IBS Sufferer

LegacyUser

I was just wondering if anyone knew anything that could ease the symptoms of IBS during stressful peroids?? ie cramping, nausea and constipation.
I've already tried colpermine/peppermint oil but it hasn't seemed to have done anything.
IBS was the definite diagnosis...
Anyone out there have any idea's of what helps, herbal remedies ect??

foodaholic

you can go two ways.
1) exclude the foods that exacerbate your IBS, however if u do this when u eat those foods again, your IBS really flairs up. With me its bread,coffee and booze.

2) what i did was eat what I wanted and slowly I became desensitized to it.
I havent had a flair up in over a year.

Buscopan is good for abdo pain

LegacyUser

I have prevously tried buscopan for a month or so and didn't get much relief from them...Also I have elimated alcohol (a big trigger for me) but I have the odd splurge like anyone and the consequences are disasterous... I have elimated most carbs, potatoes, bread, rice and pasta (a student's favourite meal!) for the last three months and I had expected that would have made a difference but it didn't. So now I basically don't know...I am quite young and have been down the meds route over the last while but it's not something thats worked too well for me and my doctor has told me that IBS dosen't respond well to conventional medicine...I was considering trying accupunture (spelling?) but I can't afford it...
Is there any other remedies out there??

Searlait

Have you tried giving up wheat and gluten? It was the last thing I wanted to know or try, but through trial and error I've discovered that I'm allergic to wheat and gluten, and also lactose intolerant. I take tablets for the dairy, which is a godsend, and I've eliminated wheat and gluten from my diet. Its a really common allergy these days, gluten, and it would be a good thing to try. This is the site I get the tablets from, and also, very imformative!

http://www.foodreactions.co.uk/

Sunflower1

Hi everybody.
Sorry to jump on the bandwagon but I've just been diagnosed with IBS and am going out of my mind trying to control the symptoms. I can't pin down the foods that are triggering my symptoms and I have to wait another 3 weeks before my review appointment with my gastroenterologist. I'm already taking Colpermin, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Has anyone any advice?

Thanks,
Sunflower1

smares

I have IBS for about 7 years now and some foods i need to stay clear off but i suffer badly if stressed,worried,excited or nervous.
I have tried Colpermin,buscopan,imodium,spasmonal,the lot, but what i have found great is colofac.It's on prescription but i found it the only tablet that has actually helped.

Saruman

I have Ulcerative Colitis but it does not bother me and I do not take medication. I avoid certain foods like red meat and caffeine/coffee. Decaff coffee is no good as coffee is a laxative. I also do not drink milk but other dairy products are fine. Wheat is not great, whole wheat that is. I got a flare up late last year and the only thing different was that I was in the office for two weeks (usually out and about) and had weetabix every morning for breakfast (usually do not eat breakfast).

It was grand, I went to the doctor when I got back from the US and got my prescription renewed including an enema and I was fine a few weeks later so stopped the medication.

When I first got it I spent weeks in hospital and lost a few stone (not a bad thing actually). Once out I was determined to get off the steroids and other drugs so I changed my diet and avoided these foods. I avoided a lot more back then, I cut out everything almost. Sugar, gluten etc and started adding them back in a little at a time. I never went back to the ones I mentioned before but I can still rob a mouthful of steak every now and again as it is only eating it on a regular basis that can cause problems.

Anyway I supplemented my drugs with alternative stuff and then replaced. Peppermint oil capsules are very good as is charcoal capsules. Ginger is excellent too and Garlic is always good.

I know Ulcerative Colitis is a little different as it is an autoimune disease (not known for sure) but the symptoms are similar except IBS does not involve internal bleeding in the large intestine as far as I know.

To find trigger foods, cut out everything and add them back in a week at a time. So go on a lactose, gluten, sugar free diet and once you are feeling fine then start adding foods in. You can also get a food allergy test done either by a doctor (blood test) or you can get it done in some health shops (no blood needed). The second is probably not as accurate but it will give you an indication. I did one of these and it did get all my trigger foods, it also mentioned some others I knew I was fine with like citrus.

LegacyUser

Thanks for your repliies...
At this minute I'm having another flare up due to being in a stressfull situation, (up to me eyes with assignments and trying to study for exams!!)
I am trying colofac again at the minute along-side buscopan, not having much success though. Have cut out both tea and coffee, but had so alcohol there at the weekend which probably didn't help.. It's going to be difflicult to avoid difficult situations for the next few months and it's really ony now I'm getting afraid on how it's going to affect my exam performance.. So basically what I'm saying is I need to get this under control now..
Has anyone tried accupunture(spelling?) or any other type of therapy?? Any other idea's??
Thanks for the advice!

kangaroo

IBS can be associated with some other conditions. Two I am familiar with are ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).

I developped IBS. But it wasn't until I got my ME/CFS that it really became under control - I feel it was part of the ME/CFS.

So if it's associated with other symptoms, it's useful to try to sort out if one has other conditions as well. I was and am annoyed that the gastroenterologist didn't spot that I could have had ME/CFS - I had to eventually spot it myself by which time my ME/CFS had deteriorated leaving me with greater long-term disability.

