IBS/IBD sufferers...

[Blue raspberry slush pupp]

Im not sure about that , your stomach is so sensitive it could possibly irritate it even more. x

Yeah that’s my worry,I don’t want to make it worse but I’d love to feel empty haha!! Sorry

 

[swimming]

So this was a surprise.
I first went to my doctors about 2.5 years ago initially with awful symptoms. Went through the referral to gastro etc and he did a colonoscopy last year. He dismissed it as normal results and that was it. Get on and struggle. (I got the feeling he wasn’t interested anyway)

but last week I had a CT scan for something unrelated, and the ct report says I have diverticulitis in my sigmoid colon and I need referring to gastro.

How was this missed on the other tests? I’ve been suffering badly for years.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Thank you so much Will give them a try. I was having a cry earlier as feel very lonely wondering what’s wrong. No one really understands that isn’t in the same boat so find it hard to find support as people are nice but think it’s just an case of finding a toilet in time but it’s all the pain and exhaustion I find difficult to manage especially as I’m not really sure what I have yet. I hope you continue to find the probiotics helpful and thank you for replying

Ooh that is absolutely my pleasure and I hope they help.
I 100% get the floundering feeling. About 2 months ago I was at my wit's end with pain, fear, fear of food, tiredness, embarassment tbh, and just general confusion as to what was going on and what I was doing or not doing to make it worse. It all felt so out of control.
I really hope the tablets help you.
As I said they didn't cure everything but have made it so much more manageable as long as I am still careful with my diet. They're not a licence to eat whatever you want sadly
I don't take them every day now (after a couple of months) but about 3 times a week and still seem OK
I've accepted my guts will never be perfect and robust but manageable is the new normal.

@ThisIsMyDragName oh I'm so pleased they've helped. I honestly was amazed, and surprised as I had very low hopes, the difference they made and hoped it was the same for everyone.

 

[Olive16]

So today I had an episode - same symptoms as previous times - going to book to see a Dr tomorrow and push for further tests! This isn’t normal, it can’t be normal… feeling very drained and sorry for myself this evening.

 

[hol20x]

I got 4 hours sleep. That bowel prep is no joke. Without a doubt the worst thing I've ever tasted!

 

[Blahblah93]

I’m feeling exhausted, but I had about 3 hours sleep last night! I didn’t eat all day and then Mr DragName made us a nice, bland (in a good way) chicken noodle soup. I’ve had one or two stomach cramps but nothing like last night. Toilet trips are still not nice for either of us, though (me less nice than him). Whatever we did/ate on holiday that caused this, we really did a number on ourselves!

I really think you should go and see a doctor. Having unexplained stomach cramps this long can be dangerous. It's probably nothing but better safe than sorry. It sounds like it could be C-diff.

 

[hol20x]

I've got my colonoscopy tomorrow and I am terrified. Fasting starts now. Prep at 5pm and 9pm. Wish me luck.

 

[Bobbleowl90]

I have been diagnosed with IBS and started on mebeverine. I don’t think it’s making any difference at all to be honest.

I had a McDonald’s on Saturday and I’m still in agony with cramps and bloating. This is the worst flare up I’ve had, I’ve been in tears with it. Is there anything at all I can do it ease the pains?

 

[Shoegal17]

Omg I have BAM too.
Which prompted me to start the tablets. It was getting so out of hand and depressing. And restrictive.
I take Optibac from Holland and Barret. But it really was a case of standing there and going 'eeny meeny miny mo' tbh. It is overwhelming.
I don't think they'll make things worse for you. I was going to the loo about 16 times a day. I was worried too about making it worse (if possible) but I had nothing to lose tbh. The probiotic honestly made things better within a couple of days. I was so sceptical and was amazed so I don't think it can be all in my mind. I'm still mega careful with my diet and my particular triggers (pasta, bread, pastry amongst others) and still have blips but nothing like it was.

This is the one I usually take - often on special offer. About £10. But really they are all fairly similar.

Optibac Probiotics Every Day Capsules | Most Recommended UK Brand

6 scientifically researched probiotic strains with FOS prebiotics. Supports digestive health. Perfect for every day use. Most recommended UK brand

www.optibacprobiotics.com

Thank you so much Will give them a try. I was having a cry earlier as feel very lonely wondering what’s wrong. No one really understands that isn’t in the same boat so find it hard to find support as people are nice but think it’s just an case of finding a toilet in time but it’s all the pain and exhaustion I find difficult to manage especially as I’m not really sure what I have yet. I hope you continue to find the probiotics helpful and thank you for replying

 

[hol20x]

I’ve had IBS all my adult life, nothing I’ve ever tried seems to make much difference.

It’s 6am and I’ve had little to no sleep all night cos my stomach is in bits.

 

[Mollyoscar_]

After 12months remission, i had to stop my meds because of catching covid and an upper resp infection (on advice with the nurse at my gp) im now in a full blown flare. It started off with a bit of spotting but now theres blood and mucus and the feeling of needing to go and when i go, i just pass the blood. Iv been prescribed prednisone foam enema, im really nervous as iv only ever had oral pred and im shitting it (no pun intended)

 

[Blahblah93]

Thank you so much I feel a bit lost tbh. Especially when they just chalked it up to endometriosis. However I now take meds to stop ovulation so in theory if it was endo it would stop any flare ups.
When I'm well I am fine and think maybe it's all ok and I'm better but then I have a severe attack and I feel defeated.
I've been struggling for 18 years.
How did you get diagnosed?
And are there food that cause issues for you?
I can't pinpoint it but when I've eaten sometimes I immediately need to go to the loo of feel like I need to throw up.

