r/IBSHelp

I’m just curious of others experiences. So I’ve had IBS-D for almost 20 years now. A couple of years ago I took part in a therapy type webinar for IBS and they talked about how when you have a bowel movement it’s ‘reflecting’ what you ate 12-36 hours before.
However why is it that if I have urgency and very loose stools it ALWAYS happens within 20 mins of eating a dinner. It’s like I’m absolutely fine then all of a sudden stomach makes horrible noises, then the pain comes, then I have to run to the toilet.

Has anyone else heard this regarding the 12-36 hours or can offer any advice? I’ve tried tracking my food over the years and apart from the obvious (take aways, lots of dairy etc) my flare ups are really random.

Thank you ☺️

My GI suspects I have IBS-C or some similar nerve-stomach disorder. The thing causing us to hesitate to fully diagnose is the fact I have no food borne triggers and pain often comes out of nowhere. My flare ups tend to be extremely painful and have caused passing out before. I’ve noticed lately that I will feel completely fine until I sit down at my desk, and suddenly my stomach is burning and I feel terrible. Does anyone else experience this or know why this happens? It can be very frustrating when driving.

32F. Last night I started getting a pain in my upper left abdomen when I took a deep breath that would shoot up to the tip of my trap muscle (like next to my neck). I do sometimes get gas bubbles there but never with the deep breath? Felt better around bedtime last night and woke up and it was hurting again. Anyone experience? I googled it and of course it said pericarditis or my spleen so I’m freaking out.

I’ve had it awhile now and for the most part I know which foods upset my stomach. Does this happen to anyone ? sometimes it doesn’t matter what it is, I have to be cautious about what and where I eat . Crackers, cheese squares , and bananas as of lately are the only things that keep my stomach chilled out . Then a few days I’ll be good then boom it gets upset . I don’t even fool with coffee anymore and if I do it’s a diluted coffee . Is butter on anything a tigger food for anyone too? Should I always ask for no butter when I eat out ? I’m to the point where I’m not wanting to eat out when I go to socialize for the sake of a rushed trip home or to the restroom

Hi (I'm 41-male) - I had real bad diarrhea the other day and I'm not sure if it was my IBS or a chicken sandwich I ate the other night. I've had IBS for what I think 8 months or so (doctors won't diagnosis it) as I have periods of - gurgling stomach, stomach cramps real bad , gas and indigestion and some weeks diarrhea for a day till I take a pill for it - Imodium. Also I believe it's made my anus raw from going to the bathroom a bunch but that could just be how I wipe.

I guess I'm also asking if anyone has any advice on this - some foods I can't eat anymore because of it and just looking for any help

Hello everyone. I’m a 21-year-old guy, and I mostly spend my day at home doing content creation for YouTube.

I’m experiencing something that I’m not sure is IBS or something else. I’ve researched IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), but I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing actually fits IBS.

It’s a little embarrassing to share, but I really want to understand what might be happening.

The main issue is sudden poop urgency triggered by knowing that a bathroom may be unavailable for a while.

For example, if someone in my house goes to the bathroom to take a bath, I suddenly get an urge to poop. I may get stomach cramps, heaviness, and a strong feeling that I need to go within the next few minutes or something bad will happen.

I think the trigger is partly psychological. My mind knows that the person may take 20+ minutes, so I start thinking, “What if I need to use the bathroom while they’re still in there?” That thought itself seems to trigger the urgency.

In short, whenever I know that a bathroom will be unavailable for a long period of time, I suddenly feel like I need to poop.

The strange thing is that I don’t have this problem all day. It mainly happens when I’m aware that I might not have access to a bathroom for some time.

And honestly, even holding it for 10–20 minutes during these episodes can feel extremely difficult and stressful.

I’ve been dealing with this almost every day, but I feel embarrassed and haven’t really been able to talk about it with my family.

I’m not asking anyone to diagnose me, but I would really appreciate your honest opinions and experiences.

Does this sound like IBS, anxiety-related bowel urgency, or something else? Has anyone experienced something similar?

I quit smoking around 12 days ago after being a pretty heavy vape smoker for around 5 years.

The first three days of quitting passed just fine with minimal cravings and withdrawals, no pain, no IBS. Then the 4th day rolled around and that’s when everything fell apart for me. It started with the usual abdominal pain/cramping and everything else you’d expect, except it never went away.

I can’t eat a single thing without it passing through me in basically 3-4 hours. The cramping is constant, and I mean constant. There isn’t a minute of the day when I’m not in pain. I can barely eat because it hurts so much and I’m so nauseous.

Although I’ve never received a formal diagnosis, I have all the typical markers for a mild-ish case of IBS-D, but never this bad. I’d have a flare up every month or so, or every couple of months depending. Real bad stomach pains, an eventual bowel movement, then pretty much instant relief.

