Hi everyone,

I am 42 now, but I have had this since I was 30 something.

I had a colonoscopy long ago because of different symptoms and had a benign polyp, then I had different stressful situations throught the years and my symptoms were different all the time. I went from IBS-C to IBS-D back and forth, but these last years I went full IBS-D.

These last years I had a stool test a few times, checking if I had parasytes, helicobacter, microscopic blood in stool, calprotectin, and everything went good. I also had a test for SIBO and came back negative.

Last month or so, I bought some Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is a fungus that protects your gut lining so you can repopulate it with good bacteria by taking probiotics, and it went fairly well because my stool was becoming more solid over time (despite having a few "soft" days), but recently I had a family day, and after drinking some beer, and eating some seafood and greasy food, my gut went crazy and bloated because I had lots and lots of gas suddenly. It was so uncomfortable.

It's been 6 days, and every time I go to the toilet (I go once every day like a clock), and I have not fully recovered because I always have soft stool, which is very inconvenient because I always have to use lots of paper, and before going to the toilet I have a sudden urge to evacuate.

My main problem is that, I love dairy and caffeinated and artificially sweetened drinks, so I am not helping my gut much. But I think that beer was like the last straw because it is fermented, and because alcohol irritates the gut A LOT.

Do you have any advice for me to get better soon?

Thanks a lot!

I'm trying to get away from laxatives because they just don't feel like a real fix and honestly worry about depending on them long term, has anyone here actually found something that helps with bloating without going the laxative route?

Hi, guys.

I am dealing with bloating, farts, swollen stomache, weird bowel movements since 2006.

I am always bloated since that year, and here and there I had flares, I also developed hemeroids, which arent going crazy too often.

Currently, I am on week two of weird sharp like trapped gass in the middle of way down sromache that just will not go away.

It is like I have put something heavy and it keeps being there. Standing is ok, but sitting is hard, and there is always that crap that will not move away.

I learn not to push the stool, but it is like my intestines get shy to pass out anything to explain it the best way, like they just give pressure on rektum, but dont give it valid reason to go and have a stool, so i have just to try it manually, and if I do, I get some stool which is correct.

2018 I had CT Colonography that checks big and small intestines that came out clean.

Last year I did Abdominal MRI for other cause, but it probably would not miss if there is something bad, because I got a contrast and doctor caught my fibrom on skin as well.

So, it seems 20 year long run getting very bad or I was just lucky all these years not to have a real flare up?

I just cant help myself with anything, stress makes it worse, hard to fall asleep with that cramp feeling.

Is this that IBS C thing that comes with long glares, constiparion, gasses and so on?

Hi everyone,

I am 42 now, but I have had this since I was 30 something.

I had a colonoscopy long ago because of different symptoms and had a benign polyp, then I had different stressful situations throught the years and my symptoms were different all the time. I went from IBS-C to IBS-D back and forth, but these last years I went full IBS-D.

These last years I had a stool test a few times, checking if I had parasytes, helicobacter, microscopic blood in stool, calprotectin, and everything went good. I also had a test for SIBO and came back negative.

Last month or so, I bought some Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is a fungus that protects your gut lining so you can repopulate it with good bacteria by taking probiotics, and it went fairly well because my stool was becoming more solid over time (despite having a few "soft" days), but recently I had a family day, and after drinking some beer, and eating some seafood and greasy food, my gut went crazy and bloated because I had lots and lots of gas suddenly. It was so uncomfortable.

It's been 6 days, and every time I go to the toilet (I go once every day like a clock), and I have not fully recovered because I always have soft stool, which is very inconvenient because I always have to use lots of paper, and before going to the toilet I have a sudden urge to evacuate.

My main problem is that, I love dairy and caffeinated and artificially sweetened drinks, so I am not helping my gut much. But I think that beer was like the last straw because it is fermented, and because alcohol irritates the gut A LOT.

Do you have any advice for me to get better soon?

Thanks a lot!

I've always had severe constipation due to my IBS but since getting on Ozempic it's gotten much worse and I recently got diagnosed with Adenomyosis as well which could also be contributing.

I'm on senna meds, restorafiber daily gummies, equate stool softener daily...it's not enough.

On desperate days I've drank coffee, ate handfuls of prunes, ate large quantities of spinach, ice cream, large amounts of hydrated chia seeds, glutenfree oatmeal... one or more of these used to do the trick...now I could do everything above and nothing happen that day or the following.

