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[Colt]

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Hi ColtThe only solution that works for me is when the BM's are firm and "normal" then I don't have any urgency, leakage or cramping. However, the million dollar question is "How to get the BM's firm and normal" LOL. Sometimes I have a good few days or even a week where this happens and I rack my brain trying to work out what I possibly have done different in my life/diet for this change then BAM back to a shitty day (pardon the pun).

Oh, I hear you. I have had no luck with any of the things I have found, but many people do. Especially psyllium and calcium carbonate. You should try those if you have not already.I find that when I do have a firm stool (usually only if I have taken Immodium), then this makes the leakage much worse.Keep in touch!!

[Colt]

Hi ColtThe only solution that works for me is when the BM's are firm and "normal" then I don't have any urgency, leakage or cramping. However, the million dollar question is "How to get the BM's firm and normal" LOL. Sometimes I have a good few days or even a week where this happens and I rack my brain trying to work out what I possibly have done different in my life/diet for this change then BAM back to a shitty day (pardon the pun).

Well, had my follow up appointment with the Gastro on Friday. He tells me these are all common symptoms of IBS and basically refused to test me for anything else. Tested my "muscle tone" and said it was more than adequate.Told me to take 1mg Immodium daily.Well, I am done with traditional doctors. I need to find another way.

[Mr 100]

hi colt,i have also suffered the mucus problem after a movement, leading to itching and burning. the following has helped me, 1, always carry flushable wet wipes, to avoid further irritation.2, a barrier cream such as sudocrem helps heal inflamed skin. [also for nappy rash!] http://www.sudocrem.co.uk/3, using genzyme cholestagel. i have increased my dose from one, to three capsules a day to keep stool firm. i have also used calcium/cholestagel combination, but stopped this due to problems with ppi absorbtion [omeprazole taken for gerd] http://www.cholestagel.com/4, a low fibre diet, ie white bread etc5, avoiding high fructose/low sucrose foods, i take fresh blueberries daily for vit c.i've gone through the whole diagnosis of exclusion, including sig and colonoscopy. vitual colonoscopy, blood tests, stool tests etc. took a year after which my doc agreed to let me try the cholestagel.google the 'south manchester functional bowel service' for some excellent info http://ibs-care.org/good luck. you can get well again.

[Colt]

hi colt,i have also suffered the mucus problem after a movement, leading to itching and burning. the following has helped me, 1, always carry flushable wet wipes, to avoid further irritation.2, a barrier cream such as sudocrem helps heal inflamed skin. [also for nappy rash!] http://www.sudocrem.co.uk/3, using genzyme cholestagel. i have increased my dose from one, to three capsules a day to keep stool firm. i have also used calcium/cholestagel combination, but stopped this due to problems with ppi absorbtion [omeprazole taken for gerd] http://www.cholestagel.com/4, a low fibre diet, ie white bread etc5, avoiding high fructose/low sucrose foods, i take fresh blueberries daily for vit c.i've gone through the whole diagnosis of exclusion, including sig and colonoscopy. vitual colonoscopy, blood tests, stool tests etc. took a year after which my doc agreed to let me try the cholestagel.google the 'south manchester functional bowel service' for some excellent info http://ibs-care.org/good luck. you can get well again.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your input. Seems that that this issue is a bit of an epidemic indeed.I am currently using Acidpholous and will report my results. I will look into the info you supplied and will update you as I omit or add new treatments.

[Mr 100]

hi colt,you're welcome! if you have any questions, ask away.i should add that i've tried numerous exclusion diets, to try to identify the culprit.for example, salicylate free, wheat free, dairy free, caffine free, etc, in various permutations, for weeks or months at a time with no noticeable reduction in post bm irritation.one theory, perhaps some ibsers are suffering from a form of auto-immune disease?or, as others have suggested, is this ibs symptom, mucus leakage, triggered by antibiotics? have you taken clindomycin in the last few years?re probiotics, the only notable short term relief i have obtained is from sacchromyces boullardii. this is good for quickly firming things up. it is a non colonising yeast. 'discovered' in the 1920's, and originally obtained from the skin of tropical fruits, it is proven and well tolerated.

