The Night Before and The Day of Bad Flare Ups

By Mara Bosloy

2 min read

Last updated: March 2023

On Saturday night, I made dinner, chicken thighs in a pear-mustard sauce. It was delicious. But, then the flare-up came, rearing its ugly head. In my article titled "Inferno," I talked about the flare ups I get that cause body heat issues and nausea issues to the point I need an ice pack, a bowl, and a water bottle. It was one of those flare-ups on Saturday night. When those flare-ups peak, I get frightened that I must call 911 because they feel so unbearable.I even texted my roommate, who was out, to tell her that I wasn't feeling well because I was having a bad flare-up, just in case I needed her to come home to help.

Making plans after an IBS flare

Of course, OF COURSE, I had made brunch plans the next day with a friend I hadn't seen in a few months before the flare-up. As I was sweating it out, I thought about canceling my plans, knowing the "after-shock" would still come. I also knew I had to travel long distances on public transit to the brunch restaurant. I thought about asking my friend to come closer to me so I wouldn't have to go as far a distance. I even started drafting the text to my friend to cancel completely. But then my body temperature lowered to normal, and my bowel movements released enough pain, and I could think more clearly. I wasn't feeling 100 percent yet but definitely in better shape to prepare for the next day.

The day after my IBS flare-up

I woke up the next morning with enough time to eliminate the "after-shock." I boarded public transit for the 45-minute journey to the brunch restaurant equipped with my IBGard peppermint pills. I knew I couldn't handle any of the richer brunch dishes, like pancakes, French toast, or Eggs Benedict, but 2 eggs with potatoes, fruit, toast AND a bagel seemed the right choice. So, I swallowed down those pills with water, ordered peppermint tea, and ate my food without a hitch. I also returned to my house without a problem, which was a concern after digesting my food.

Reflecting on frustrating IBS

This is not the first time and certainly won't be the last. It is frustrating that I have to think about others catering to my IBS (considering asking my friend to come closer to me) or that I have to consider canceling plans because I'm too ill to leave my home. I recently had to cancel plans very last minute because a bad flare-up came out of nowhere—I'm sure my friend had already left the house to meet me. I still feel bad about it, but anything is better than risking an accident. It is even more frustrating when 1 day, certain ingredients cause no issue, and the next, they cause a bad flare-up.

Have you ever had to plan ahead for next-day "aftershock" IBS flare symptoms? Have you canceled plans because of it or gone through with it anyway? Share in the comments below.

