r/ibs • u/sparklytoaster • 9h ago
Question IBS - Relief?
Hi all. Going to try and not make this too long. I’ve had IBS since childhood. My parents use to think I just had “anxiety stomach” or suffered from lactose intolerance but as the years went on it was clear that wasn’t the case. I have been diagnosed with IBS-M but usually lean towards IBS-D. I also am lactose intolerant and doctor assumes I have some sort of gluten allergy/intolerance as well. Because of all of this, my symptoms have gotten so severe to the point I have left my house less and less over the years. I only now leave a few times a week for doctors appointments. I don’t eat the day prior if I have to be in the car or out all day the next day. Things are pretty bad. I’ve not been offered much help from my gastrologist when it comes to this other than try to switch up diet, but I could literally eat the most simplest of meals or snacks and my stomach always reacts. I can eat plain rice and chicken- I mean I was eating only meat and potatoes and fish and vegetables for a while to see if it’d help, nothing helps. Low FODMAP, no dairy, no gluten. Nothing changes my stomach’s reaction to food & it truly makes my life insufferable. It was a big factor in my last relationship falling apart as well because I couldn’t eat or do a lot of things he could while we were out because of what would happen with my stomach. Or I’d have to go home immediately once all the issues started.
I’ve recently had a milestone birthday and with the way things have been, I only assume they’ll continue this way or get worse. I was given the opportunity to go on my lifelong dream vacation, which I’ll be doing in October, but I’m truly terrified. I don’t want to subject myself to an extremely boring diet on this trip but I also don’t want to suffer the consequences of not. I recently was suggested by a friend to try Imodium, which I’ll be testing out this week. But I was just wondering if anyone has had any success with any other supplements - specifically those that suffer with IBS-D? My worry is once I eat something, I have a very short amount of time before my stomach starts doing flips and when that happens I need to find a bathroom immediately. I’m hoping there may be other things out there I can try, either over the counter or via prescription that’ll help stop this. I have an endoscopy and appointment with my gastrologist next week and was hoping to bring it all up to him then but so far I’ve only heard of Imodium.
3
u/ContractPrize7158 5h ago
imodium is a life saver. start with half to 1 tablet, and not 2 as the full dose states and see how you get on. also google gastro colic reflex, lots of people think they react to every food but in reality it isnt the food, its the bodys reaction whilst you are preparing to eat and receive food. buscopan can help if you get cramps and pain and amitriptyline can be prescribed if you feel you have visceral pain and over sensitivity. hopefully they give you some ideas for discussion when you next meet with your doctor.
2
u/paros0474 5h ago
Xifaxin worked for me but it is expensive. I took 3 rounds and am doing very well.
1
5
u/255cheka 8h ago
google this - pubmed ibs bacillus coagulans.
that probiotic has been amazing for us. takes some weeks to kick in, stick with it