r/ibs

Sub doesn't allow polls, but I'm curious, how many of us are overweight or underweight.

I'm overweight, and I feel like it's partly because the stuff that doesn't hurt my stomach well, is shitty nutritionally.

Edit: to add, I'm not super overweight, I need to lose about 20ish pounds.
My light hearted example of my frustration is that if I want a healthy dessert, I can't have an apple and peanut butter, because the apple will destroy me. However, I can eat half a pack of oreos with no stomach repercussions. Sigh.

Hey all! Super awkward for me to talk about but I feel like I’m losing my mind as to what is normal and if I have IBS?
I have maybe 1-2 normal stools every few weeks. I typically have diarrhea everyday and have occasional bloating/gas pains every now and then, usually at night.
I’m waiting on my stool samples to be tested at the doctor but I’m losing weight and unable to gain any either and I feel like it’s due to everything going right through me at least once a day.
Does anyone with IBS have these symptoms? TYIA.

I have horrible abdominal pain all day long (usually worse in the morning), food intolerances so I only eat few safe foods, abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation that is incredibly stubborn (and painful) but also diarrhea attacks with horrible pain and cramps.

I was told it was IBS but amytriptiline/noretryptiline wouldn’t do shit. Pain did not improve. Then decided to do a GI MAP and a nasal swab. Turned out I have very high C. difficile toxins numbers in addition to citrobacter and streptococcus and a leaky gut. Furthermore, I also have Marcons in my nose and klebsiella that have also formed biofilms. That will push your MSH hormone to zero which will leave all your GI membranes completely exposed to pathogens and also MSH controls your immune system so your immune system will also be completely messed up and possible starting to react to normal foods. For the ones that can’t find any answers I would recommend looking into this and taking a look at Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

help a sleepy girl out!

i cannot have any caffeine, even decaf coffee or green tea, it is one of my worst triggers and the pain could send me to the hospital but i am so tired all the time. i would kill to drink coffee and feel at least a little relief from the exhaustion. i sleep anywhere from 6-10 hours a night, average is 7-8, and no matter what amount of sleep i get, im still exhausted. i literally can’t lay down during the day or i will fall asleep. i even fall asleep while people are talking to me if im at someone’s house or my own house, i fall asleep sitting up, etc.

anyone have suggestions for a caffeine substitute that will actually wake me up during the day? supplements or drinks are fine but would prefer a supplement. respectfully, please don’t tell me to get more sunshine or exercise or something, i am beyond the tired that can fix lol and i get as much sun as possible during the day and i try to stay as active as i can in my busy life. i also drink like 1-2 litres of water throughout the day/night

Does anyone else experience severe IBS flare-ups after drinking alcohol? I'm looking for advice because it's honestly unbearable sometimes.

Usually, 2–3 days after drinking, I wake up extremely bloated with what feels like trapped gas. Throughout the day, I start getting sharp abdominal pains that eventually turn into intense waves of cramping. The pain gets so bad that I feel like I'm going to pass out. I'll usually stay stuck in the bathroom, but barely anything comes out at first. This repeats until it eventually turns into full-blown diarrhea, usually 1-2 hours after the pain starts. I actually ended up in the ER 2 times because of this but they couldn't find out what was wrong.

I know the obvious answer is to stop drinking, and I've definitely cut back because of this. But I'm 21, and sometimes I miss being able to go out and have drinks with my friends without worrying about being in excruciating pain days later.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Have you found anything that helps prevent these flares or makes them less severe? My doc is starting me on Visbiome but don't know if they'd actually help.

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences!

i haven’t pooped in three days, which isn’t that long compared to what it’s been like for me in the past, but i’m in so much pain. my stomach is hard and bloated, and sitting on the toilet hurts (hemorrhoids). i’m also nauseous and throwing up liquids (like water). it’s not bad enough for me to go to urgent care, and honestly i don’t want to go because my pain will be resolved once i poop. i just always feel horrible until a bit after i finally poop.
Edit: i pooped and feel a lot better🥹

A new brain-imaging review adds yet more evidence that IBS is a physical disorder of gut-brain interaction.

Researchers analyzed prior neuroimaging studies comparing people with IBS to people without IBS. They found differences in brain areas involved with gut sensation, pain processing, emotion, body awareness, and attention.

So IBS is not just a bowel problem, and it is certainly not “all in your head.” The gut and brain constantly communicate, and in IBS that communication can become overactive, hypersensitive, or misread normal gut signals as pain or distress.

