IBS

hairyprincess · 28-11-2014 2:47pm #1

My doctor recently suggested that I may have irritable bowel syndrome, but he didn't offer me any test to confirm it.
How is it diagnosed? And what do people find is a trigger for them? For me so far I have identified greasy food, dairy - cream in particular and stress. Is there anything people eat or take to relieve the discomfort? I'm under a lot of stress at the moment with college and personal stuff.
Would love some feedback on peoples experiences.

sullivlo · 28-11-2014 11:21pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

My doctor recently suggested that I may have irritable bowel syndrome, but he didn't offer me any test to confirm it.
How is it diagnosed? And what do people find is a trigger for them? For me so far I have identified greasy food, dairy - cream in particular and stress. Is there anything people eat or take to relieve the discomfort? I'm under a lot of stress at the moment with college and personal stuff.
Would love some feedback on peoples experiences.

Diagnosis of exclusion unfortunately. List of symptoms can be vast and could be anything or IBS.

Talk to your doc or pharmacist. It depends on what your symptoms are as to what meds you could take.

sullivlo · 28-11-2014 11:25pm

My experience:
IBS-C. Chronic. Long term. Constantly flared.

Pain. Exhaustion. Bleeding. Chronic constipation.

Triggers: fibre, vegetables, wheat, stress.

Meds: all of the laxatives (movicol, dulcolax, picolax, preps, enemas), buscopan, colpermin, zoton, pain meds when badly flared.

Multiple hospital admissions.

Tests... Colonoscopy, barium, laparoscopy, endoscopy...

hairyprincess · 29-11-2014 10:47am

Jeez sullivlo, you have been through the wringer! Have you tried any non medications, such as herbal tea or acupuncture?
I don't get constipation, I get diarrhoea really badly. The food I can control, it's the stress that's the problem.

princess-lala · 30-11-2014 12:35am

Hairyprincess do you get spasms?

I've had ibs for about 15 years. Kinda just learned to live with it until early this year when I was also diagnosed with crohns. Now I can't "just live with it"

I swear my Coloflac to help with the spasms.

I go from severe diarrhea to constipation so rarely take anything for those.

Have you looked into your diet?

I am starting the FODMAPs diet soon! Apparently its supposed to be brilliant for ibs sufferers

hairyprincess · 30-11-2014 8:31pm

princess-lala wrote: »

Hairyprincess do you get spasms?

I've had ibs for about 15 years. Kinda just learned to live with it until early this year when I was also diagnosed with crohns. Now I can't "just live with it"

I swear my Coloflac to help with the spasms.

I go from severe diarrhea to constipation so rarely take anything for those.

Have you looked into your diet?

I am starting the FODMAPs diet soon! Apparently its supposed to be brilliant for ibs sufferers

I do sometimes have spasms, not always though.

The fodmap diet looks interesting, I'll look into it further when I get all this college work out of the way.

My doctor recommended Bloateze which I have found to help during a bad spell. They contain charcoal.

PucaMama · 30-11-2014 8:39pm

i have had IBS for a few years now. mostly IBS-D. flare ups are awful. its mostly stress that starts it off. that and too much dairy or greasy food.

hairyprincess · 30-11-2014 9:02pm

PucaMama wrote: »

i have had IBS for a few years now. mostly IBS-D. flare ups are awful. its mostly stress that starts it off. that and too much dairy or greasy food.

They seem to be my triggers too. How were you diagnosed? Have you tried the fodmap diet?

PucaMama · 30-11-2014 9:34pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

They seem to be my triggers too. How were you diagnosed? Have you tried the fodmap diet?

only diagnosed really by ruling out other things

had colonoscopys etc

havnt tried that try to keep a normal balanced diet as much as i can cus it seems to help my thyroid issues and pcos

princess-lala · 30-11-2014 10:54pm

The fodmaps diet can only be done by a dietician.

I had looked it up when my GI mentioned it and he told me to look into it but not start until I meet the dietician, I am under one but she doesn't do it!

Its very specialised and hard. Then in the way you reintroduce foods has to be done in a specific way.

bonnie_ · 09-12-2014 3:50pm

I have just recently started on a low fodmap diet after 10 years of suffering with IBS. I can't recommend it highly enough and I can't believe it took so long to hear about this.

I've just finished a 4 week exclusion diet and I have had a huge improvement in my symptoms. It's certainly not easy to exclude all fodmaps completely, especially when eating out. I found garlic and onion the most difficult to avoid. I am now at the point where I can start reintroducing to see what my tolerance is to certain foods. I am pretty sure already my issue is with Fructans so I expect I'll be keeping my intake of these to a minimum for life. Definitely there is no going back now... I was referred to a dietican who put me on this diet.

sullivlo · 10-12-2014 11:49am

I did FODMAP over the summer and found it spectacular for the spasm / bloat / D related symptoms. It was tough to cut them all out though because they are in EVERYTHING.

