Ibs Sufferers - I Know There's A Couple On Here ....

[Smowball]

I was only diagnosed two years ago and am still struggling to find my triggers, but just wondered how on earth you cope when travelling/out and about?? We went away last weekend and whilst packing I could feel myself cramping up and in a lot of pain. Took my medication but made no difference. Was in and out of bathroom all morning. Just about coped with the train journey but even though there was only a 7 or 8 minute walk the other end I didn't even make that - I had to run into a restaurant , not making eye contact with any staff and just bomb it to the toilet. I was like that all of Saturday and most of Sunday, and even though Mr Smow says I didn't spoil the weekend I know I did. In fact it was so bad that he booked a cab all the way home as he knew I was panicking about the train. How do you manage??

[hc4361]

Imodium (or similar) before every journey
Know where the toilets are before you go out
Wet wipes and change of clothes - and a carrier bag for your soiled clothes
No white trousers

[woofgang]

pretty much what hc said...

[Patsy33]

It's all tied up with your emotions smowball. I used to be like that but since I've been on antidepressants, I've had no more trouble. Perhaps see your gp again to see what he advises.

[Sqad]

I agree with all 3 posts above.

Imodium (Loperamide) is the answer.

[Smowball]

I take Imodium and it's made no difference this week whatsoever which I don't understand

[EcclesCake]

I have recently discovered that Imodium, or preferably its generic form, is a life saver. Having been brought up with the belief 'better out than in' it has taken a long time to accept a dose of Imodium.

Do others suffer nausea?

[cupid04]

I agree with Patsy...triggers are not always related to what you eat. Can be stress related. Very hard to avoid stress ;-(

[Smowball]

Yes Eccles - all the time!!

[Jackdaw33]

Although I don't have IBS I know what it's like to be caught short when out and about. A few times I have managed to reach a toilet with literally five seconds to spare.Not a nice situation to be in. The trouble with Immodium etc. is that they can block me for up to a week, thus causing the reverse problem.

[Jackdaw33]

Re Immodium, the generic form, Loperamide, is just as effective and less than half the price.

[woofgang]

sorry, got called away...I have found that its easier to work out a safe diet rather than identify triggers...it may sound like the same thing but it isn’t...if you think that what you normally eat may consist of 30 or 40 different things, and more if some of your triggers are combinations...sorting out the triggers is difficult, but identifying say three of four things that don’t trigger you is much easier, and also helpful if one of your triggers is stress. My “safe” diet is a nutritionist nightmare, it consist of protein, not a lot of fat, as low fibre as I can get it and ginger ale. If stress is a trigger and you know you are (or will be stressed) then take the meds you use and start the diet before you feel symptoms. I find not eating at all makes symptoms worse.

[hc4361]

Jackdaw, after taking Imodium I can get 'blocked up' and find that Senna tablets at night help, when I know I'm not going out next day.
It can be a vicious cycle.
I try never to leave the house until I've 'been'.

[EcclesCake]

Glad I'm not the only one to suffer nausea, if you see what I mean.

It's no fun and trying to find dietary triggers is hard work!

[Jackdaw33]

I know what you mean. Until I retired you could set your watch by me. Straight after my breakfast cuppa without fail every day. Since then I am very irregular. I do not like taking laxatives if I can help it as you can come to depend upon them.

[hc4361]

I feel sick if I haven't eaten for a few hours. I can't eat fruit nor salad, which I really miss but I know the consequences.

[cupid04]

I've never found anything effective to take for the pain of bloating. Was on spasmanol [not sure of spelling] for years prescribed by doctor then it suddenly stopped working. You can't take pain-killers because most of them aggravate constipation. The only thing that eases the pain a little is a hot water bottle....you can't carry one of them all the time with you...

[Jackdaw33]

Try Buscopan, Cupid. Available OTC. It really helps me.

[cupid04]

Thanks Jackdaw, I will look for Buscopan on next trip to chemist.

[Tilly2]

I have a relative who suffered with IBS for a good many years. Her life was a misery and she would never venture very far from a toilet.
Then one day, she left her controlling, manipulative partner, took control of her own life and, for the last two years, has not had anything like the symptoms she once had.

[cupid04]

My husband doesn't stress me ...it's the rest of my family!