[Colt]

hi colt,you're welcome! if you have any questions, ask away.i should add that i've tried numerous exclusion diets, to try to identify the culprit.for example, salicylate free, wheat free, dairy free, caffine free, etc, in various permutations, for weeks or months at a time with no noticeable reduction in post bm irritation.one theory, perhaps some ibsers are suffering from a form of auto-immune disease?or, as others have suggested, is this ibs symptom, mucus leakage, triggered by antibiotics? have you taken clindomycin in the last few years?re probiotics, the only notable short term relief i have obtained is from sacchromyces boullardii. this is good for quickly firming things up. it is a non colonising yeast. 'discovered' in the 1920's, and originally obtained from the skin of tropical fruits, it is proven and well tolerated.

I have done many of the same things as you.....but I have only had this issue for the past year. I suspect an allergy of some sort, although my doc disagrees. Sometimes when it is at it's worst, I will experience a runny nose and burning hands and feet. I have never has an allergy issue in my life.BTW, have found some relief the last couple of days by getting rid of all of the butt creams and using cornstarch baby powder, FWIW.I am on day three of Acidipholous as well......takes so long before you realize that things don't help.Let us keep in touch here.

[Mr 100]

hi colt, imo the irritation seems very similar to nappy rash, so any anti nr preparation could help.re allergies/intolerances, otc anti histamines might provide empirical evidence of allergy. ie one could experimentally try an anti histamine, perhaps with the help of your GP, to either prove or disprove a connection. i have used chlorphenamine maleate/piriton in the past, to help reduce itching, with good results.it would be good to hear from others with similar experiences.

[Colt]

hi colt, imo the irritation seems very similar to nappy rash, so any anti nr preparation could help.re allergies/intolerances, otc anti histamines might provide empirical evidence of allergy. ie one could experimentally try an anti histamine, perhaps with the help of your GP, to either prove or disprove a connection. i have used chlorphenamine maleate/piriton in the past, to help reduce itching, with good results.it would be good to hear from others with similar experiences.

Well, the reason I think allergy, other than the stated connection is because we often pass mucous. Mucous is common with many allergies, why would the bowel be any different.I have used Zinc ointment, and it helps, but I am thinking maybe things are to moist sometimes. So, dry it up and see.I am hoping others will loin as well, but the main problem with these forums is that when a person finds a cure, they seldom share it. They are so happy to be happy, I guess.

[eitu343]

After emptying my bowels I sometimes need to go back quickly once or twice and I pass just mucus. Once all the mucus is gone then I feel like I am finally completely empty for a few hours at least then it starts over again. This seems to be a symptom i can't get rid of even though I have tried so many things. The rest of my IBS has been manageable enough so that I can work and have some social life.

I have similar symptoms to others on here. I don't have much control over this. I have also had persistant mucus for as long as I've had this. (10 years) The doc say it is IBS-D but I don't know. I may only sometimes go once or twice a day but even so when I do go there seems to be non-stop mucus. I usually wash after I've been and I end up spending like 2 hours in the toilet. The doctors just say it is normal but for me it isn't. I would like to do regular exercise but because of this I am unable to. I get alot of discomfort in my stomach as well which I think may be due to this also as sometimes if I go twice in quick succession, my stomach seems to calm down.I have lost my apetite which means I normally eat once a day but it doesn't reduce the amount of mucus.

[Colt]

I have similar symptoms to others on here. I don't have much control over this. I have also had persistant mucus for as long as I've had this. (10 years) The doc say it is IBS-D but I don't know. I may only sometimes go once or twice a day but even so when I do go there seems to be non-stop mucus. I usually wash after I've been and I end up spending like 2 hours in the toilet. The doctors just say it is normal but for me it isn't. I would like to do regular exercise but because of this I am unable to. I get alot of discomfort in my stomach as well which I think may be due to this also as sometimes if I go twice in quick succession, my stomach seems to calm down.I have lost my apetite which means I normally eat once a day but it doesn't reduce the amount of mucus.

Eitu343, DON'T GIVE UP. You have similar symptoms to many of us, and there MUST be a solution. I have been on Acidipholous for 1 week, and have seen a small improvement.What have you tried? What do you want to try?We are all ears here.Thanks!!

[colitisjo]

Hi ColtJust wanted to give you an update on how I am going. Well the last two weeks have Ibeen going really well. I am tending to go to the toilet in the morning upon waking and totally emptying myself out. Sometimes I may go a couple of times but once I have been I feel totally empty, no stomach cramps, no urgency, virtually no mucus and pretty much don't have to go again until the next morning. I do feel quite "windy" during the evening and nightime but not ready to empty bowels until next morning. . I have been taking a digestive supplement that I bought from the local chemist for about three weeks now. I first read about something similar on this website. As I live in Australia i couldnt find the supplement I read about but found something along the lines with ingredients like peppermint, ginger, fennel, dry rot, anise oil. there seem to be a few variations of these type of digestive aids around. They are reasonably priced also. I still take a probiotic daily as well. I just feel like my gut is healthier.

