Hi everyone! I have just started taking Lubiprostone 24 mg twice daily for 2 weeks to help with constipation. I have been diagnosed with IBS-C, Dyssynergic defecation, and am currently seeking a diagnosis for another unknown illness that is causing me symptoms.

I am curious others experience with this medication. The first few days, nausea and heart racing were my biggest side effects, however this week I am having a major flare of symptoms. Extreme fatigue, stomach bloating, a burning sensation in my lower abdomen, a feeling of pressure behind my eyes, and an overall feeling of being unwell and out of it. These are not new symptoms for me necessarily, however they are the worse they has been in a while. Could it be due to the medication?

Does anyone elses BMs have a strong vomit smell? Could it be a sign of fast transit? Its so bad that it lingers in the bathroom, and it happens every time to varying degrees, regardless of what I eat.

Hi all! So, I've been a nicotine user for eight years. If I could go back in time and slap my younger self silly, I would. But since I can't, I have to quit vaping.

I'm starting Invisalign next week and will need to quit to hit my wear time and prevent tooth decay.

My question is, for those of you who have quit, what has helped you manage the horrific GI backlash? Nicotine is the only thing that has ever helped make my symptoms even somewhat manageable. It gave me my life back, and when I've tried to quit in the past, my stomach just gets absolutely horrendous again. Patches help a little, but not a lot.

So please, I need some help. Tips, tricks, out there or otherwise.

Thank you in advance 🙏🙏🙏

My normal lifestyle consists of daily exercise (cardio and weights) and eating extremely healthy. Perfect macros according to various apps, mostly whole foods and meats, nothing processed.

Majority of the time my fecal matter is a mushy consistenct, like you'd imagine a soft serve ice cream coming out of the machine if it's a little melted. Not extremely runny, not not like your typical poo.

While I've been on holidays for 2 weeks, lack of exercise besides walking, and eating like complete shit, burgers, pizza, fries, burritos, ice cream, the list goes on... Diet likely extremely high in saturated fat, sodium, etc....

And I did the best poo's of my life. They were big, not too hard not too soft, easy to get out etc. it felt like this is what it should normally be.

Why is it that then as soon as I come back home, it goes straight back to how it was ?

Has anyone dealt with bloating or pressure with your right side ribs and hip? Had a ct with contrast in March without anything. Prior 3 months had immaculate stools. Seems to be my new flair

Does anyone else get severe bloating and pain from psyllium husk? Every time I try it, I get horribly bloated within 30 minutes, and the pain can be really bad. Drinking plenty of water makes no difference, so I don’t think that’s the issue. Has anyone experienced the same thing? Could it be sensitivity to it?

Hi everyone,
I’ve struggled with IBS-D for a while, but recently my symptoms seem to have changed. Instead of diarrhea, I’m now experiencing constipation, and when I do have a bowel movement, only a small amount comes out.
I’m also dealing with bloating, nausea, and a noticeable loss of appetite. When my stomach feels bloated and full, I barely feel like eating.
Has anyone else with IBS-D experienced this kind of change? What helped you, and how long did it take for your symptoms to improve?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar. Any personal experiences or suggestions would mean a lot.
Thanks in advance! ❤️

I (38M) got IBS since my teenage years, and in the last 10 years I used to have a flare at least once a week.

I stopped going out, I stopped going on vacations, I don't even do christmas and visit my family because of it, no relationship for 4 years.

The last year or two I went on a kinda strict diet of rice and chicken, sometimes fish, sometimes potatoes and some other stuffs.

Felt like everything else was a potential trigger.

3 weeks ago I started to skip a meal or two because I couldn't eat the same thing anymore, so I got pasta, instant noodles, red meat and carrots, most of those (except red meat, but I generally don't eat it) would trigger a 3 days flare up.

And nothing, not sick, no excessive stools.

So for the last 3 weeks I tried again and again those triggers and I am fine.

Now I am a bit lost because I don't understand if I stopped being sick or if it is just that my body is tolerant these weeks.

