IBS isn't fun...

I have IBS but I'm pretty sure it was not caused by the aneros. Symptoms started after I ate some food products with inulin, aka fructooligosacharride (FOS). The gas and bloating were so bad I thought my intestines were going to explode. Now I have a fructose intolerance and have to keep my sugar intake as low as possible. I had a colonoscopy and it showed no abnormalities. Other than that the doctors have not been very helpful at all. I manage my symptoms reasonably well with a good probiotic, digestive enzymes and Butyrex.

After I developed symptoms I was afraid to use the aneros on the theory it would aggravate my sypmtoms. But I have used it a few times since and it did not make them any worse. For lubes I use Boy Butter and K-Y and they have not caused any problems.

Car_01

No expert here, but i have read shea butter or coconut oil.

Hi pnoman, Car_01, and legace!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀

I know how much this is no laughing matter! I have IBS and have had for decades, although that diagnosis just goes back to the 1990s. From my youth with it, from the time I started prostate massage at 13, fingers and dildos seemed to act like soothers, rather than irritators. Same with aneros: when I have a session the IBS sensitivity level DECREASES. My guts get more relaxed in a worthwhile measure. I too had exaggerated reactions to lube, until I eliminated glycerin.

Like you Car_01, I have found the drugs for IBS not very effective, butt have managed to manage my IBS very well with acidophilus supplements and extra mixed fibres. Aneros, IMHO, is a positive therapy for IBS in my case, along with fingers etc.... and having anal, rectal, prostate-centred orgasms of all types!!!

all the best gut relaxation and orgasmic peristaltic pleasures all

artform

Hello Pnoman, 🙂

Sorry to hear of your plight with IBS. I'll be curious to hear how a change in lubes effects you. While I don't have IBS, I do have reactions to lubes with glycerin in it. Specifically the "urge to purge" and a burning inner anal sphincter sensation. My ideal recommendation and what I use the majority of the time is 100% unrefined shea butter, particularly the Now Foods brand. No re-application needed since it is an oil and does not dry out or get absorbed easily internally, and it is a natural nut tree product. But if you liked Probe Thick and Rich, you'd probably also like Slipperystuff Gel and Babeland.com Babelube which I have tried and are probably similar in consistency as Probe, but glycerin free.

Here's the main shea butter thread for reference if needed:
http://www.aneros.com/forum/f5/unrefined-shea-butter-how-much-12757/

Love_is

I'm encountering similar effects but am not certain that it's IBS. I've tried a number of lubes including KY, Maximus, and now Sliquid Sassy, which I bought for it's lack of glycerin, but I still get the "urge to purge" almost immediately. I wonder if it could be a temperature related issue or is something entirely different? I tried the Sliquid yesterday for the first time. As soon as I pre-lubed, I got the immediate sense to evacuate. This after an enema and a hot shower. Perhaps I should try warming the lube?? Or maybe this is indeed IBS? Thoughts anyone?

Awokenmind, have you tried an oil based lube at all? I find that some water based lubes (including ones not containing glycerin) can cause irritation.

Some thoughts on lubes and IBS... having, like artform, lived with IBS for many decades.

Please keep in mind that I'm no doctor and caution you to seek your own medical advice on major diet changes or use of 'natural supplements or biologicals.'

If you don't have a history of IBS triggered by food, irregular sleep or stress, try to avoid taking on the mental complications of a disease that you may not have. IBS wasn't a recognized disease until the pharma industry came up with a medication for women who experience what we used to call spastic colon at certain points in their menstrual cycle. If your urge to purge symptoms only occur within an hour or so after you lube it may not be IBS, just a simple sensitivity of your colon to the lube. (note that in the Johns Hopkins study, lube migrates some distance from it's point of introduction into the rectum.) If you do have IBS, you could expect the loose bowel/gassy/excess-mucus conditions to continue for a day or two after you triggered the attack.

So, keep this simple.

a. You might assess your pre-session cleansing. Most of us who regularly douche (about 1/3 of the forum) don't report lube sensitivity. We use a small amount of fluid and only allow it into the rectum rather than letting it penetrate into the colon. If for whatever reason you find yourself taking a larger enema make sure you expel all of it before moving onward in your session. Aside from filling your bladder with Urine, absorbing a quantity of water through the colon lining can cause cellular disturbances similar to those described in Badger's post of the Johns Hopkins lube study.

Try to figure out how much Chlorine might be in your tap water. If there's appreciable Chlorine in the water, buy an inexpensive water filter (Britta, Zero-Water, Pur etc.) or douche with distilled water.

b. We all like a simple water-based lube that's easy to handle and to clean up. The new "natural" lubes like Astroglide Natural might help. However, if you have tried SLiquid (a natural) without improvement, Astro-natural might not be an improvement either. I've not seen any complaints posted toward Slippery-Stuff (gel) and it seems to last me about 50% longer than any of the 'natural' based lubes. Read over Badger's post and the John's Hopkins study -- http://www.aneros.com/forum/f5/lube-scientists-your-thoughts-experimental-formula-14171/ --.

c. If you react adversely to Slippery Stuff it may be time to consider twlltin's post and adopt a Shea nut-Butter based lube like rumel's Natural Jelly. I regularly use a Shea+Coconut Oil compound and am pleased. Shea Butter is easier to clean up than 'greasier' lubes like Vaseline or Crisco and it seems to provide more 'slip.' If you want even more 'slip' consider Olive Oil, Walnut Oil or Almond Oil which are body-friendly unless you have an allergy to nut products. Although Castor Oil sounds a bit strange I have little reaction to it, just a slight stinging in my eyes (YMMV). It has the advantage of being a vegetable based product and the viscosity resembles a Silicone anal lube. There are plenty of Silicone-oil based products on the market. My fave is Swiss Navy however we have several adherents to Astroglide-X and K-Y Intrigue.

d. If you are really dealing with IBS see your doctor. However, the last time I checked with my doc, the only available medication was targeted for menopausal females.

Best bet with IBS is prevention by adjusting your diet with more fiber. Keep in mind that regular old fruit and vegetables cost less than fiber supplements and are better for you. If that's not sufficient, pick up on Car_01's post and consider using a pro-biotic. Several of the newer Yogurt-based pro-biotics claim to have micro-capsules that protect the active bacteria from stomach acid on the way to the large bowel where they do their balancing work. A more radical approach that some Colon hydro-thereapists endorse is a small seasonal enema (three or four times a year) with a pro-biotic like Eugalen Topfer Forte. The cost and perishible nature of this product makes it worthwhile to have the retention treatment done by a professional who will use only a fraction of a package that once opened, expires in only a month or two.

Take care and hope you rid yourself from the 'urge to purge'

Thank you Rook for your highly informative response. After reading your and Twilltn's responses, I feel somewhat confident that what I'm dealing with is not IBS but a reaction to these lubricants. I think I'll endeavor to try some of the oil based lubricants as I'm apprehensive with the lack information to potential side effects. Thanks for your advice.