IBS

sullivlo

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh lordy another week of cramps, bloating, and an inability to eat anything. I've been like this since Monday and as is often the case with a flair up I have zero idea why. I haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary. The only thing different has been organic pears but surely they can't be the cause. I have a cramp right across the middle of my stomach and a mild ache in my lower belly. Also my bowels are out of character Yikes.

Colpermin isn't working. Even drinking water makes me feel uncomfortable. So I have nexium. I just hope that works.

What do you guys do when you find yourself in a heap or do you have it fairly under control?

I'm in a flare too. Can't get it under control at all. I can't put my finger on what is causing it.

I had a tummy bug about 4 weeks ago, I have had awful issues since.

sullivlo

sullivlo wrote: »

I'm in a flare too. Can't get it under control at all. I can't put my finger on what is causing it.

I had a tummy bug about 4 weeks ago, I have had awful issues since.

It's an awful dose. Hopefully the pair of us will get a bit of relief in the coming days.

livedadream

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh lordy another week of cramps, bloating, and an inability to eat anything. I've been like this since Monday and as is often the case with a flair up I have zero idea why. I haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary. The only thing different has been organic pears but surely they can't be the cause. I have a cramp right across the middle of my stomach and a mild ache in my lower belly. Also my bowels are out of character Yikes.

Colpermin isn't working. Even drinking water makes me feel uncomfortable. So I have nexium. I just hope that works.

What do you guys do when you find yourself in a heap or do you have it fairly under control?

pears are high on the FODMAPS as an FYI.

hope you feel better soon though doll!

witchgirl26

I was going to say about the pears being high in FODMAPS too. They are yummy though. Hope you start feeling better.

sullivlo - I always find it takes me ages to get back to an even keel after a stomach bug. Hope you start feeling better soon.

Thanks girls. I've heard of the FODMAP diet alright. I must have a good look at it.
I bet it was the feckin pears. I know that pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, carrots, most cheeses, apples, and anything fried are my triggers. Funnily enough I can eat icecream and chocolate no bother.

Oh and green pesto is a definite no no.

God I'd murder some curry chips :pac:

livedadream

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks girls. I've heard of the FODMAP diet alright. I must have a good look at it.
I bet it was the feckin pears. I know that pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, carrots, most cheeses, apples, and anything fried are my triggers. Funnily enough I can eat icecream and chocolate no bother.

Oh and green pesto is a definite no no.

God I'd murder some curry chips :pac:

http://www.ibsdiets.org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/


thats so funny because when im flaring all i can eat are: pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, anything beige basically.

witchgirl26

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks girls. I've heard of the FODMAP diet alright. I must have a good look at it.
I bet it was the feckin pears. I know that pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, carrots, most cheeses, apples, and anything fried are my triggers. Funnily enough I can eat icecream and chocolate no bother.

Oh and green pesto is a definite no no.

God I'd murder some curry chips :pac:

I've been singing it's praises to everyone lately. I know that it doesn't work for everyone but I've been off my "before all meals" IBS tablets now for the past almost 3 months just using it! So happy But do go to someone for it because it can be confusing!

I'm so envious of the ice-cream eating ability. I'm going to trial run mature cheese to see how bad the lactose intolerance is and if I can sneakily have some (like I used to be able to).

livedadream

livedadream wrote: »

http://www.ibsdiets.org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/


thats so funny because when im flaring all i can eat are: pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, anything beige basically.

Thanks for that link.

It's so strange the way it hits people in different ways. I've suffered with it for years. It's probably time I have another colonoscopy but I can't keep the kleen prep stuff down. Disaster.

sullivlo

livedadream wrote: »

http://www.ibsdiets.org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/


thats so funny because when im flaring all i can eat are: pasta, bread, most soups, potatoes, anything beige basically.

OMG! I was just about to post that. I can't deal with anything remotely healthy unless it's in liquid form during a flare. Accidentally had some coleslaw. It did not end well. I basically live on beige foods and eggs during a flare. White beige food as the brown stuff seriously hurts.

I did FODMAP and identified trigger foods. I cut them out. Mostly.

I think my IBS originally began after food poisoning. I'm IBS-C and reliant on meds. It's usually mostly controlled - have a system. But something has set me off and I'm crippled and I look 7 months pregnant. I'm considering changing into a pair of shorts in work as I wore jeggings today and they are aching me.

My back is in spasm. My bowel is in spasm. I have brain fog. I can't sleep with the pain.

Taking colpermin but that upsets my reflux. Taking buscopan but that makes the constipation worse. Taking colofac which seems to help the bloating but not the pain.

I need some relief because I'm in bits. Running to the loo. Pain. Bleeding. More pain. It just sucks.