In a nutshell? This is yet more evidence that IBS symptoms are real, biological, and connected to measurable changes in gut-brain pain and sensation pathways.

We knew it!

I’m honestly so fed up with my digestive issues. I have IBS-M and functional dyspepsia, but sometimes I wonder if something else is going on, like IBD.
Today, I started out having small, hard pellet-like stools, but I kept feeling like I needed to poop even when nothing else would come out. I’ve now had four bowel movements, and they’ve progressed to loose, watery/mushy diarrhea. I’m dealing with so much gas, bloating, abdominal pressure, and stomach aches. My gas and stool even smell like eggs.
I’m exhausted by the constant changes in my bowel habits and never knowing what my body is going to do. One minute I’m constipated, and the next I’m dealing with diarrhea and abdominal pain. It’s hard not to worry that something is being missed, especially when I still don’t feel like I fully understand what’s causing all of this.
I know IBS can cause a lot of symptoms, but how do you know when it’s actually IBS versus something like IBD? Has anyone with IBS-M experienced this kind of pattern? What testing helped you get answers?
I’m just frustrated, uncomfortable, and tired of not knowing what’s going on with my body.

I am a 52F going through menopause. I had pretty bad IBS in my 20s, which I learned to control really well since then, first through fiber supplementation, while completely rehauling my diet, which had excellent results. Very occasional flares here and there since then. A couple of months ago, I started a 4-day per week strength training program, along with about 10 minutes daily of very light movement on the mini rebounder (not jumping, just a slight bounce for lymph movement), plus an hour a day of walking for 8-10K steps per day. Well, two months into it and having pretty constant intestinal cramps. As my core muscles are tightening, I feel like it's putting stress on my intestines and causing cramping. Also increased frequency of bowel movements, though normal BMs. All this seems to calm down by the end of each weekend (I take weekends off from active workouts except some walking) and restarts on Monday after restarting weight training. Any similar experiences here, with exercise being a trigger?

Which medicines or tips have helped you manage this? Please share your story.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for honest experiences and feedback from people who have tried BPC-157, particularly those with IBS, chronic diarrhea, or other ongoing gastrointestinal issues.
I’m a 35-year-old female, and I’ve been struggling with digestive issues for over 10 years. I was diagnosed with IBS, but I’m still dealing with symptoms that significantly impact my quality of life.

My symptoms include frequent loose stools and diarrhea, urgency (I can’t hold it), and abdominal cramping. I often need to use the bathroom shortly after eating (within the hour). My bowel movements can be unpredictable, and although I’ve experienced both constipation and diarrhea over the years, diarrhea has been my biggest issue.

My testing history
I’ve spent a significant amount of time and money trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. I’ve had multiple tests and evaluations, but I still haven’t found a clear explanation for my ongoing symptoms.

Here’s what I’ve had done:

Colonoscopy: Everything looked normal, although I was told I have a tortuous colon.
Endoscopy: Completed in January 2024 - Normal
Celiac testing: Negative.
H. pylori testing: Negative.
Testing for colitis: Negative.
Small bowel follow-through: Completed in 2015.
Food sensitivity testing: I’ve also had testing done for food sensitivities, but I still haven’t been able to identify a clear cause for my symptoms.
Despite all of this, I’m still struggling daily. I don’t believe I’ve been tested for SIBO, but given how long I’ve been dealing with this and the antibiotics I’ve taken over the years for other issues, I’m not convinced that it explains everything.

Blood work: I’ve also had blood work done, including cortisol testing, and my results came back normal. Only abnormal levels are vitamin D. (I live in a northern state that doesn’t get a lot of sun. Took supplements to raise those levels)

What I’ve tried
I’ve been trying to manage my symptoms while continuing to look for answers.

Nortriptyline 10 mg nightly: I started this on September 2, 2026, to help with IBS and the gut-brain connection. The good news is that my abdominal cramping has improved by approximately 75%, and I feel more comfortable eating. Unfortunately, my diarrhea hasn’t improved and may actually be happening more frequently.
Dicyclomine: I take this as needed for abdominal cramping, and it does seem to help with the pain.
Dietary changes: I’ve tried paying attention to potential triggers, but I haven’t found a consistent pattern that explains everything.
I know the gut-brain connection can play a role in IBS, and stress can make symptoms worse. However, I still feel like there’s something about my ongoing digestive issues that I haven’t figured out.

