IBS/IBD sufferers...

[ThisIsMyDragName]

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 - UK's Most Recommended Brand

6 scientifically researched probiotic strains with FOS prebiotics. Supports digestive health. Perfect for every day use. 30 capsules. Most recommended UK brand

www.optibacprobiotics.com

I went out and got these after your recommendation. It’s made things easier for me. I think what’s going on with my body is a pure stress reaction and I’m still incredibly stressed and anxious, so I still have bad guts, but they’re less bad and that makes life more manageable.

 

[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.

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

@Shoegal17 @Jelly Bean - Are you both reducing your fat intake? My wife has BAM, and as well as taking Colestyramine, the consultant basically said you need to only eat foods where the 'Traffic Light' on foods is Green for Fat.

 

[Jelly Bean]

@Shoegal17 @Jelly Bean - Are you both reducing your fat intake? My wife has BAM, and as well as taking Colestyramine, the consultant basically said you need to only eat foods where the 'Traffic Light' on foods is Green for Fat.

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.

 

[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!

 

[Jelly Bean]

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!

Oh thanks for that.
Funnily enough it was seaside chips that set my issues off again after years of it being OK (after an IBD diagnosis ages ago). I had genuinely thought I was 'better' but obviously it is a chronic condition.
Another poster here recommended silicolgel which is another treatment you can take an hour before a meal and sort of coats the gut so food doesn't over stimulate it. I save it for times I'm not sure what will be on offer to eat and don't want to be *that* mega fussy person (though I know it there is no shame in that) and unsure of toilet situation.
A close family member has just been diagnosed with Crohn's. Hospital and GP being a bit hopeless really and have just left him to his own devices after the diagnosis.
I think he's on some medication, but no advice with diet or lifestyle. I know very little about it tbh - can a specific diet help/relieve things?

 

[MickeyMouseClubhouse]

Oh thanks for that.
Funnily enough it was seaside chips that set my issues off again after years of it being OK (after an IBD diagnosis ages ago). I had genuinely thought I was 'better' but obviously it is a chronic condition.
Another poster here recommended silicolgel which is another treatment you can take an hour before a meal and sort of coats the gut so food doesn't over stimulate it. I save it for times I'm not sure what will be on offer to eat and don't want to be *that* mega fussy person (though I know it there is no shame in that) and unsure of toilet situation.
A close family member has just been diagnosed with Crohn's. Hospital and GP being a bit hopeless really and have just left him to his own devices after the diagnosis.
I think he's on some medication, but no advice with diet or lifestyle. I know very little about it tbh - can a specific diet help/relieve things?

Initially you're often put on Steroids to get some inflammation down and until they get you on something more permanent. You can help by not eating certain foods.

It can take a while to get all the tests done to make sure you are fit for Immunosuppressants. They need to check that you have resistance to TB and that you're not HIV Positive or have other Viruses.

The Crohn's and Colitis UK site was my savior as there was lots to learn, and decisions to make on medication, and lifestyle changes - Crohn's and Colitis UK site

 

[FoxyBingo]

Just parking myself here. I haven't been diagnosed with IBS, but I struggle massively with anxiety and panic attacks - this is all pretty much since lockdown to be honest. I feel I get really bad cramps at the bottom of my stomach when I feel most anxious. Anyone experienced this or have any tips?

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Just parking myself here. I haven't been diagnosed with IBS, but I struggle massively with anxiety and panic attacks - this is all pretty much since lockdown to be honest. I feel I get really bad cramps at the bottom of my stomach when I feel most anxious. Anyone experienced this or have any tips?

Solidarity, I could have written this myself. I have not worked out a solution but @Jellybean recommended Optibac to me and it has returned me back to ‘normal’ compared to going to the loo several times a day.

 

[swimming]

Does anyone sometimes out of where get the feeling like you’ve got thousands of butterflies in your stomach and the feeling you need the loo but nothing comes? I’m dealing with this right now. Been trying to leave the house with my 3 year old for an hour. It comes on out of nowhere and I’m wondering could it be anxiety related? (Even though I don’t think im anxious?!). Then I get a bit cold and shivery, then pains like trapped gas in my belly. And repeat.

I’ve had enough to be honest. My stomach quite literally is in charge of my life and I suffer from health anxiety quite badly so it’s just a bad cycle to be stuck in

 

[Summer2011]

I am diagnosed coeliac and I keep having episodes (4 in the last 6 month) where my stomach feels painfully heavy, I’m get extremely nauseous, fatigued and so unwell. But I’m never actually sick (I think I hold onto it as I’m terrified of vomit) but it’s controlling my life as it lasts for over a week.

 

[swimming]

I am diagnosed coeliac and I keep having episodes (4 in the last 6 month) where my stomach feels painfully heavy, I’m get extremely nauseous, fatigued and so unwell. But I’m never actually sick (I think I hold onto it as I’m terrified of vomit) but it’s controlling my life as it lasts for over a week.

Just to say, have you spoken to the doctor about potentially suffering with some acid reflux?

I am also terrified of vomiting (life long issues), but I sometimes feel SO sick when I am having a flare up of my bowel issues and the GP gave me some omeprozole 20mg and explained it might be acid. Well I took the tablet and it worked.

 

[Summer2011]

Just to say, have you spoken to the doctor about potentially suffering with some acid reflux?

I am also terrified of vomiting (life long issues), but I sometimes feel SO sick when I am having a flare up of my bowel issues and the GP gave me some omeprozole 20mg and explained it might be acid. Well I took the tablet and it worked.

Yes he prescribed me some too. Although it took me ages to take a tablet, out of fear

 

[Summer2011]

I am diagnosed coeliac and I keep having episodes (4 in the last 6 month) where my stomach feels painfully heavy, I’m get extremely nauseous, fatigued and so unwell. But I’m never actually sick (I think I hold onto it as I’m terrified of vomit) but it’s controlling my life as it lasts for over a week.

Just quoting myself to say flare up number 5. Started yesterday feeling unwell after eating eggs & some orange juice. Slept on and off all day then felt unwell during the night. Went to the toilet a number of times but nothing alarming. Haven’t been able to stomach a thing today other than flat lemonade & I am exhausted. Hopefully it passes soon! But it’s just so random, nobody in the house becomes unwell or ‘catches’ it from me. Hopefully though if I have it now it should mean I’m alright for the festive period! Hope everyone is feeling okay.