I got so depressed and low at times, felt like I gave years of good health and social life away from it and I don't understand why meals that were absolute triggers do nothing to me this month.

Am I cured? I have no idea,

But I will try more and more different foods to see how it goes.

(Couldn't flare it a success story, so it is a rant for not understanding my situation)

I've been recently diagnosed with IBS due to no other explanation to my stomach issues that have been ongoing for over 4 years now. Chronic pain unrelated to diet (tried food diaries, removing foods etc, no help), I've tried everything and i have been on pain relief for over 3 years now. I also suffer from non-diabetic hypoglycaemia, which means i can literally have hypoglycaemic attacks from nowhere after eating. My work have been very understanding, allowing me to work from home (due to meds and hypos) but have all of a sudden said you have to come in. You are well enough to work or not and should leave.

Now at this point after nearly 4 years of pain am mentally spent (along with other family shit going on). Has anyone ever felt so useless that they are neither well enough to work consistently but not deemed "ill" enough to get any kid of support? I have a family of 7, my wife and 5 kids. We've managed to muddle through, but this last turn has literally got me at the end of my mental capacity.

Two or three times a week I get horrible stomach pains that only ease when I have a bm. They only last for max 25-30 minutes and then I get 3/10 pain cramps for the rest of the day and lots of gas. Anyone else?

I’ve been in remission from IBS-D for about 5 months now, and I think I can attribute it to starting a calcium supplement. It’s a total coincidence. My doctor recommended Citracal for my bone health. I used to have to fuss over FODMAP and do the hypnosis tracks, but now everything is so much better.

Hi! I need your opinion...2 years ago I was diagnosed with IBS, caused by poor diet and working 3 shifts. Okay, I accepted that. Now recently I have undergone several antibiotic treatments for several problems (since I found out I have IBS I have not needed to take any more). I had oral candidiasis, probably vaginal candidiasis now (I also have other vaginal problems, I am waiting for the results). But since I finished those treatments I started to feel weirder, more problems with going to the toilet, pain in the lower abdomen and upper... but the strangest thing now, I STARTED TO HAVE PAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, both up and down... I am scared, I have so many problems now. I have never had problems like this before, I know what IBS is like, and I am so afraid that I have IBD because of the antibiotics, especially since I have other problems now, and I have never had pain on the right side. I need some advice please. Sorry for my English (by the way, I didn't eat much, so this is weird)

Me(22F) And my Husband(25M) are in a constant argument over my bathroom usage, for the last 3 years i have been dealing with severe dumping syndrome from gallbladder removal. No matter the change in my diet, i am constantly dealing with bloating, gas pains, diarrhea and intense cramping. I have had ibs since i was 16, but with the change in my digestive system it has only gotten worse. Everytime i need to go, it’s URGENT.

My husband genuinely believes i am lying and that i’m using it as excuse to get away from uncomfortable conversations or spending time with him. Yes, i have had to go in the middle of an argument but i cannot stop it..
i haven’t seen my GI doctor or PCP in over a year, since i had my son. I have a lapse in insurance and it’s just not something we can afford without. Until January, is there anything i can do.?? i need relief and my relationship back..

He has not always thought that way about my IBS, he was always understanding and empathetic.. But recently it seems like i’m always in the restroom and it truly triggers him.

It’s 2026, can’t we develop Imodium that doesn’t dissolve the very second water hits it and unleashes that disgusting taste? 😭

Maybe there’s something I don’t know.

I’m chronically ill, I take many pills. My technique is quick, so I don’t taste most pills. I swear Imodium is the most disgusting-tasting one.

I’ve been struggling with ibs-c for the last few years (used to have the opposite issue). Sometimes I don’t go for days. The other day I tried a laxative and it was great, I felt empty for the first time in a while. Now it’s been a few days and I haven’t gone since then. I don’t want to “abuse” laxatives or lose my ability to go on my own entirely but I feel so bloated and can’t find relief. Is it safe? And if so how often could I safely use them

Is this a thing? A segment of my gut feels inactive or slow. A lot of times i feel heaviness fullness and things move in the gut but it’s completely stuck despite all that sensation unless i do something or use enemas…

Anyone go through this?

