Finding Relief from IBS Symptoms
Hello everyone, I’m a 28-year-old male residing in Indore, MP, India. Standing at 180 cm tall and weighing around 95 kg, I used to engage in smoking and occasional drinking—perhaps once or twice a month. However, I have completely quit both habits for the past eight months. In January 2025, I was diagnosed with an H. pylori infection and underwent treatment with a kit that contained vonoprazan, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. The treatment successfully eradicated the bacteria, yet my gastrointestinal problems have not subsided since that time. Previously, I had no significant digestive issues. I sought advice from various gastroenterologists, but they mostly referred me to psychiatrists, leading to prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiety medications. Unfortunately, the SNRIs exacerbated my stomach problems. The gastro specialists prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which I continued for nearly five months. When I stopped taking them abruptly, I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, but I've since adjusted and no longer feel the need for them. Some symptoms did improve post-PPI, as my bowel movements have become slightly more regular; however, I often experience incomplete evacuation along with troublesome trapped gas. It’s not as intense as the bloating I experienced during the H. pylori infection, but at times, I find it painful and difficult to release gas. I have tried various techniques for relief, such as the knees-to-chest and child’s pose stretches, along with deep breathing exercises, but without success. Once I manage to release the gas, taking dicyclomine provides significant relief for about 5 to 6 hours. Yet, whenever I introduce any probiotics into my routine, I end up with excessive flatulence. Thus, there seems to be a constant cycle of discomfort. People frequently advise me to avoid stress and anxiety, but the physical pain is undeniable and can't simply be brushed aside. Naturally, worrying about my health adds to the stress. I’ve committed to an exercise regimen, including regular Zumba classes and daily walks, yet the relief I seek remains elusive. There have been moments when I felt completely fine, which briefly restored my confidence, only for flare-ups to return and induce fear. I continuously reassure myself that I'm okay, but it provides little solace. For several months, I’ve adhered to a low FODMAP diet, yet it hasn’t yielded the expected results. Interestingly, using isabgol (psyllium husk) leads to severe discomfort the following day—feeling bloated and heavy—contrary to its reputation as a remedy for constipation for others. I ensure I drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water daily and have recently added L-glutamine, slippery elm, fish oil capsules, zinc carnosine, and curcumin to my routine. While I experienced some relief initially, it seems to have plateaued. I’ve also entirely cut gluten and dairy from my meals. I've explored both Ayurvedic and homeopathic therapies, yet none have provided lasting relief. It’s disheartening, as many medical professionals in India downplay the seriousness of H. pylori, often stating that a high percentage of individuals might host it without any resultant gastritis. If anyone has successfully navigated similar challenges and found lasting relief, I would greatly appreciate your insights. A healthy gut truly correlates with a happier life and mental tranquility.
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 5:11:31 PM
OpenHealth AI
Finding effective relief for IBS symptoms can indeed be challenging and frustrating. Your experience with H. pylori, the treatments, and ongoing discomfort is understandable, and it’s important to address both your physical and emotional well-being.
Key Points:
- Ongoing Symptoms and IBS: Your symptoms of incomplete evacuation, trapped gas, and difficulty finding relief suggest that you might be dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) rather than a direct consequence of the previous H. pylori infection.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Despite your efforts with diet, exercise, and supplements, other lifestyle factors may also play a crucial role in managing your symptoms.
Explanation:
IBS can manifest as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. It's often influenced by various factors, including diet, stress, and gut motility. Given your response to probiotics and dietary changes, let’s focus on refining your approach.
Next Steps:
-
Dietary Adjustments:
- Reassess Low FODMAP: Continue with the low FODMAP diet for another 4-6 weeks but consider reintroducing foods one at a time to identify any triggers. Sometimes, working with a dietitian familiar with IBS can provide tailored guidance.
- Look at Fiber Types: Since isabgol caused discomfort, consider alternative fibers (like oats or flaxseeds) that might suit your digestive system better.
-
Enhance Gut Health:
- Stick to your hydration routine (2.5 to 3 liters of water) and gradually introduce probiotics under the guidance of a healthcare provider, focusing on strains that may be known for being gentler on sensitive stomachs.