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Sandy1 Member
<inline-mention username="Mara Bosloy" user-id="2319917"/> this resonates with me so I totally get it. It's so upsetting when you have to cancel when you're feeling so bad. I had to cancel looking after my Granddaughter recently which meant my Son and his Wife had to cancel their theatre outing. I felt so bad but when you feel so poorly you just can't function as normal. The worst thing for me is the nausea especially when I've opened my bowels. You'd think I'd feel better. The other frustration is sometimes a certain food is ok then it's not so as you say it doesn't make sense. I'm about to try the vsl#3 probiotics to see if that helps. Have you ever tried it? I hope the ibs has calmed down for you. 
1. Stuart Member
 <inline-mention username="Sandy1" user-id="4713754"/> I have used VSL 3. I often got abdominal pain from it. I tolerate Visbionome better. I suggest starting out taking it once every other day for the first week to see if it agrees with your body. 
2. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Sandy1" user-id="4713754"/> I feel you. I have little children right now and I always feel so bad whenever I have to ask mu husband to take over because I'm not feeling well. I really hope that the probiotics will work for you! Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
Stuart Member
 I have often had to cancel at the last moment. I really think it’s a form of PTSD. After several bouts coming on while away from home, I have had many occurrences where I was “that guy” taking up the restroom for an hour. Then hoping I could eventually make it home without any other events. It made me feel like I was the unreliable friend to many. The stress of going out sometimes brings on the IBS blow out. It’s as if I need to plan days in advance for just the preparation of going out. For my mothers funeral, I didn’t eat the day before and on the day of, I needed a few difficult meds and relied on my vape pen. I’m sure don’t need to emphasize to you the emotional impact and deep frustrations this causes. I seriously wish that the medical community would finally put in the same effort for Covid research and HIV research into IBS research. 
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Stuart" user-id="4221681"/> It's like that for me, too. For example this week, I was home alone with my kids and I was so scared of getting a flare and not being able to properly take care of them that I barely ate anything. I prefer feeling hungry and slightly dizzy than needing to go to the bathroom 500 times in a row. I was the bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding last year and managed to lose quite a lot of weight just because of the stress of it. It's not healthy and very, very frustrating. The worst thing for me is knowing that it's all caused by my anxiety, but I have no idea how to keep it in check. Karina (team member)
deborahann Member
IBS pain is no joke! It can be severe and scary. A friend of mine had multiple tests done and finally a colonoscopy. I knew her diet, and mentioned the possibility of IBS early on. She suspected cancer, as the pain was so bad. Yep, I was right!! Those “healthy salads” were kicking up those flares. Here are tips from one who has had IBS for over 40 years…stay AHEAD of flares! I take a 20 mg Pepcid before I eat flare foods, which I refuse to give up! Not afraid to use Imodium if needed. Sometimes that’s the only way flare spasms will stop for me. I stay away from all INSAIDS. Caused ulcers, and more pain. I also have diverticulosis. I refuse to let IBS rule my life. Thank you to all that leave comments. It’s helped know I’m not the only one that has experienced uncontrollable urges that caused embarrassment. You are not alone!!
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="deborahann" user-id="2289344"/> IBS pain can be horrible. I usually have IBS-D and more discomfort than actual pain, but during my pregnancies, the pain would sometimes get so bad that I was sure I was having a miscarriage or going into labor. Thanks so much for sharing what works for you. I'm glad that you don't let IBS rule your life. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
Sandy1 Member
Yes I agree. It sounds worse for you suffering from IBS D. I suffer from constipation which means I don't go for over a week then an awful flare up where I can't stop emptying my bowels which makes me feel so poorly. It must be awful having to be near toilets and planning though so I do feel for you. What meds do you take?
Pele Member
I too have had those flare-ups, even after carefully following my Fodmap diet; so frustrating. I stubbornly refuse to give into this and will go out, armed with my Imodium; not always with the best results. My husband is a retired fireman, he always checks out the nearest exit when he enters a building; me, always checks for the closest bathroom. I try to stay positive knowing that I have to live with it.
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Pele" user-id="4166166"/> The FODMAP diet unfortunately doesn't work for everyone. Maybe this article could be helpful for you: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/when-fodmaps-doesnt-help?' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/when-fodmaps-doesnt-help?</a> I feel you, I also always like to know where the bathrooms are. I think many people in this community feel the same. Karina (team member)
therryns Member
Your husband sounds like a champ! Thank him for me.
lucy33 Member
I have IBS M and for me, the IBS C version is MUCH worse because of the bloating and pain. I'm in the throes of a flare right now and it is miserable. I generally avoid trigger foods (for me, raw vegetables, and salad and anything fried or high fat, except nut butters create the most problems) and I stick to a high fiber diet, even when I go into IBS D. I take a probiotic and when I have a flare, I use Colase. I can usually keep going no matter what. Unfortunately, I have to take several medications for another chronic illness, but I don't think they are a problem. I compete in Obedience and Rally trials with my dogs and I plan carefully so that I can manage. The hard part is when friends want me to go out for dinner and I can't find anything safe to eat. I have had to explain that if I am going to function the next day, pizza, pasta and other rich foods are off limits. I have had to manage bouts of IBS-D and the horrible rebound of IBS-C many times since my teens. I honestly believe that IBS really is connected as much to the psyche as to our physical selves. Mine definitely flares most under stress. The gut/brain connection is definitely there. 