And it really frustrates me when people say "I know how you feel" when I say I have IBS. I doubt they do, unless they need yearly colonoscopies to rule out the IBS masking anything sinister, or unless they've needed hospitalisation for dehydration from puking, or had bowel obstructions from not being able to poo.

I just wanna curl up in bed. With beige food.

livedadream

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for that link.

It's so strange the way it hits people in different ways. I've suffered with it for years. It's probably time I have another colonoscopy but I can't keep the kleen prep stuff down. Disaster.

can you try the other stuff? like just try picolax?

yeah i can go out and have the dirtiest burger and chips and be grand. one salad and its curtains.

**** crohns (i know this is the IBS forum but its pretty much the same thing either way it all comes down to defective poops)

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

I think my IBS originally began after food poisoning. I'm IBS-C and reliant on meds. It's usually mostly controlled - have a system. But something has set me off and I'm crippled and I look 7 months pregnant. I'm considering changing into a pair of shorts in work as I wore jeggings today and they are aching me.

I follow Mark Pimentel on Twitter and he's one of the leading researchers in IBS in the Mayo clinic in the US and he think a lot of cases of IBS are triggered by food poisoning. In fact there's a new test out (only in US for the moment) called IBS-chek that checks for the antibodies that would indicate post-infectious IBS. I know it's not a cure but it's nice to have a confirmation that, no it's not caused by 'stress' (two doctors told me this grrrr)

He also proposes that IBS-C is caused by an overgrowth of methane emitting bacteria in the small intestine. He's working to develop a new treatment for it which is in trials at the moment. Fingers crossed it will do some good.

For the meantime have you ever tried magnesium citrate powder? It's great for IBS-C because it acts in several ways:

1. It's draws water into the bowel softening stool making it easier to pass
2. It's a natural muscle relaxant and soothes spasming
3. It gently supports motility
4. It has overall anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

I recommend the natural calm brand, start very slow with 1 teaspoon in water a day. If that doesn't do the trick after 4 days, add another .5 teaspoon and so on.

This is DEFINITELY not for IBS-D folks as it will make them worse.

But I do recommend vitamin D to both IBS-C and D as it's great for reducing all round bowel inflammation.

sullivlo

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

I follow Mark Pimentel on Twitter and he's one of the leading researchers in IBS in the Mayo clinic in the US and he think a lot of cases of IBS are triggered by food poisoning. In fact there's a new test out (only in US for the moment) called IBS-chek that checks for the antibodies that would indicate post-infectious IBS. I know it's not a cure but it's nice to have a confirmation that, no it's not caused by 'stress' (two doctors told me this grrrr)

He also proposes that IBS-C is caused by an overgrowth of methane emitting bacteria in the small intestine. He's working to develop a new treatment for it which is in trials at the moment. Fingers crossed it will do some good.

For the meantime have you ever tried magnesium citrate powder? It's great for IBS-C because it acts in several ways:

1. It's draws water into the bowel softening stool making it easier to pass
2. It's a natural muscle relaxant and soothes spasming
3. It gently supports motility
4. It has overall anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

I recommend the natural calm brand, start very slow with 1 teaspoon in water a day. If that doesn't do the trick after 4 days, add another .5 teaspoon and so on.

This is DEFINITELY not for IBS-D folks as it will make them worse.

But I do recommend vitamin D to both IBS-C and D as it's great for reducing all round bowel inflammation.

Yeah, magnesium citrate gave me horrific cramps. It was not pleasant. My tummy is weird. Even though it's IBS-C, everything that comes out is D.

My original GI is heavily involved in research. In fact he also works in Mayo Clinic now. He was involved in developing reselor and alflorex. And other drugs too.

I did my PhD in digestion and collaborated a bit with him. Interesting having project meetings mid colonoscopy

I've researched getting SIBO testing done in Ireland but haven't had much joy. Lots of my issue is caused by problems in my small intestine. I also have adhesions which is great craic.

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

Yeah, magnesium citrate gave me horrific cramps. It was not pleasant. My tummy is weird. Even though it's IBS-C, everything that comes out is D.

My original GI is heavily involved in research. In fact he also works in Mayo Clinic now. He was involved in developing reselor and alflorex. And other drugs too.

I did my PhD in digestion and collaborated a bit with him. Interesting having project meetings mid colonoscopy

I've researched getting SIBO testing done in Ireland but haven't had much joy. Lots of my issue is caused by problems in my small intestine. I also have adhesions which is great craic.

Jaysus, that sounds super tough, so your all up to date on the research then! You can get a remote test for SIBO. I did the glucose test for this one:

http://www.metsol.com/hydrogen-breath-test/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/

They don't allow auto ordering to Ireland but you can email them they are lovely to deal with.

