy is it worth it!

    Good Luck - and a referral to the Gastroenterologist is a great start!

  • caro13
    caro13

    Posted

    PS You should also tell the Gastroenterologist what supplements you have been taking as well as any particular foods which seem to make you worse....very important he knows this!
  • stephanie53759
    stephanie53759

    Posted

    Hi Caro. I had a colonoscopy (sp?) a couple of years ago and a test of Coeliac. I don't have either so the doctor said I had IBS. He's not ordered any further investigations despite the sudden switch to type C.

    I've gut done on gluten massively too.l I have plenty of gluten free food (although I can't eat much of it at the moment). Gluten used to be a trigger for me but I could manage it in small amounts and now I have no idea what's going on with my gut.

  • caro13
    caro13

    Posted

    You should definitely ask for a referral to a Gastroenterologist - and tell him all this....you could still be Coeliac! It can take on average 14 years to get diagnosed! Hence the directive to GPs from NICE. And the result depends on your diet prior to testing...and how much damage has been caused to your gut at that time....apparently there is another test available these days which should also be tried.

    Do read up on the website - a lot of information which I cannot write on here....and without the Food Directory from Coeliac UK it is very difficult to be sure you are fully eliminating gluten from your diet......

  • stephanie53759
    stephanie53759

    Posted

    Sorry I've not been able to reply until now.

    I'm almost certain with my diet and having spoken to my GP that it cannot be coeliac. I've changed ym diet a lot over the last couple of months and the amount of gluten/wheat has really made no impact which I'm quite glad about as if I get yet another intolerance I'll be running out of ideas of what to eat!

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