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Is it possible to have almost constant IBS symptoms?

Posted , 8 users are following.

paul75665
paul75665

Hi All

I was diagnosed with IBS, along with Fibromyalgia, CFS and Anxiety, following two colonoscopies, one with biopsies, endoscopy, chest and back X-Rays, abdominal ultrasound, head MRI, numerous blood, stool and urine tests, and after seeing a Gastroenterologist, Neurologist and Rheumatologist. The only things found during all these investigations were slightly raised platelets from my very first blood test, however the subsequent 11 to 12 blood tests have been fine, two positive faecal calprotectin results, three rectal polyps that were removed and were benign, haemorrhoids and low vitamin D levels.

My question is whether anyone knows if it is possible to have constant IBS symptoms?

I suffer with alternating IBS, however I mainly experience constipation with only having 2 bowel movements a week, although I can set my clock by their regularity, no blood and small traces of clear mucus now and again. I do get the odd bout of diarrhoea but they happen very rarely and I don't need multiple trips to the toilet. I almost always have bloating, burping,\ and stomach / bowel churning and gurgling, and just a constant feeling of being slightly groggy. At my worst the symptoms are accompanied by sharp, random abdominal pains, increased bloating to the point I look pregnant, hot gassy throat feeling, feeling unsteady like I'm on a boat, some shortness of breath and face feels flushed at times. My symptoms are alleviated if I can get active, unfortunately the CFS and Fibromyalgia don't allow me to do that often. Doctors have basically suggested I'm the picture of health, just wish I felt it.

Any thoughts, views or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 paul75665

    Posted

    I had constant IBS symptoms for three and a half months when it first started.  Now my IBS is in remission.
  • martin31040
    martin31040 paul75665

    Posted

    Hi, do you eat enough fibre?, chia seeds are high in fibre, need to be soak, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in a glass of water, soak for about an hour, add some juice for taste, stirring well, and drink, repeat 3 or 4 times a day, they go sort of glutinous, easy to drink, check online about chia seeds, a couple of tablespoons full of extra virgin olive oil per day could help, I have a redundant colon more twists and turns, longer than normal, resulting in slow transit and bloating etc, so I try to find things to help, and the above mentioned are pretty good for me at least.
  • martin31040
    martin31040 paul75665

    Posted

    Hi, yes, I would say you can have IBS constantly or more or less constant.
  • peter65792
    peter65792 paul75665

    Posted

    Hi Paul

    wow you have had all the checks.

    Two bowl movements a week is really not sufficient. You need more fibre.

    try souble fibre it really helps with me.

    but yes IBS can be more or less Constantine draining at times. But keep positive I found when I go to the gym I forget I have IBS.

    good luck 

  • paul75665
    paul75665

    Posted

    Thank you all for your comments and advice.

    I am lacking a lot in my diet due to numerous intolerances, I can literally only eat a handful of foods, and there is a lack of fibre, vitamins and minerals in my diet. I've seen a dietician, tried low FODMAP and low residue diets and nothing helps, there seems to be no correlation to what I eat and how I feel. My symptoms vary in severity going from mild to severe in minutes, sometimes they will last days, even weeks, but sometimes only last a few hours, but as I said there is always this underlying groggy feeling that I just cannot shift. Getting active can help, but it's not long before the Fibromyalgia and CFS take over, and I end up in a lot of pain, dizziness and extreme tiredness, it's very demoralising at times.

    I do appreciate all your comments though, thank you. Here's hoping I get a break sometime soon!

  • connie81586
    connie81586 paul75665

    Posted

    Hi, I'm sorry that you're having so many problems sad You say in another comment that you have multiple intolerances. Have you tested these out? I only say this because I often feel afraid of a certain food after a flare up, but sometimes symptoms can be caused by the quantity of food rather than the food itself. Symptoms can also be from stress/anxiety/food poisoning. My 'safe' foods are jasmine rice, small quantities of cooked salad greens/herbs, lamb and white fish at the moment.

    It caused me some anxiety to try out a bit of balsamic vinegar, and I was quite worried after having olives yesterday. As I was anxious after having these foods, any symptoms could as easily be caused by this anxiety. On a related note, for years I was convinced that I couldn't have dairy, but have recently found that I can eat unpasteurised goat's cheese. I would try to expand your diet in a controlled manner, unless you know that a food is dangerous of course.

