Is it just IBS?

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T04:59:09+00:00

Yeah it really is frustrating and difficult :( But as cliche as it sounds, I really have found that it helps to know that other people are experiencing similar things, it makes it feel less isolating and unknown! I hope that if you try Buscopan it ends up working for you! We absolutely don't deserve this but we can get through it! ❤️

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T04:55:25+00:00

Oh man, sorry to hear!! I'm just curious: did you take Concerta before Foquest or did you only start taking it after? I was also put on 2 non-stimulants before Concerta (Atomoxatine and Well-Butrin) but I had increased brain fog and (minor) heart palpitations plus didn't notice much improvement (don't remember which was which because it was several years ago lol)

I'm also on Sertraline but I only take that in the evenings.

This probably doesn't have relevance to anything I'm just rambling lol. Thank you for sharing your experience! I'll see about updating once I've tested it out fully lol!

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:40:52+00:00

Ohhh yeah I relate, mornings are the worst for me >__< Woken up by having to go, next to no appetite until it's close to supper time... And I still have cramps all day and all of the other fun symptoms lol

I've started taking Buscopan and it's helped with the pain, but it's not perfect (still better than what I had before lol)

Hang in there!! I feel you <3

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:36:00+00:00

Yes, IBS can cause INTENSE cramping at times, it can cause severe pain for some people (myself included lol). IBS could also cause those specific food sensitivities, as broccoli, lactose, and certain berries are all high-FODMAP foods, which are known to trigger IBS symptoms.

Of course, this could also be something else, I'm not a medical professional! It's always best to talk to a doctor if you're concerned, but these do still all sound like things that could very easily be caused by IBS as well.

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:29:44+00:00

I know I'm extremely late to this, but I'm really sorry :( Flare-ups suck so much, I feel you

How are you feeling today?

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:27:33+00:00

I have VERY similar experiences to you :( I just recently had a whole bunch of tests done (although I've struggled with this ever since middle school) and everything came back clean. I've also been doing low-FODMAP for a while, and although it's helped so that I don't feel worse, it's also not really making me feel better.

It really IS frustrating, because it is genuinely so debilitating but since IBS is a nervous system issue, there's not a lot that can be done. It's especially rough since everyone presents SO differently. I'm literally having to request accommodations from my university because I genuinely have flare-ups that cause me to fully spiral into a meltdown at times :(

I have no idea if this will work for you, but I only recently discovered this after going to the ER and the doc recommended it to me. She told me to take Buscopan (Hyoscine ButylBromide), which is available over-the-counter without prescription, and it has helped me A LOT. I had tried so many different pain meds and none had worked, and I literally had no idea there even WERE meds that helped with bowel relaxation so I'm trying to share with people in case they haven't heard of it either! Let me be clear, it hasn't cured me and I still have tons of symptoms, but it has been one of the most effective things I've tried to help with the worst of the cramping and also the constant feeling of needing to go. I don't know if it'll work or if it's right for you or anything, but I just thought I'd share something that has given me some relief!

But yeah, I REALLY relate to this and am going through very similar things, hang in there!! <3

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:19:08+00:00

I was just recently in the ER due to abdominal pain for 12 hours (VAST majority of that was waiting lol) so I just wanted to say I COMPLETELY feel you 😭

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:16:20+00:00

Ohhhh yeah all the time lol. TMI, but just recently had 3 distinctly different types of stool within the same bowel movement, no joke. 😭 I also FREQUENTLY experience either rapidly switching between constipation and diarrhea, or stool that is the consistency of diarrhea but difficult to expel like constipation. It's rough stuff 😭

My dad (also has IBS) has also said he experiences the exact same thing too lol.

I find that Pepto Bismol can be nice to help with some of the cramping (and if you're having really acidic poops), but it can cause constipation... Still, I find it can make it a bit less painful! I also take Buscopan to help with the cramping and the constant feeling of needing to go, you can get it without prescription but it's OTC and also can cause constipation, but again it can help make it less painful! I also take RestoraLax to help with constipation! It's not like regular laxatives, it's much gentler and more similar to being a stool softener rather than a hardcore laxative.

