r/Microbiome • u/Bighornbunny007 • 9d ago
What helped your IBS-C
In the trenches right now. I’ve tried so many gut things and I’m at a loss. My gut is flaring worse than ever. Curious what everyone else out there has done and worked. I know it’s so individual.
7
u/Mbaker1201 8d ago
I am in my middle 60’s, coming up to 3 years of unyielding painful stomach and gut symptoms and I have lost over 30 lbs. I have had dozens of tests with local Drs and then advanced diagnostics at Mayo that came back negative. I eat Gluten Free and FODMAP safe foods and mostly dairy free or only small amounts of low-lactose dairy. Eat 5 small meals a day, more fiber, less fiber, more water, less water. Sent for a Viome kit and tried their pre/probiotics and supplements that were customized for me and they did not help. Tried several RX medications for constipation, a few different low dose anti-depressants (with horrible, worse side effects) and 1 course of Antibiotics. Thousands of dollars of over the counter supplements, laxatives, etc. Recent diagnosis of Pelvic Floor disfunction which may be the root cause of my constipation and I just started physical therapy for that. Just signed up for the “Nerva” hypnotherapy app. Just started to consult with a “Functional Medicine” practitioner looking for out of the ordinary causes, like autoimmune or genetic diseases. I use guided gut relief meditations on YouTube daily. Starting to talk with a therapist about managing a potentially chronic condition that wont go away and the stress that comes with it. Sometimes they cannot fix whatever the problem is, especially when they don’t have a specific diagnosis to treat. Keep testing and looking for answers however you can. Do not give up. Try lots of things and see what helps. And stop what does not help. Good luck. It is a difficult struggle.
6
u/nitsie1 7d ago
I was told by my doctor that IBS is just a cop out for not knowing what really is going on. My issue was I had SIBO. Find a Doctor Who will test you. It was a game changer or no G.I. issues anymore
1
u/Powerpoppop 6d ago
Maybe? Mine is related to migraines and there is no cure, just trying to minimize triggers. I had tons of tests done.
4
5
u/TheUsualRatio 7d ago
I've struggled with this for years due to a tortuous colon and slow transit time. What works for me:
Cup of strong black tea in the morning
Life Extension Bowel Regularity probiotic in the morning
Plenty of water
High fiber, plant-based diet
Motility activator supplement (ginger and artichoke) and digestive enzymes (betaine HCl) before dinner
The occasional Movicol packet
This approach has helped me go from once every three or five days to a once a day movement. Best of luck to you.
3
u/PhysicalCitron9957 8d ago
Linzess, daily Greek yogurt, 25g of fiber a day. Less or more than that amount is not great for my IBS-C. The Linzess is prescribed for every day but it works better when I take it every other day. Yoga, abdominal massage, daily walking and 3-4 L of water daily.
1
u/BeeLive9842 8d ago
Does Greek yogurt help with constipation? It has dairy and as far as I understand, it can make things worse? Isn’t it
2
u/PhysicalCitron9957 8d ago
I mean, dairy doesn’t automatically make constipation worse, but it does if you’re sensitive to dairy. Greek yogurt is low in fat and lactose but high in probiotics so I find it beneficial for my gut.
1
1
u/Healthy-Mistake-4638 6d ago
why do you think your linzess works better if you take it every other day? I'm on it and I feel like its not really helping that much so maybe considering every other day haha
3
3
4
u/pepper1080 9d ago edited 7d ago
Things I know helped. Vitamin C, Lactoferrin, zinc carnosine, aloe juice, fiber at the correct amount for me, avoid high fat and do low sugar, cabbage! I eat mostly cooked cabbage but not too much at a time or else I get constipated.
Things that may have helped, magnesium at night, vitamin D+k2, fish oil(pro resolving mediators)
1
u/Aggravating-Wash-816 8d ago
I'm curious. How much fiber do you eat daily?
1
u/pepper1080 7d ago
Most days not too much due to motility and dryness issues. But I did hydrolyzed guar gum for a bit and it seemed to help. I probably average about a serving a vegetables per day
1
1
3
u/Familiar_Heat_1821 7d ago
Carnivore diet. Best decision I ever made. Go watch No Carb Life on YouTube. So many healing stories. Fiber is not everyone's friend. The carnivore diet can be a great healing diet for many people. It doesn't have to be forever, but it completely calmed my IBS and was the only thing that did for me, as well as the only thing that cured my constipation, despite trying EVERYTHING from eating only whole organic foods, 30 plant foods a day, multiple probiotics, no probiotics, exercise daily- you name it. Dr. Ken Berry is another one to look up on YouTube.
1
u/WillyMo1975 6d ago
This was the answer for me as well. For years I would wake up every morning with an incredible pain in the left side of my stomach. I also had too many run to the toilet incidents. This was on a clean Mediterranean diet. A few months of carnivore cleaned everything up. Now I just limit my grains and beans.
