IBS/IBD sufferers...

[Blahblah93]

My consultant said to put lime cordial in it and honestly it didn’t help the taste at all and now I can’t even smell lime without it turning my stomach

Eurgh I made that mistake. Put my favourite squash with it and now even the thought of that delightful peach cordial makes me heave.

 

[Olive16]

New Reader Here... I've just been sent home from work this afternoon, as I have had sickness and diarrhoea - whilst this is happening I'm sweating profously and feel like as if I'm going to pass out... i have excruciating pain in my stomach just below my ribs... once the sickness and diarrhoea has stopped I need to lay on a cold floor to calm down... after a few hours I feel pretty normal - this has happened 4/5 times now - and Drs always put it down to Gastroenteritis!? Helppp!!!

This was my original post... since then I have been tested for Coeliac, Crohns and something else... however nothing came back to confirm any of these... the above happened again today. I am becoming so frustrated that I have no clue what is causing this or what I can do to stop this happening... I am just about to start training for the Police, but feel this is going to affect my career if this is something that continues to happen ever 6mths or so... Is it likely IBS? Or could it be something else... I'm just at a loss as to what to do! Sorry to be a moany myrtle!

 

[Blahblah93]

Hi all,

I have a colonoscopy scheduled the first week of June. I was given a prescription for Moviprep. I did it with Cleanprep ten years ago and it was horrid but I’ve been reassured that this one isn’t half as bad. Or maybe just half as bad! No horror stories please.

I’m looking for tips and tricks from any unfortunate experts with experience. But have folk followed particular diets in advance? Found ways to make the prep less uncomfortable? And again no horror stories please.

I know it’s not going to be pleasant, but I’ve had it before, I’ve had surgery involving intestinal resection, and at the moment am battling chronic diarrhoea so my threshold for discomfort has increased over the years!

I really just want to see if there’s anything I can do to make life a little easier on the days before, of and after.

no horror stories please!

Okay. It's gross but doable.

Make your moviprep and put it in the fridge so it's ice cold. Drink it through a straw and get it right back on your throat so it avoids those taste buds. Get yourself a wedge of lime and suck on it after every sip.

Buy moist tissue paper wipes as your arsehole is gonna hurt from all the wiping.

I basically only eat all the stuff that's on your approved list for a week before so theres not too much to clear. Once your poo is running clear you can stop drinking the prep.

I have these twice a year so I see myself as an unfortunate expert.

Next time you have one ask for picolax instead.

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

Ooh thank you I'll look that up the traffic lights. Haven't heard of it. Is it working for your wife?
I have reduced my fat, plus the quantities at each meal. I eat a lot of fish, veg, rice all cooked simply.
An interesting thing I discovered is that green bananas are beneficial. I was so surprised but they work (in that there are no ill effects). Not yellow ripe ones as there is too much sugar in them.
I read that Colestyramine is a usual medicine - its prescription only I think isn't it? Tbh my BAM is self diagnosed as I had literally every symptom so haven't seen a Dr yet about it.

It does work to a point, but it restricts you to eating mostly boring foods. In the summer, a BBQ was a no go, as was chips at the seaside, but with the Colestyramine it helps so much but it is prescription only. You can take as much or as little as you need to get the the balance right, and as long as you take it at the right time you can pre-empt what food you're planning to eat etc.

This is the Test you'd need to have done - https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/sehcat-study

The symptoms are so close to IBD and IBS, with IBD being ruled out easier with MRI and Colonoscopy and Bloods. Her consultant said that many BAM patients go undiagnosed as GPs tend to go straight for IBS treatments after IBD is ruled out. So they just sit on Loperamide to slow down their transit.

I'm a Crohn's patient, so we're doing well with Bowel conditions!

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

Thanks, it's just weird how a mouthful can do that in an instant. I hate it, I couldn't eat out like this.

Yeah, it can put you off eating full stop!

 

[GrannyGossip]

Hope it went OK @GrannyGossip

Thank you! It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, couldn’t believe it. I had really worked myself up thinking that I didn’t prep properly as I was ill. I got sedated, definitely helped me! One of the nurses after said I did well and handled it better than she thought I would I must have been bad going in lol

 

[Proof8]

Hey. No bloods. She’s doing an urgent referral to gastro and a colonoscopy. I’m so nervous.

Can anybody who’s had a colonoscopy talk me through it please? Do they cover you up? Do I need to take the whole day off work?

I'd take the whole day off yes.
Firstly, you will have to do a little diet they give you a sheet with what's allowed a few days before. Then this can vary but you drink this stuff the night before. About two litres. It tastes awful but a tip is to put in the fridge and drink with a straw. You can add lemonade too. You wouldn't be able to eat. This will make you run to the toilet a lot. Plenty of moist wipes. You get to the point where water is just coming out.