[Mr 100]

colitisjo, could you be more specific about the digestive supplement you are taking, perhaps a link to the supplier, or spell out the name so we can further research it ourselves?was the 'something similar on this website' the product that 'overitnow' uses? or something else?'overitnow' if you are reading could you list [as far as you know] the ingredients of the product you are using? i seem to remember grape seed extract was one of them. [the reason being that in researching my medical notes, i have just found some reference to inflammation, following the sigmoidoscopy, and i am now looking to attempt some treatment.]

[Colt]

Hi ColtJust wanted to give you an update on how I am going. Well the last two weeks have Ibeen going really well. I am tending to go to the toilet in the morning upon waking and totally emptying myself out. Sometimes I may go a couple of times but once I have been I feel totally empty, no stomach cramps, no urgency, virtually no mucus and pretty much don't have to go again until the next morning. I do feel quite "windy" during the evening and nightime but not ready to empty bowels until next morning. . I have been taking a digestive supplement that I bought from the local chemist for about three weeks now. I first read about something similar on this website. As I live in Australia i couldnt find the supplement I read about but found something along the lines with ingredients like peppermint, ginger, fennel, dry rot, anise oil. there seem to be a few variations of these type of digestive aids around. They are reasonably priced also. I still take a probiotic daily as well. I just feel like my gut is healthier.

I am so happy for you Colitisjo!! And really appreciate you taking the time to update me. Most people don't do that.I have had some minor relief (very minor) with acidipholous.Can you PLEASE give me more info on this supplement? Manufacturer? Brand name?? Anything?? Much appreciated, as gain GOOD FOR YOU!! You must feel like a million bucks!!

[eitu343]

Eitu343, DON'T GIVE UP. You have similar symptoms to many of us, and there MUST be a solution. I have been on Acidipholous for 1 week, and have seen a small improvement.What have you tried? What do you want to try?We are all ears here.Thanks!!

Thanks. I'm willing to try anything if it will help.Over the past few months I've been trying Laparamoid tablets but I am not sure how effective that has been. I don't think it had any effect on the mucus. Also, over the past month I've tried Mebeverine tablets which didn't seem to make any difference at all. I've stopped taking these two for the past 1 or two days just to see if the mucus gets worse etc. I've also tried some probiotics tablets I picked up from the chemist, peppermint capsules and Windies tablets.I am planning to go see my GP again over the next week or so but I am not holding out much hope. He will probs say there is nothing he can give me to help with controlling the amount of mucus or he will refer me to hospital for a checkup. When I get to see the consultant at the hospital in a few months time, he will just say mucus is normal and discharge me as usual back to my GP. What's acidipholous? Is it some herbal medicine?

[Mr 100]

hi eitu343, re acidophilus = probiotics.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidophilus.out of interest, have you tried lindas calcium?i am currently researching bile acid diarrhea, while this is sometimes caused by gall bladder removal, it can occur in others for various reasons.it is sometimes known as habba syndrome or idiopathic bile acid diarrhea [at least, i think they are the same or similar]in digestion, food passes from the stomach into the small intestine, where bile is added to neutralise some of the stomach acid and to help digest fats. most of the bile is normally removed at the end of the small intestine [the terminal ileum] and recycled, via the bloodstream and the liver back to the gall bladder.if too much bile makes its way into the large intestine [the colon] it reduces the colons ability to absorb liquids [reverse osmosis] and can cause irritation and inflammation. presumably the irritaion within the colon continues to the anus, and this results in some of our problems.there is an interesting report here, [or try googling habba, or bile acid diarrhea]Cause Of Common Chronic Diarrhea Revealed In New Research, [2009]http://www.scienceda...046.htmManaging bile acid diarrhoea- very technical, but some good info here,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002596/?tool=pubmed

[colitisjo]

I first learnt about digestive enzymes after reading a posting on here by "darryl" under the gas/flatulence/bloating forum and his posting was called "the answers you are looking for". He gave a link to a product called naturo-digestizymes by a company called Naturopharma. The product contains:betain HCLbromelainpapainproteaseamylaselipaseapple cider vinegarcaraway seedchamomilefennel seedginger rootpepperminttumeric.This appears to be an english company. I couldnt find anything in Australia with this much ingredients but I am currently on a product called "digestive aid" by Blackmores.Hopes this helps.