It turned out negative and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have done the lactulose one instead. But even the breath test doesn't have exceptional accuracy.

El_Dangeroso

While I'm throwing it out there have you tried krill oil? Worked a treat for me in an IBS-D flare.

There's some early studies on it for crohn's that look positive.

livedadream

yeah i dunno about krill oil im fierce weary of alternative therapy... had a bad experience with reflexology a few years ago.

sullivlo

livedadream wrote: »

yeah i dunno about krill oil im fierce weary of alternative therapy... had a bad experience with reflexology a few years ago.

I'm the exact same with alternative treatments, however there is actually a trial ongoing in Cork on the effect of omega 3 fatty acids in reducing IBS symptoms. More for IBS-D though.

I have tried O3FA to no avail.

Just a note on krill oil. I spent 2 years working on the food that they eat (phytoplankton) and the effects that they have on inflammatory conditions (colitis being one), so I know how they work. And we did see positive results. So whilst krill is "alternative", there is sound science behind it.

You'd swear I actively seek out digestive themed jobs. I don't. I swear. The current one is vaccines.

We do use ecoli though, which is found in poo. That's the only link

livedadream

sullivlo wrote: »

I'm the exact same with alternative treatments, however there is actually a trial ongoing in Cork

yeah my specialist is working on it

sullivlo wrote: »

Just a note on krill oil. I spent 2 years working on the food that they eat (phytoplankton) and the effects that they have on inflammatory conditions (colitis being one), so I know how they work. And we did see positive results. So whilst krill is "alternative", there is sound science behind it.

yeah my dad took it for arthritis for a bit and it did work.
i dunno im sticking with the drugs and peppermint tea

sullivlo

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

While I'm throwing it out there have you tried krill oil? Worked a treat for me in an IBS-D flare.

There's some early studies on it for crohn's that look positive.

For chrons it's the other compounds in krill that work rather than the oil. Similar compounds can be found in other foods, but I haven't tried them.

The pathway involved is a tricky one. It shouldn't really reduce inflammation, but it does. However it also has an effect on the CNS and is linked to Alzheimer's, so lots more work is needed before recommending it as a treatment.

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

For chrons it's the other compounds in krill that work rather than the oil. Similar compounds can be found in other foods, but I haven't tried them.

The pathway involved is a tricky one. It shouldn't really reduce inflammation, but it does. However it also has an effect on the CNS and is linked to Alzheimer's, so lots more work is needed before recommending it as a treatment.

Ya krill oil is fascinating, look forward to seeing more research on it.

Can you post the link to the research linking it to Alzheimer's? All the research I've seen have indicated the phospholipids should be beneficial for brain disorders.

I don't know if krill oil counts as an 'alternative therapy' any more than peppermint tea does. In any case I'd only recommend a short course of 3-4 weeks to overcome a flare, it's not a stay on it for the rest of your life style thing.

sullivlo

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Ya krill oil is fascinating, look forward to seeing more research on it.

Can you post the link to the research linking it to Alzheimer's? All the research I've seen have indicated the phospholipids should be beneficial for brain disorders.

I don't know if krill oil counts as an 'alternative therapy' any more than peppermint tea does. In any case I'd only recommend a short course of 3-4 weeks to overcome a flare, it's not a stay on it for the rest of your life style thing.

It's not the phospholipids that cause it. I'm gone from work now but I'll try remember to link it on Monday

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

It's not the phospholipids that cause it. I'm gone from work now but I'll try remember to link it on Monday

Thanks! I'm wary about any drug or supplement long term. But goddamn if krill oil didn't save my (metaphorical) life a few times. Wouldn't be staying on it for years though.

livedadream

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

I don't know if krill oil counts as an 'alternative therapy' any more than peppermint tea does. In any case I'd only recommend a short course of 3-4 weeks to overcome a flare, it's not a stay on it for the rest of your life style thing.

It's not so much the alternative thing that I use peppermint tea I just don't drink tea or coffee so peppermint tea is the only thing I can stomach during a flare

El_Dangeroso

livedadream wrote: »

It's not so much the alternative thing that I use peppermint tea I just don't drink tea or coffee so peppermint tea is the only thing I can stomach during a flare

Oh I love peppermint tea too, I find caffeine very irritating to my digestion which is a shame 'cos I used to be a coffee fiend.:(

Emmaline81

I have suffered with IBS for many years now and find that the irritants are many and varied and change almost weekly. Sometimes I can eat something spicy but then another time it will affect me really badly so far better to avoid than chance a flare up.

I think the best way forward is everything in moderation or perhaps just a taster. :happy:

sullivlo

I may need to admit defeat and make an appointment with my doctor. I'm not getting any relief from the spasms, bloating and pain. I'm in a tricky position - if I don't take my meds I don't go (missing one day meant not going for almost 6 days), but if I do take them I'm running to the loo every 20 mins and that hurts like crazy.