At the hospital you will have a canula put in. You get given some underwear with a flap in the back and two gowns. One on like a dressing gown keeps everything covered. Normally a bad or locker to keep your clothes in.
You lie on the bed on your side and they just open the little flap. Pop the tube in no one can see anything. You will be given sedation anyway by this point and everything feels fine. At points you have to lie on your back. You get to see your bowel in a massive TV . Doesn't last long, some people fall asleep. I haven't because I want to see. They take you to recovery where you have tea, toast and biscuits. Then you on your way. Often I have a bloated tummy so windy the rest of the day.
Honestly, the prep is the worst part. But take the sedation and if you need gas and air. They will be a nurse right next to you, often holding your hand if needed if you feel scared.
Hope this puts your mind at rest.

 

[Carapop]

Hello my troubled tummy friends. I have had the most ridiculously sick tum the last week, it literally pours out of me a few times a day. I have removed all fruit and veg from my diet and live on toast and porridge right now. Whist certain foods aggravate it, I am very confident in attributing its general existence to anxiety. I tried all elimination diets, blood and stool samples tested, gastroscope and colonoscopy. But it started last year after mum unexpectedly died, and reappears at times of heightened stress. For weeks at a time. Because I’m not already worried enough about the stressor, I must now fear not being within sight of the toilet at all times. There’s no cramping. Just violent diarrhoea. The fear though is something else .

Can anyone relate? Has anyone found anything that offers some reprieve?

 

[Mollyoscar_]

I have ibd (ulcerative colitis) finally in remission after years of being undiagnosed and fobbed off. I had stomach pain, rectal bleeding and clots, erythmea nodusum(inflammation under the skin) a feeling of needing to go constantly but passing just blood and mucus. I was on prednisone for 7months (the moon face, sweats, constant hunger is very real) im now on biological immunosuppressants as other medication just didnt work for me. I had a blood transfusion when i was first admitted because i was very anemic.
There are tests for diagnosis, sigmoidoscopy to look at the sigmoid colon, colonoscopy, blood tests to check crp levels and a calprotectin test which tests the stools for inflammation of the gut.
Dignity goes straight out of the window after having doctors stick a camera up your arse and nurses administering enemas to prep you for cameras.

 

[Livelaughlove123456]

Hey guys, new to this thread!
Only had my ibs diagnosed through stool samples and a colonoscopy in March 2021 but been suffering for about 8 years.

for those with ibs (probably unhelpful to those with IBD) I’d highly recommend peppermint capsules. They really settle my stomach/bowels and there’s recent scientific studies on them with great results.
And there’s reccent research on the use of priobiotics to increase the “right” bacteria in your gut! Currently trying some out but can’t really say if they’re helping yet.

also, my husband is an IBS/Coeliac/gastro dietitian so if you want me to pick his brains for anything then let me know.

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Oh dear, I had a really bad night. Mr DragName and I still aren’t right after eating a dodgy burger a week and a half ago, so decided to keep dinner simple, some rice cooked in chicken stock. Monday had been the first day we’d eaten ‘normally’ and it had upset our stomachs a bit. So, our Tuesday dinner was rice in chicken stock. Feeling the need for some comfort food, I also made us rice pudding, just a basic recipe made with semi skimmed milk. This was potentially a huge mistake. Woke up at about half midnight by my own stomach cramps which went on for over 3 hours and were totally horrendous. Mr DragName was ‘fine’ (although I woke him up crying out so he was stuck awake with me till I went back off to sleep). I feel exhausted today and terrified of eating. I’ve got a big day at work so I just need to keep my head down and hope I don’t get ill in the office and see how my day goes, otherwise I think it might be time to ring the GP.

 

[Blahblah93]

Yes I already have a dietician but my insurance doesn't cover it so I can't see her as often as I should.

I see a dietician for low fodmap. I have her email address and we communicate quite frequently. If you have any issues or questions I could ask her on your behalf and let you know the outcome via here

 

[Shoequeen91]

My doctors are absolutely useless. Said I need to try over the next four weeks to raise my iron on my own (even though it’s under threshold already at 7.4). If that doesn’t work the only option for me is to take iron tablets. When I went back and said “that isn’t an option as I have to avoid constipation with diverticular disease”, the response was “we would suggest taking laxatives with the iron tablets”

Yeah, let’s just irritate my bowel even further and give me a flare up. I told her I want referring to haematology but the best she could do was “send my results for advice”.

No mention of iron transfusions at all. I’m at the point where I may just ask to be referred private.

