I had a feast on some sweet paprika chili with cheese laid in Rapsöl the days it all started. It is usually not my type of food to eat oily things, but I gave it a try. Now I watch all labels and avoid Rapsöl. But the problem didn't go away! There had to be other causes. I started consuming only water and milk, avoiding any sodas. I also thought about the fact that during the week before my trip, I was taking Doxycycline antibiotics, and maybe they messed up my gut microbiome. However, I take antibiotics here and there every once in a while (Amoxicillin), and I see no change. Then I thought it was the heat wave, but in my country, the heat surpasses that of Germany. Maybe I caught a fungal, viral, or bacterial infection in Germany.

Three weeks had passed, and I could barely control my symptoms. So, I looked into the water. I usually drink only store-bought water, but those in Germany are heavily mineralized—in the ranges of 30 mg or much higher of Ca, Mg, Na, and $\text{SO}_4$. So I searched, and luckily, I found some mountain waters like I am used to, which are basically low in minerals. I know that magnesium and sulfates have laxative effects—even more so if they are freely in the water as opposed to being bound in foods—so I thought I should start getting better. But that wasn't enough either.

My next suspect was bread after I had eliminated all those mentioned before. Because I was eating bread twice or thrice a day, it had to be from that. The Germans use sourdough as a starter, and it is added everywhere as a taste enhancer, as opposed to my country in the Balkans, where it is basically an extinct tradition and baker's yeast (*Saccharomyces cerevisiae*) is used, along with baking soda for cookies. But that is not all—the Germans do all kinds of abominations to their breads. Multiple flours like rye, cereals, spelt, and potato flour are mixed in with the wheat. Basically, it is the perfect breeding ground for IBS flare-ups.

Here is something I found about sourdough: it produces mannitol, a polyol, as a byproduct. Polyols are the "P" in FODMAP—the list that IBS patients need to be wary of. Baker's yeast (assuming a single-strain yeast) doesn't synthesize any mannitol. Mannitol is not absorbed or broken down in the small intestine, which leads me to think that it is the main troublemaker, though the others mentioned are not to be downplayed either, as you may know from the basics of chemistry. The more ingredients there are, the more interactions can happen, and we know very little about gut interplay.

So far, I have not been able to buy a bread in Germany that is 100% white wheat, water, salt, baker's yeast, and sunflower oil. There is always something added that I want to avoid. However, I have noticed that when I consume a baguette, I feel much better. But something—or several things—is still there in my food, because after a bowel movement that is normally formed, I notice that I need to wipe a lot, requiring a shower with two types of shampoos in my daily morning routine. Luckily, I don't have to go multiple times a day. This is inflammation and malabsorption.

The crazy part is that I have noticed so many other people at work in the bathroom when I need to pass water making cruel sharting sounds. In my country, I barely ever hear anyone make those sounds. So, it seems that many people suffer here, and they probably think that it is normal because they know no different. For now, I don't have time to bake my own bread, and I am nearing the end of my stay here.

AI summary:

Balkans

• Starter: Pure baker's yeast (kvasec / Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Zero sourdough bacteria.

• Additives & FODMAPs: Minimal additives, simple white flour, water, salt.

• Gut Impact: Zero mannitol, low acidity, very easy on polyol-sensitive guts.

Germany

• Starter: Bacterial sourdough (Sauerteig). Heavy use of Lactic Acid Bacteria alongside wild yeast.

• Additives & FODMAPs: High organic acids (lactic/acetic) and high mannitol produced during bacterial fermentation. Even commercial yeast breads often sneak in Sauerteigerzeugnis (sourdough extract).

• Gut Impact: Mannitol draws water into the colon and ferments rapidly, causing severe gas, cramps, and IBS flares.

France

• Starter: Commercial baker's yeast (levure de boulanger) for classic baguettes, alongside traditional levain (sourdough) options.

• Additives & FODMAPs: Strictly regulated by law (Tradition breads use only flour, water, salt, yeast).

• Gut Impact: Standard white baguettes produce zero mannitol and contain no irritating emulsifiers.

United Kingdom

• Starter: Pure commercial baker's yeast via the rapid Chorleywood industrial process.

