Ibs d and not keeping well

[Laxmik]

So had a flare up last Sunday. Was feeling better in the week. But this Saturday got up with a doggy stomach again. Feeling so down and frustrated. Don’t know what to do. Had a good eight months before this with absolutely no problems. So frustrating. Also would like to know how do people who have to work everyday combat the D. Is Imodium the only way? Also how many do you take in a day.

Sorry guys to update again in just few hours. But having a miserable night. Very uncomfortable and can’t sleep. No pain though. Anyone experience this? Not being able to sleep at night.

Update:

Hi everyone. Just wanted to update. Went to my gastroenterologist. He gave me a five day course of rifaximin. And probiotic for next twenty days. Feeling all better for now eating healthy. Hopefully will be back to normal in coming days. I wanted to thank everyone again for their wonderful replies.

[Angelreader]

Hi, sorry you struggling at the moment and I too am looking at a second Saturday night unable to go to bed 😟 It's happening a lot to me since a really bad attack at Christmas and it's switched from IBS D to IBS C! Pre- Christmas I had it under some sort of control, I had breakfast really early - 2 hours before I needed to leave the house for work - and would go to the toilet 3 times before I could go to work even if it meant being a bit late. I didn't eat lunch, just a bag of plain crisps if I felt hungry then ate normally when I got in from work. Since Christmas I can't seem to get it back under control and am finding it very frustrating, and stressful....which doesn't help matters! The bloating is horrendous, my stomach goes as tight as a drum and the nausea, especially for the first 2 hours is hard to handle. My stomach appears to calm down but when I try to lie down it comes back with s vengeance so I sit up until 3 or 4am or even don't go to bed at all. I've learned, in these last 10 weeks that I'm mostly ok if I eat a small breakfast, like a slice of gluten free toast, then a light lunch and a light meal when I get in from work no later than 7pm. However I'm still not used to it and sometimes really hungry when I get home so have too much for my tea or eat too late then I'm suffering all night.

Sorry, I seem to have rambled on rather a lot 🤐 and not been able to answer your question about imodium but wanted you to know you not alone with this whole not sleeping at night thing, I came onto the site as I was feeling rather low and it helps to know my symptoms are not unusual, stops me feeling as anxious. Hope someone else can help you with the imodium question.

[Laxmik in reply to Angelreader]

Thanks so much for your reply. I am glad to hear from you. How do you manage work and not sleeping at nite? In fact after writing my post I managed to get couple hours of sleep. So feeling better. Hope you get relief too. Please message me in case you ever feel like talking.

[Angelreader in reply to Laxmik]

It's only happened a couple of times on a work night and I rang in sick the first time and was able to have an admin day working from home on the 2nd occasion. Most of my bad nights have been on a Saturday night, probably because I've eaten more food as not been at work. I also had 3 bad nights out of 7 while recently on holiday....that was fun! It resulted in ruining our valentine's dinner, I started to feel nauseous as soon as we walked into the restaurant, it was the smell of the food 🤢 The joy of IBS!

Glad you managing some sleep, I'm going to give it a try in another hour or so.

I've decided to go back to the restrictive phase of the Low FODMAP diet for 4 weeks to 'reset' myself then re-do the introduction phase as things have changed with my symptoms so much in the past 2 months.

Will do, you too 😊

[Whoopdedoo]

Sorry to hear.

I know everyone is different but there are probably 2 factors.

First is the stress. At the weekend you relax which changes your system and 2, you probably know, is keeping sensible with the food.

I drive 20 miles and had to make emergency stops over the years.

My doctor told me to take Imodium on a regular basis every day but I find they are more effective if you only take one or two when needed.

No coffee before driving to work and only light breakfast keeps me generally safe.

Good luck.

[Laxmik]

Ya stress is one of my main triggers. Thanks for the advice.

[Carlettejaque]

You need to get a handle on your diet. You have to stay on a low Fodmaps diet with no fruit or tomatoes. Cut out all lactose and dont substitute with soy or coconut milk as they can aggravate your gut. I would avoid soy altogether. A lot of people are yeast intolerant too. Dknt whatever you do drink anything fizzy or have alcohol. Having a restricted diet may sound awful but it stops pain and the runs. One good food that has all the vitamins in and is tasty is Farleys rusks. If you take Imodium it might hold irritating foods in the gut for longer causing pain. Oh and some indigestion medications can cause IBS flare ups, particularly ones like Omeprazole.

[BlackCat16]

Hi there, sorry to hear of your troubles, I know it’s frustrating. I take a prescription, Viberzi, to control the D and cramps. It doesn’t help too much with gas and nausea though :/ I struggle with these daily and sometimes cannot eat more than a few bites of my meal which has made it hard to gain back weight that I lost a few years ago due to stress (30lbs). I had a proctologist tell me to take Imodium about a year ago when I was first having symptoms and was nonstop D for almost two months. When I told my PCP and GI about the doctor suggesting Imodium (for extended periods of time) they both had a very concerned look on their face and told me that I shouldn’t be taking it long term. I never took Imodium more than a few days since the label says not to take it more than 5-7 days or whatever. I have read a lot of people on here take Imodium on the regular but I don’t think it’s meant to be taken long term. Have you tried prescription Xifaxan? It’s a two week system and supposed to regulate your gut bacteria. Some people go months without another flare up and have to take the Xifaxan again. It didn’t work for me so that’s why I take the Viberzi. I believe Viberzi is the only FDA approved drug for IBS-D, at least in the US. If you don’t have your gallbladder you can’t take it though, it can cause pancreatitis. Hope this helps

[Laxmik in reply to BlackCat16]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have taken rifaximin nine months ago and it worked very well for me didn’t give me any symptoms for almost eight nine months. Also completely eliminated my gas. So may ask my doctor if i can take it again. I don’t use Imodium also. It doesn’t suit me.

[BlackCat16 in reply to Laxmik]

That’s really good! If it’s different from the xifaxan I may ask my doc about that as well, he hasn’t suggested anything for the gas and nausea but I just started seeing him (2nd GI, I felt like my first one didn’t give two shits about me lol). Maybe you could try again and have another 8-9 mo symptom free!! Good luck 😊

[BlackCat16 in reply to BlackCat16]

Lol I see now that they are the same, glad it worked for you!!

[Laxmik in reply to BlackCat16]

Yes I think they are. Hopefully my doctor will prescribe it again. Let’s see.

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Hi there,

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[Roukaya]

Dear Laxmik

I read your post

I wonder if there is something you have eaten or if your anxiety is causing your current illness

I usually take Imodium to combat the disrrorrea

How are you coping with the onset of the Corona virus

It is spreading rapidly in UK

I take day by day and I get very worried

I go out very little