BeatNikDub

Ive just been diagnosed with IBS.

Dont really find colofac is working.
I still have cramps, bad digestion and some nausea.

I eat lots of fruit and veg and have started eating slower, reduced alocohol intake and upped my fibre intake.

Mine has been linked with stress, which I still am fromw ork and other personal issues so maybe my gp is right in thinking that once they get solved the IBS will too.

Ive only had it 3 weeks but its awful! I love food and cooking and now im terrified of it because i know its just going to cause pain and/or discomfort so totally sympathise with you all here.

Anyway - I have started taking buscopan today. My gp said to take if I found the colofac weren't enough, which they aint!

Has anyone got the dizzy symptoms from them? I have just taken one 10mg tablet.

Thanks

candy19

Yea I've tried both buscopan and colofac for IBS. Did find that I got dizzy from the buscpan but I think there's a warning on the label.
I have changed my diet, found both colofac and buscopan useless. Mine is also stress related. Due back to the GP next week, having a really bad flare up at the minute and have tried quite a few other herbal remedies but nothing seems to be helping... but i guess everyone's different! take your doc's advice he/she knows best!
By the way the dizziness does ware off after a while, just don't drive or operate machinery. I found that a lie down for a few minutes used to help me.

BeatNikDub

Thanks a mill Candy.

Feeling a little bit dizzy at my desk but I dont have to go anywhere in the car till lunch time so hopefully it wuill have passed by then.

Such a pity that nothing so far is working for you.
I think i may have to go down the route of eliminating some foods to see if that helps. Its just that it all came out of nowhere and have been having panic attacks too so im pretty convinced that my gp is right when he says it is stress related.

Need to stop thinking about food!!

wicklowgal

Another IBS sufferer here!I found my main symptom was the spasming.I would physically make so much noise that everyone within a 10metre radius could hear me!Very embarasing!I was prescribed everything there is on the market and the only thing that works for me is Spasmonal.Absolutely ideal for keeping the spasms at bay.I also take sachets called Movicol for constipation,as I regularly get it.I highly recommend Movicol as it doesn't make u desperate to go to the toilet,like most laxatives and can be taken everyday if constipation is a problem for you.Both are prescription only though!

Like a lot of people with IBS,I couldn't pin down what was aggravating the condition so was relying on the medication to work!

kensutz

I'm on coloflac and buscopan as of last week. The first day I tried both I felt horrible, not so much dizzy but fatigued and nauseous. Not diagnosed with IBS yet but waiting on seeing a specialist in hospital in the near future. Dreading the results to be honest.

JuJuBean

Hi there. I am 33 and have suffered with IBS since childhood. I can remember getting the cramps and having to find a toilet in a panic even as a child. I am very interested in alternative therapy and nutrition as a result of long term suffering with it and I believe I now have it under control due to my research and trying things out. When I drink I do fall into a diarhoea then constipation pattern but I try to manage that too. I am not saying what worked for me will work for you but this is what I've learned about my own condition:

- Its totally related to stress and being run down. When I am run down, I believe my intestines are a bit more sensitive than they normally would be, and therefore I get these reactions like cramping, gas and diarhoea when I eat or drink anything that takes a bit more energy to digest or that irritates the lining of my intestines.
When I am run down, and low in B vitamins, I start to see my skin having lesions in certain areas, such as the inside of the mouth (mouth ulcers) and the corners of my lips (those sore little cracks). I maintain that it is the same inside my intestines. My solution for this is to constantly take a high potency multi vitamin, such as Berocca or Sona Multiplus. I've found Sona Multiplus to be fantastic. I wouldn't bother with the likes of vivioptal or pharamton which give you only 100% of the recommended daily allowance, in my experience I need a much higher dose than that. I think its because I am prone to being stressed and worried and this depletes my vitamin stores fairly quickly even though I eat healthily.

- What actually is difficult for a person to digest varies by individual. For me it is high fat foods, wholegrains, coffee, onions and other cruciferous veg (broccoli, peppers, cabbage etc) some fruit such as apples, nuts and seeds....basically a lot of the good things! I determined this by seeing a nutritionist at the Dublin Nutrition Clinic. Can get the number if anyone wants it. I had to keep a food diary and record the reactions, and by that I could determine what was causing problems. If I have a flare up now I just have to switch to easy to digest, soluble fibre foods for a while. Its easy to find out what is soluble fibre by searching the net. Insoluble fibre is generally harder to digest - it has more health benefits but sometimes my body just says no.

- Relaxation and dealing with stress is key for me too. I did qualifications in reflexology and reiki because I found them so good but I have to admit I prefer receiving to giving! My cousin who has IBS too finds acupuncture great. It addresses the stress rather than the IBS and often the IBS stops when the stress issues are dealt with and the body returns to normal health. Meditation is great too and the Dublin Buddhist Centre do a great course on the basics of meditation.