It’s almost like I’m being left to get worse and worse to the point where a blood transfusion will be the only option left to me. So down about it and I’m getting anxious over it because no one appears to want to help me because I’m young. It’s ridiculous

 

[Hello Kitty]

I have Crohn's and currently on day 4 of isolation due to testing positive for covid. I'm double jabbed (was booked for my booster but had to cancel as I felt rough from my flu jab). I feel awful, I'd hate to think what I'd be like if I wasn't jabbed.

Thankfully I had my Humira injection last week. I don't think I'd be able to cope with that and covid!

 

[ChiRie]

Can I ask does anyone find they can eat a mouthful of something and suddenly the stomach pain starts and they have to run to the toilet? I can go several times during a meal but I don't get why it happens so quickly like that.

 

[Sheabutter]

Posting updates under “spoiler” heading from now on so that my posts are convenient to skip for people who are not interested.

Spoiler

The kefir was not as strong as I remember; it was mild and sweet, in fact. I purchased a grass fed milk version that was highly rated. Making kefir to align with dietary preference is possible too — just have to obtain kefir granules. I might try it someday to make water kefir which is an ingredient necessary for healthy cream soda. Ordinarily, I don’t drink soda because it adds gas to my digestive tract which is painful to me. However, the effervescence of kefir does not bother me.

Green tea still to come. Still drinking (and enjoying) tea I already have going. I added Yakult to my online shopping. I drank one but I’ve chucked the rest in the freezer to try again towards the end of my experimenting. It was too aggressive after one serving.

Originally my goal was to introduce as many bacteria strains as possible. I’ve since learned about psychobiotics which is the term for certain bacterias that have an affect on mental health. My new aims are to check off a list of strains that have been examined for beneficial qualities and to become in tune with my mental health changes as I add unstudied varieties.

For probiotic foods this week I am continuing with live sauerkraut, cultured cottage cheese and BioStrath. I have added vanilla flavored skyr — if I repurchase it I will order plain. This tastes like vanilla flavored sour cream

For prebiotics my diet includes carrots and bananas and I have added oats. I prepared overnight oats but I will try cooking them now and see if there is any difference in digestion.

I cannot say there have been improvements to my digestion this week. Aside from the day with Yakult, there have not been any regressions.

 

[Jelly Bean]

This helped me more than anything the dr prescribed

silicolgel | Treatment for IBS and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

silicolgel for IBS and gastrointestinal disorders - It helps relieve IBS symptoms of diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence and stomach pain. Find out more.

www.silicol.co.uk

Hallo
This product looks amazing and I can't believe it has passed me by before now.
I was diagnosed with IBS about 25 years ago after awful food poisoning, it disappeared on the whole for about 10 years but is now back with a vengeance. Life changes, moving country, parents dying, and other stuff (also eating shit, well normally tbh, because I stupidly thought it had *gone*) have just made it resurface. I'd actually forgotten how hopeless, sad and generally unwell it makes me feel. I wake in the morning and there is a small window where I think 'hurray it's gone again' before the dull ache kicks back in.
It's vaguely under control through just eating boiled rice and steamed fish, and drinking kefir or peppermint tea. The cramping has subsided.
I'm going to get that silicol tomorrow.

 

[Laurst]

im a serial googler too. I literally think I google a health related thing every single day, it’s draining and it really does you no good. The anxiety you’re currently feeling probably is making your symptoms seem worse - mine are always worse when I am stressed, nervous, anxious etc. The good thing is your doctor has said nothing to worry about. My tests showed a vitamin D deficiency too.

I hope tomorrow’s appointment with the dr goes well - let us know! And don’t be afraid to ask questions, or ask for clarification if you’re unsure of anything. It’s what they’re there for x

The good side to Tattle. Thank you It's reassuring to know I'm not alone. My friends and family don't understand x

 

[smellsofbiscuits]

Hello, I have found my people *waves* I was diagnosed with IBS in my late 20s but had stomach issues for years before that. It definitely seems to be triggered by stress, hormonal contraceptives and a bit of what I eat.

The only times I have been truly IBS free is when I've been pregnant. My midwife did say this is quite common but they don't really know why. I also stopped using hormonal contraceptives after my youngest was born and haven't had an attack since then. Not being at work helps a great deal too as I can run to the loo when I need to (toddler permitting!).

 

[Carapop]

I thought I was finally over the E. coli (as did Mr DragName) and so we had pasta in a tomato sauce with a wee bit of cheddar cheese on top for dinner. The first ‘proper’ dinner in 2 weeks. My stomach cramps started almost immediately, clearly a huge mistake! I really hope I’m not lactose intolerant forever, I properly love cheese, haha!

How are you doing???
---

Eurgh I made that mistake. Put my favourite squash with it and now even the thought of that delightful peach cordial makes me heave.

I don’t understand how modern medicine can be so advanced and we still gotta drink gallons of powdery citrus sweat.