Is this IBS? Pain and wind (sorry for tmi in advance)

[kazzawazzawoo]

I used to get a lot of stomach ache and the gp diagnosed IBS. I tend to get constipated and she recommended lots of fibre, which only made me more windy and uncomfortable.

I have been eating low carb on and off for nearly 2 years and find my symptoms improve a lot, they basically disappear. Trouble is, I've cut lots of things out of my diet and now don't know what was causing the problem. I've cut out milk (but still have hard cheese and sometimes cream - cheese seems fine in small amounts, cream may be causing problems ie wind), wheat and other grains, potatoes, rice .. I've discovered this week that just upping my intake of milk chocolate made me slightly constipated Dark choc doesn't seem to cause the problem (90%).

A year or so ago I also developed a sort of strong cramp in my lower stomach, very low down (leaves me bent double and crying in pain) when I need a poo. Once I've been the pain goes.

Not sure if it's linked, but thanks to MN I've discovered I probably have some sort of prolapse (bowel) and not sure if that is linked.

Sometimes I also get an ache in my anus, which at the start is barely there, increases in intensity, then fades and goes. It's incredibly painful at its most intensive.

All this is making me really miserable. I've discussed all bar possible prolapse with my gp, but she says all is fine, it's just IBS. I have another appointment next week though, to ask about the possible prolapse.

Does anyone have similar symptoms? How do you handle them?

These problems are making me really miserable

Anyone who's managed to treat their IBS by changing their diet, how did you find out what the culprits are? How gradually did you introduce foods?

[Sleepyandiknowit]

Mine cleared up when I came off the pill to have kids.

Before it did I found red wine helped :) peppermint capsules also seemed to help a little. I avoided rich food, so nothing creamy, cheesey or chocolate, pasta could be ok in small amount, but always a tomatoe sauce. potatoe was better. Greasy food was a complete no no. Bread could really affect it. High fibre would often make the pain worse and lead to bloating, due to te constipation.

In terms of how I found out, gradually, and by making a note of what I'd eaten. It'd been like that for 15 years so plenty of time to work it out.

Hope it eases soon. You have my total sympathy, hope you find your triggers soon x

[kazzawazzawoo]

Thank you

The strange thing is that I have read that greasy fatty food is an IBS trigger, yet whilst low carbing I have had lots of butter, olive oil, bacon and eggs etc and I don't think it has made it worse, in fact it's much better when low carbing.

I'm keeping a detailed food diary, hopefully I'll be able to pinpoint what the causes are, but it's going to mean introducing foods I haven't eaten for a while, which I'm a bit nervous about.

[BIWI]

Another sufferer here. I'm a long-term low carber, and it definitely helps me. I eat a high fat diet and have no problems. But if ever I fall off the wagon, one of the signs I've indulged too much is the cramps starting again.

[smee]

I've been having a lot of problems with escalating IBS since a stomach bug at Christmas. After an ultrasound highlighted an abundance of gas, GP says that's causing the pelvic aches (mine often feel like menstral cramps). I've cut out gluten for a while, also taking charcoal tablets to help absorb/ get rid. I feel a heck of a lot better, though still get some cramping. So annoying..!

[kazzawazzawoo]

The cramps feel like menstrual cramps too, very low down though.

Do you have constipation too?

[kazzawazzawoo]

I never used to get the cramps before needing the loo. They leave me bent double and in tears at the pain. Is this IBS?? Does anyone else get them? My other symptoms of IBS are mainly tummy ache due to gas and constipation.

[BIWI]

Yes, it's the cramping that's the worst symptom for me. Worse, IMVHO, than labour pains!

[kazzawazzawoo]

BIWI, just before you need the loo? And really low in your abdomen/stomach?

[somedizzywhore1804]

Have you been offered a colonoscopy? I developed IBS after being hospitalised with really severe gastroenteritis when I was about 20. It got really bad when I was about 25 to the point that I was in constant pain and had bouts of very upset stomachs once a week. I was convinced I had cancer as by then I was in bad pain at least 4 days out of 7 ending in cramping and loose bowels. By then I had secondary symptoms like piles and weight loss which added to my anxiety that I had cancer.

Whether it was coincidence or not once I had the colonoscopy at 26 it helped put my mind at rest and I relaxed and it calmed down. They also put me on a diet specific for my type of IBS for 8 weeks after the colonoscopy to "reset" me. I still get the occasional flare up but clearly the "worry cycle" of thinking I was dying was making it worse and the reset diet helped too.

[kazzawazzawoo]

Somedizzy, I haven't been offered a colonoscopy. However, I can't think of anything I want less!

Tbh I haven't been back to the gp since they diagnosed IBS and told me I needed to eat more fibre.

I am a worrier and struggle with health anxiety all the time. When I don't think about it's not as bad, so could be linked to worry ... Or is it that I don't think about it because it's not as bad?... I don't know

[kazzawazzawoo]

Forgot to say, I have IBS-C, so don't get diarrhea. I think maybe the cramps are linked to the constipation. I'm trying to avoid constipation by changing my diet instead of taking medication for it, as I am always terrified of side effects

[smee]

kazzaw, I don't have constipation so must be IBS-D, but do get the cramps. I think it's a common symptom of IBS.

somedizzy, I agree about stress/ worry making it worse. I'm going to talk to my GP about my ultrasound, but the finding of lots gas is exactly what he predicted after examining me. I'm still going to push for a colonoscopy - don't want one but would still rather be checked as thoroughly as I can be. IBS seems to be only confirmed once they've eliminated all other options.

[somedizzywhore1804]

I totally understand you not wanting the colonoscopy- I was dreading it before I had it done- but it didn't hurt and I was sedated so I don't remember much about it at all.... Other than that whatever they sedated me with made me laugh a lot and the doctor was amused at how funny I found it all

[BIWI]

The cramping always precedes a bout of diarrhoea.

I did what my consultant said, and increased my fibre intake, but that just made matters worse.

Honestly - for me, cutting back on the carbs has been a revelation. I didn't do it for the IBS, I did it because I was trying to lose weight. But I suddenly realised that since I had started low carbing I was symptom-free.

Do you drink plenty of water? That can be a factor in constipation.

[kazzawazzawoo]

I have been low carbing mostly for a while and it does help. I try to drink lots, usually have about 4 decaff black coffees and 2 big glasses of water with a squeeze of lemon (I can't stand the smell of tsp water).

I don't know how I'd feel about the colonoscopy itself, but can't stand the thought of the preparation - I have health anxiety and emetaphobia and anything to do with that sort of things makes me extremely anxious, so I couldn't take the medication to clear your system. I hate being sedated, as it makes me feel sick.

[kazzawazzawoo]

BIWI, upping my fibre intake made things worse for me too.

[BIWI]

I'd try drinking a bit more water - and I'd also try drinking hot water, that can help relieve cramping and wind, IME.

[kazzawazzawoo]

Thanks. I really struggle with water. When I'm at home I've started drinking hot water with a squeeze of lemon. But at work I can't do that do tend to drink decaff coffee black.