[Colt]

Wow, thanks folks.Coloitis jo, I wil check it out. Are you still seeing improvement? There are a million digestive enzyme products out there. I would think that I have spent about $5000 in the past year on many, many "cures". I will find this and try it too.Mr100, I have tried calcium, not sure if it made much difference. Mr 100, I looked into bile acid D a bit, but will revisit.Eitu, please update us on what your doc says.I think the acidipholous has calmed my stomach and hardened my stool a bit. Still leaking and burning though. Using corn starch as powder, which seems to be helping as well. Regular talcum has perfume and that makes things worse.Let us continue and see if we can find the answer. If not, we will at least have the longest thread in the history of this site!!!

[eitu343]

out of interest, have you tried lindas calcium?i am currently researching bile acid diarrhea, while this is sometimes caused by gall bladder removal, it can occur in others for various reasons.it is sometimes known as habba syndrome or idiopathic bile acid diarrhea [at least, i think they are the same or similar]

Thanks for the links. Will check them out. Sort of makes sense. The only thing is when I read the description for IBS I think that is exactly what I've got or IBD Chrones, UC etc etc lol.I was reading an article on the BBC the other day about babies who are born with a low birth weight are likely to develop health problems in later life. I think it specifically mentioned diabetes but if this problem is caused by some auto immune thing then could that be a link also? I'm pretty certain I also read an article a few years back that mentioned babies who were born premature have a higher chance of developing gut problems in their teenage / adult life.No I've not tried Lindas Calcium. Do you know what brand name(s) it is sold in the UK and have you tried it? I live in a small town so it can be quite tricky to get hold of alot of the stuff mentioned on here.I'd also be intrested to know if anyone has actually been refferred to the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service and whether they were able to help. They seem to know what they are talking about on their site. It does say on their site that they take referrals from all over the UK.

[Mr 100]

hi eitu343,here's a link to the calcium [and d3] recommended on lindas thread available in the uk from holland and barrett. start with half a tablet with each meal. you will have to experiment to see what dosage suits you best. if you develop constipation reduce dose. seemingly, constipation seems to affect males more than females. do read the posts on lindas calcium thread. i think all who have ibs-d should try calcium.http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=161&prodid=433&cid=8&sid=0with regard to the bile acid diarrhea, the two obvious causes leading to excess bile in the colon are either overproduction or malabsorbtion. [or perhaps both]the medical community have labelled this condition BAM.there does not currently seem to be a bile acid sequestrant that is approved for use in ibs-d. it seems that tablet coatings may need to be adjusted so that the bile acid sequestrant starts to work [delayed release] in the lower section of the small intestine and bowel.i have been using Colesevelam with variable results.i think linda has suggested that calcium could be acting as a sequestrant.is there i wonder, a delayed release calcium, that could be even more effective? [in my case, this could be useful as calcium seems to affecting the absorbtion of omeprazole, taken for gerd]

[Colt]

hi eitu343,here's a link to the calcium [and d3] recommended on lindas thread available in the uk from holland and barrett. start with half a tablet with each meal. you will have to experiment to see what dosage suits you best. if you develop constipation reduce dose. seemingly, constipation seems to affect males more than females. do read the posts on lindas calcium thread. i think all who have ibs-d should try calcium.http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=161&prodid=433&cid=8&sid=0with regard to the bile acid diarrhea, the two obvious causes leading to excess bile in the colon are either overproduction or malabsorbtion. [or perhaps both]the medical community have labelled this condition BAM.there does not currently seem to be a bile acid sequestrant that is approved for use in ibs-d. it seems that tablet coatings may need to be adjusted so that the bile acid sequestrant starts to work [delayed release] in the lower section of the small intestine and bowel.i have been using Colesevelam with variable results.i think linda has suggested that calcium could be acting as a sequestrant.is there i wonder, a delayed release calcium, that could be even more effective? [in my case, this could be useful as calcium seems to affecting the absorbtion of omeprazole, taken for gerd]

Very informative post Mr100. I am now trying a combination of acidipholous and unpasteurized sauerkraut. Supposed to be an awesome probiotic. The problem with these things is you have to take them for weeks before you can determine if they help.I am trying to treat the disease, instead of covering the symptoms. Literally a pain in the ass.