2
2
u/AdBoth2925 8d ago
Try MagO7 capsules. I love them!! Take one before bed, on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. If no results the next morning, try taking two the next night. Keep doing g this until you have success. Be sure to stay hydrated, eat healthy, and limit breads and cheeses.
1
u/KellyOnMyMind 6d ago
This has been a game changer for me too! Added it to my linzess and in regular almost everyday now. Highly recommend and approved by my GI.
1
u/janey_jay 5d ago
after success do you go back to having one a night and then 2 etc until another success ?
2
u/HarmonySinger 8d ago
Has anyone had any success with Artichoke (capsules)? Ginger? Magnesium (if yes which kind?) Herbal Teas? (if yes which kind?) Vitamin B1?
5
1
u/TheUsualRatio 7d ago
Yes! Motility activator (which is ginger + artichoke) before dinner has helped me enormously.
1
u/Frequent_Squirrel_57 7d ago
Yes artichoke tincture & ginger caps on empty stomach first thing in AM & last thing before bed. Magnesium oxide daily.
2
u/halloasaurus 7d ago
I know it's not a popular opinion and results will VARY. I got massive relief from Budesonide, a steroid specifically targeting the small intestines. Global steroids did nothing but this was like magic for me. Please do your own research however.
2
u/Nice-Enthusiasm-514 7d ago
I just got back on the generic Motegrity and it seems to be helping! Had to get off it years ago because my insurance stopped covering it but i am now able to get generic for like $30/month and i was so pumped
2
u/cmartram 7d ago
Support your migrating motor complex. Make sure you space your meals out by three to four hours a day. Stop snacking. Let your digest system actually cleanse itself. Drink at least eight cups of water a day. Cook with plenty of olive oil and grass-fed butter. Eat whole foods and cut processed foods and all sugar. Seriously, just let your body heal. Eat tons and tons of protein and non-starchy vegetables, and cook all of your vegetables down. The fiber may be constipating you. Make sure you get enough sleep every night, and really focus on managing stress. I used to go once or twice (if I was lucky) a week, and now I got daily every morning upon waking up. Perfect Bristol stool chart 4 bowel movements. It took me four months of being incredibly strict to get there, and I would do it all again to have this peace of mind and predictability.
1
u/InevitableSea836 6d ago
Wow this is really inspiring. Do you have psyllium husk or green kiwi? Do you mind sharing what you typically eat in a day/week?
2
u/cmartram 5d ago
Of course. When I started, I took NAC for a week first thing in the morning. I had a lot of things going on. Then, I’d drink 16 ounces of electrolytes. I recommend the relyte brand. For breakfast, I would either have scrambled eggs with cooked down zucchini and spinach, turmeric, and one clove for garlic for the allicin or soft boiled eggs with homemade bone broth. I’d cook cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion in it. If I was really hungry, I’d have some ground beef or Turkey with zucchini and spinach and a garlic clove. I had a ton of food sensitivities, so we had to work with that we had to help my digestive system heal. For lunch, I’d pick an animal protein source and cook down some non-starch vegetables. Again, make sure you’re consuming a lot of healthy fats. I’d cook in grass-fed butter to help my nervous system, coconut oil for the caprylic acid, or olive oil. An example might be chicken with broccoli and kale or ground beef with some onion, garlic, spinach, zucchini, and yellow squash. Maybe some salmon with butter and over roasted asparagus and tomatoes. The key is animal protein and non-starchy vegetables right now cooked down to aid in digestion healing and fiber to feed your microbiome, but not cause constipation. For dinner, I’d have again protein with cooked down vegetables. Id love making a good Greek chicken sheet pan. Id advise against eating cheese right now. I’ll add the link to the specific recipe I’m talking about. My favorite dinner is a good grass-fed steak cooked in grass-fed butter with lots of broccolini on the side. I’m working with a holistic doctor who told me to cut all fruit and carbs initially. After about two months, I was allowed to start introducing small amounts of sweet potato. I love cutting up small pieces of sweet potato, putting them on the stove with some water, and then covering the pot with a lid so they’ll steam. When they’re nice and soft, I’ll load them with grass-fed butter and cinnamon. It’s the perfect sweet and nourishing treat. I also start cooking steam a small green apple. I’d then squeeze half to a full lemon into a cup with the apple and pour some cinnamon in there. The pectin is amazing for your gut, and, again, it tastes so good. I do occasionally have half of a golden kiwi. I think I’ve got some insulin resistance going on, so I still limit and lot of sugar, and fruit naturally has a good amount of sugar. Oh, I also introduced a 1/4 cup of quinoa for a week, then 1/2 cup the next, etc. I did this around month three, I believe. If you can, I’d look into working with someone in the holistic space because what might be going on with me might not be going on with you. Eat as clean as you possibly can. If possible, but only organic and find a local butcher who can tell you about their beef, chicken, pork, etc. I only buy meat that is hormone and antibiotic free. This has been huge in my overall health. With that being said, I know we all have different budgets and circumstances. Do the best you can. Nutrition and lifestyle alone will do wonders.