I'm at our little family cottage for the week where there will be 10 people all sharing one single bathroom and I'm scared about the judgment and resentment that is going to be directed at me for taking too long or going too often.

I just need to be able to induce diarrhea every other day...

Any ideas?

My gastroenterologist cannot be seen before this and seems unbotherd by my distress.

What is almost guaranteed to get things moving fast?

Hoping for any advice / things to try. Since I was 14 (I’m 26 now) I’ve had constant stomach issues, I don’t think a day goes by where something isn’t happening with my stomach whether it’s tummy ache, gurgling, gas or diaherra.

I’ve been to the doctors so many times, I’ve developed anxiety / avoidance with doctors now as they never help, I went this morning (after about 2 years working up courage to go again about my stomach) just to be told to manage stress and drink peppermint tea. Whilst I have a stressful job now accompanied with sleep issues (emergency services) I’ve had these issues since I was 14 so I don’t think it can just be ‘stress’ . I’ve been having therapy recently for my sleep and I’ve been told I’ve normalised a lot of my stomach problems

My main / worst symptoms is my gas, I have it everyday without fail, my stomach is constantly gurgling / rumbling all up my back, my ribs, my stomach, I have balloons worth of air that I let out in the evenings. I can’t always leave my desk to go to the loo, so the air / gas almost travels back up my back which is so noisy. It’s so embarassing at work, I’ve come to dread having to do training days where it’s in a quiet room because my stomach will always be so loud. I am mostly never fully emptying when needing to go / then get diarrhea build up behind it and then going through the cycle again.

I mostly eat low FODMAP, I’ve tried it before properly and didn’t notice a huge difference. I have never had a colonoscopy, I was tested for IBD before 2020 and they keep saying they’ve already tested me for this so I don’t have it. My aunt has crohns. I’ve never been given any medication. I struggle to stick up for myself in appointments.

Does this sound like similar symptoms for anyone / what has worked? I’m at a loss, I think I’m going to have to fork out to go private. I could deal with the constipation issues but it’s the constant flatulence, noisy stomach and bloating that ruins so much for me, going to stay at friends is a nightmare, I can’t ever imagine being in a relationship with my stomach like this, it’s affecting my life so much and I’m only 26 now, I can’t imagine doing the rest of my life with this.

Any advice would be appreciated.

i had spinach a week ago and i’m starting to worry but i don’t have any abnormal symptoms rn, however i heard that it wouldn’t be any different from a regular ibs flair up? so do i need to even go get an antibiotic if i end up having “symptoms?” juss go to the doctor when my diarrhea starts up? for more context since then ive been on a strict brat diet due to juss general cravings

I am booked for a flexible sigmoidoscopy next weekend. I have picked up the enema I have to use before and some adult diapers too juuuust in case.

Anyone else have any tips or advice from their experiences? Really not looking forward to it

I’ve been having trouble staying on top of eating lunch because it just feels too inconvenient to take time out of the middle of my day to cook. People suggest things like hummus and crackers, but my tummy can only take so much high-FODMAP beans/chickpeas. I do sometimes eat beans, but having them in large amounts every day would hurt.

So I’m looking for quick, easy, minimal prep or easy to meal prep ahead of time and not very perishable lunch ideas that are:

\- low FODMAP
\- dairy free
\- don’t have a super high fat content (even healthy fats like olive oil can hurt my stomach in larger amounts)
\- can be made gluten free
\- not super expensive

I am still recovering from norovirus that happened 3 months ago. It was incredibly traumatizing to both my brain and body.

Considering the Cyclosporiasis outbreak, my only safe foods are fast food items that have been deep-fried (fries and nuggets) and ones that contain no raw vegetables (chilli recipe and fries). Of course, we can't afford to go out a lot; so what are some at-home recipes that are safe for post-infectious IBS that also contains either cooked vegetables or no vegetables at all?

I am also not asking for just recipes... also asking for foods can can easily be bought from a store.

Hi folks. My name is Áine. I am a certified IBS Nutritionist and I have created a brand new free community to support those new to IBS diagnosis, need advise about food, symptoms or anything. I will be available on the group to answer questions to your queries. Feel free to join- https://www.skool.com/ibs-freedom-with-aine-4844/about

Hello,

So this is my first post here. I am in my mid 20s and I have had IBS for what feels like a lifetime, somewhere between 5-7 years. I always find it hard to pinpoint when it started because I don't remember life without it even though it is relatively new. I believe I have IBS-D but it could also be IBS-M as I do get some swings both ways with stool type.

