Treatment recommendations for IBS

[trumpisaflump]

I'm hoping someone can help. For the last few weeks I've had awful abdominal bloating with wind and stomach pain. I'm sure it's my IBS but I'm going to make a GP appointment to make sure. Meantime could anyone recommend anything that has helped IBS?
I usually just try and avoid food triggers like raw veg (especially onions) however despite eating very little over the last few weeks I still look about 6 months pregnant! Thanks

[20poppy14]

Hi - Poor you! Assuming you’re medically diagnosed with IBS (ie more sinister causes for bloating ruled out) ask if you can have a SECHAT test to check for bile acid malabsorption. Little known condition and it’s thought at least 1/3 of IBS people have BAM. Treatable with meds (tho getting hold of them atm is a whole other story ;) Take care!

[trumpisaflump]

Thanks. Yes I had IBS diagnoses about 20 years ago but recently it's been so bad so I'll go back to GP. I haven't heard of that test so I'll look into it. Is the treatment urseodeoxycholic acid or cholestyramine sachets? It something completely different?

[20poppy14]

Hi! It’s colestyramine or questran tho neither are available atm. There’s a group of people trying to find a natural way of coping....I’m on green banana flour which works to an extent though still have flare ups as getting the dose right is tricky. It’s such a personal thing. Good luck with getting the tests done...it may obviously not be what’s wrong with you but it’s a clutching at straws thing when your stomach is playing up and you don’t know why. Worth a try anyway !

[flippyflapper]

Ok so I've had loads of test etc and told probably IBS, every month i suffered its horrible.

I actually read on here about probiotics and have been taking them for about a month, not 1 symptom since? I don't think its a coincidence but i def recomend them i just ordered them off amazon

[trumpisaflump]

I was thinking about probiotics too @flippyflapper. Which ones have you ordered? I'll maybe give them a try too.
I ordered Kolanticon gel earlier tonight to see if that helps.

[flippyflapper]

MicroBiotic Plus are the ones i got, i just googled best ones for ibs.

So far i think ive been roughly 4 weeks ive been symptom free since taking them, longest time i can remember.

[trumpisaflump]

Thanks @flippyflapper. I ordered these last night on Amazon and they seem similar to yours and have good reviews. I'm not in so much pain today but still loads of boosting despite not eating much.

[trumpisaflump]

Oh forgot to attach a photo!

[HoliBobber]

I have had a couple of flare-ups of IBS like symptoms, after coming off ADs. What helped me was doing low FODMAP (the Monash App is great - someone on mn recommended it).

I've also been doing low histamine, low sugar, low wheat, low dairy and feel back to normal after three days, after two months of brainfog. My cousin recommended Digestive Enzymes, I bought Digestime from Lambert's. Not sure if placebo effect but woke up next day feeling like I could breathe!

I take L Plantum probiotics as all the other ones increase histamine levels. I can't stand the itching and restlessness.

[Fishcakey]

Buscopan are really good: 8 a day.

[differentnameforthis]

Fodmap diet should be your first port of call. www.monashfodmap.com/

[differentnameforthis]

Fodmap stage one eliminates all high fodmap food - onions included!

Stage two is reintroduction of trigger foods to see what quantities you can tolerate

Stage three is developing a diet that works for you to lessen your symptoms.

There is an app, which is a godsend.
It takes about 2 weeks to start feeling relief, but has been amazing for me.

[differentnameforthis]

Some probiotics are high in fodmaps, so be cautious.

[trumpisaflump]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to get that app, that looks really helpful. I try and follow a low FODMAP diet but feel a bit overwhelmed sometimes are there are so many trigger foods. I think this app will help me make sense of it. Onions are definitely a trigger for me!
I think I'm also constipated which is probably adding to my bloated, full feeling so I'll try and pick up a laxative today too.
I've got a GP appointment in 2 weeks but I'm quietly terrified I have ovarian cancer as as I tick all the symptom boxes. I have downloaded an ovarian cancer symptom app to log all my symptoms to take along to my GP appointment.
Thanks all, you've been so helpful.

[Fishcakey]

I know wheat/bran etc aren't low FODMAP but I do find having bran flakes or weetabix every day without fail helps me enormously.

[mummyh2016]

Another one recommending a low fodmap diet. DH has IBS and this was recommended by his NHS dietitian.

[trumpisaflump]

Just wanted to update those that were kind enough to reply on this thread. Despite trying all these recommendations my boating got worse. My GP checked my bloods for ovarian cancer and luckily this was negative. However my bloods did show I have an underactive thyroid which would explain my sluggish digestion. I've started on levothyroxine and I'm hoping I'm going to feel better in time. Thanks again everyone.

[differentnameforthis]

Glad you have an answer, op! Good Luck!