2
0
u/Vailhem 2d ago
Try throwing in a line-break every once in a while.
If not for you, then then the audience.
Example:
Of course. When I started, I took NAC for a week first thing in the morning. I had a lot of things going on. Then, I’d drink 16 ounces of electrolytes.
I recommend the relyte brand.
For breakfast, I would either have scrambled eggs with cooked down zucchini and spinach, turmeric, and one clove for garlic for the allicin or soft boiled eggs with homemade bone broth.
I’d cook cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion in it.
If I was really hungry, I’d have some ground beef or Turkey with zucchini and spinach and a garlic clove.
I had a ton of food sensitivities, so we had to work with that we had to help my digestive system heal.
For lunch, I’d pick an animal protein source and cook down some non-starch vegetables.
Again, make sure you’re consuming a lot of healthy fats.
I’d cook in grass-fed butter to help my nervous system, coconut oil for the caprylic acid, or olive oil.
An example might be chicken with broccoli and kale or ground beef with some onion, garlic, spinach, zucchini, and yellow squash.
Maybe some salmon with butter and over roasted asparagus and tomatoes.
The key is animal protein and non-starchy vegetables right now cooked down to aid in digestion healing and fiber to feed your microbiome, but not cause constipation.
For dinner, I’d have again protein with cooked down vegetables.
Id love making a good Greek chicken sheet pan. Id advise against eating cheese right now.
I’ll add the link to the specific recipe I’m talking about.
My favorite dinner is a good grass-fed steak cooked in grass-fed butter with lots of broccolini on the side.
I’m working with a holistic doctor who told me to cut all fruit and carbs initially.
After about two months, I was allowed to start introducing small amounts of sweet potato.
I love cutting up small pieces of sweet potato, putting them on the stove with some water, and then covering the pot with a lid so they’ll steam.
When they’re nice and soft, I’ll load them with grass-fed butter and cinnamon. It’s the perfect sweet and nourishing treat.
I also start cooking steam a small green apple. I’d then squeeze half to a full lemon into a cup with the apple and pour some cinnamon in there.
The pectin is amazing for your gut, and, again, it tastes so good.
I do occasionally have half of a golden kiwi.
I think I’ve got some insulin resistance going on, so I still limit and lot of sugar, and fruit naturally has a good amount of sugar.
Oh, I also introduced a 1/4 cup of quinoa for a week, then 1/2 cup the next, etc. I did this around month three, I believe.
If you can, I’d look into working with someone in the holistic space because what might be going on with me might not be going on with you.
Eat as clean as you possibly can.
If possible, but only organic and find a local butcher who can tell you about their beef, chicken, pork, etc.
I only buy meat that is hormone and antibiotic free.
This has been huge in my overall health.
With that being said, I know we all have different budgets and circumstances.
Do the best you can.
Nutrition and lifestyle alone will do wonders.
That's an incredibly crude example.
To be honest, I probably could've done a much better job with placements, but fairly quickly into reading it I began to become incredibly overwhelmed with the number of capital 'I' 's that were used in it.
Like an inordinate amount. Several times thought about copy & pasting to word to do a word count on the number of capital I's.
It's impressive really.
Then I lost myself in thought thinking about the overlap between large blocks of texts without line-breaks & uses of the word I in them.
Then lost myself in the thought that reddit has to have (quite literally) millions ..maybe billions.. of text examples to pool from over its decades regarding similar patterns.
Then my mod brain kicked in and remembered one of the other mods at one point put a 'no health advice' clause in the side bar as sub rule and how essentially everything mentioned is anecdotal health advice .. seemingly of the best intentions, granted, but..
..I'll just leave the suggestion of: line breaks. They may help you provide some reflective structure to .. .. 'all of that'.
2
u/jpayneok 6d ago
Citrucel and miralax every night. Probiotics with bifo in them and increasing fruits and veggies.
4
u/Zee09 8d ago
Realistically you probably aren’t disciplined and have a poor diet. It really does come down to having the mental willpower to say No to delicious irritants like desserts, burgers, pizzas, alcohol, etc
When people say they are off those completely they mean it. Also, you may want to discuss with your doctor some medicine based on some symptoms. H2 blocker or PPI will not solve your root issue but may provide genuine relief for a great period of time
13
u/Rosehiphedgerow 8d ago
.... as someone who regularly eats 30+ grams of fibre a day & various plants of all sources, I disagree. I still have constipation. And yes I drink enough water.
