IBS - ideas for reducing symptoms

[Bobby2013]

Hello, if anyone has found some successful ways to reduce their IBS could they please share? I've given up alcohol, coffee and red meat as this did not sit well with me. There's been a lot of stress in my life for years, and I try to deal with that. But recently my mother passed away, and it's not so much her passing as she was very old, and losing her mind, so it's something of a relief, but more having to deal with my mental sister for the funeral arrangements. I just feel constantly tired, I dread going to the toilet, and despite taking medication (which I hate doing) my stomach sounds like it's doing the can can after I eat. Thank you

[Minime85]

Hi. Things sound a bit tough for you now really sorry for everything you have going on. There are loads of things out there but here are just some things I have found help me. I've had IBS for over 15years. Currently in an ok place with it. I don't eat gluten, citrus, coffee, melted cheese, ice cream, carbonated drinks and anything too greasy. I didn't drink alcohol for years but can now tolerate the odd glass every so often. All of these are huge triggers for me which I eliminated after keeping food diaries and noticing huge improvements when I removed them. I only have de caf tea. I don't eat too much of anything else if that makes sense so everything in moderation. I have had acupuncture in the past which did wonders not just for ibs but my anxiety over it as they are linked for sure with me. I used to take a probiotic called symprove which again did wonders and I don't need to take it anymore but would recommend. I took buscopan in the past which helped with cramps. I drink peppermint tea whenever my stomach feels like it needs soothing. Have you seen your doctor at all?

[Bobby2013]

Thank you for replying. Yes have seen doctors, I recently had a colonoscopy to make sure all was ok there. However, not had my stomach looked at. I've been told to have the bacteria in my stomach tested, so that's the next thing to do. I've been taking probiotics, so will look up that one. I've found some fruits trigger it so have cut those out, and tomatoes. I've also read to cut out broccoli and other cabbage like veggies. I know that it's stress and anxiety that trigger it - so looking into yoga classes - but previously that's helped. The problem is, I then go home and all the stress comes back. I'll try the Symprove and hope that helps. Cheers

[Minime85]

Sounds similar to me as I had camera etc. have they tested you for coliac (sorry about spelling) disease or any other inflammatory things? Can be done via a blood test. I took symprove for just over a year and I've been much better since. It's all probiotic so no dairy etc to dilute it. Tomatoes can get me too. I did pay for food intolerance tests years ago but it basically said there was a lot I was a little bit intolerant too! So not very helpful for long term. Yeah I find exercise does help. Acupuncture seriously helped me but I know it's not for everyone. You have to believe in it. I'm worse if I've eaten late as well. Breakfast is my worst thing my tummy always worse in morning. There is the food map diet which I know lots of people try. Good luck

[HoundPaws]

I had what I thought was IBS for many years. put it down to stress etc- But at some point a few years ago I identified a garlic intolerance (amazing what they put garlic in!) and changed from combined pill to the mini pill - no more IBS! So I think there is often a trigger its just hard to identify it.

[Hufflepuffin]

If you're sensitive to certain fruits you might want to look at the low fodmap diet - seems terribly restrictive at first but once you've got things under control you can reintroduce things slowly to find what your true intolerances are. Garlic is on the list!

[Wolpertinger]

FODMAPS all the way! Garlic and onions are big FODMAPS triggers. It's really really worth doing to see what triggers you - it prob won't be all the high FODMAP foods but it's a great way of working out what your triggers are rather than just random 'avoid x in IBS advice' which may or may not be right for you.

[Buttercup27]

Peppermint oil has been a life saver for me. It takes away painful stomach cramps/wind etc and really helps with toileting issues etc.
The only side effect I found was my poo smelt if peppermint !

[peggyundercrackers]

Have you tried taking vsl#3 or Saccharomyces boulardii? Both probiotics which have helped someone I know.

[Yseulte]

My triggers are gluten, yeast, dairy, red meat, tea and coffee, vinegar, smoked foods, fried food, sugar, salt, fresh chilli.

I tried food combining and it really helped. I eat protein with vegetables or carbs with vegetables but not both at same meal.

Fruit is best digested on its own - away from other foods. If you eat it after other foods, it sits in your stomach and ferments.

[Bobby2013]

Thank you all so much - I never thought of garlic! I'll look at this low food map - I'm just so sick of feeling awful, tired and with no energy. I drink mint tea but I'll try the peppermint oil too. Thank you for your suggestions!

[Wolpertinger]

It's FODMAP - Fermentable Oligo- Di Mono and Polyols or FODMAPs for short.

Common in wheat, garlic, onions, broccoli, pulses, loads of stone fruits and dairy. Plus lots of other things.

You start by cutting down on everything and then slowly introducing things back so you know what triggers you.

If someone says they can't tolerate gluten, yeast or lactose (but aren't coeliac) then then problem prob isn't the gluten or the lactose but the FODMAPS as they are found in high FODMAP foods.

[Yseulte]

Well actually that's not strictly true.

I can't digest dairy because I don't have any lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose - ie milk and milk products. It may be because dairy farming started quite late in Western history.

Equally, wheat entered the Western diet relatively late, so our genetic and digestive processes did not evolve eating it other grasses. People who can't tolerate wheat and other gluten cereals, but who are not coeliac, it can be because their digestive processes don't break it down that well.

Asian countries such as China Japan and India, for example, have always predominately eaten rice.

[lostscot]

I found cutting out artificial sweetener really helpful, doctor recommended it and said you'd be surprised just how many things it's in. Good luck ibs is miserable.