    Fibrous foods are not helpful for me, and I have alternating IBS C and D. The only fibre I get is from small servings of greens (and occasionally cooked carrot/pumpkin), ginger and herbs/spices. I only eat white jasmine rice. This has helped immensely with bloating etc.

    I hope this helps.

    • paul75665
      paul75665 connie81586

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments Connie.

      When my problems began almost 4 years ago now, I was meticulous with keeping a food diary, and with the help of a dietician and the low FODMAP diet was able to identify a number of foods that I struggled to eat due to intolerances. Things is my problems now seem to be gradually getting worse, with even some foods that I was able to eat, now causing me problems, I don't know what is going on and I'm getting pretty fed up with it. I know my diet before my problems wasn't great with lots of fast, processed and convenience foods, and since having my problems and changing diet things like heart rate and blood pressure have come down to very healthy levels, but I feel in worse shape than I ever have, I see no logic or pattern anymore, it's almost like the whole action of eating and digesting food causes me discomfort, pain and nausea.

      I wish there was an easy answer out there.cry

    • connie81586
      connie81586 paul75665

      Posted

      I am similar sad My problems started around 7 years ago, and although I am usually fine if I stick to my limited diet my symptoms are terrible (dangerous) if I eat almost anything else. Perhaps you have candida? I've often suspected I do. I hope we both get the answers we're looking for. Good luck!

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 connie81586

      Posted

      Your counsellor has given you great advice.   I do a lot of socialising and go out with friends, go to writing groups to perform my poetry and I write a lot of funny poems to calm me down in stressful situations.  It all works for me.
    • paul75665
      paul75665 connie81586

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you've been suffering for so long, I can truly sympathise with you.

      Candida has crossed my mind on a number of occasions as well Connie. I know I have a terrible intolerance to bread and bakery products, and I can't decide if it's due to wheat, gluten or yeast. I think I'll mention Candida to the doctor next time I see him. Another suspicion of mine is SIBO, but for some reason my doctor is reluctant to put me in for the SIBO breath test, he just wants to administer antibiotics, however I don't want to take antibiotics on the off chance, especially when they are the same as one's given to my sister that made her throw up and have diarrhoea for a week.

      I hope we both get some answers soon. Take care!

  • looloo43
    looloo43 paul75665

    Posted

    Yes! I have constant ibs (diarrea dominant) never constipation. its all about finding out what makes it worse for you eg stress(often) certain foods.  often people with ibs are told to take more fibre, but thats not the case for many sufferers. peter mentioned there are two types of fibre insoluble & soluble & he is really onto something. i recently read a bit about foods that contain more soluble fibre while i was on holiday. soluble fibre foods are much more easily digested/broken down by ibs sufferers. on the other end of the scale foods with insoluble fibre can actually make ibs worse because ibs sufferers cant break down this type of fibre & it makes diarrea worse. if you have the time research it a bit online. for instance bananas & strawberries are high in soluble fibre. its all about trying to control your ibs as best you can & everyone is different. x

  • FionaP
    FionaP paul75665

    Posted

    Hi Paul,

    I can see this is an old post. I'd be interested to know how you are now.

    I've had IBS for about 20 years and it's gradually got more difficult to manage over that time. In January I got unusually upset about an anniversary and my cocktail of IBS drugs and supplements (Amitriptyline + a probiotic, a prebiotic and Saccharomyces boulardii) gradually stopped working. I've now had almost constant symptoms (pain and bloating) for two months. The GP and the specialist have nothing more to offer, as I've tried everything they have. I've had all the checks for other conditions (colonoscopy, SIBO, etc.). The only thing that seems to be working at all is severe diet restriction: I don't seem able to have any fruit, veg or whole grains and am living on processed starches (white pasta etc.) plus animal protein (mostly dairy) and vitamin supplements. The low FODMAP diet doesn't work and nor does avoiding insoluble fibre/increasing soluble fibre. I seem to be OK with gluten and dairy.

    I am trying to keep active as it's good for my sense of well-being though it does little for my symptoms, I'm using the Nerva app for gut-directed hypnotherapy, I've sent away for a new probiotic, and I'm continuing with psychotherapy. But for the time being, I'm living with constant symptoms.

    Fiona

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