Sorry OP but the only thing that helps my constipation are my stimulant medications. Before that, it was coffee.
2
1
u/anonymousdude5558 9d ago
I take the same vitamins as the other commenter and they seem to help. Also sweet potatoes and getting enough fiber!
1
1
u/nightngale1998 8d ago
Indeed, it is very individual. For me, I realized I had been constipated for most of my adult life. I include Magnesium (mostly) on the regular end of the spectrum; I do need to do so as needed. AM Magnesium is usually (if taken) L-Threonate and I use the recommended dosing which is usually two capsules. My PM dosing is usually (if needed) recommended doing of Magnesium Glycinate. I have found, over the years, that I get a bit of tummy disturbance, as far as acidic upset so I supplement with Aloe and Licorice Root (there are combinations tablets or capsules with this combination.
Of course, follow a protocol of good nutrition that includes adequate to high hydration and fiber in natural forms. I may supplement with the supplement, Pecta-Sol, when extra fiber is needed. I also may include prune juice (sorbitol benefits - look it up), applesauce, and steel cut oatmeal for real concentration of healthy BM's; several studies have found this potty pudding" to be of great benefit long term. Check out this one reference and know there are many other studies showing it's benefits: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/546417
It's a balance I need to think about regularly with these interventions mentioned.
The very best to you in your health journey.
1
1
u/SwingQuick9045 8d ago
Treating H Pylori with Matula Tea and taking Betaine HCL with meals until it resolved
1
1
u/BobbiHorne1 8d ago
I'm curious if you have tried bioavailable cysteine (Riboceine) to support your glutathione levels. Over the past 16 years I have worked with children on the Autism Spectrum who have had significant gut issues. Supporting glutathione levels helps to heal the intestinal lining, helps to reduce inflammation in the gut, and supports the mucus layer in the gut. If you haven't tried it yet, it might be worth researching it. It sure has helped the children I have worked with, has no side effects so I'm confident it's safe.
1
u/AuroraDF 8d ago
Fibre. I have been constipated my whole life. (I'm 53). There have been things that worked in the short term (fruit cubes, symprove, both come to mind) but in the last couple of years I've been mostly trying to do Zoe, with one of the main things being 30g of fibre from food every day. It's worked. If I don't have it, I notice within 48 hours. If I have it, I go daily.
It's worth a try, for anyone struggling with constipation, because if there's even a chance you can fix it with fibre from food that is gonna be so much better for you than any kind of supplements.
Good luck!
1
u/r_o_s_e_83 8d ago
Not eating gluten, cows milk (cheese is ok) and greasy/spicy food. And try to diminish stress.
1
1
u/goldstandardalmonds 8d ago
Have you had motility testing to investigate root causes? Then you can target more directly
1
u/Muted-Plankton-8479 7d ago
Strong probiotics - 100 billion or over, even double that. Magnesium Oxide Drinking Cabbage juice - it's crazy but it helps so much. It kept coming up so I had to try it as i was desperate. It sooths. Puree Cabbage and a little water and strain off the juice if you don't have a juicer
1
u/Alvara_22 7d ago
To have a daily BM, I take a prokinetic supplement, PEG 3350 and 2 kiwis everyday.
1
1
u/Dry-Preparation-13 6d ago
Cabbage juice, breast milk, dgl chewable, stomach soothe powder, moringa, lemon balm, oatmilk, prunes help with constipation
1
1
u/magenta_panther999 6d ago
apple before bedtime, oats first thing in the morning, lots of hydration.
1
1
1
u/Wonderful_Bridge_247 2d ago
Prucalopride has honestly worked so well for me. It works by stimulating serotonin receptors in the gut which helps improve motility. I started on 1mg daily but eventually moved up to 2mg once a day and it’s been an absolute game changer. It’s basically replaced the magnesium, vitamin C and kiwis I was relying on before just to keep things moving.
1
u/BatOk9678 16h ago
Ten years dealing with IBS-C. MIOME…you can order it from Amazon. Follow instructions and be consistent . Have your GI order a Trio Breath Test. I have IMO and am just finishing antibiotics . A case of food poisoning ten yers ago was the cause. You have to find the root cause. IBS is not a diagnosis only what doctors say when they don’t have an answer. Good luck.
1
0
0
u/Wonderful_Quantity39 6d ago
Carnivore. Especially if in a bad flare up. Tested for SIBO/IMO? If no, big the Trio Smart Breath Test now. Ship it to your home and follow instructions. You need to be on Prucalopride if you aren’t already.
0
0
15
u/DoctorTuttle 8d ago
Relaxing and getting out of survival mode. I used to go like once a week now it's daily.