Any teachers with IBS?

[KinkyDoritowithsparkleson]

How do you manage it at school? I'm finding it hard at the moment.

I think it's worse in the afternoon and anything I eat at lunch seems to trigger me. I'm getting to the stage of not eating anything, which I did in the past, and that brings its own problems.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[KeiraTwiceKnightley]

Yes though mine is quite mild at the moment. I find eating high protein and fat with minimal carbs helps mine, especially minimal bread (which makes me sad cos I love bread).

[ElfrideSwancourt]

Me too - I've recently come off tramadol and realising that I do have underlying IBS just working out how to manage it

[KinkyDoritowithsparkleson]

It is really hard. I tried low carb, but still had issues with it. I'm trying to eat really small portions at lunch and not rush, which I don't think helps.

[HolidayHelpPlease]

I have coeliac disease which has led to IBS... so my honest answer is that I don't eat at all! I keep a make up bag full of immodium and buscopan in my classroom bag just in case. If I'm starving I'll have smooth soup (no bits!) but I haven't eaten anything at work all week apart from a GF cookie in a 4:30 meeting! Parents evening is awful.
I have totally given up caffeine which has helped, and my diet is very low fat because of the damage to my gut.
Have you been diagnosed formally? If yes and it's really getting to you, I'd speak to HR to get in touch with occupational health.

[Anasnake]

I swear by Buscopan and peppermint tea

[MrsPeel1]

My colleague switched to the fodmap diet and found that really helped.

[HolidayHelpPlease]

I second MrsPeel1 s suggestion - I did FODMAP prior to my coeliac diagnosis - it's amazing and life changing but needs to be done under medical care otherwise can lead malnutrition.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

Not a teacher but was passing.... I recently started trying silicolgel which you can buy in boots or health food shops. Hasn't cured me completely but it has made a big difference. I am in a job where I can't go off to the loo other than in a scheduled break so I know how hard it is. Might be worth trying silicolgel

[KinkyDoritowithsparkleson]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've read about FODMAP and am due to go to the doctor this week, so will have a chat. Also will look into the silicolgel. all.

Holiday I found not eating all day made me very lethargic, but I have Fibro/CFS and Hypothyroid so have a tendency to crash out. It is so hard to know what to do for the best really. I hope you find some solutions that help you.

[Rachie1986]

Me. It's tough. I have to eat (m.e/CFS) but try and find plain things which are less likely to aggravate. It's helps I'm part-time to be honest.

Interestingly I was hardly ill at all over the summer - stress related?!

[Galmptongirl]

Yes I was fine over the hols too, but been bad since back. Think it is a result of eating in a rush, having too long gaps between eating
( breakfast at 6.30, lunch at 1.30/45), not drinking enough water or in fact anything and no nice loos!
Have been trying to have banana at 11 to avoid the cramps and semi successful. Not doing so well with keeping up with the water as just impractical.
Would agree that FODMAP has made vast difference to me. Definitely worth a go.