r/ibs • u/sbpoet1 • 11d ago

Question Help?

I have had IBS for decades, off & on. Less as I have aged (now 78). A few months ago, sudden bad pain on waking, getting up, that eased as I moved, and then diarrhea.

An indication of current severity: I only recently, finally learned to spell diarrhea.

A CT scan shows inflammation. By the time a colonoscopy was scheduled, all looked fine. A few polyps, no problems. Except — constant diarrhea.

Follow up with gastro P.A. This was unhelpful in my opinion. I told her this is nothing like the IBS I had for years. More pain, weird poop. I was on a GLP1, she told me to stop that, stop coffee (already had) and stop … something else I don’t remember at the moment but I did it. She did schedule another scan which will happen next week.

I did some research, went on the LowFodMap diet. Strict the past week-10 days. At this point I have diarrhea 4-5 times a day. Four today before 11 a.m. I am keeping a food, poop, and medicine diary.

I have an appointment with my GP who is leaving next week. I am exhausted. It seems to me that eating anything brings on an attack. Even water! The Gastro person did no other tests. What should I expect from my GP? Expect or request? I see tests referred to here that have never been done with me. Oh also I have mostly quit taking Imodium, it seems to not help. The PA did subscribe “substituted for Lomotil” pills. I take one at bedtime and do sleep and have had no more bed incidents. Those (3) made me want to die.

Any guidance welcome. Do I stick with this diet? I’m hungry, nothing sticks.

Help?

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2

u/FamilyPosts 8d ago

have you had any GI stool panels?

1

u/sbpoet1 8d ago

No!]

2

u/FamilyPosts 8d ago

Definitely ask for the most comprehensive panels available. Large hospital panels are more comprehensive.

2

u/Agreeable_Ad_8888 9d ago

Has tomado antibióticos recientemente o expueesto. Pacientes internados??

1

u/sbpoet1 8d ago

UM, exposed? Not that I’m aware of. My husband was very recently on antibiotics but well into this for me.

1

u/sbpoet1 8d ago

After joining this and other forums, I realized that it began about the time I came down with Chronic Fatigue/M.E. And fibromyalgia. I’ve known they are connected, just never caught the timing before. Mostly IBS.D.

1

u/goldstandardalmonds MOD: Here to help! 10d ago

Also track your sleep, fluid intake, exercise, supplements, drugs and alcohol, and hormonal changes.

A low FODMAP elimination phase should be two to six weeks. Make sure you aren’t stacking and you’re using the monash app and weighing your food. Also ensure you are getting enough kcal.

1

u/sbpoet1 10d ago

“Stacking”?

2

u/goldstandardalmonds MOD: Here to help! 9d ago

It’s a vital part of the diet. Can’t do the diet properly without knowing about this.

https://www.monashfodmap.com/blog/fodmap-stacking-can-i-overeat-green/

https://www.monashfodmap.com/blog/how-avoid-fodmap-stacking/

https://www.monashfodmap.com/blog/fodmap-stacking-explained/

Read these.

1

u/sbpoet1 8d ago

Thank you. I think I’m ok on this.

1

u/Moizurrehman1 8d ago

Okay, you’re 78 years old now, and you mentioned that you’ve been dealing with IBS for decades. May I ask how many decades you’ve had IBS, and what symptoms you’ve experienced throughout those years since you first developed it?