Can anyone help? Sure I have IBS symptoms

[fartmeistergeneral]

I went to the doctors a year or more ago with this and she thought it could be mild IBS, but wasn't really sure. I got a sigmoidoscopy which showed a beautiful clean bowel (proud!!) and that was that.

The symptoms are much worse now. The wind is terrible. Painful sometimes. EG, I've just sat down and got a sharp pain in my right hand side and I know that was trapped wind. Also, the gurgling in my stomach - particularly at night (although that could just be when I finally sit down to relax and it's quieter) - is horrendous and really getting to me! My dh and dcs make a joke of it, but actually I find it really irritating. I also feel bloated and seem to go to the toilet a lot - I mean to wee, the bowel movements seem normal to me.

I remember the doctor saying to eat more fibre, but then going on to say that too much fibre can make the symptoms worse! Confused. I'm not sure what to do about food, what should I be eating and not eating? I love bread and biscuits and have changed my toast in the morning to porridge since the weekend. Should I avoid pasta and other wheat things?

I'm healthy apart from this, slim and fit and go running 3 times a week. I eat about 3 portions of fruit a day - but am not so good on the veg - one portion normally.

bump

Keep a food diary.

Then try and cut out certain foods for a couple of days at a time, maybe start with common IBS trigger foods such a high fat foods/ citrus/ white bread ect.

I had dreadful IBS symptoms for months, but they are all but gone after I cut potatoes out of my diet.

Different people have different triggers and if you are getting symptoms frequently it's likely to be caused by something you eat regularly. Also be aware that stress can also aggravate IBS.

Good luck

You have my sympathy, I had this for many years, (I am scared to say it has gone, I know in fact, it is still there ) and I still have odd symptoms.

I had horrendous constipation but would also have horrendous runs too. The pain was excrutiating and I found the whole experience dreadful.

However, I know that even though changing to a better diet helped, in that I rarely eat processed foods, icecream, maybe, biscuits occasionally, it was dealing with my emotions and severe depression that sorted it.

Cutting down on tea and coffee, definately NO white bread, no Lager, no wine, though that is more to do with easing joint pain. I find gin and tonic the least aggravating alcohol.

I drink fruit teas, I am vegetarian but occasionally eat fish if I feel a craving for it.

I recommend Mindfulness Google

Since I have discovered the spiritual dimension to my life I can honestly say my belly and bowels are much healthier. [hgrin]

I do drink Real Ale though and nothing will stop me, I tell you, nothing.

Thanks both. I'm definitely not depressed, in fact I feel physically better (i.e. fitter) than I have done in years. I have a sweet tooth though, and love biccies and chocolate. I've cut bread out, and have rice cakes or soup for lunch - still had a kit-kat after lunch though. Honestly, I'd rather live with trapped wind and bloating than never eat chocolate again!!!

from my personal experience, choc is fine, but you need to watch wheat

I've Got this too apparently and it pisses me off as it seems to be a catch all for any stomach pains they can't diagnose! Had a colonoscopy, barium meal, allergy tests.... Still the pains continue. Woke up at 6 am with painful contraction like cramps to go fro being constipated to diarrhoea...

It did stop when I was pregnant and bf which makes me think it's some form of allergy.

Food diary etc etc hasn't helped me