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Teen with IBS diagnosis

7 replies

tree100 · 29/08/2012 17:33

My daughter has recently been diagnosed with IBS (well, an almost certain diagnosis) with constipation dominant. She has suffered with these symptoms on and off for years and I have been back to the doctors numerous times. The on going problem is constantly feeling sick (although she's not actually sick). She is now eating little and often but the sickness feeling does sometimes get worse after eating (trigger foods?). This has put her off some foods but it just feels like we're totally unguided. She does not want to go out at all (she has not been out with her friends at all this summer holiday) and this has now led to a whole other problem where she will be in tears if I insist she comes out with me. I feel she is in a vicious circle - feeling sick, anxious making the sickness worse. I am trying to get some counselling organised but when you need these things doing NOW it's all so painfully slow. With the new term starting next week I really don't know what to do next. She is usually a happy girl, out all the time with her friends and it is heartbreaking seeing her like this. Any advice?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
chocoluvva · 29/08/2012 20:38

Pay to see an independent nutritionist for a consultation and further tests to hopefully identify problem foods. Get her good quality probiotics.
Poor you - sounds miserable - but I'd be very surprised if a nutritionist wasn't able to get her sorted out. Not a NHS dietitian - not specialised enough.

eragon · 30/08/2012 22:25

dont overload with fibre, small amounts given can help. for instance at one time I was unable to eat baked beans as they caused instant pain and caused bloating and pain. then 1 tablespoon was ok. so small portions of high fibre foods work better.

white bread instead of brown really helped as well!

lindseed a teaspoon sprinkled on cereal will be a gentle and more effective on bowel.

most over counter stuff doenst work for long and no longer has the effect needed iyswim.

feeling sick is due to the over stuff bowel its quite nasty i often feel that way.

stress is a major trigger.

the fodmapp diet (i think thats the diet name spelt correctly) is a great elimination diet.
but as a guideline, lots of veg and fruit can create a slower working bowel.

avoid caffine, citrus fruit etc.

good luck!

tree100 · 05/09/2012 09:41

Thanks for your replies. Well, it's the first day back to school and my daughter is at home. We have both been reduced to tears. I have managed to get another dr appointment for this morning and have phoned school to request an meeting with teacher. I think I will now try to find an independent nutritienist as suggested. The CORE problem is the sickness feeling (so we need to find what's causing it), followed by the anxiousness. In the medical world why don't they treat you as a WHOLE person? Have also looked at the complementary side although as I say we need to find the CAUSE. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Booner · 07/09/2012 23:23

Hi tree, I don't have any experience of IBS but I have two sons who have coeliac disease. I have read that a person should only be diagnosed with IBS after being tested for other possible conditions.
I include a link to the NICE guidelines which lists the tests which should be carried out prior to an IBS diagnosis.
www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG061NICEGuideline.pdf

Hope you can find some relief for your daughter.

bonhomiee · 08/09/2012 23:14

Hi tree I was also wondering how the diagnosis of IBS[irritable bowel syndrome] has been made as I agree this should be a diagnosis of exclusion of other more serious disease.
I don't think it usually causes nausea and I do know that the more serious chronic disease IBD[Inflammatory bowel disease ] is very under diagnosed in young people.

Has she had any tests? Is she thin or underweight? Does she get stomach pains after food?

bonhomiee · 09/09/2012 10:57

and how old is she ?

Yourefired · 09/09/2012 11:29

Hello, no medical qualifications here, but I have IBS. These are the things I have found work. Peppermint tea and lots of it. A proper probiotic from proper health food shop not supermarket stuff. Gentle swimming. Avoid heavy duty fibre like cereal go for gentle fibre in fruit and veg. If really bad replace meals with soup, proper soup with loads of gentle fibre and vitamins not off the shelf stuff. Increase your water intake. If bowel in spasm long hot bath and over the counter painkiller (I use ibuphrophen). Massaging the area gently can help as well in this situation.

I hope your DD feels better, please pm me if you want more info on the brands I use etc, but as others say keep pushing for full tests and precise diagnosis. Second what Choco says, worth seeing a nutritionalist. After three consultants and two GPs (no offence intended to them at all as they did their best, just not their expertise) it was a nutritionalist that got mine under control.

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