Now I’m basically bedridden with constant pain. If it were just the bowel movements I feel as though I could almost manage somehow but like this it’s absolutely unbearable. I’m at a complete loss for what to do.

Has anyone else been through something similar after quitting smoking?

Is it possible that this is something more serious, or is that just the medical anxiety speaking? (Reiterating that I have no formal IBS diagnosis, only a recent ultrasound and CT scan that came back fine)

Is this something I should ‘tough out’ to see if it improves, or should I just pick up nicotine again to feel some kind of relief from the pain? I am so close to at least trying it to see if it helps at the risk of possibly making everything 10x worse.

Sunday afternoon i started with a “bubbly” stomach, something definitely had not agreed with me. Accompanied by cramps diarrhoea on the Monday.
My stools have hardened since maybe type 4 on the bristol stool chart. But since that episode on the Monday, I have been passing stools once or twice a day but cramps before passing. Then waking up to cramps/wind followed by passing stool. Iv hardly opened my eyes and my bowels are moving, has anyone experienced similar? I wake up with the urgency to pee but i know i need to pass stools there and then.
It’s almost as if my cramps are waking me. It’s been the same time every morning this past week. 6am.
Prior to this my bowel movements were all over the place, constipated or just random times of the day i’d go to toilet iv never had a routine if im honest.
I used to drink coffee every morning & then use the toilet but since being pregnant I have stopped.
To add I don’t have IBS, well iv never been tested.
I had my bloods done 2 weeks ago, all ok, haemoglobin levels fine, no blood in stools.

Diet - high fibre, veggies, meat daily.
The foods iv consumed this week - Dates,brocolli,chicken,eggs,kiwi,brown seeded bread,rice.

I'm not sure if it works for everyone, but right now it seems to work for my condition.

I have been suffering from IBS for a few years, can't eat many kinds of food, constantly feeling pain where the food is being processed in the bowel. Long story short, I started to eat sesame seeds two days ago and suddenly feel different. Like calm, healthy bowel, healthy waste, even the backpain is also getting calmer, very unusual. Since it seems harmless, anyone wanna try and see if it works for you too and share the experience?

Beware that there is a chance you could be allergic to it as it is a major food allergen. I'm living in Southeast Asia and have never met anyone that is allergic tho.

I bought a bag of 500g of roasted sesame seeds as my magnesium source to add to other food but recently I feel the need to eat it directly with a spoon, chew thoroughly, several spoons a meal, I kinda consider it my snack now.

The last two days, I had food I knew wouldn't trigger the pain in the morning and for dinner, I just ate many spoons of sesame seed.

We have a candy that is basically just sesame seeds in malt syrup in my country, I used to like it but now I don't want the sugar in my system so I ended up eating it like that.

I don't know. I think I found something useful, now wanna share it in case someone also wanna try. If it works for you too, I would love to know.

Edit: I have the D type like my body never wants food to stay inside for long. But I just remember right now, I also started taking L. reuteri probiotic two days ago and yesterday I ate a bar of dark chocolate, so any of them might be having an effect on my bowel as well. I still lean toward the sesame seeds as I remember feeling better after eating the candy in the past but I just stopped eating it because of the sugar. Anyhow, these are pretty harmless if you are not allergic so I think it's worth giving them a try. I just went to the toilet, only once today and that was a nice trip in a while.

hi this is my first time ever using Reddit so if I’m doing something wrong or break rules I’m sorry lmk and I’ll delete the post, I just needed some place to ask some questions and be a little anonymous while doing so.

I’ve have been having Gi issues for my whole life but it has always been manageable up until around late July which I have begun to have the most debilitating symptoms. we had always assumed I had IBS but after this we began thinking otherwise because I have been having blood daily and occasionally blood clots in my stool, and in 4-5 weeks I have managed to unintentionally lose almost 10 pounds. I also began having episodes of cyclic vomiting. ( also just to mention, tmi, but I‘m having CHRONIC diarrhea 4+ a day w/ atleast one being bloody) I got hospitalized on the 2 through the 3rd of August because of this. My body became so dehydrated because it was just unable to keep up with the chronic diarrhea. we did a bunch of test (blood, stool samples, colonoscopy +endoscopy, and biopsies) and they ALL were clean. I went today and all they told me was this was IBS most likely set off by something like a cold or flu despite the fact that before they were adamant that my symptoms “didn’t match“and were “escalating“

I just wanted to ask if people may have had similar experiences when getting a diagnosis and that this isn’t uncommon because right now I’m just feeling like they wrote me off as a person with IBS because they didn’t have a clear direction to go in. i Get why I’m losing weight because of how I’m unable to eat without lots and lots of pain/discomfort but it’s the blood I’m at a loss about bc I didn’t really get an explanation as to why it was there and from everything else I was told it’s not normal for IBS, is it normal for some people?

