Diagnosed IBS after years of investigations

[snowfairyy]

So just that really. I've been diagnosed with IBS (been around 2 months now since diagnosis). I've also done the York Test and it turns out I'm highly allergic to something in my diet. To find out what it is, I have to pay £300, and obviously right on top of christmas I can't afford that.

I'm so fed up of avoiding food, or risking it and then being so poorly the next day I'm almost late to work. I keep having to work from home as sometimes my stomach is just that bad. The bloating and the cramp pains are ridiculous and have even had me curled in a ball in tears. I went out in September for my nans 70th birthday - a real fancy steakhouse - and I was in so much pain, the cramps and bloating began literally immediately and I was in tears at the table. I ran to a loo and just cried in pain as it was unbearable. Most embarrassing moment of my life was having to stuff my underwear with tissue and get a lift home ASAP!

I've tried cutting everything out (dairy, gluten, wheat etc) and then reintroducing slowly, but nothing.

I was just wondering, has anyone else has this, and how do they cope/live with it? I have the works christmas lunch this wednesday and all I keep panicking about is - what if my stomach plays up, what if my stomach doesn't agree with the food, what if my stomach bloats too much and everyone sees (you catch my drift)...

I'm just so fed up and none of my family get it. They just think it's funny.

Sorry for the long rant :(

Tonnes of sympathy from me.

It took me years to work out my intolerances, and it really was trial and error.

I had to keep a very accurate diary of every ingredient. What have you cut out so far?

Thank you. I have kept a diary too but there doesn't seem to be a pattern which is so frustrating.

I tried to cut out all dairy - wasn't too hard for me, the only dairy I really used to have was ice cream or yoghurts.

I tried to cut out bread (my biggest downfall unfortunately) but still nothing.

To make things even harder for myself I am extremely fussy, so when I'm cutting things out I then struggle to eat. Some days I go without eating just so I can be "normal" for a day.

I hate it because it's starting to affect mine and my partners sex life.

Bit random, but do you get hayfever?

Have you tried the low fodmap diet? It's an elimination diet that's designed for ibs and goes far beyond bread and dairy. It's hard work but worth it in terms of working out triggers. Hope you feel better soon

Have you tried buscopan?

@Notquiterichenough I used to, but this year I didn't get it at all!

@MuddyElephant I have heard of that, but every time I google it, I get so many different results about what to eliminate etc so I gave up. Do you have any suggestions?

@Dramaticmuch yes, it worked for about 3 days but nothing much since. I'm currently on Colofac from the doctors, it helps (ish) but still isn't 100%

I can sympathise. I find any source of stress can set off my ibs, anything high fat gives me bad pains and eating a meal after a long fast is a big mistake. I do better eating light and regular. But the number one trigger for me is stress. I hope you find some patterns that help you keep it at bay.

I only ask because I read something about a link between the different types of hayfever and food intolerances.

I knew I struggled with gluten, have a fairly classic dairy intolerance, but something else was getting me and I couldn't work it out.

I am allergic to birch pollen, and I just went through the list I found. Turned out to be coriander. Not surprised I could work it out sooner! That was years of agony sorted overnight!

@Changedmynametoolikeyou thank you. I find stress makes me worse too, which isn't great as I'm currently stressing about the work do :(

@Notquiterichenough Oh I never knew that! I will have a little look into it. Thank you!

Apologies for how I'm responding - long time lurker, never posted (and I'm using the app) so trying to find my way around 😅

If you scroll down through this link it includes the Addenbrookes exclusion diet list of foods to cut out and the order of reintroduction.

www.michaelvanstraten.com/factsheets/factsheet7.pdf

This one is usually taken seriously by GPs. It's fairly tough, I cried when I couldn't have milk in my tea, but might be worth a try.

Don't get ripped off by 'alternative' allergy tests. One woman rigged me up to her mystery machine and told me I must avoid lentils and curb my risk-taking tendencies. I'm a middle-aged lady librarian, FFS.

There is a herbal product called Iberogast which did nothing for me, but again might be worth a try.

My sympathy, I'm just coming out of a bad bout and I have no idea what set me off.

@jenthelibrarian thank you so much for that link, i will have a look through it this evening and see what i can do with my diet. like i said above it's hard because i'm so fussy, but i guess i'll have to get over it lol. i struggle to identify what triggers my bouts too so major sympathies to you

You need to get the FODMAP book ( not the recipe book) really. I got it from my dietician. It tells you exactly when/what/how to do the elimination diet. It takes quite a long time and can feel restrictive, but it sounds like it could be worth it for you.

@Printerneedsink thank you, do you think i could find it online or would it only be through a dietitian or nutritionist?

There is a FODMAP app from Monash university who created the diet.

Here is some information: www.monashfodmap.com/ibs-central/i-have-ibs/starting-the-low-fodmap-diet/ it refers to the app that dramatic mentioned. I haven't used it so I don't know if it's as comprehensive as the book the dietician gave me, but it probably is as Monash university "invented" the FODMAP programme.

Are the york tests reliable does anyone know?

York Test is worth it. It told me gluten, dairy, eggs, almonds and cherries. I’d never have got all that.

Does it tell you allergies or intolerances?

Intolerances