How much this has affected my life
Honestly, this is the part that has become the most frustrating. I don’t really eat out anymore unless I’m close to home or know there’s a restroom I can get to quickly. If I’m traveling, I tend to restrict how much I eat because I’m afraid of triggering diarrhea or needing to find a bathroom when one isn’t readily available.
I’m constantly thinking about where the nearest restroom is, what I’ve eaten, and whether I’m going to feel okay afterward. Something as simple as going out to eat or traveling has become stressful because I never know how my stomach will react.

I’m currently around 98 pounds at 5’2”, while my healthy weight is typically around 115–120 pounds. I want to be able to eat normally, gain weight, and stop feeling like my digestive system dictates what I can and cannot do.
I’ve spent years trying to figure this out, and it’s exhausting to continue experiencing symptoms despite having so many reassuring test results.

Why I’m considering BPC-157
I’ve been researching BPC-157 because of the proposed effects it may have on the gastrointestinal tract and tissue healing.
I understand that the research in humans is extremely limited and that BPC-157 isn’t an established treatment for IBS. I’m not expecting a miracle cure, but after years of trying to find answers, I’m curious about whether anyone with similar symptoms has experienced meaningful improvements.

My plan is to start BPC-157 on October 9, 2026, with a subcutaneous injection in my abdomen before bed. The amount I’m currently planning to use is 25 units.
I’m sharing this because I’d like to document my experience and hear from others who have explored this option for chronic GI issues.
I also want to be clear that I’m still trying to understand the underlying cause of my symptoms. I’m not assuming BPC-157 is the answer, and I’m open to hearing about experiences that weren’t positive.

I’d especially love feedback from anyone who has experienced:
Chronic diarrhea or IBS-D and tried BPC-157.
Persistent GI symptoms despite normal colonoscopy and endoscopy results.
Improvements in stool consistency, urgency, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain.
No improvement or negative side effects.
Changes in appetite, food tolerance, or ability to eat without triggering symptoms.
Symptoms returning after stopping BPC-157.
If you’ve tried it, how long did it take before you noticed anything? What actually improved, if anything? Did the benefits last?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who had symptoms for years before trying it, rather than people dealing with a short-term digestive issue.

I’m exhausted from trying to figure this out and would genuinely appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences, both good and bad.

Thank you!

I am a 24 yr old male from the UK and my IBS started 4 years ago after a rough breakup. I have seen countless health practitioners and probably spent over £5k on it. All that I know of it from lab tests and symptoms is that I have severe dysbiosis, leaky gut and that it has been gradually deteriorating. Probiotics, glutamine, all the gold standard crap my gut likes for a few days then gets resistant to. To this day I am on such strict bland diets and my symptoms are fatigue, very loose stool, severe acne, low libido, intolerances you name it.

As I mentioned my symptoms started late 2022, 1 month after a rough breakup. I didnt handle it well and didnt process my emotions at all - chucked them to the side and tried ignoring how i really felt. No wonder why its manifested into complex health issues. Even after getting over the breakup on a superficial level within months, I guess my body kept score. I think I can diagnose myself with Trauma Induced IBS.

The last year I've tried seeking interventions that can try help the psychosocial aspect of my condition. Tried CBT and psychotherapy. That didn't work at all. Until more recently since December last year I saw a practitioner who specialised in complex health issues. He was specialised in somatic experiencing and neuroaffective touch - basically therapy that is helpful for releasing stuck trauma in the body, which is exactly what I needed. After my 3rd session, I felt big release from my body, massive amount of muscle twitches/spasms and my stools the next week were amazing. Symptoms started to relapse a bit after that but I saw him again for several sessions and got some release again. My symptoms were amazing again for like 3 weeks. However, I relapsed again and when I next went back to him, his therapy couldnt replicate the symptoms for some reason. Here I am today with my old symptoms and very demotivated. That therapy was the closest thing I have felt to remission, but it seems like based off the last 3/4 sessions that its not working anymore. I'm still getting the few old muscle spasms but nothing to show Im getting better.

Do you have any ideas what else I can do? It is clear that I need to fix something in my brain to help with the brain gut miscommunication. I have tried vagus nerve stuff like gut directed hypnotherapy but im seriously stuck or what else to do.

3 days into my holiday and im not enjoying it at all. My IBS symptoms are extreme bloating and nausea from the bloating, occasionally the nausea is strong after a bowel movement. I’m taking peppermint capsules every morning and before bed I take gas x and buscopan too but my colon feels like it’s filled with gas or it’s just sluggish. I will go to the toilet several times just to fart and a little stool comes out. I’m not exactly constipated i feel like it’s more gas that’s not allowing the stool to come out in once piece. I don’t know what to do it’s really making me depressed and think twice before eating anything. When I drink tea such a aniseed my stomach started gurgling like it’s finally moving along I then feel the Bloating and pain in the lower stomach as if the pushed the contents down which I can tolerate more than when the pain is near the ribs. What can I do if I eat or don’t eat I’m having symptoms.

