Very strong IBS flare today :(

For the last 2 days my bowel movements have slowed to one per day, with feelings of incomplete evacuation. IBS-C has always been one of my symptoms, but since taking Ceftin, Biaxin, and Bactrim ive had none of these issues. My bowel movements were actually normal, something I havent had for years. But due to the last 2 days I knew what was coming up....pain...lots of it! I woke this morning somewhat gassy with the need for a bowel movement. 30 minutes in the bathroom, not very productive. I called off work because the pain was intensifying. I went for a ride and then a short walk. Now hear I sit, waves of pain greater than usual. Moving my bowels, yes. But the waves of pain almost make me want to vomit.

Ill admit to not having the best diet, but im very sensitive to fiber levels. Too much and things go the opposite way. Too little and I have situations like today. I honestly think it has little to do with diet anyhow, since taking abx has helped tremendously, until today of course. I believe either Lyme or Bartonella have been screwing with my digestive system for years. Maybe I was wrong, maybe the doc was right and I didnt contract these from field dressing a deer with a cut finger, as my IBS has been an onging issue for 4 years or so before I got sick.


Either way, this is the pits! I hate it. Losing more money from work. Not being able to enjoy my day. But, on the bright side( I gotta trick my mind into good thoughts) this could be a lot worse.

Trader I feel your pain. I don't have IBS but I do deal with Diverticulits frequently. It does hurt. I am not sure if this will help but whenever I have an attack I go on a liquid diet. It also has shown great improvement from rarely eating beef.
Since (I believe) they are both bacteria related the same rules may apply. Cut back on sugar, pro-biotics etc. I am sure you do all those things. =)
I hope it gets better quickly.

Nosila, I have heard of parasites causing a lot of gut issues in conjunction with Lyme. Great advice.

Yes, do check into parasites, but remember that Lyme can cause all kinds of digestive "disasters" from occasional constipation or diarrhea to an intestinal pseudo-blockage. I have lived with those issues for most of my life, it's only been the last 5 years that I haven't.

First get a heating pad and keep that over your abdomen to help ease those muscles and muscle cramping. Take magnesium - 250 - 500 mgs to start if you don't regularly use it or raise it by that much if you do regularly take it. You can also use Milk of Magnesia or other very gentle laxative. Use it sparingly though, as you don't want to have things change too quickly due to the cramping that will possibly accompany it.

And remember, what's "perfect" for your body may not be perfect for other people in terms of what we eat and do for our bodies. We all have different needs. I take a high amount of magnesium oxide daily and a mixture of three herbs just to avoid situations like this. I've tried every single constipation drug up until these last 5 years trying to find ways to get it to at least give me a break once in a while and not one of them worked until I started getting acupuncture twice a month for this, using those herbs daily and healing from these infections. Hard to believe that they aren't all connected!

It always drains me as well. Hang in there, rest and I hope you feel better soon.

For those with IBS flares that are due to parasites, are they continuous flares, or do they too only last a few days usually?

Thank you, Nosila! I know that Lyme symptoms can come and go fairly quickly for some, so I was hoping that for parasites that were causing IBS symptoms that it would be different - but we couldn't have it be that easy, I guess!

I too know that I've had some parasite issues, but was never tested to know what they are. I only see the result of using anti-parasitic herbs.

I've heard the same things about the parasite tests.

I agree with you on the needing to likely do a very gentle parasite cleanse every so often - if you have symptoms. We can overdo it with anything though, so we do need to be careful. Oh - and you can't get parasites simply because a dog licks your face. The dog would have to not only have to have parasites also, but be overrun with them and lick you in the mouth or something. Personally, I don't let sick dogs lick me at all - and not even health dogs get to lick my mouth! LOL! ICK.