- Alcohol - the biggest demon for me. However I like to drink and usually have my full allowance of weekly units in one go on a Saturday night - extremely unhealthy I know. Anyhow I try to avoid all my trigger foods the next day - and yes that includes those lovely high fat fries! I find I can get a good fat hit from avocado with no adverse reaction if I am being really good, or I just leave out the sausages and have a poached egg and grilled rasher with toast, no bad butter or anything fatty. If I find myself constipated a couple of days later I start the day with a little fruit - a plum or a few strawberries - something easily digested (NO APPLES!! ) and things go more or less back to normal after that.

Anyhow thats my 2 cents, I hope it helps. The worst situation for me was skiing - getting the runs on the top of a mountain is a no no so I pack those immodium instants - they stopped the actual need to go but man was I farting like mad! Sorry to be crude but when you've suffered like I have you loose the sensitivity to these things .

Don't worry, it will get better. You just have to find what works for you. A plain diet of soluble fibre only (and of course not leaving out the other food groups) will give your bowel a rest for a while, and then you could try introducing the irritants again slowly. Also trying not to panic when the cramps set in - as the panic really makes it worse. Deep breathing is a good idea and if you do go for acupuncture, as your therapist to let you know about a pressure point you could apply pressure to if you get caught short - something to relieve the pain and relax you.

BeatNikDub

Thanks so much JuJubean! Thats very helpful indeed.
Mine is certainly getting worse rather than better and certainly the stress has not been alleviated as yet but I am working on that twice a week with a therapist.
It appears about 13 years of depression is finally catching up with my body now and not just my mind! Suppose it makes sense really.

The suggestion of a high soluble fibre diet for now sounds good. I shall be as crude as you here in saying that basically nothing is happening after im eating really and im anxious of it all buidling up. Ive been taking senokot along with the buscopan and colofac and just nothing really seems to be working.
Plus every morning im nauseous and wretching till about 10am (which is not pleasant in work, thank god no one can see!).

Will concentrate on my diet and keep at the stress treatment for the next while and see how it all goes!

JuJuBean

BeatNikDub wrote: »

Thanks so much JuJubean! Thats very helpful indeed.
Mine is certainly getting worse rather than better and certainly the stress has not been alleviated as yet but I am working on that twice a week with a therapist.
It appears about 13 years of depression is finally catching up with my body now and not just my mind! Suppose it makes sense really.

The suggestion of a high soluble fibre diet for now sounds good. I shall be as crude as you here in saying that basically nothing is happening after im eating really and im anxious of it all buidling up. Ive been taking senokot along with the buscopan and colofac and just nothing really seems to be working.
Plus every morning im nauseous and wretching till about 10am (which is not pleasant in work, thank god no one can see!).

Will concentrate on my diet and keep at the stress treatment for the next while and see how it all goes!

I've never had wretching with it - is it possible you could be pregnant? Don't mean to scare you but I've never heard of it making a person throw up.
But if it is definitely IBS and you've been to the doc - well, my cousin has suffered with depression on and off for years, along with IBS, and as I said she found acupuncture great but hypnotism as well, particularly during the stressful times. I really expensive though. If you have health insurance I think you can claim for acupuncture nowadays.
Try the bit of fruit first thing in the morning for your constipation - very ripe pears are great, as are plums. Hope it works!

BeatNikDub

Im certain that I aint preggers! Well unless there is an immaculate conception prophescised for 2009!?
I feel nauseous every morning - its been pretty bad the last 2 or 3 weeks though. Even washing my teeth makes me feel like im gonna puke!

I have been checked for cysts on the ovaries too and they found nothing. I had to go in A&E about 2 weeks ago the pain was so bad, they thought it was my appendix but it wasnt. They couldnt find anything so got sent home after about 6 hours of tests (ultra sound was SORE!) and after baout 2 days it died down but im left with constant bowel discomfort, back pains, panic attacks etc. I took a couple of days off work before the long weekend and chilling out seemed to help alot but one has to keep going!

Been having a search for good high fibre foods so going to do up a few recipes over the weekend and start making changes to the diet. No alcohol this weekend either and going to up the water intake.

If only I was less hungry - thast would make things so much easier!

JuJuBean

Well, being less hungry ain't going to solve anything - you have to eat. Getting into that pattern of thought could be dangerous.
You just need to get what is there moving and you'll be ok. Giving the drink a rest is a great idea. Also try some exercise, brisk walking is good and it gets the bowel moving.
I don't believe in laxatives, my mother took them for years but it was obvious to me that she just wasn't drinking enough water or eating enough fruit and veg, but it was like talking to the wall. Anyway I hope it gets sorted for you.

BeatNikDub

Well a month on and im feeling slightly better.
I dont find colofac work at ALL for me. Buscopan gradually started to get things moving again however if I miss taking what I have been prescribed or take a drink of alcohol im finding I go back to where I started.

I have increased excercise.
I have cut down on alcohol which DEFINITELY affects me the most. After even one night out I am in bits for several days.
Have cut out pasta and potatoes.
Have fresh egg noodles and wholegrain rice with meals now
Oats for breakfast
Increased water intake

These changes are helping a bit alright but doesnt seem to be a magic cure!

Would love to change my job to something less stressful too but quite a bad time to be looking. However no harm in trying so will start looking regardless!

How is everyone else getting on!?