• Additives & FODMAPs: High levels of emulsifiers, preservatives, and added fats to extend shelf life.

• Gut Impact: No bacterial mannitol, but heavy processing and emulsifiers can irritate the gut lining.

USA & Canada

• Starter: Pure commercial baker's yeast for mass-market loaves; sourdough starter for artisan breads.

• Additives & FODMAPs: High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), added vital wheat gluten, emulsifiers (DATEM), and synthetic polyols in "keto/diet" breads.

• Gut Impact: Standard white loaves produce no mannitol, but added HFCS and extra gluten trigger severe gas, bloating, and diarrhea through excess fructose and processing agents.

I felt that this was not normal to be feeling these so I booked an appointment with a doctor. I had some blood tests, stool test and a breath test to check for helicobacter Pylori. The test came back positive for H.Pylori. I was put onto triple therapy to treat this.

I was continuing to experience excessive bloating, lots and lots of contineous stomach noises. Its like a bunch of frogs having a splishy splashy pool party going on in there.  

My condition continues to worsen. For the past couple of months after this treatment, i am still getting lots of stomach noises, feeling of fullness, excessive bloating along with regular waves of pain that is like a pressure that builds up in my stomach and then the peak is sometimes very uncomfortable. The peak can last anywhere between 10 seconds to a couple of minutes, and sometimes they come and go every few minutes when other times they might happen once every few hours or not for a day or two. Its really bizzare.

Fast forward to the last few weeks. I got a really bad burning pain in my stomach that caused me to throw up. The pressure felt bad and I was very gassy and bloated. Also I will point out that I have difficulty passing gas and always have so its nothing unusual for me. I feel lots of gas inside but it seems higher up so its impossible to pass it.

For that week, most days I was bloated and have feeling of fullness. Then on saturday night i took a turn for the worse where I threw up all night. Almost every 20 minutes to an hour. Those pressure pains were really bad. When the pressure pain builds up, i feel movement around my navel and around my whole abdominals. The heartburn was awful. (I have hiatal hernia as well and lots of acid reflux). I was due to do another h.pylori test hence why I was off my Proton Pump Inhibitors.

I had no appetite for a few days but then by Tuesday i started eating again. Come Thursday night, i start throwing up again. I know there was bile too coz i barely ate a thing all week and most of the time my stomach was almost empty. By Friday morning, i threw up again and those stomach bloat pains were bad. I ended up going to the ER. They did a chest scan, no physical example and i explained my symptoms but they did not seem concerned. Blood work came back fine so they released me to go home where i further threw up a few more times during the night. This was last Friday, it is now Tuesday evening as of writing this.

I felt okay for a few days I started getting my appetite back. My doctor appointment on Monday (yesterday) tested negative for h.pylori. Thyroid is normal. Kidney (I have only one. Lost it as a child due to infection). My iron, B12 is normal. Ovaries seem normal. Liver fuction slightly lower due to Non-Alchohlic Fatty Liver disease. Cholesterol is slightly off but still decent. I tested negative to coeliac disease as well.

SO then, What could be wrong with me? I started feeling bad again last night. I am rarely constipated but the past week or so I have been. But then last night, I had a lot of watery stools and a bit today as well. Could it be possible i could have a partial bowel obstruction? Doctors in the ER and two other doctors I have now seen regarding this don't seem to think so. But they won't give me ease of mind by arranging an X-Ray or CT Scan to rule this out. Keep in mind, 8 years ago I had an umbilical hernia repaired that had complications that resulted in a further 4 surgeries to correct. So my concern are scar tissue (Adhesions) that i have read can lead to bowel obstruction. My stomach feels okay at the moment. Usually when this flares up which is like most part of the week, i get really bad bloating and lots of gas that I can't seem to expell out, and tones of super loud stomach gurgling and noises. I even suggested to the doctor if i might have SIBO (Small Intenstinal Bacterial Overgrowth) but says its not easy to test for those. I thought it was a simple test so I have no idea why he tells me this.