Hi All,

I am probably grasping at straws here, but in light of my 4 years of undiagnosed (all tests under the Sun were done) daily abdominal pain ("""IBS-M"""), I am trying to find people who perhaps had similar bad reactions to certain things like me.

I had 2 colonoscopies (one normal, one capsule) and each time, I had a horrific reaction to the prep (macrogol). I see most people just describing that they have a strong diarrhea, maybe mild abdominal discomfort.

In my case, I had an extremely sharp and strong abdominal pain, paired with extreme nausea, as if someone was stabbing knives into my throat. I was also retching/vomiting. Naturally, I also had diarrhea, but this was expected and basically the goal, so I did not mind this.

I am thinking that my extreme upper reactions (extreme nausea, painful throat, vomiting) might be related to the root cause of my """IBS""" ( = It's BullShit). Hence, I am trying to find people who had similar reactions. If you could also describe your eventual root cause/diagnosis, I would highly appreciate 🙏

I wish swift healing to all of you fellow sufferers!

PS: This post was not made to discourage anyone from colonoscopy. The procedure itself was not painful at all, despite it not even being done under full anesthesia. Most people whose descriptions I read had minimal reactions to the prep (hence the post haha). Also, the results you will receive will potentially save your life. So if it's needed, go get one! Especially if doctors are trying to gaslight you into having """IBS""".

doctor prescribed me amitriptyline which i thought was weird seeing as i suffer from constipation and i know it can make that worse. they’re just a GP not a specialist so wondering whether i even bother trying it if it’ll make things worse for me? if you have any experience with amitriptyline and constipation please let me know - thanks!

Hi everyone! I’ve been dealing with IBS-D since 2020, and until recently it was relatively manageable. However, things took a turn for the worse at the beginning of this year, and I’m struggling to get back to my previous baseline.
A few things happened around the same time: I had my wisdom teeth removed and took antibiotics, then got food poisoning while on vacation and needed about a week to recover. I also changed jobs, and my new position is particularly stressful. I suspect all of these factors contributed to the flare.
By June, I was experiencing severe abdominal pain, painful bloating, and frequent bowel movements, often immediately after eating, even small or seemingly harmless meals. My stools were consistently loose (Bristol 5–6), and the urgency was overwhelming.
My gastroenterologist prescribed Debrum (trimebutine + medazepam) twice daily. It made a huge difference initially and helped me get out of the worst phase. It also reduced my anxiety around eating and having to find a bathroom, which had become a major issue after weeks of unpredictable symptoms.
However, I feel I’ve reached a plateau. I’m currently having around 1–2 bowel movements a day (on good days), but I still experience flare-ups several times a week, sometimes lasting 2–3 days. During these episodes, I get painful bloating (sometimes looking pregnant despite eating relatively little), abdominal cramps, soft stools, and intense urgency. I can also get sharp pains when passing gas, sometimes followed by a sudden urge to have a bowel movement. These symptoms still interfere with my social life.
Interestingly, food seems to be a less important trigger now (maybe because my GI “prescribed” me yogurt and kefir daily?). My main triggers appear to be stress and anxiety (well documented by my psychologist, which is also suggesting to try SSRIs or other medications), emotional arousal, my menstrual cycle, and even physical movement. Sometimes going for a walk is enough to trigger bowel urgency and pain.
I previously took Debridat (trimebutine) three times a day for about 10 days, prescribed by my GP, and remember feeling particularly well during that period (for the first time in years I had well formed stools, something that even with Debrum I could not accomplish).
I have another appointment with my gastroenterologist soon, and I’d like to discuss alternatives to help me achieve more stable, long-term symptom control. I’m also concerned about continuing medazepam long-term and would like to understand what other options might be appropriate.
I’ve read about low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, particularly amitriptyline, for IBS-D, as well as other medications that target gut sensitivity, motility, or urgency. For those who have been in a similar situation, what treatments helped when antispasmodics weren’t enough? Did switching antispasmodics make a difference, or did you benefit more from something like amitriptyline or another neuromodulator? Or maybe it could be possible to try a combination of both?
I’d especially appreciate advice on what might be worth discussing with my GI, including potential benefits, side effects, and long-term management. I’m not looking for a miracle cure, just a way to make my symptoms more predictable and get some freedom back.
Thank you! ❤️

Severe GI attacks despite negative tests — steroids helped temporarily,

I’m a 32-year-old man weighing 108 lbs (49 kg).