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="lucy33" user-id="2315452"/> Stress is terrible for my IBS, too. I think most of us can relate to that actually. I'm so sorry that you're going through a flare right now and really hope that you'll start feeling better soon! Wishing you quick relief, Karina (team member)
hateibs Member
Yes, I also get that thing where I can eat a certain food on and off for weeks with no problems. Then one day it will suddenly cause a flare up and I daren't eat it again for a while. It's very frustrating. As a result, what I order in each week isn't always eaten up, and I hate food waste but it can't be helped. And yes, I know what it's like to have made a firm plan and to get a flare up. I soldiered on with mine and things were okay, but I was lucky. A friend was selling her house and had a viewing the next afternoon. I was at her house the evening before and offered to help her tidy up the next morning, to arrive by 10am. She was so grateful as only had one other person to help and she has a huge house. As it happened I hadn't had a flare up for a while and was feeling okay really. The other person who was helping the next morning was there that evening and had cooked a wonderful gourmet dinner with a vegetarian recipe. It just would have been horrible to refuse her food. But my main reason for deciding to shut up about IBS and eat it was because it smelled wonderful and I was ravenous. So I did. Tummy loved it. I was happy. All night tummy seemed happy. It was only the next morning that it wasn't. I figured it out....potatoes with skins, onions, garlic, pine nuts, peppers, some nuts and beans in there....need I say more? I desperately didn't want to go out and help clean up a huge house. But I'd given my word and knew my friend would be in a fix if I didn't go. I felt shaky, unwell, empty, hungry for food but unable to eat. I'd already been in the bathroom 3 times by 8am. I thought -what the heck? If I had to spend 10 minutes in every hour on my friend's toilet, so be it. I tuirned up at 10am and got working. And strangely my tummy calmed down and went silent. I think just fasting did the trick, but I felt weak and starving by 2pm. I risked a dry piece of whte toast and things were okay in the end.
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> That's so nice of you to help your friend even when you're not feeling well. She's so lucky to have you. Do you think that maybe the not so safe meal combined with the fact that you needed to be somewhere the next morning caused the flare? That always happens to me at least. Karina (team member)
hateibs Member
 <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> Yes, I think it was both things combined, but I think it was mostly the food. The "having to get up and get going" didn't help. But the food, though gorgeous, was full of all the things I know I shouldn't eat. Unfortunately, I know the woman made this recipe especially for me, as they heard I am (mostly) vegetarian! What could I do but eat and enjoy....which I did very much....until the following morning! 
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> Ooh that's so hard! When people make something especially for you it's almost impossible to say no. I completely understand why you ate the food despite knowing that it wouldn't end well. Karina (team member)
Sandy1 Member
So sorry to hear of everyone suffering. I simply don't understand why flare ups are happening So today I opened my bowels- I suffer from constipation. I thought great I won't have a flare up as I had been a lot. Later today I felt it coming on. It starts with the nausea which means I can't eat. I was crying because I'm just getting over eye surgery which didn't go to plan and had suffered with the ibs at the same time. Obviously stress trigger but things are improving with my sight so today's episodes haven't made sense especially as I had emptied my bowels. I opened my bowels again. The weirdest thing is I don't feel better afterwards. I just don't know what to do to help myself anymore. Currently trying meditation everyday. I have been referred for a ct scan as apparently they don't do a colonscopy for ibs sufferers at our local hospital because it's too uncomfortable. Ct is just as good apparently. I love being part of this network as at least you understand how I'm feeling.
Sandy1 Member
Another difficult day. I have hardly eaten but opened my bowels 3 times today. Normal consistency but where does all this come from? Pain in left side and feeling really depressed. I just want to feel well . 
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Sandy1" user-id="4713754"/> I'm so sorry that you haven't been feeling well. I completely understand your frustration, getting a flare out of nowhere is so hard. The only thing that helps me in these cases is to focus on self-care (keeping my body hydrated, resting etc.). Do you already have an appointment for your CT scan? I hope you'll get some answers soon. Wishing you quick relief, Karina (team member)
hateibs Member
<inline-mention username="Sandy1" user-id="4713754"/> I'm sorry you are having to go through all this. IBS can be mean can't it? Look, it's a positive thing that you opened your bowels, and even though that was no fun in itself, it's a good sign to go 3 times. There will be back-up inside from the constipation. Your body knows what to do. Are there any foods that help keep you a bit more regular? I always found beetroot (beets), apples, brown rice, carrots, in the diet, and a coffee or two in the morning always got things moving (in the past before my IBS-D!)
Sandy1 Member
Hi, yes I've tried all of the above. I'll find something which works and I think great but my body then seems to get used to the food and it doesn't help anymore. It's so annoying. I have just got over an upset stomach where I had a loose tummy for over 24hours so I should pretty much be empty. I probably won't go for a week now 😕. I'll let you know how I get on with the probiotics. 
1. Karina Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Sandy1" user-id="4713754"/> I hope you're feeling better now and that the probiotics will help! Wishing you some relief, Karina (team member)

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