So I am here really baffled and i feel so alone. I feel as though the doctors do not want to help me. They just said that if i don't improve then they might need to arrange for an endoscopy and colonoscopy but the colonoscopy is what freaks me out even more than the other and that also is not pleasant. I have had 2 many years ago.

Could all this be IBS? I mean this bloating gets so bad and the pains in my upper stomach especially, with that pressure can often trigger nausea and occasionally vomiting. I don't really have anyone I can talk to. I feel so alone with this. I feel lost and don't know what to do.

PS: I had my gallbladder removed in 2008. So these can't be due to gallstones.

I found most of my diarrhea is due to not having a gall bladder.  Some people get along fine after gall bladder surgery, and some do not.  I am one of the ones who does not.  the problem is called Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM).  The solution is a drug for cholesterol called Welchol.  The use of Welchol for BAM is an off-label use, but many doctors who are familiar with this problem will prescribe it.

Got another solution for BAM?  Be glad to hear it.

MisterT

For about two months now, I've been having loose, mushy stools almost every day. Typically, I need to have a bowel movement immediately after waking up, then again shortly after breakfast, and often once more after lunch. Some days I end up going four or five times. The stool is usually soft or mushy rather than watery.

I've also had a lot of intestinal gas and flatulence. Over the last couple of weeks this seems to have improved somewhat, especially since switching to a low-FODMAP diet, but it hasn't completely resolved. In the mornings I often feel unwell, slightly nauseous, tired, or low on energy. After one or more bowel movements I generally start to feel better. As the day goes on, my symptoms gradually improve, and by the evening I often feel relatively normal.

I don't have visible blood in my stool and I haven't experienced significant weight loss. My blood tests were normal, including hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate. A FIT test for occult blood was negative. However, my fecal calprotectin was mildly elevated at 111 µg/g.

Over the past few months, I have gone through a significant life event, as a close family member became seriously ill and passed away. While this was obviously a stressful period, I don't feel particularly anxious or overwhelmed on a day-to-day basis, so I'm not sure how much of a role stress may be playing.

Around the same time, I also made major changes to my diet. I cut out many snacks, sweets, pastries, and other foods that I used to eat regularly, and I have been following a much stricter diet focused on foods that seem easier on my digestive system.

For about a month now, I have also been taking Winbiotic BR probiotics daily. In addition, I've been taking psyllium husk for almost two weeks, which sometimes makes the stool more formed, but it still remains on the soft side.

Has anyone had a similar pattern of symptoms, especially morning urgency, multiple bowel movements per day, persistent mushy stools for months, feeling better after a bowel movement, and a calprotectin level somewhere around 100-150?

Wondering if I could get some advise and experiences from people with IBS-D. I have been passed from doctor to doctor for the past 5 years but within the past 3 months been diagnosed with IBS.

Last few years I have had the following symptoms revolving between each other.

• Loose bowel movements

• Movements straight after eating

• 2 loose stools first thing in the morning

• flatulence

• generalized stomach pains (mainly lower stomach but sometimes feel like it is sitting just below my ribs).

• Stomach acid roughly once or twice a day.

Roughly 5 years ago I was told I had a Hiatus Hernia and was on Omeprazole for 6-12 months then had a review endoscopy where I was advised this has been resolved and no longer need to be on Omeprazole. Ever since to be honest my stomach has been slowly getting worse and worse through the years. Recently after being diagnosed with IBS I was speaking with my Gastro specalist who has advised Mebevarine to resolve the pain but does not resolve the diarrhea and issues I am still mainy having.

He has advised amitriptyline on a very low dosage (assume 10mg) but I am very skeptical of going onto this as many moons ago was on an anti-depressant and that knocked me around for a good year. I also have 2 kids (aged 6 & 3) so do not what to be a life-less zombie with them and want to enjoy parenting them through life! I am also 30 years old and married and reading do not want to affect my sex drive for my wife as she has quite a high drive and do not want to disappoint!

Has anyone been on this and had issues or concerns or do you advise anything else. I am considering taking a probiotic and seeing if this can alternatively help!

I look forward to hearing peoples responses.

