Coping with Long-term IBS symptoms

This is something that most long-term IBS sufferers will recognize. More than one doctor has told me that this is not a condition that can be cured, only managed and endured, so this is not like going to the doctor's for an antibiotic for an infection.
So when I get emails from people who tell me that nothing has worked for them, I am incredibly sympathetic, as I too have often said, 'Nothing works!' Although I have found some things relieve it.

There is no one correct way to manage living with IBS. At times it will be incredibly painful, embarrassing and make one completely housebound, other times the IBS symptoms may ease off for a time and become less chronic, only to flare up again.It is very important to realize that once IBS is diagnosed, that is not the end of the story. Quite possibly, indeed probably, after you have been given a prescription for perhaps Mebeverine Hydrochloride (also marketed as Colofac IBS) or changed your diet, or tried an over the counter medication, you will still feel exactly the same as before. People have contacted me at the end of their tether, having tried so many supposed *cures* for their IBS that they have no faith left and are still in great pain.

It is not surprising, therefore that those of us with IBS try many different medications or natural treatments to attempt to cope with it. I stress 'cope' with it, since often that is all we can do. This is something which is ongoing. After having it for probably five or six years, I slowly began to accept that this horrible problem was not going to just vanish. At times, I thought it had, as it would fade, only for something to trigger it again. It would return and I would be thrown back into it so violently I could not, in fact, believe there had been a time of respite.

I have been reading lately of the efficacy of Peppermint Oil capsules in treating, even curing IBS, and have just begun to take them. I intend to take them three times daily until I finished them and then will write an article. So, coping with IBS symptoms is something we deal with on a day-to-day basis, and each day can be different. There may be days when I need a hot pad or hot water bottle on my stomach, days when I find that Pepto Bismol helps me, Ginger or Peppermint tea for nausea, (Ginger capsules are also extremely effective for nausea, I have found) or the tablets I am prescribed for that, Metoclopramide. Sometimes I suffer trapped wind, and may need to take something specifically for that. On occasions my very acid stomach will exacerbate matters, and I will drink Slippery Elm Food, and also need something like Gaviscon.

On days when I know anxiety, a panic attack or stress has triggered a spasm, I will also try and treat that anxiety. I may need recourse to my prescribed medication, and also drink Chamomile Tea, which is soothing both for the stomach and nerves. Rubbing lavender oil mixed with cream onto my stomach, or inhaling it is also relaxing, as is Neroli oil. I have always found Bach Rescue Remedy a very effective natural treatment for nerves, and can easily be carried on one's person.

Different days require different approaches to my attacks, but it took many years for me to realize this, and I am very sorry for people who feel there is no cure and no help, even after they have been diagnosed. As far as I know, there simply is no cure, all we can do is manage the IBS symptoms.

Of course, the stress associated with being an IBS sufferer (pain, embarrassment, nausea, lack of mobility due to needing to be close to a bathroom) only makes the IBS symptoms worse; stress or fear for me is one of the main triggers, and certainly produces the most violent spasms, which can last for weeks.

Do You Have A Great Story
or Comment About This Topic?

Share it!

Return from IBS symptoms long term to Living with IBS

Return from IBS symptoms long term to Home Page