- Keep a food and symptom diary to track what works and what doesn’t, which can help pinpoint triggers.
-
Stress Management Techniques:
- Since stress management is often easier said than done, incorporating methods like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or even gentle support groups can assist in addressing anxiety related to your symptoms. You might also look for specific relaxation techniques aimed at managing physical discomfort.
-
Medication Review:
- Given that dicyclomine helps you, discuss alternatives or a potential adjusted regimen with a healthcare provider familiar with IBS. They may suggest other medications like certain laxatives, antidiarrheals, or medications specifically approved for IBS, such as rifaximin or lubiprostone.
-
Monitor and Adjust:
- Since the changes you've been implementing may take time to show results, be patient and monitor your improvements or any changes in symptoms closely.
Additional Support:
Keep advocating for your health when speaking to professionals. If at any point you feel your needs aren't being met, seeking out specialists who are more familiar with IBS or functional gastrointestinal disorders can be beneficial.
While this process can feel daunting, remember that you’ve already made positive lifestyle changes and there are many avenues left to explore. Your determination and commitment to finding relief are commendable, and with persistence, you can find a combination that works for you.
Related Questions
Struggling with Persistent Postnasal Drip for Over Four Years – Seeking Answers
For more than four years, I have been tormented by relentless postnasal drip, and it has truly exhausted me. This ordeal began a few weeks prior to my initial experience with Covid (at least, the one I’m aware of), and it has lingered ever since. The sensation is perpetually the same: mucus accumulates consistently in the back of my throat and nose, necessitating constant swallowing and snorting. It’s a persistent issue that I endure throughout the day. While it’s annoying during waking hours, nighttime transforms it into a distressing situation. I find it challenging to fall asleep as I can feel mucus collecting, and occasionally, I wake up gasping, as though my airways are obstructed. There are moments when it takes me several seconds to recover my breath, during which my heart races so intensely that I fear I might collapse. On numerous occasions, I have experienced panic attacks during the night as a direct result. I genuinely cannot recall the last time I experienced restful sleep. I suspect sleep apnea as a possibility, but primarily due to the postnasal drip; on nights when the issue is less severe, I manage to sleep reasonably well. I’ve consulted countless medical professionals, including several ENT specialists, allergists, and head and neck experts. I’ve attempted various treatments: medications for reflux, allergy drugs, immunotherapy (even undergoing Odactra for almost a year), steroid nasal rinses, inhalers, antibiotics, septoplasty with turbinate reduction, and the RhinAer procedure among others. I’ve undergone scans, scopes, and allergy evaluations (dust mites were identified, yet I don’t exhibit any allergy symptoms apart from the postnasal drip). Unfortunately, nothing has proven effective. Having visited esteemed specialists in my area, my most recent doctor was candid with me, stating, “I’m at a loss as to how to assist you.” After years of experimenting with different therapies, medical interventions, and adjustments to my daily habits, I find myself no closer to a solution. The nighttime episodes, in particular, are increasingly concerning, leading me to believe that the situation could become perilous. I am yearning for any kind of insight. Since this began, I have lived in two distinct apartment buildings in New York City, which suggests that my immediate surroundings may not be the culprit. Could this condition be related to emerging issues that medical professionals have yet to identify? Might it be tied to lingering effects of Covid? Has anyone faced a similar struggle? If so, was there an effective solution for you?
Is This Multiple Sclerosis?
At 41 years old and female, I've been facing a range of neurological issues for nearly a decade, particularly after suffering a severe bout with mono. Initially, my symptoms were manageable fatigue, soon followed by episodes of dizziness. As time progressed, I noticed persistent discomfort in my joints accompanied by stiffness that would fluctuate, lasting anywhere from several days to weeks. After consulting a rheumatologist multiple times, the results came back normal, with no apparent problems in my joints or any signs of autoimmune disorders. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon gabapentin that I discovered it alleviated the peculiar pain I was experiencing — a shooting sensation that seemed to travel among various joints in my body. Moreover, since the onset of COVID, I have been intermittently grappling with a discomfort I associate with my gallbladder; however, this pain does not align with the traditional symptoms of gallstones nor is it related to my diet. Interestingly, despite having a gallstone, gabapentin has also managed to relieve that pain, even when it escalated to a level so intense I believed it was constricting my rib cage. More recently, I've started experiencing tingling sensations in my right arm, coupled with a burning feeling on the surface of my hands. I underwent an MRI recently and noticed some lesions present. While I'm not necessarily convinced they indicate multiple sclerosis, I am curious about others' thoughts on this matter.