Matt

I'm not the only one either, there's a whole Reddit thread on it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ozempic/comments/zn6osm/anyone_with_ibsd_take_this/

If Ozempic doesnt work for you you can also try Mounjaro or Retatrutide (once its FDA approved). Some people say the last 2 work even better.

I had IBS-D, but I dont know if it works for IBS-C though

I am sooooooooooooooooooooo happy right now!!!!!!!!!!!! ☺️

I have just found this group and hope there may be other people here in a similar situation to me, as I would just like to chat really.

My husband has IBS D and over the years it has gotten worse, he has become a bit of a recluse because of it and it effects our relationship. I think I am very sympathetic and I help him as much as I can (managing his food diary, cooking good foods for him, talking to him during flare ups) but it doesn't seem to be enough anymore. He wont seek medical help and it is veru frustrating and sad to see him like this.

Any tips, advice or just a listening ear from anyone who knows what he is going through and maybe what I am too.

Thanks

Jemma

I have no other way to control this. I have no money for meds.

I'm ok with this but it's pretty exhausting.

Is there anyone else who has to take such drastic measures to reduce incidents?

i have no Social Life, Please Help Me !   Am I the Only one with the poop Odor I Feel so ALONE !!!   HELP ME PLEASE !!!!!!!!

Half of an Imodium tablet helps me after it starts the next day. I need to take Imodium most every time I will be in public. I usually have 3-4 loose stools every morning.

Imodium often causes constipation the next day. I’ve had to physically remove it, so often I take a stool softener the day after the Imodium and then it begins again.

All of my thoughts seem to revolve around this. It gets more serious as I age. I’m 76 now and I first lost my bowels in public at age 36 due to a stressful event.

How do others manage it?

Can you take Imodium everyday for ibs?

I decided to try taking hydrolyzed collagen peptides powder to help digestion and joint pain.

I've been taking it about one month. I read it takes several months to see any improvement.

Has anyone tried any form of collagen? If so, have you felt better after using it?

Thanks!

Anyways like I said I’m a nurse so calling out last second is kind of a big deal and I’m very disappointed in myself and my life that I had to miss a whole day of work for this stupid disease.

I’m trying to ease my guilt by telling myself it’s a chronic illness and I would never choose for this to happen… but it’s hard. I hate to let my coworkers and my patients down. How do you guys get through this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PF6AWLG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

I added in the ChatGBT description

n

is huo hsiang cheng chi shuei good to treat ibs d?

Huo Xiang Cheng Qi Shui, also known as "Agastache Qi Regulation Decoction," is a traditional Chinese herbal formula. It's often used for digestive issues, including symptoms related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D).

The formula typically contains herbs that may help to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, regulate digestion, and alleviate diarrhea. However, the effectiveness of such herbal remedies can vary from person to person, and it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have a specific medical condition like IBS. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that any treatment is appropriate for your situation.

I have been prescribed amitriptyline, 10 or 20 mg daily.  However, I have read that it commonly leads to weight gain and while I am skinny, I have no wish to whack on a whole load of weight which will increase with time.

I have been trying to control my IBS-D with Imodium and failing miserably. 

I first had symptoms in July 1998 (noisy intestines, diarrhea, foul gas, stomach pain, urgency). I’ve seen doctors in several countries and tried anti-spasmodics and 10+ treatments (2 scopes at both ends), but never had much luck.

Recently, I’ve had material symptom relief (50%+, but it’s only been a couple of months) with the following cocktail:

1. Apo-colesevelam, prescribed by my gastro-enterologist. This is the key, and I can finally get through work meetings

2. Omeprazole prescribed for my eosinophilic esophagitis, not certain it’s related to my IBS

3. Devrom - order online, effectively eliminates smell of both feces and flatus (was developed decades ago for people with colostomy bags)

4. IB Gard, which is peppermint oil pills - I’ll take this before meetings sometimes to manage sound, but I feel like it’s less needed than when I first went on apo-colesevelam in June

No promises it will work for you, but I felt a moral obligation to share some hope. I’ve been eating Chinese take out, processed snacks etc all week and have managed through some big work functions, never thought I’d get any relief.

DM me if more details helpful.

Good luck!