Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: westie on February 06, 2014, 05:28:11 PM
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Hello
I have suffered from IBS on and off for a long time now although I go through long phases where everything is ok.
Thing is, I've now had intermittent diarrhoea for about 4/5 weeks now and it is really starting to get me down. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that I had 3 lots of antibiotics over Christmas (2 for a chest infection and one for a nasty UTI). Since then my system has gone haywire! Has anyone else had this?
I know IBS is common at our time of life but I was doing so well until recently.
Am booking an appointment with my GP if only to calm my neurotic mind.
Any experiences from you lovely ladies would be very welcome
Thank you
Westie
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Yes, yes and yes. Antibitiotics can cause IBS - have you tried a good probiotic drink/tablets to help the good bacteria in your gut?
LIVE yoghurt can help too. I buy the Greek plain variety with "LIVE" in red print on the tub. Not 'natural' but 'live' ;) a table spoonful 3 times a day is good for us anyway and I used it when ever I had a 'thrush' infection (eaten and applied :-X)
IBS can become problematic as hormone levels alter. I always had 'the runs' within an hour before a period started even if a bleed wasn't due!
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CLKD is absolutely right. Antibiotics play havoc with the digestive system. I dread having to take them as I know I will have the runs afterwards. DG x
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Thank you girls for your prompt replies you have made me feel a lot less paranoid!
I will give the 'live' yoghurt a go CKLD thanks for the advice. I was thinking it was to do with the anti bio's as I was perfectly ok before I took them. I find it's all a horrible viscous circle as the IBS makes me more and more anxious which in turn makes my symptoms worse! :(
This forum is fantastic- thank you, really helps to know I'm not alone.
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From a fellow sufferer you have my sympathy! I can take some and be ok and other make me feel sick and upset tummy but I think it is only amoycillen (sorry wrong spelling) which is more like penicillin I think.
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You need to take a really good pro biotic to rebalance the flora in your gut. If you want something natural to stop the runs in the meantime try A Vogel Tormentil drops. They are natural and I find them brilliant. If you Google them then you can read the reviews. They are not cheap but one small bottle lasts for months.
I really would recommend them. They changed the quality of my life as i was so scared of being caught short when away from the house.
Honeyb
x
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Thank you honey bun I will order some tonight, with a good 'live' yoghurt which has also been recommended. Hopefully that'll sort me out, I will let you know.
Thanks again for the advice everyone very much appreciated.
W x
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Hi Westie
I suggest you look into the FODMAP diet which is the newest way of treating IBS.
You can ask your GP to refer you to an NHS dietician who is trained in this treatment- it has around an 80% success rate.
It was trialled at Guys and St Thomas' Hospitals ( and Kings College) London so it's not 'faddy' - it's real science!
I'd avoid yoghurts and other things because many people with IBS find they are gluten or lactose intolerant. You can take probiotics as supplements instead but you need advice on the best ones.
I know an NHS/private dietician who treats IBS by Skype appts if you wanted her details- she treated my daughter- and it's her speciality.
Not sure if I am allowed to post her website here but if you PM me then I can help.
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FODMAP stands for what exactly? :-\
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Here we are- link to the site and tells you all about it :)
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/research/divisions/dns/projects/fodmaps/index.aspx
AND here!
http://www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/
You can even buy the App.
It came to the UK after gastroenterologist Dr Peter Irving went to Australia to learn about it and introduced it to his hospital in London.
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So many long words glad I'm not doing shorthand ;D
It isn't clear when the idea arrived in the UK :-\
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I am sure the info is on one the sites.
It was around 2009-2010. Dr Irving went to Australia in 2008 and he started UK work on it shortly afterwards.
This is one profile on him..http://www.thelondonclinic.co.uk/consultants/dr-peter-miles-irving
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I don't think I could follow this diet successfully. I don't think that removing gluten or milk products from your diet should be done without having the relevant tests. I know it's difficult to get a GP to test for gluten intolerance but worth asking for I think.
Also adopting a gluten free diet is very expensive.
I think it may work for some but not something I would do.
Honeyb
x
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As the info says you need to work alongside a dietician.