I actually wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!!! Lying in bed willing myself to get dressed and cycle to work, but I know that the repetitive movement of cycling will hurt my tummy. Trying to think what I can eat for breakfast - I usually have porridge but anything with fibre is agony. I can't have cereal and milk as milk aggrevates my reflux when I'm in a flare so I tend to throw things back up if they're too milky.

Gah!

livedadream

sullivlo wrote: »

Trying to think what I can eat for breakfast - I usually have porridge but anything with fibre is agony. I can't have cereal and milk as milk aggrevates my reflux when I'm in a flare so I tend to throw things back up if they're too milky.

Gah!

i tend to stick to beige food during a flare Sullivlo, toast, mash potato, rice.

the beiger the better, hope your okay.

sullivlo

Ah yeah, I'm all about the beige. Plain chicken and pasta (doesn't hurt me!) for dinner. It just seems like an odd breakfast :pac:

livedadream

sullivlo wrote: »

Ah yeah, I'm all about the beige. Plain chicken and pasta (doesn't hurt me!) for dinner. It just seems like an odd breakfast :pac:

tuc crackers?

dry cereal, plain rice kripsies is one i have alot, just to settle my stomach.

toast, bread and butter.

witchgirl26

I swear by dry cornflakes (with a little bit of sugar) during a really bad flare.

But yeah I'm also all about the beige when it's bad - waffles, chicken nuggets or burgers, rice, plain pasta, crackers. You think it would make me hate these foods but I still love them! To me they're almost comfort food at this point!

sullivlo

For me I always resort to scrambled eggs and tomato soup when nothing will stay down. I haven't reached that stage yet so hopefully I don't.

Will stick to the beige today - chicken sambo!

livedadream

sullivlo wrote: »

For me I always resort to scrambled eggs and tomato soup when nothing will stay down. I haven't reached that stage yet so hopefully I don't.

Will stick to the beige today - chicken sambo!

im the same with eggs only the whites though cant do tomato soup coz of the acidity.

broth, bovril helps if im really hungry and it sounds gross but bread and butter with some gravy is actually tasty.

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

I may need to admit defeat and make an appointment with my doctor. I'm not getting any relief from the spasms, bloating and pain. I'm in a tricky position - if I don't take my meds I don't go (missing one day meant not going for almost 6 days), but if I do take them I'm running to the loo every 20 mins and that hurts like crazy.

I actually wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!!! Lying in bed willing myself to get dressed and cycle to work, but I know that the repetitive movement of cycling will hurt my tummy. Trying to think what I can eat for breakfast - I usually have porridge but anything with fibre is agony. I can't have cereal and milk as milk aggrevates my reflux when I'm in a flare so I tend to throw things back up if they're too milky.

Gah!

That sucks. Have you ever found a pattern for what triggers a flare for you? I was dying all day yesterday, my whole disgestive system just seemed sore, even my go to bland foods of chicken rice and popcorn seemed to irritate.

Wake up this morning, absolutely fine. Like yesterday never happened.

sullivlo

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

That sucks. Have you ever found a pattern for what triggers a flare for you? I was dying all day yesterday, my whole disgestive system just seemed sore, even my go to bland foods of chicken rice and popcorn seemed to irritate.

Wake up this morning, absolutely fine. Like yesterday never happened.

Tummy hasn't been right since I had a tummy bug a few weeks back. I think that was the initial trigger.

Then I probably didn't help myself in some of what I ate while recouperating - I ate a lot of salads because of the good weather.

Salads are normally okay, but with my system already under strain it was probably silly of me to challenge it.

And in terms of why it won't calm down... I don't really know. I have been really busy in work and doing a lot of cycling. I've been a little bit stressed too. Usually I get a few hours of downtime over a week/weekend, but that doesn't seem to have happened recently. I think I just need a few days off to chill and try get myself sorted. Go on the eggs and tomato soup diet to give my system a chance to get back on track without having to work too hard.

El_Dangeroso

sullivlo wrote: »

And in terms of why it won't calm down... I don't really know. I have been really busy in work and doing a lot of cycling. I've been a little bit stressed too. Usually I get a few hours of downtime over a week/weekend, but that doesn't seem to have happened recently. I think I just need a few days off to chill and try get myself sorted. Go on the eggs and tomato soup diet to give my system a chance to get back on track without having to work too hard.

Yeah, stress definitely doesn't help. It's funny how we are all different though, eggs are one of the first things I become intolerant to when in a flare. It's the dead giveaway as I manage fine with them when healthy (and I love eggs!)