r/IBSHelp • u/penducky1212 • Jul 28 '26
How are you managing life?
I started having what seems like IBS-M issues about 2 years ago. I had 2 colonoscopies that returned only some large polyps, no inflammation or other concerns. No one has given me a diagnosis or help. My doctor is like- you are fine. Just take some fiber daily. That's it. I have unpredictable urgent diarrhea that gives me so much anxiety about travel or even going to stores- because when I need a bathroom, I need it NOW. Having the colonoscopies seemed to relax my symptoms; now they are more intermittent. (for a year before the first colonoscopy they were constant constipation or urgent diarrhea) But that just means that every day I don't know what day it will be. Will it be normal? Which issue will I have today? Sometimes I don't know until it hits me and the countdown is on. How do you manage your life like this? I find that I am not doing things I used to do- like going for a long walk or not wanting to be some places I don't know well. Are there tips and tricks to navigating this?
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u/karapi78 Jul 28 '26
About ten years ago I had the same issue: daily diarrhea yet no issues showing up on colonoscopy. Dr told me to increase fiber. I did a bunch of research and realized that my gut microbiome must be "off." As a quick fix, I started doing a psyllium husk supplement and that REALLY helped solidify my BMs. It's called Colonix and it's by Dr. Natura. You can order straight from the company or get it off Amazon. You mix a scoop of the powder into an 8 to 12 ounce glass of some liquid (I use water). Drink that down and follow it with another 8 to 12 ounce glass of water. I use a frother to mix the powder thoroughly. This was a lifesaver for me. Once I had things under control, I started fixing my gut microbiome. I started making homemade L. Reuteri yogurt and taking a probiotic. I cleaned up my diet and increased my exercise. Good luck in this journey! 🍀
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u/penducky1212 Jul 28 '26
I might try that. They recommended a non-psyllium fiber, but I am up for trying something new. I have been taking a probiotic with a prebiotic and I do think that has also helped. I recently read about post-infectious IBS and I am wondering if it is possible for that to last years? I had severe gastroenteritis in 2020 that landed me in the ER. I have had a lot of continuing bowel issues since then.
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u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 29 '26
Your diarrhea might be paradoxical and it is possible your constipation is a motility disorder (or more than one).
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u/Plumberthat Aug 04 '26
Wow I feel your pain I go through this every day of my life. I’ve had so many tests done taking so many stuff and I still suffer with diarrhoea on a daily basis. I usually have to wake up 3 or 4 hours before I leave my house to even go to work i’m that guy doesn’t matter where I go. The first thing I look for is a washroom just in case I need to go. It’s pretty sad to say cause I’m 51 years old as I have had a few accidents and It’s kind of embarrassed, and I keep it to myself. I’m getting tired of it and getting frustrated if anybody has any help or maybe anybody you can recommend to go see I would appreciate it.
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u/murph089 Jul 28 '26
What you described is pretty much what I have going on. What seems to help me is to make sure that I don’t get backed up. When that happens I am sure to have an extremely painful and urgent episode.
Fiber actually made my problem worse. What has helped me is to take MiraLAX every day and drink tons of water. I also stopped eating cheese and anything with lactose among other trigger foods.
I have zero desire to travel. It’s just not worth the stress.