Hi I’ve suffered with Ibs for years usually it’s the awful cramps and diarrhoea and a flare up lasts about two days. Most days I take Imodium and probably have bowel movement once or twice a week. This time my flare up started on Tuesday it’s now Sunday but this time it began with constipation bloating trapped wind and very hard stools. This morning I’ve had a loose stool, but the last few days I’ve had muscle aches a headache that won’t shift and I’m hungry but nausea is there too. Is this all likely to be linked. These symptoms usually happen with the flare up but I’ve never had it last this long before. Doctors have also mentioned to me in the past that I may have fibromyalgia. Any advice would be massively appreciated
Hi Chloe, ooh that doesn't sound nice, I don't normally get headaches and muscle pains etc with my IBS. The fibromyalgia fits that pattern of symptoms more. Ask the experts on here, different people will have different view points.
Hi Chloe
Have you tried the low fodmap diet? It’s helped me a great deal in determining what foods set me off. Also, maybe try not drinking within 30mins of meals as that helped me. Maybe adding a smaal amount of a fibre supplement with psylium could help you as it firms up stools but also makes them easier to pass. Just dont overdo it or it can cause excess gas. I hope that helps
Thankyou I will try some of those tips. I am feeling slightly better again today so I think the flare up is calming down but it’s useful to know for next time.
IBS flare ups can vary in duration. My first one lasted three and a half months. There is no set time for your flare ups to end. IBS is very unpredicatable and varies from person to person. Symptoms can also change from flare up to flare up. All the symptoms you mention are linked to IBS, especially muscle aches and headaches
People with IBS sometimes have fibeomyalgia as well.
Thankyou so much that’s really helpful and nice to be reassured that it’s all linked and can be part of Ibs. I took one of my migraine tablets in the end and wether it was a coincidence or not my flare up calmed down too. Thanks again x
Your migraine tablets are strong painkillers and strong painkillers help with IBS pain.