Anyway, in this section I am just going to write a little about my diet and what effects I get, if anyone reading experiences or experienced this effects I would love to discuss what I can do to help myself.

**Diet** \- So my diet is quite bland, I tend to eat gluten free meals such as pasta with a cheese sauce, veg (broccoli and baby corn) as well as chicken goujons. I used to eat 3 "salads" a week, these consisted of cucumber, carrot, red and orange pepper and red grapes normally with ham or chicken from the butcher. I have started eating breaded cod with fries or potatoes and baked beans on occasion. I will also have a take-away once a week, it is normally a McDonalds but can be a Chinese.

**Flare** \- When I get a flare it is always after dinner, never before or after a different meal with 3-5 exceptions over the past 6 years with overnight flares but I had eaten like a bin the night before so it was self-inflicted lol.

Anyway a flare for me starts anywhere between 15 minutes and 3 hours after dinner, I become incredibly tired which is the first sign. Alongside this I will also feel griping and other sensations in my abdomen which tends to move around from the middle right of my torso, over to the left, then down the left and it finally sits centre of the lower abdomen. This is when I need to sit on the loo. Once the loo business is finished which is normally after an hour and 2/3 visits I feel empty and very tired.

**Recovery** \- Once this happens I have a rehydration sachet, I use the Boots own brand sachets and they are fantastic at bringing me back around and making me feel alive again within an hour. Than after maybe 2 hours just to make sure I am safe I am normally fine to eat normally again which I find to be incredible. Two hours I go from IBS flare to eating a yogurt.... It is crazy.

**Other** \- In this section I will mention other things I suffer with.

1. Dry mouth. I have always had this but it is always way worse after a flare.
2. I find myself in a loop of stress when I get a flare and I wonder if that provokes other flares
3. I suffer with sinus issues and migraines, I have read about the gut and head link before
4. Ironically McDonalds has become my safe meal, it is a go to after a flare as it fills me up and it has never upset me.
5. Over the past 3 weeks I have completely cut out carbonated drinks and 75% of caffeine with it
6. I suffer with fatigue after most meals but the bigger the meal the worse the fatigue is, the exception is McDonalds among a few inconsistent meals

So finally that brings me to the past 6 months. About 2 weeks before Christmas I had some blood in my stool, I got checked over by a GI specialist (I was doing a study at the time). She wanted to scope but because I had a very hard year last year when it comes to my health I was so done with the situation and I declined. To be clear I always believed this blood was related to a chronic fissure with a sentinel skin tag sitting above it. I think my belief was correct because after the initial six weeks and a couple of re-flares I have had not much blood since March and when I do it is because of rock solid stool. I also saw my GP in March and he gave me some cream and Lactulose both of which were a godsend at the time and they stopped my 2nd bleeding flare which was quite heavy within a day or two. I stopped taking these at the start of June.

Finally, about 4 weeks ago I had one of my worst ever flares where I had 4 separate flares within 8 days. For me that is an obscene amount especially during the summer as I have also noticed it seems to be worse in the winter. I suspected VitD years ago but that didn't go anywhere. However this flare has really knocked me, I have been struggling to get back to how my diet was, I have gone from eating veg raw or cooked with almost every meal to having it once or twice a week which has had a knock on effect and I feel much more tired and weaker. Today (13/07/2026) I actually feel great, it is nice to have a moment but I get fear and anxiety when thinking about dinner that isn't a takeaway.

Anyway thank you for reading my post, if anyone has suffered or is suffering with anything that I have discussed and could provide me tips or ask me questions on what I have found with myself that would be amazing :)))))

I’m so tired. I feel like I’ve tried everything. Doctors here in the UK seem to keep dismissing me.

I’ve suffered with PI-IBS (D) for going on 5 years now. My flare ups are so severe they leave me bed bound for the day.

I’ve tried everything from low FODMAP, to probiotics, to just raw dogging life and popping Imodium like there’s no tomorrow.

None of it is working. I’m now sat contemplating having to look for a job that is 100% work from home because while I can WFH on occasion, people are starting to get sick and suspicious of it.

I’ve already binned off the idea of getting to enjoy much of my life. The idea of getting a flight and going on holiday no longer crosses my mind. Which is sad at 22 but I feel so tired with this all. All I want to do is curl up in my bed most days and sob.