You would not have any tests except blood tests for coeliac which is done via a blood test at your GP. My daughter has been through all of this- she is 25 and manages very well to be gluten free on a fairly small salary.
I have been gluten free for many years. It's not expensive because you save by not buying cakes, biscuits and loads of other things! I don't buy the alternatives - except bread- and it's quite easy to bake all sorts with gluten free flour.
Not ALL people on the FODMAP diet are intolerant to gluten and lactose- some can have both and some can have one or the other. You test yourself by following the diet for 8 weeks- then re-assess.
It depends on what motivates people. Some people's IBS is so bad they are housebound or cannot do things like go out much or use public transport. For them, giving up gluten etc is a small step to make life much better.
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It seems well studied. Under supervision one gets the opportunity to find out what really does affect us. Some tests are non-specific in that although I tested negative for cat fur after we didn't have pets, my sniffles improved. I know it was cat reaction because when I did start baby-sitting for cats that the symptoms began again.
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That's right CKLD.
The idea is that after 8 weeks you introduce suspect foods but in a very controlled way because there can be 2-3 days delay between eating and symptoms. And of course you only introduce 1 food at a time.
Some people end up having to exclude only a few foods whereas others are more sensitive.
Yes you can occasionally get false negatives which is why tests such as patch tests are not always 100%- the only real test is to eat the foods- or be with the cats!
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I have discovered over the years what foods not to eat, and what I am prepared to tolerate and then use my trusty drops which were prescribed for me by an alternative practitioner.
It's a case of trial and error for everyone who has digestive issues.
Honeyb
x
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I've ordered the drops Honeyb along with some Acidophilus pro biotics which have also been recommended to me.
I, like you have a rough idea of what I can and can't tolerate so I'll give these a go and see how I get on before I look at the FODMAP,( but thanks for the info Sarah2.)
Just talking this through with all of you has made me feel far more positive. Thank you.
W x
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Hi girls
Well I don't want to speak too soon but I have been taking the acidophilus and the Tormentil drops since Monday and my digestive system has taken a step in the right direction and is now much calmer - what a relief! :)
So big thank you to you girls for your support and advice. Just one question Honeyb - do you take the tormentil continually ( everyday) or just when you have a flare-up?
Westie x
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Because it's natural you can really take it as often as you want. To start with I took it daily but now I only take it when the warning signs are there. Th grumbly tummy that you know will end up in the loo. It's an anti spasmodic so it will help the horrible cramping. If I am going out and am not 100% then I take it before I go. It's trial and error to find what's right for you.
I am glad you are having some success with it. Let us know how you get on.
Those little drops really did change my life.
Honeyb
x
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Thanks Honeyb I'll take your advice and see how I go.
W x
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I'm interested in Honeybun's drops. Tell me more.
Just want to celebrate. After months of severe IBS problems, then having to have 3 courses of antibiotics, followed by a few weeks of bowel irritableness (new word!), things have settled down. My bowel is not ruling my world, in fact, it is behaving like a normal bowel. Yippee! Long May it continue! I feel like....
:banana:
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Hi Ju Ju.
They are called Tormentil and are made by A Vogel. They stop the runs very quickly and also stop the horrible washing machine tummy sounds. They are herbal so very safe. I was prescribed them by an alternative practitioner for IBS. Until I took them I had trouble getting out of the house in the morning and eating out was not an option in case I had to go quickly. Sorry if TMI.
If you Google them there are plenty of reviews worth reading.
They are also an anti spasmodic so help with cramps.
Hope this helps.
Honeyb
x
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Hi
I have tried all the medication and none of it works unfortunately; so I am trying to change my diet but there are some many conflicting view on fibre in the diet , good fibre and bad fibre, that I don't know where to start!
Stress is the big one for me, any stress and the pain starts!
Lubylou
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Have you tried the herbal drops.
My sister had her gall bladder removed and then suffered fro dumping syndrome. These drops have enabled her to live a more or less normal life.
Honeyb
x
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Hunybun
Are the drops OK to use if C not D is a problem?
Lubylou
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No unfortunately not. They would not help at all. They slow down transit which would not be what you want.
Honeyb x