I'd defo recommend FODMAP as a route to go - particularly for the identification of triggers. I know my triggers now so tend to just avoid what hurts.

cerastes · 12-03-2015 2:32am

Going to try the formal diet again, I had some booklets from the dietician I visited that recommended it,but I put them aside and can't find them.having recently eaten out, my stomach or gut has returned to spasms,damn uncomfortable,but I'm still not sure where to start. What do I start the diet on,what do i exclude?
Can't seem to eat anything without side effects,

sullivlo · 12-03-2015 11:46am

cerastes wrote: »

Going to try the formal diet again, I had some booklets from the dietician I visited that recommended it,but I put them aside and can't find them.having recently eaten out, my stomach or gut has returned to spasms,damn uncomfortable,but I'm still not sure where to start. What do I start the diet on,what do i exclude?
Can't seem to eat anything without side effects,

I assume you mean the FODMAP diet.

In which case, Google a list of foods with FODMAPs in them and cut everything out for 6 weeks. You'll be living off bland food for a while - no onion, garlic... Many veg are gone too. Meats are okay. But it's very restrictive.

Track your symptoms. Keep a food diary of EVERYTHING you eat. Even a piece of chewing gum. It could be a month before you notice any sort of change. No jars of sauces, everything home cooked. It's the only way to guarantee what is going into your meals.

Then slowly reintroduce foods - one at a time. Day one - 1 portion, day 2 - 2 portions, day three - 3 portions. And track your symptoms. The reintroduction is hard. Particularly if you get symptoms. But track all food and all symptoms.

There should eventually be a pattern.

Best of luck with it.

cerastes · 13-03-2015 6:06am

sullivlo wrote: »

I assume you mean the FODMAP diet.

In which case, Google a list of foods with FODMAPs in them and cut everything out for 6 weeks. You'll be living off bland food for a while - no onion, garlic... Many veg are gone too. Meats are okay. But it's very restrictive.

Track your symptoms. Keep a food diary of EVERYTHING you eat. Even a piece of chewing gum. It could be a month before you notice any sort of change. No jars of sauces, everything home cooked. It's the only way to guarantee what is going into your meals.

Then slowly reintroduce foods - one at a time. Day one - 1 portion, day 2 - 2 portions, day three - 3 portions. And track your symptoms. The reintroduction is hard. Particularly if you get symptoms. But track all food and all symptoms.

There should eventually be a pattern.

Best of luck with it.

Yes I meant Fodmap, it auto corrected itself without me noticing.
I even was beginning to suspect toothpaste and mouthwashand low and behold it has sorbitol in it too
I already cut out loads of stuff, certain veg and onions and garlic in cooked food and am giving up rice milk after already giving up dairy milk, I still have the odd yogurt and infrequently a little cheese, but very rarely.

I'm mostly wondering what to survive on for the initial exclusion period, ie what's considered to be OK?
Currently I have porridge made with water and either home made bread or a variety I've had before that I didn't think gave bad side affects.
Anyone come across any made up charts that you can fill in the food taken that put out results? Might try do something in excel, probably won't have the time and just do it on paper.

sullivlo · 13-03-2015 10:21am

cerastes wrote: »

Yes I meant Fodmap, it auto corrected itself without me noticing.
I even was beginning to suspect toothpaste and mouthwashand low and behold it has sorbitol in it too
I already cut out loads of stuff, certain veg and onions and garlic in cooked food and am giving up rice milk after already giving up dairy milk, I still have the odd yogurt and infrequently a little cheese, but very rarely.

I'm mostly wondering what to survive on for the initial exclusion period, ie what's considered to be OK?
Currently I have porridge made with water and either home made bread or a variety I've had before that I didn't think gave bad side affects.
Anyone come across any made up charts that you can fill in the food taken that put out results? Might try do something in excel, probably won't have the time and just do it on paper.

If you google the FODMAP diet it will bring up plenty of resources.

chancer12 · 20-07-2015 12:58pm

Really desperately looking for advice. My daughter (20) has tested negative for IBS and for a range of foodstuffs. However, she still suffers bloating and dreadful pain. 10 days ago she ate a bruschetta with feta cheese and pesto and was in agony afterwards - had to go to bed. She then didn't poo for a full week. Prior to that she had been doing really well. This was obviously an allergic reaction but we don't know what to. Really don't know where to turn, someone recommended a nutritionist in Rathgar (they are a nutritional healthcare practice) but I don't know if this is the route to go? Any tips much appreciated

sullivlo · 20-07-2015 1:37pm

chancer12 wrote: »

Really desperately looking for advice. My daughter (20) has tested negative for IBS and for a range of foodstuffs. However, she still suffers bloating and dreadful pain. 10 days ago she ate a bruschetta with feta cheese and pesto and was in agony afterwards - had to go to bed. She then didn't poo for a full week. Prior to that she had been doing really well. This was obviously an allergic reaction but we don't know what to. Really don't know where to turn, someone recommended a nutritionist in Rathgar (they are a nutritional healthcare practice) but I don't know if this is the route to go? Any tips much appreciated

What test had she done that said she was negative for IBS? Because as many have said previously IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion and there is no real "test" for IBS.

