Some days I honestly feel like a walking pharmacist. Mebeverine, Buscopan, Peppermint Oil and Hydrochloride with Pepsin are just some of the many medications I have been on over the past few years. Often they seem to work at first, before slowly just ‘dulling’ the symptoms, until an inevitable return of the dreaded stomach pains. As I’ve said before, there is no ‘miracle cure’. Different things work for different people. Unfortunately with IBS there is no ‘one size fits all’ due to the fact that everyone suffers from different triggers, symptoms and flare ups, I think it really is a case of trial and error – and it does help to have a positive outlook.
If you’re a long term sufferer, you’ll have probably tried all of the above, perhaps in addition to CBT, Hypnotherapy, Food Allergy Tests and Acupuncture, however if it’s a recent diagnosis you might feel a little lost and confused. As fantastic as our health service can be, GP’s are quick to prescribe what every other typical sufferer is prescribed because very little is known about IBS and it’s causes. Although this may be helpful at first, as I have said previously, after a while the symptoms can return and you’re left contemplating whether putting something artificial into your body day in day out is really doing more harm than good.
IBS, although not life threatening, is a seriously debilitating condition. In a survey conducted by Symprove it was revealed that a staggering 40% of those affected suffering from depression as a result of IBS, 63% made less of an effort with their appearance and 61% said their social life was limited. I can certainly relate to each of those and although I have not been diagnosed with depression, I do often feel very upset and alone when considering just HOW much it affects my choices on a day to day basis. So when ‘set in stone’ facts and figures show just how much of an impact it can have on lives, it is frustrating that finding a cure or at least a more effective treatment isn’t available on the NHS.
In the past two weeks, after a particularly bad bout, I decided once and for all to come off all of my medication. Colpermin (my most recent treatment) was of no real help to me, despite taking it exactly as the leaflet stated and the anxiety medication I was prescribed made me feel dizzy, weak and almost drunk. I am still continuing to take Symprove but I do think that if something unnatural isn’t making a positive impact within a month, you should probably try something else.
Symprove Week 3
I must admit, my last few instalments of Symprove reviews haven’t been in depth or exciting, primarily because I wanted to give it a real chance to make an impact and allow myself to give genuine and honest feedback. Things do take time to work and similarly, effects can subside quickly, so I had imagined that by the three week mark, I’d be able to really give you an insight into how it has helped – or not helped.
I’m pleased to say that the last two weeks have been so much easier for me since my stomach pains have been almost alleviated completely. Despite waking up each morning with a dull, strange ache in the pit of my stomach – a quick dose of Symprove always seems to tame it, and within fifteen minutes, I’m almost feeling ‘normal’. I have had a few hiccups – usually caused by something I have eaten, however generally on the whole – I have been feeling far more like myself.
I have even experienced several days where I actually forget about my stomach altogether (which if you’re an IBS sufferer, you’ll appreciate how much of a rarity it is).
I have a very busy, stressful few weeks on the horizon so I am excited to see how Symprove fares. It is nerve wracking to come off all medication, but since Symprove is 100% natural (and packed full of Vitamin C to keep you healthy – as I’m usually ill with a cold at this time of year) even if you don’t see your symptoms vanish immediately, you know that the ‘happy bugs’ are not doing any harm.
I fully appreciate that without NHS help, medication and treatments can be expensive, especially if there’s no guarantee that they’re going to solve the problem. However, I truly believe that anything is worth a try. Symprove has completely cured a large majority of IBS sufferers, and has alleviated the symptoms in many more. It’s not to be sniffed at. So, I have teamed up with them to offer two lucky readers a 3-month trial of the probiotic, completely free. The giveaway will go live tomorrow, which I think is a lovely way to commence IBS Awareness Month – and I will also be looking for several bloggers who would be interested in helping me to raise awareness through blogging, tweeting and reducing the stigma! Thank you once again to everyone who has emailed, tweeted and commented. I honestly cannot thank you enough.
I appreciate not everyone who reads my blog suffers from IBS, but perhaps there is someone around you who does, and would appreciate the added support. It affects men, women, children, teenagers, the elderly – people of all ages, so the chances are you will know someone affected. Similarly, the giveaway is open to people who don’t suffer from IBS – but who may like to try adding a probiotic into their daily life as a way of staying healthy, increasing concentration, decreasing fatigue and eliminating any skin conditions which may have been caused by a gut flora imbalance. I have noticed my skin has significantly improved since starting Symprove – so the effects are primarily stomach related. Our bodies really are certainly very weird and wonderful, but everything is interconnected and it’s exciting to be able to introduce live probiotics into your everyday lifestyle.