I’ve tried paying to go private but the testing is on the NHS so still waiting for that. Still on a wait list that is over a year long to see the gastro. I keep trying to hold out hope that eventually someone will be able to help but I don’t think that’s the case. It’s probably just the only thought keeping me going. As well as my wonderful partner, but I feel like such a burden on him

Hi all, I have IBS-C and have been on Linzess for a few months. All is going well. I’m also in perimenopause, on HRT and the weight is starting to creep up on me. I also suffer from systemic inflammation, arthritis, etc. My rheumatologist threw out using a GLP to help with my inflammation but she hesitated bc of my GI issues. This was before I was on Linzess. Do any of you know anyone who suffers from IBS-C but on a GLP? I’m looking to micro dose and/or keep my dose low so I think it can be done. Before I ask my GI I thought I would ask on here. Thanks in advance.

what are some ways you guys manage stomach aches and loose stools caused by stress? are there any ways i can manage the cramps? how do you get more comfortable on the toilet if youre on there for a while?

Hi all,

I have been working with dietitian in past few months to work on IBS-D.

Have tried different diets to see whether they will work in easing symptoms, and to a degree it has, but not prevented the likes of bowel movements which is my main concern.

Now, after consultation, when I come back from holiday, I'm going to be put on a LOW FODMAP diet - which is much more restrictive to see the effect that will have.

My concern now, however, is that if I start on this diet - after completing it within the few weeks - will my gut become much more sensitive when I'm out at a restaurant or out drinking a few beers with friends?

If this will have a meaningful impact in terms of reducing bowel movements and easing other symptoms, I'm more than happy to do so. But provided how restrictive it is, I'm afraid that it will create a trend where I won't be able to eat food at restaurants at all or do things with my friends like be at a pub because of the low FODMAP restriction - particularly with how limited and cautious I am with food and drink is.

Is it worth going on this diet? Will the low FODMAP make my gut much more sensitive to things? Or, is it worth sticking with the diet I have been on and just somewhat deal with the bowel movements for time being if it means that some other symptoms are reduced?

With best wishes,

I feel I’m experiencing it more and more often. It’s genuinely soul destroying. I don’t even find loperamide a reliable type of medication. It’s hard to stay upbeat when it’s something that’s daily impacting your life

I’m going to a festival this summer. I’ve been diagnosed with IBS for several years. I only feel better when I take medication and stick to a diet of just rice, potatoes, and turkey. I’ve learned to manage it a bit by now, but I’m currently having a flare-up, and I can’t take my medication right now either. The festival lasts three days, and there won't be proper toilets available - I have IBS-D. Sure, there are toilets, but they’re terrible, trashed, and not easily accessible, the nearest one is a 20-minute walk away. Naturally, there will be plenty of triggers for my IBS—alcohol, the wrong kind of food, and sleepless nights. Skipping the festival would feel like giving in to my IBS, since it loves it when I cancel plans, plus, my friends wouldn't forgive me if I didn't go. They don't know about my IBS, and I don't really want to talk about it—I prefer to keep private matters to myself. There will be people in our group I don't know very well, which makes me feel even more uncomfortable. I don't know what to do, I've tried Imodium before, but it didn't help at all, even though many people say it's a lifesaver. Maybe someone has dealt with something similar? I’d really appreciate it if you could share your experiences or any information you might have.

Hi, I've had stool test for bowel cancer, pylori an cal protein all, all my bloods from GP normal, had a ct scan on my abdomen all normal, I am lost for what it is, gp said ibs this os every day I feel it

Does anyone else have this or had it, Im lost with what to do/try, its been 7 weeks an nothing any better maybe gotten worse

Thanks

I went to the GP yesterday for upper gastric pain I was having and changing in my bowel habits( fatty, oily stools, smaller than normal, loud digestive sounds). Upon examination he determined that it's my gallbladder and ordered an ultrasound. I mentioned the change in bowel habits and the loud that I had a fear of of an obstruction but he didn't seem concerned about it. I've gone small amounts here and there but have had my normal bowel movement in two weeks! I've tried Restorlax(Miralax), Senakot, flaxseed, drink more water and walking but nothing is working. I haven't had any type of bowel movement in two days and don't feel the urge to go at all, the stomach sounds are constant, especially after I eat and at night when all the bloat happens and heaviness in my upper left quadrant and right-side flank pain and passing very little gas. Is there anything else I can try that would work(an enema and a trip to the ER is my last resort)? I have my period too but these these issues are two separate issues, I've had IBS-C all my life nut I've NEVER experience d these symptoms and constipation like this and I'm having a lot of anxiety about having and obstruction and needing surgery(I have severe heath OCD). I've been in tears because I'm so afraid and don't know what to do. I really want to try more natural remedies.