What tests for foods has she done?

Has she done a poo yet?

First step would be to talk to GP again about controlling the constipation if she hasn't gone yet. pharmacist could help either.

In terms of food reactions, if it's an allergy an IgG test will need to be done but for this to work fully, the diet needs to be full of trigger foods. It's a vicious circle.

I met with a dietician in the Hermitage and did the FODMAP diet with her to determine my trigger foods for symptoms. This could be a route for your daughter to go down.

scrimshanker · 20-07-2015 2:17pm

Chancer12, it's a dietician you will want, not a nutritionist.

chancer12 · 20-07-2015 2:20pm

Tnx, she went to the Slievemore Clinic and had allergy tests done but she can't find the list and I'm having no luck getting through to them. Will go back to the GP tomorrow because I'm getting really worried now. She has a good diet, doesn't eat processed foods and we've tried a gluten free diet which helped initially, then she tried wholewheat pasta and where it worked initially it then caused a worse effect.

Yes, the laxatives worked at the weekend but she's really pale and wan and suffering headaches from it all. I'm not sure how the GP established she didn't have IBS because she has been attending all medical appointments on her own for a number of years and I'm only involved when things don't work out which can make it difficult to get a whole picture together. A friend with a medical condition who works in health is talking again about the process of elimination and mineral deficiencies and enzymes in food which is all double dutch to me. I rang a clinic she recommended but they are talking about a stool test in the UK which costs Stg 243. I'd pay it if I thought it would identify the issue. Others are now talking about the possibility of Crohns and that's what's taking me back to the GP. Unfortunately she's also going overseas to college for next year so this has suddenly become a crisis.

appreciate any thoughts on further testing .... where and what

chancer12 · 20-07-2015 2:21pm

Gosh, I'm really showing my ignorance but tbh I'm in a bit of a flap. Will look further into that

Help!!!! · 20-07-2015 2:34pm

To be honest it is best to change your diet. Stay away from wheat based products & dairy. There are so many alternatives out there, most supermarkets have gluten free/free from ranges. Try Lactose free milk & cheese. Buy coconut/corn/gluten free flour & make your own bread/pancakes etc. For constipation drink lots of water, eat fruit/veg especially prunes. For spasms buy the ibs relief tablets from chemist. they should have peppermint in them, or drink peppermint tea
After so many years struggling with IBS I now have it almost under control, where I can now enjoy bread on occasions
Its all trial & error what works for me may not work for someone else but it may help

sullivlo · 20-07-2015 2:49pm

chancer12 wrote: »

Tnx, she went to the Slievemore Clinic and had allergy tests done but she can't find the list and I'm having no luck getting through to them. Will go back to the GP tomorrow because I'm getting really worried now. She has a good diet, doesn't eat processed foods and we've tried a gluten free diet which helped initially, then she tried wholewheat pasta and where it worked initially it then caused a worse effect.

Yes, the laxatives worked at the weekend but she's really pale and wan and suffering headaches from it all. I'm not sure how the GP established she didn't have IBS because she has been attending all medical appointments on her own for a number of years and I'm only involved when things don't work out which can make it difficult to get a whole picture together. A friend with a medical condition who works in health is talking again about the process of elimination and mineral deficiencies and enzymes in food which is all double dutch to me. I rang a clinic she recommended but they are talking about a stool test in the UK which costs Stg 243. I'd pay it if I thought it would identify the issue. Others are now talking about the possibility of Crohns and that's what's taking me back to the GP. Unfortunately she's also going overseas to college for next year so this has suddenly become a crisis.

appreciate any thoughts on further testing .... where and what

Perhaps request a referral to a gastroenterologist for further testing. They're who would rule out chrons etc.

Google FODMAP - it's a thorough food exclusion diet that can help to identify trigger foods.

The GP should have a range of meds at their disposal if the OTC meds don't help. I have about 4 different antispasmodics to take for pain depending on my symptoms (some constipate though so be mindful of that).

Don't be afraid of a trip to a&e if the pain is too severe though.