My diognosis was quite unusual. I didn't really have any symptoms then one day had insane stomache pains, rushed up to hospital with a suspected appendicitis. They opened me up and found the majority of my bowel was completely fucked and cut it out, sent it off to be tested and it came back as Crohn's.
Crohn's is autoimmune disease so food doesn't really trigger a flare, but you can have IBS aswell and that is all food related. When im in a flare I do tend to avoid food with skins such as tomatoes, Sweetcorn etc as its hard to digest so when my intestines are all swollen food has a hard time getting through which can sometimes cause blockages.
I'm apart of quite alot of Facebook groups and would really suggest joining them. You can have a read of how people were diagnosed and treatment plans as its such a big spectrum of severity (just type in crohns UK and loads should pop up) . Fight for a diognosis and don't let them fob you off. Another great help is the crohns and colitis charity they have helplines and honestly it's a real comfort. You got this!

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

Hey guys, great news, I’ve tested positive for Covid this week!

IBD team have told me to stop taking Azathioprine for 2 weeks.

I’m not feeling too bad at the moment, oxygen levels fine, mostly achy, headachy and coughing.

I had infliximab last week so thinking this could be a slow recovery.
Anyone else have any experiences they can share or have any tips!?

 

[Hello Kitty]

Reading things like this really annoy me. I wish I could naturally heal my Crohn's

https://www.archive.is/oldest/https...veals-copes-incurable-lifelong-condition.html

 

[Holidaybobs]

Not sure if this is the right place to post. But, I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 13, I’m 27 now! For its entirety, I have had periods where it’s totally manageable and then awful for months on end. I also, seem to not be able to consume certain foods for a few years then I’m fine again (weird). Anyways, I’ve been suffering with nausea/vomiting, feeling faint and having hot flushes for the last ten years. I initially thought it was part of my IBS and lived with it. This last year it’s become absolutely awful and I had an endoscopy a few weeks ago. They said I have non erosive gastritis and have referred me to the specialists at hospital. Has anyone had gastritis and have any recommendations on how to ease it? I’m on omeprazole but, I don’t feel like it’s effective. I’ve read celery juice can help but, not sure! I’m willing to try anything as it’s currently controlling my life and I’ve never felt so bad. It’s also hard to explain to those around me because, they don’t understand how shocking I feel or why I don’t want to go out a lot of the time with them as I might take a funny turn.

If anyone has any tips, please let me know! Thanks in advance x

 

[Carapop]

Glad I found this post x I've got a large sliding hiatus hernia, diverticular disease and suffer with bloating, cramps and diaorhea. Anxiety can set it off. Certain foods. I'm type 2 diabetic and tried metformin and ozempic. Never pooed so much in all my life 🫣 serious though, I was housebound. The nurse kept saying persevere. Altogether, I had about 6 months of staying near the toilet.
Now, I'm on co codamol for pain so alternate between being bunged up or running to the loo. It takes over your life!

Oh god you poor thing. I’ve experienced 2/3 week bouts of chronic diarrhoea with insane anxiety alongside and it is as close to unbearable as I can imagine. But it’s interspersed with periods of normality. Months without a break sounds horrific. Do you have someone with you to support?

 

[Mollyoscar_]

Blerghhh 12months in remission, caught covid and got advised to stop meds to allow my body to fight it off and now im in a full blown flare, shitting blood multiple times a day, my back is in bits and i when im not at work im asleep because the fatigue is too much.
It takes at least 2days to hear back off the nurse, her voicemail says if in a flare contact gp or go a&e, so i had a tel appt with my gp who told me if im bleeding i need to.go a&e because she cant prescribe me anything because of the meds im on tbh the thought of waiting god knows how many hours in a crammed waiting room fills me with dread that id rather shut up and put up with it.
I dont get bad pain, i get uncomfortable bloating, back and joint pain, the bleeding & fatigue.

 

[Lucyxxxx]

My doctor has given me buscopan but tests ruled out chrons and IBD. I am lactose intolerant as well so obviously dairy out the window. I find I can't eat red meat or alot of things without being bloated and gassy for DAYS. Sometimes I'll have night sweats as well. Apparently everything is all normal but when I'm living on a diet of porridge, fruit, coconut milk and rice cakes clearly something is amiss.

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

Ugh so sorry you’ve got the dreaded Covid!! I tested positive 3 weeks ago and I have crohns, it didn’t affect my meds as I had my Infliximab infusion the week before.
Not gonna lie - it wasn’t pleasant! I couldn’t believe how poorly I was considering I’m double jabbed. But it only lasted around a week! I mainly suffered with vertigo, migraines and exhaustion plus a heavy head cold. Im feeling back to normal now but still having a nap every day, think it’ll just take a while. I’ve been in “remission” for a good few years but have always struggled with fatigue, so unsurprising it’s left me tired.
Really hope you have a fast recovery! Take care and make sure you get lots of rest xx

Yeah it hit me yesterday, mainly aches and fatigue. Luckily work have been really good about it, so I can take the time I need to get better

 

[Proof8]

And here is me sat pumped full of drugs and probably going to have an ileostomy soon. Knew I should of ate more apples n took more vitamins.