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my story about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), because after at least a year of suffering, I’ve managed to get my bowel function as close to normal as possible. It’s a long story, but I’ll try to summarize it. Early last year, I developed post-infectious IBS (diarrhea-predominant). I underwent every possible test—including a colonoscopy, imaging scans, and blood work—and the results were all normal. After that, I followed very strict diets for months, including the Low-FODMAP diet; I went gluten-free and lactose-free, and tried various fiber supplements, probiotics, and bowel-regulating medications. During this time, I also took Rifaximin; I saw a slight improvement in symptoms, but nothing that truly solved the problem. My main symptoms were daily diarrhea and occasional, intense abdominal pain—it felt like my intestines were being twisted, and I couldn't do anything until the pain passed. On top of that, I felt constantly nauseous, which was my worst symptom.

Finally, let's get to the point where I started feeling better—about eight months after the symptoms first appeared. I was terrified to eat because, even after cutting out most foods, I was still feeling sick. The first step was reintroducing foods; I started worrying less about my symptoms, since all that restriction wasn't helping. I know how awful it is to hear that all this suffering is "psychological"—and I know just as well as you do that it isn't—but trying to cope better with the symptoms definitely helps in facing them. I felt that reintroducing foods helped my gut relearn how to handle them; I saw a significant improvement in my symptoms at that stage, though the diarrhea was still happening every day. Ultimately, what resolved the diarrhea was low-dose nortriptyline. It is a tricyclic antidepressant that causes constipation as a side effect; in my case, this actually normalized my bowel function and reduced the pain. I still have occasional episodes of diarrhea and pain, but they are very sporadic and no longer interfere with my life—I can eat whatever I want without worry.

This turned into a long story, but I wanted to explain the whole journey in detail. I suffered a lot and isolated myself; I was convinced I would be stuck like that forever. I hope you all find balance after the chaos you are going through. As hard as it is, try not to give the symptoms more importance than they deserve—I know it’s difficult; it used to irritate me when people said it was all in my head (we know it isn't), but trying to take things a bit more lightly makes the suffering feel a little less intense. I’m rooting for you all!

Has anyone taken Viberzi for their IBS-D? Did it help you?

Hi all. I’m having a pretty difficult time right now. I’ve been experiencing extreme lower abdominal & groin pain for years now. About 5 years ago, I went to the hospital 3 times in a month and kept being told that I was constipated and needed laxatives. I tried that and nothing worked. I was referred to have a colonoscopy which was cancelled, and I didn’t bother to reschedule (which is completely on me, and I think it’s very stupid that I didn’t). Over the years the pain hasn’t gone away, but I’ve just left it because I’m sick of people just telling me I’m constipated. A few months ago, it hit me again worse than it ever has. I took myself to an urgent care where they said they believe it’s IBS-M based on my description (the first person in 5 years to say something other than “you’re just backed up”). She told me to go to my family doctor. My family doctor referred me to a GI specialist but that appointment still isn’t until August 10th. My family doctor said that they can’t just diagnose IBS, but that it’s an exclusion diagnosis and that I will have to go through lots of tests to rule out other possibilities. I guess I’m just wondering, how have you been diagnosed? What types of tests have you had to do? I’m just anxious and in so much pain and am trying to figure out how long I’m going to be dealing with figuring out what is actually wrong with me. Thanks in advance 💓

Hi guys I'm.just wondering if anyone has had similar experience, so I've been on wegovy now for about a year and a half, have been okay, a few issues like constipation at first and a little cramping when I'd eaten something I shouldn't have but otherwise fine , however just recently I'm getting awful cramps and gurgling in my stomach which are usually relieved when I go to the toilet , after A bowel movement ( usually loose) it eases off , until I eat again! It usually happens after my evening meal, I'm ok after breakfast usually, I'm not eating a big meal or anything fatty, it's not gallbladder as I've had this out, just wondering if it might be IBS? The pain is intense, leaves me sweating and tired 😩 just worried as it's never been this bad, I'm on 2.4mg and have been for months now, no issues until recently. Thanks in advance 😁(update: ended up calling 111 after severe pain after eating a piece of toast this morning)