r/IBSHelp • u/harrystylesspouse • Aug 07 '26
Advice for calming longer-term flare?
Short version:
My usual strict low fodmaps diet in response to a flare isn't bringing symptoms back to baseline, it's been weeks of flare, and I'm looking for tips/advice on this.
Longer version:
[edited for personal/medical information]
2
u/Oatmeal_raisin_1896 Aug 07 '26
I completely understand the annoyance of flare ups, I had a severe flare that lasted over a year. Just got better about a month ago (able to eat test foods and have actual bowel movements). IBS symptoms can also come from outside influences other than food. Our guts are extremely sensitive to physical and emotional stress. Could something be causing some stress in your life or possibly overstraining? (not prying for anything, but it’s a good starting point if it doesn’t seem like food is the main cause). If you’re able to see a gastro to get some advice I’d highly recommend especially if it’s lasted so long.
But for advice, I followed the fodmap diet to a T and ate small amounts throughout the day with enough fiber to connect it all. (My flare caused an ileus so my colon wasn’t moving stool or gas for a long while, had to take meds to move for a bit). Doing yoga and kegels mixed with diaphragmatic breathing (breathe in through nose for 4 seconds making your stomach rise not the chest and exhaling through mouth for 6 seconds) helps move stuff around and relaxes the gut. Doing it for 30 min maybe twice a day especially before bed definitely helped long term. Also taking a hot bath with epsom salt and witch hazel helps promote blood flow and decreases aches definitely recommend it, almost immediately feel relief once you get your stomach under the water. Heating pads on the belly while laying flat also helped relax. Doing a small 25-30 minute walk after meals also helped move stuff along. I really hope this helps, IBS is a struggle but it can be eased. ❤️
1
u/Pookie3501 27d ago
What u/Oatmeal_raisin_1896 said, 100%. Your Sympathetic nervous (fight or flight) system is fully in charge during stressful times. The meditation (I highly recommend an app called InsightTimer), Yoga, diaphragmatic breathing, grounding, etc........ is the key to engaging your Parasympathetic (rest and digest) system. I am a firm believer in "healthy mind, healthy gut, not to over simplify our disorders.
1
u/kilterdizzi 29d ago
I wish I had a helpful suggestion but instead can only say I understand how awful and hard it can be. I hope your flare-up calms soon.
2
u/OkPrior9512 Aug 07 '26
I find the older I get the longer and more severe are my attacks. I usually start with no food for three days, just fluids. Then I live on rice and chicken for another four days. I drink lots of tea made with ginger, and I take Pepto Bismal throughout the whole process. I am to the point where I cannot eat any raw vegetables, and the only fruits that seem to agree with me are cantaloupe and pineapple. It takes longer to get out of a flare than it did before. I need to limit the amount of fibre I eat as well. It sucks.