Seeking Answers for Left Chest Muscle Atrophy
Male, 34 years old, weighing 180 pounds, has been facing this issue for the past five months. He does not take any medications and does not consume alcohol or smoke. After being involved in a car crash—though it's uncertain if it connects to his current problem—he observed a significant indentation on the left side of his chest. Additionally, after a hiatus from the gym lasting a couple of months, he has found that his ability to perform pushups has drastically decreased to about half of what it used to be. His bench press strength has also diminished considerably. Alongside these concerns, he experiences persistent neck pain. In response to his symptoms, a doctor recommended both x-rays and a cervical MRI. The x-rays did not indicate any abnormalities, while the MRI highlighted a mild bulge between the C5 and C7 vertebrae. However, the evaluation of the MRI showed no issues in the neck region. The patient is now at a loss regarding the next steps, especially since the physician initially believed that nerve compression in the neck could be the underlying cause. After five months, he is eager to find out what might be responsible for the noticeable indentation and lack of muscle in his chest. It’s worth mentioning that all medical evaluations have been conducted at military healthcare facilities.
Seeking Support for My Toddler's Ongoing Health Challenges
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out for advice regarding my two-year-old daughter (born in August 2021). We have been navigating a complex health journey, and I am in search of recommendations for the next steps we can take. ### Key Concerns: - She has experienced itchiness since she was an infant. - At the age of one, we were advised to eliminate dairy from her diet; this made a significant improvement in her itching, yet other issues persist. - She continues to use a specialized formula for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) to ensure she receives adequate vitamins. - Her diet remains rather simple, consisting mainly of boiled chicken, eggs, rice, oats, zucchini, carrots, salmon, blueberries, and bananas. - She is very small, weighing under 20 pounds at two years old and has to wear clothing sized for 6-12 month olds. - I also have twin six-month-old babies who are exhibiting similar growth concerns; they each weigh only 12 pounds and are exclusively breastfed. I am on a diet free of soy and dairy. - I feel desperate, as I'm struggling to find a doctor who is committed to solving this complicated situation. ### Observed Food Reactions: - She seems to be allergic or intolerant to several foods, including strawberries, mangoes, coconut, cashew, pistachio, and dairy (both casein and whey), even reacting to things like salami. - She is sensitive to gas-inducing foods like beans, which leads to severe bloating and discomfort. - Recently, after we flavored chicken by boiling it with onion, she had a severe reaction that included gas, restlessness, and diarrhea that night. - We have also noted reactions to mushrooms and sweet potatoes, leading to gas and undigested food in her stools. ### Current Symptoms: - She experiences frequent diarrhea, which can be watery and odorous, often containing undigested food. In her lifetime, I do not believe she has gone two consecutive days without diarrhea. - Her stomach discomfort—bloating and gas—can interrupt her sleep, especially after eating anything outside her core diet. - We are noticing ongoing reactions to foods with unpredictable triggers; introducing something new often results in diarrhea, gas, and sleepless nights. - Historically, she has been a very happy baby, and this change has been concerning as she has never exhibited colic-like symptoms. ### Testing Completed to Date: - We've conducted blood work, urine tests, and stool analyses, which have all come back mostly normal. - Stool tests indicated positive reducing sugars, which may suggest carbohydrate malabsorption. - A pancreatic elastase level of over 800 ruled out pancreatic insufficiency. - Calprotectin levels were below 50, indicating no inflammatory bowel disease. - Her thyroid, kidney, and liver functions were normal, and her IgE levels are within the standard range. - The neonatal metabolic screening at birth did not reveal any major metabolic disorders. - Five stool samples for parasitology returned negative results. - She has seen specialists, including a cardiologist, nephrologist, and endocrinologist, all of whom have reported normal findings. - A consistently high BUN/Creatinine ratio and slightly low globulin with a high A-G ratio have been noted, as well as moderately elevated Vitamin E levels. ### Current Situation: - We have already consulted two gastroenterologists, but both have dismissed her issues as merely a milk allergy. - We are contemplating asking for a biopsy to rule out eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, as it appears there is an immune response at play—why does her body react negatively to virtually every new food introduced? ### Questions: - Given the combination of chronic diarrhea, numerous food reactions, and ongoing itchiness, should we consider this to be more aligned with allergies/immune issues, or might it indicate genetic/metabolic problems? - Is seeking a GI biopsy the next logical step? - Should we advocate for a broader allergy panel, and what would that entail? - If it were your child, what actions would you take next? I feel incredibly dismissed and aimless in this process. My main desire is to identify her condition accurately to alleviate her suffering and determine the right dietary solutions. We are currently focusing heavily on improving her gut health with a low FODMAP diet, probiotics, and various supplements.