I have been in pain for like 8 hours now, sharp cramps right above my belly button that come and go but mostly come🥲, a couple of hours ago the pain moved to my ovaries (my period finished yesterday and i do have pcos for context) and now it has moved back to the centre of my stomach. I don’t even know how to explain the pain other than hell, I’ve been feeling nauseous the whole time and occasionally got goosebumps from how much pain I am in. I have been sipping water and using a hot water bottle but nothing helps. Does anyone have any advice? I also don’t fancy sitting in A&E for 6 hours for them to tell me they don’t know what’s wrong with me- I used to get this years ago but hasn’t been this bad in a long time now. Thanks in advance 🫶🏼

living low fodmap lyf and just pining after flavours. What do you all cook day to day, and what flavours do you miss most, or wish you had?

Could I have SIBO?
63M here all my life I have had anxiety and the anxiety can bring on excruciating painful cramps and diarrhea.
Most of my life I have had daily bowel movements but recently when I go it is a struggle to go and I do not feel like I cleaned out my bowel’s .
I feel sluggish bloated and uncomfortable.
Then sometimes like tonight I finally had the horrible bad cramps that had me back to the toilet 5 or 6 times. The cramps were on and off for 1.5 hours .
I feel relief from the diarrhea and now the bloated feeling has subsided, and I feel cleaned out.
What can I do to feel like this with out the severe cramps. These cramps are so bad I felt like calling 911.
I just had this all happen tonight right now but feel so relieved after this fight with cramps.
Is there any medication that can help? I much prefer the diarrhea because I feel empty and now a little weak but at least I don’t feel like there’s poop stuck inside me.
FYI this is unusual for me most of my life I have been pretty regular and being constipated has been going on for about 6 weeks on and off. And I don’t know why.
Any advice on what to do? I am seeing my pcp in 2 weeks and will discuss it with him.Also, everything looks normal no blood or mucus just constipation and then the horrible severe cramps followed by relief. Oh, occasionally after these bad cramps and diarrhea I get rigors and there really bad.
I do drink water little by little following these cramps so I don’t dehydrate.
This is so unsettling and uncomfortable as I am not used to being constipated.
Tomorrow should be a good day as everything is out now and I can reset.
But how can I keep from getting constipated again?
I drink a lot of water every day. I’d say close to a 2-liter bottle throughout the day and some fruit juice.

I used to have 3 coffees every day with oat milk and after the second and third coffee I would feel pretty boosted. A week ago I cut back on the coffee and added some tea instead. I’m feeling a lot better about want some other options for what to have instead of coffee. Right now I’m having earl grey tea with milk but I’m not loving it. I don’t like black tea, matcha and I won’t have decaf coffee. I prefer something with milk or something a little in the sweet side. I do not enjoy anything that is bitter.

What do you suggest for a nice warm drink that is similar in some way to coffee but not coffee.

Hi! My period was supposed to come a week ago but of course with stress and a rough cold it was pushed off and I’m feeling all the symptoms starting today and my wedding is Saturday. It just may happen day of and I need words of encouragement. I get horrible IBS-d the day of my period. I don’t really take medicine for it aside from Advil and gas x if needed so I’m scared to try something new.

I’m going to wake up extra early on Saturday and give myself time to use the bathroom.

But any words of encouragement? How did you all get through your wedding days with IBS? A flare up? Periods? Please :( I’m really upset. I also was just sick for 2 weeks and still have a cough so I’ve been trying to stay positive but it’s so hard

Hi friends, looking to change my multivitamin to a better quality one. So what multivitamin do you all take?

Hey everyone! My wife suffers from IBSC pretty bad. Symptoms have been pretty bad over past several years which include constipation, abdominal pain, small
hard stools and bloating.

Meds we’ve tried with minimal success include Linzess, Montegeity, Trulace, IBSRELLA, Mesalamine and Lactulose as needed. She’s also had several colonoscopies and USs which were all unremarkable.

Diet includes eggs, lactaid cottage cheese, grilled chicken, some vegetables (have to be careful with that one), tofu, tubers. She hardly ever eats bad and will often have to resort to pretzels when her symptoms are bad.

Anyone here have any suggestions? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. My wife lives such a healthy lifestyle and I hate seeing her like this. Many thanks in advance.