Living with IBS-C? Tell us about your experience. Take our survey here.

caret icon Back to all discussions

Can IBS symptoms come and go?

Question as above please.

Does anyone else’s IBS come and go?

  1. Definitely. Whenever I'm not stressed, have nothing particular going on in my life, and am careful with my food, I can be (almost) symptom-free for weeks. Other times, I'm just having one bad flare after another. For me, stress is probably my biggest trigger, so it depends a lot on that.
    Hope you're feeling well today! Karina (team member)

    1. Mine definitely comes and goes. I have days or even weeks without it, and during those times all I get is a bit of flatulence when I first get up in the morning, but that causes me no problem and doesn't make me feel unwell at all.
      The best length of time I had without it was almost 2 years (from a bout in spring 2018 which lasted only a week or 9 days, right up to March 2020.)

      Recently, I had weeks of relative normality from late May through to July. But August was full of flares with bouts of diarrhea, loose stools, trapped wind, bloating and discomfort a couple or more hours after eating!
      I felt yucky through most of August. For absolutely no reason I could understand! I was eating the same foods which had been fine in June/July, and living my normal life, taking my normal exercise etc!
      I didn't have more stress! I didn't travel, and the weather wasn't very hot. So there is no way I can trace flare triggers.

      1. mine never comes or goes its awful I never go out much because of it it fills me with dread the thought of going out foodcis a big trigger dairy being the worst its awful ibs

      2. I'm so sorry that you're struggling so much. Have you tried adjusting your diet or keeping a food diary yet? If yes, did you see any improvement at all? Sending hugs, Karina (team member)

    2. My IBS also is erratic in how and when I feel ill or well. Very often I am surprised when I am symptom-free. Likewise, when I have a bout of symptoms which are persistent for days or weeks. In that case, I focus on being careful with food choices and on being patient about getting back to feeling well.

      1. Thank you so much for sharing! I feel you, IBS can be so unpredictable. Being patent with you body during and after a flare is so important. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)

    3. my IBS definitely comes and goes. And most of the time I have no idea what triggers it. I do know, the less I eat the better I feel. And if I go on a bland diet for a day or 2, it all calms down. I can often go 2 or 3 weeks without a flare.

      1. Have you tried keeping a food journal to see if you can pinpoint some of your trigger foods? It's great that a bland diet helps you, that way you know what to do to calm your IBS! Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)

    Please read our rules before posting.