Unexplained Gastrointestinal Issues and Inconsistent Medical Findings
In 2022, I began experiencing a significant decrease in my appetite, transitioning from eating multiple meals and snacks daily to just one meal each evening. Over the course of a year, I lost 30 pounds, and in the last three years, my total weight loss has reached 70 pounds. A colonoscopy and endoscopy performed in 2023 yielded normal results, other than a diagnosis of chronic gastritis. Despite being prescribed Pepcid and subsequently Nexium, there was no improvement in my condition. I've consulted several gynecologists regarding possible endometriosis, but none are willing to perform the necessary surgery to either confirm or rule it out. Additionally, I have seen a hematologist for iron deficiency anemia and a cardiologist due to suspected POTS, who has recently eliminated any heart-related issues. This week, I have a scheduled appointment with a GI motility expert regarding the rapid gastric emptying that was identified in a study a few months back. About four weeks ago, I began experiencing severe heartburn and general discomfort, which led me to the emergency room twice. There, they performed cardiac evaluations, concluding I was not having a heart attack, and provided some medication to ease my stomach, which had only temporary effects. A few days later, I went to a different, more reliable hospital—it was crowded—and they conducted a CT scan, suspecting appendicitis. After consulting with three surgeons, they indicated that my symptoms were somewhat consistent with appendicitis but not entirely, and after another CT scan, they diagnosed me with colitis due to inflammation observed in the colon walls near the appendix. I was admitted to the hospital and placed on a liquid diet for three days, receiving intravenous antibiotics and fluids. By the third day, my appetite returned, and I was thrilled to transition off the liquid diet. With ongoing antibiotics at home, I felt I was recovering well, even managing to eat breakfast and dinner. However, I recently passed out early one evening and neglected my medication, then had a morning appointment a couple of hours away. I ate normally but experienced another episode upon returning home after a taxing day. I forgot to take my antibiotics for two days, and while I realize this was a mistake, my symptoms resurfaced, including a burning sensation and pain localized primarily in the lower right abdomen, along with discomfort in the lower left, upper right, and upper left areas; it felt like sharp, intermittent squeezing pains. I reached out to the hospital to speak with a doctor regarding my condition, but they informed me that since I was discharged, I needed to consult my primary care provider. Unfortunately, it's Saturday and their office is closed until Monday. During my time home, my gastroenterologist sent me an at-home stool test to investigate my symptoms, and I received the results yesterday indicating everything was normal and that I do not have colitis. Feeling bewildered and in considerable pain, I'm uncertain whether I should return to the hospital and endure a lengthy wait alongside others or simply continue the antibiotics until they run out (which will be tomorrow night) and hope they work. I plan to contact my doctor on Monday to request a new prescription, acknowledging that my situation may have worsened due to my missed doses. I apologize for the length of this message, but if any of this resonates, I’m desperately seeking answers, as my condition seems to be deteriorating. Though I understand Reddit may not be the optimal platform for a diagnosis, I've previously found valuable insights related to my health issues here, so I thought I might gain some perspective once again.