Edit: also, wholemeal foods are a massive trigger for me so look at ruling out more than white stuff.

mg1982 · 21-07-2015 1:07pm

Had an appointment with Gastro doctor in hospital yesterday. After an endoscopy and scans he believes i have IBS and is putting me on tablets. Im glad i have a diagnosis because i been suffering with my stomach more and more the last few years and i didnt know what the hell was going on. At this stage the only foods that dont seem to make me feel ill are rice pasta and corn flakes, everything else just flattens me. I just hope the medication will help.

witchgirl26 · 21-07-2015 1:40pm

I've been suffering for about 14 years with IBS (9 officially per diagnoses). I was managing it really well up until about a year or so ago when I put on a bit of extra weight & now it's hitting in harder that previously.

I did the FODMAPs app to get an idea & think it'll be something I'll persue with a trained professional as it did seem to help. And I'd love to be able to cut down on some of the tablets I'm on.

Chancer12 - I think maybe have an open discussion with your daughter as to how concerned you are. I know I was in a similar position of attending all my GP visits myself and I'm not going to lie - it was embarrassing as hell to describe my bowel functions to someone. I think the first few times I went, I might have underplayed what was going on. Definitely ask your daughter to talk to the GP about some relief for the spasms and for something to help regulate movement. Over the counter, I found that Fybogel was really good for getting some normality to my functions.

Like sullivlo I found that it wasn't just white bread etc that I had a problem with. Too much fibre in my diet led to more problems. I also got a colonoscopy to rule out any other things such as Crohns as some of the symptoms can be so similar. My health insurance covered most of the cost of going private for this (I would have been waiting approx 1 year at least as was "non urgent").

El_Dangeroso · 26-07-2015 6:36pm

I've had IBS for 12 years, mostly D but can lean towards C at times.

I'm normally good for spasms and it's mostly that my digestion feels aggravated and raw along with GERD and racing heart. Stress and hot weather makes it worse. I've had times when I can eat anything I want and have no symptoms at all, and as an avid foodie, those times are bliss

I've done FODMAPs and while it works during a mild flare, it's useless when I'm having a really bad flare. Then I can only eat cheese, meat and freshly cooked rice (has to be freshly cooked as resistant starch in reheated rice can cause issues when I'm very sensitive). No fruit, no veg, no spices whatsoever. It's really dull but worth it to ease the flare.

The best 'medication' I've found is Krill oil + vitamin D. Calms the gut inflammation right down (for some reason NSAIDs make the situation worse). In my experience a short course of 4 weeks is all that's necessary.

I believe my whole issue is related to dysbiosis of my gut bacteria that was probably brought on by a series of strong broad spectrum antibiotics I took related to dental treatment in my early 20's.

I'm going to try a protocol soon that will attempt to address the dysbiosis for the medium to long term. I'll report back with details if I have any success with it.

sullivlo · 26-07-2015 10:13pm

I think mine started after I got a tummy bug in Morocco a few years ago. Never right since.

I also have GERD. Back to the GI next month - GP says I need an endoscopy to see what's caused the new GERD symptoms (chronic chest pain / reflux when exercising - defo reflux though, not heart related, have had the tests and when I drink gaviscon it goes away).

River Song · 27-07-2015 6:50pm

Hi all,

Just diagnosed with post-infectious IBS this afternoon. Symptoms started 3 weeks ago today, ended up in hospital in America while there with work - thought it was food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Had bad vomiting, diarrhea, and was badly dehydrated. Following this, as soon as I got home that Thursday morning (was hospitalized the Sunday night/Monday morning), I've had bad stomach cramps, more frequent bowel movements, changes in them, and different foods (especially breads) have been setting me off. Been to get bloods and other tests and all point to IBS. Have to redo bloods in a few weeks too to double check.

Started the low-FODMAP diet the other day, and taking probiotics. Given Buscopan and Colpramin for the beginning. Good to know others are going through similar.

Iseedeadpixels · 28-07-2015 2:15pm

Is Fybogel good for someone with IBS-D? I was advised to take it but keep reading its best for IBS-C, I dont want to take it and put myself in a awkward situation in work :pac: Anyone with IBS-D have experience with this?

sullivlo · 28-07-2015 3:50pm

Iseedeadpixels wrote: »

Is Fybogel good for someone with IBS-D? I was advised to take it but keep reading its best for IBS-C, I dont want to take it and put myself in a awkward situation in work :pac: Anyone with IBS-D have experience with this?

I have IBS-C and it clogged me up so bad that I ended up in hospital. It might be worth trying as it forms a gel with water so it might make things more solid for you. Talk to your doctor / pharmacist though.

Iseedeadpixels · 28-07-2015 3:52pm

sullivlo wrote: »

I have IBS-C and it clogged me up so bad that I ended up in hospital. It might be worth trying as it forms a gel with water so it might make things more solid for you. Talk to your doctor / pharmacist though.

Cheers Pharmacist said its the best so hoping Im ok with it, Ill try it tomorrow evening and see how I am in work Thursday, being off Friday helps incase I have a bad few days.

IBS

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