Hi everyone, i hope by posting this someone with a similar experience can help me, all started back then a year ago when In July the 2nd I had my gallbladder surgery, i Had 42 gallstones and unfortunately my gallbladder had some adherence that literally glued my stomach and my gallbladder , after that I thought then finally I would get better, but i’m far from it , since the first days the gas and bloating were awful and they told me it was normal But now I know it wasn’t, I went to my surgery and they decided it’s IBS ,something the i think its bullshit , I run out of options since i already donde stool test, blood test , endoscopy, Ultrasounds , and all of then shows nothing, I tried everything

Gluteen free
Lactose free
Fat free
Sugar free

Nothing works , they also gave a medicina called rifaximine but again nothing, it’s slowly killing me since the only meals i can eat its rice and boiled egg whites and even that sometimes triggers my tummy, my main symptoms are bloating, pain in my lower belly, fullness , constipation and trapped gas

If someone had ever been in this same situation i would really appreciate all the advices because at this point I’m starting to thinking about suicid3

Can’t sleep again, stomach pain increasing I don’t know how to deal with it and I want to take something like ibuprofen in hopes that it’ll ease the pain so I can at least sleep well…
Anyone tried it? Been in a similar situation and has advice?

*just to note I am diagnosed with IBS and working on it with my doctors, also have appointments to have some tests done in a couple days.

Hey y’all! First off let me say thank you to this community, you are a real support in tummy troubling times.

I’d like to lay out my situation and see if anyone is in the same boat or has any ideas of what to do next. the U.S. healthcare system is so siloed and slow and it’s really frustrating.

I‘m a 39 yo cis woman. I’ve had major GI issues since my early 20s. It all seemed to start when I was studying abroad in France in college (notable things about that trip: ate a lot of new foods, had to go on antibiotics for bronchitis). I was a very tiny 20 year old but I started boating so badly I looked 7 months pregnant and had serious constipation issues start.

Through my 20s and 30s the same issues continued off and on. There were periods when I’d feel ok but never 100%, and periods were I’d be miserable (bloating, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain). I went to a GI specialist in my early 20‘s who basically said all tests are normal, take Miralax. So I did and it helped a bit. In my early 30s I went to another GI specialist and they diagnosed me with IBS-C. Colonoscopy normal. we did an antibiotic trial to see if treating for SIBO helped at all, it didn’t. Their recommendations were take miralax or try Linzess (my insurance didn’t cover it so I didn’t take it) and try a low FODMAP diet.

I started with a nutritionist for the low FODMAP because I had no clue how to go about it. Low FODMAP actually helped for a while! I had many weeks where I felt almost normal, which was so freeing! Also, I can’t say enough about how helpful and informative nutrition counseling was. I Identified and cut out my worst triggers: gluten, legumes, brassica (e.g. broccoli), alliums (e.g. garlic and onions), and lactose.

All was well-ish for about 2 years until I started bloating again. Same symptoms as before but with a lot more diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, and increased acid stomach with reflux. We are now at the point where I am back at GI specialist. So far they have put me back on Miralax and have done a CT scan (besides evidence of constipation, nothing of note was found). I have an anorectal manometry appointment set up at the end of the month. Of my own accord I’ve put myself on a diet restricted to just the foods I know I can tolerate very well, which is mildly helpful but not sustainable because it’s really restrictive!

What else should I be asking the new GI specialist to look into? Should I push for another colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy? What other tests have helped uncover the underlying issues for y’all?

For those with similar issues what have you tried that was helpful?

Again, many thanks to you all! I see the same sentiments of frustration and grief repeated over and over in this sub and my heart goes out to all of you. Good luck 🩷 I wish it were better for us all.

My usual weekly morning routine is:

Wake up: 5:45

Go to the toilet 2-3 times between waking up and leaving for work.

Leave for work: 7:00

This routine works for me although not ideal.

However, I have an early morning flight in a few weeks time 6:00 departure. I am also driving my family to the airport which will take 30-40 minutes meaning we will probably leave the house 3:00 in the morning.

I am worried that my guts will start to play up on the morning during the drive to the airport or when I’m on the flight during the take off.

Is it worth taking Imodium to block myself up for the day to avoid this or does anyone have other advice?

Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone

I am still trying to figure out my GI issues and I have compiled a lot of information, but am having a tough time sifting through it. Overall, I'd like to see if it all is truly pointing toward IBS or something different.