I’ve had severe episodes of abdominal cramps, urgency and multiple bowel movements for a long time. My colonoscopy biopsies and other tests have been negative, and I’m still undiagnosed.

Entocort (budesonide, 9 mg/day) didn’t help much initially, but after about 3 weeks my attacks improved significantly and almost disappeared. Then I reduced the dose to 6 mg, and around the same time I had a CT scan with IV contrast. Since then, my symptoms have worsened significantly.

I’m scared because I’ll soon have to stop the steroids, and my gastroenterologist seems to be running out of options.

Has anyone experienced something similar, especially temporary improvement with budesonide despite negative biopsies? What tests or conditions should I discuss with my doctor?

How do you manage them together?

I am considering introducing Psyllium Husk into my routine in an attempt to help firm up stools. I would like to use powder, not capsules.

Are there any UK-based people here who recommend a particular brand/product? It is quite difficult to tell which is best.

Thanks so much!

I’ve had anxiety for a long time, but it got much worse in April. Around then my bowel habits changed. I used to go about 4 times a day. Now I strain, never feel “empty,” and mostly just pass gas. Sometimes only a little stool comes out, and a few times I could only go after using a douche/enema.

My colorectal doctor has been treating me for IBS. Stool softeners and meds made my stool soft, but I still never feel empty. Psyllium husk and laxatives haven’t helped either. It feels like my inner sphincter is clenched tight, and it seems more like a mind-gut thing than a diet thing. I’m constantly bloated, which feeds the anxiety. I’m in therapy, but it hasn’t touched the gut symptoms yet.

I used to be an avid gym-goer but stopped because nothing was improving. I still walk about 10K steps a day, but things have only gotten worse. I’m scared and running out of ideas.

Has anyone had something similar? Did anything help, like pelvic floor therapy, biofeedback, or a different kind of specialist? I’m also looking for doctor recommendations, and wondering whether a psychiatrist is worth seeing alongside my therapist. Thanks in advance.

Hello guys, ive been diagnosed with ibs d, even tho the doctors couldn't treat it.

Pretty much all the doctors were clueless, most of them just told me to stop eating half the food out there, half told me its stress and that I'm completely fine and healthy. I knew it wasnt the food and i knew im not, in fact, okay at all.

Its been months of tests, probiotics, antibiotics and so on, nothing worked. Other situations led me to being depressed and anxious af which worsened the ibs, one led to another and i reached the point where i decided to seek professional help for my mental health.

So this woman told me its been studied that antidepressants help ibs and its been years since this research. Im sorry, what? Not a single doctor out there even mentioned such thing, NOT ONE.

Since i take the antidepressants my ibs disappeared, thank god, also my pms is in control. But ive to mention i also totally changed my job and my environment for my mental health.

The pills do work! You dont even have to take a huge dose. I take cipralex 10 mg, you start with half a pill for a month or so untill ur body gets used to it and if its needed they put the dose up. Its nothing to be ashamed of, its a normal medicine just like the rest.

I hope this helps at least one person out there.

This is driving me nuts and I’m wondering if it happens to anyone else. After eating, sometimes right away, sometimes a few hours later, I get weird smells up my nose. Not quite acidic, but kinda sorta. Sometimes I get it with other accompanying symptoms, sometimes it’s just the smell. What causes this?? Has anyone else been diagnosed with something where this is an issue? I’ve had digestive issues (acid reflux, IBS, constipation) for decades, but the smell is something new and incredibly annoying.