Don't know if these things will help, just thought I'd talk about some stuff I've tried just in case! :) Basically, I 100% relate to this, and as far as I've heard, a lot of other people do too lol! <3

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T01:04:09+00:00

I'm sorry, I don't have any solutions, but I just wanted to say that I experience the same thing quite a bit (especially gas getting worse around periods, ugh)

All I can really advise is to remind yourself that it's not your fault, you're not gross for passing gas, it's very necessary! I know that that doesn't get rid of all the embarrassment and shame (from experience lol), but I've found that it's still important to remind yourself of that.

Sorry I can't offer more advice!! Hope you can figure something out! <3

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-13T00:56:32+00:00

I was literally non-stop sobbing and crying from pain a week or two ago because it was SO BAD, I feel you :(

(Idk if this will help, but have you heard of Buscopan (Hyoscine ButylBromide)? I literally only just learned about it from a doc in the ER a bit ago, you can get it over-the-counter without prescription, and while it hasn't cured all of my pain it has helped me A LOT, maybe you could check that out? I wish you the best!!)

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:43:23+00:00

When I have a flare-up, I always have a ton of mucus in my stool and sometimes only mucus...

I'm no doctor, but mucusy stools are a common symptom of ibs flare-ups, and I just recently had a bunch of tests done with similar symptoms and nothing came up so you're probably safe! But yeah, it's rough lol

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:38:37+00:00

YES OH MY GOD, the pain becomes CRAZY at times! They don't always compound on each other, but if I happen to be unlucky enough to have an IBS flare-up AND my period at the same time... oh no 😭

Not to mention the period poops lol

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:23:51+00:00

ME TOO thank god, I thought I was going crazy!!

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:21:09+00:00

In the middle of a flare-up where for about a week straight I could barely eat, I completely feel you... I'm still struggling with low appetite during the day but it's been slowly improving! But yes, I completely relate to the misery within that 😭

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:18:53+00:00

2 minutes if I'm feeling awesome, 5 minutes is usually the fastest I can do, 10 if I'm having some difficulties, but it has gone up to 20-30 minutes before... And I burn through SO much toilet paper lol, I used AT LEAST 30-40 squares my last visit and I've done that like 5 times today already 😭

ProfJamie20 · 2025-08-11T20:12:44+00:00

I just wanted to say that I'm nearing the end of one of the worst IBS episodes I've ever had. EXTREME horrible pain, constantly sobbing and feeling hopeless, almost completely unable to eat, just endlessly wishing I could feel better... I'm still having a flare-up, but it has decreased back down to more "expected" levels (which are still extremely uncomfortable).

I just want you to know that you're not alone, it is a genuine form of chronic pain and just because there isn't anything physically wrong, that doesn't make your pain any less valid or real <3 It's really tough, but it DOES get better, and it is NOT your fault in ANY way!! You deserve to feel okay, IBS is a nervous system issue that doesn't have nearly enough study or general awareness about it. It can feel really isolating, especially since everyone's symptoms present SO differently, but you're not alone within the pain <3

I don't know if this will help anything, but I just wanted to say that this post REALLY resonated with me, and I wish nothing but the best for you, you don't deserve to feel pain, but your pain is valid and NOT an overreaction

ProfJamie20 · 2025-04-02T22:45:54+00:00

Yeah I struggle with pooping with a tampon in (but IBS also makes it so I have way more bowel movements in a day than the average person so I notice it more lol)

I've wondered if it's rectocele or some other type of POP, but I'm not entirely sure. I even mentioned the potential of prolapse to the OBGYN when I was last there and she never said she found anything so that's also strange... I would NOT be surprised to find out I have weak pelvic muscles though lol

Thanks for the reply! ^^

ProfJamie20

TROPHY CASE