I have gone through it all- bloodwork, stool tests, breath tests, and even colonoscopy/endoscopy with biopsies. Everything has come back clear/normal. But, I did have a calprotectin of 200. Is it normal to have that high calprotectin with IBS? I have also recently had a pelvic/abdominal CT scan. Would capsule endoscopy uncover anything else that any of these tests didn't see/cover or is this kind of the end of the line?

I am logging my BMs, mood, and food as well. I find it hard to believe it's mood/stress related simply because I have been under intense stress since I was a child. It may contribute to my overall GI health, but it doesn't explain the timing of flares currently to me.

Also, with IBS are you able to accurately predict flares or is it just low FODMAP and pray to god my insides don't kill me?

I am doing my best to not be the person to jump to any conclusions without proper info and help.

Thank you all in advance

Hi all,

I'm a 21 year old male, in college, and have been diagnosed with IBS-D in the past six months. I've suffered with IBS for many years throughout my teenage years, and it is now something that still persists to this day. Have a few questions here, sorry now, but if anyone has any recommendations, it would mean a lot!!

My main issue does be with bowel urgency. I was recently on holidays and anytime I ate (despite eating plain food like I would at home), I had to then immediately after eating, use the bathroom. Now, that I'm back at home, this issue is now persisting even eating foods I always ate.

I'm very anxious about this, as I'm going to meet up with friends this week, and I'm fearful that this is going to occur when out. I do be anxious enough about going with friends because of IBS, but now the idea that I may have to use the bathroom immediately whilst eating is making me very anxious.

Has anyone ever dealt with this, or have any advice as to how to now fix this?

Q2:
Over the years, I have always been very reliant on Imodium (Plus) when going out. Initially, I used to take 1mg (half a tablet), and that would block me for a few days. I'd have no issue when going out etc, as it would instantly take effect.

Now, I have to take 3mg (1 and a 1/2) of a tablet, and it is nowhere near effective. I still am passing wind, have some slight urgency a few hours after taking it. I don't mind taking more, but the issue is the tablet makes me feel very bloated. So as a result, I really don't want to take more Imodium, as it means I'll end up throwing out / can't eat, or to that extent, enjoy my time with my friends because of the discomfort Imodium causes me.

I did take a three-week break from Imodium to see if that would 'reset' my tolerance, but it did not unfortunately.

Does anyone have recommendations as to what I should do about this, or anything to counteract the symptoms of Imodium if I increase the dosage? I do need it for going out as it does help with the anxiety.

Q3:
With my recent diagnosis of IBS-D a few months ago, I have been through a hospital system. Initially, I went to a gastroenterologist, and we did 2 stool tests and blood tests. They, based off these tests, said what I have is IBS.

I've been now working with a dietitian the past five months, and have cut so much out of my diet, and still having the same issues that I did have. From this week, I'm now trying the low FODMAP to see if this will have any effect. But again, I'm incredibly doubtful, as essentially what I have been on is somewhat the low FODMAP.

I'm beginning to wonder, would an endoscopy or colonoscopy find something that a stool / blood test wouldn't? As I've been doing this for so long, I'm now beginning to wonder, could this be something else other than IBS and because I did not have an endoscopy, it could be a different thing. Or, would the advice be that since I did a stool / blood test, that confirms, without a doubt, it is IBS.

Sorry now for the comprehensive detail, and all the questions. Just really need in support with this right now

I just don't know anymore. I was told I have IBS. I can feel great but then something happens or there is a trigger, like I can't have sorbitol. I found that out this week. I do not have a problem moving my bowels and do it every morning, but sometimes I do not fully evacuate and I become a bloated mess. A lot of gas that makes me feel nauseous. Of course burping helps the most, but OTC gas pills do not help. Sometimes I take too many different things because I am so scared to throw up...which never happens. Anxiety also plays a role also.

Isn't there some prescriptions that I can ask for to help with this?? I know the last thing I need is to add fiber, because if it is too much, my body does not like it and I feel bloated. I have that gas build up again.

I was told this...ask your doctor about Linzess or Trulance Because your daily bowel movements are already consistent, these specific medications may be the best fit for you. They do not act like harsh, aggressive laxatives; instead, they add a microscopic layer of fluid to your intestines. This accelerates transit time slightly, stopping food from fermenting into gas and eliminating the upward pressure that triggers your severe nausea.

Thoughts?? Help!!!! It is so hard to live like this sometimes and I want to take control of it.

I’ve been having a lot of diarrhea lately, unfortunately have had too much processed food in the last week.

Wondering if fibre is good in this case? Or will it make it worse? And which kind of fibre is best?

Plz help, I am so tired of this 😭

Anybody out there with IBS, have you found taking metamucil helps with bloating and occasional diarrhea, I know anyone's different, just curious?