IBS help

[Twinkletoes91]

Has anybody got any good tips or suggestions to help reduce signs of IBS? Feel like its interfering with my life and stopping me enjoying life :(

H Twinkle Have you been to see your GP? There's certain foods which trigger it off, so it may be a good idea to keep a food diary so you can try to identify what yours are. Cpffee and wheat can sometimes be a problem.

Yeah he just gave me buscopan but they don't seem to help. :( have started keeping a food diary but it's hard to tell what sets it off as sometimes its the next day. just wondering if there was anything else to try? It's only been since DC was born last year, do you think it will pass?

Have you had any tests? They are not supposed to diagnose IBS without eliminating other things first. What symptoms are you getting?

Going the toilet alot, very loose (sorry tmi) sickness and stomach cramps. Doc said he thought it was IBS and gave me buscopan. :( feel like I can't even go out or enjoy myself anymore :(

My dh stopped coffee and is miles better. Hope it gets better for you. It's a bugger.

Avoiding bread, pasta, coffee, milk and sadly wine and chocolate helps me a bit. Probably my biggest trigger is stress which is hard to avoid.

Sounds very horrible for you. Is there slime/blood when you go to the loo? Constipation as well as diarrhoea? Do you drink a lot of coffee? Is anyone in your family allergic to gluten? Sounds like you need a gastroenterology referral so that this can get checked out.

Have avoided coffee for a month or so now and even cut back loads on tea! :( Its quiet hard to avoid bread and pasta and dont think that causes a problem. Maybe it's because I'm a little stressed/anxious at the moment. :(

Stress certainly doesn't help. Is it possible for you to cut down on the bread and pasta? There's other things that you can eat instead, such as rye bread, potatoes, beans, bulgar wheat etc.

Why are you stressed? It can really help to let it out. (it's decaff)

Starting a new job on Monday and then getting married Friday. Worried I'm gonna feel this rubbish when starting work is worrying me :( I could cut it down and have potatoes instead. Thanks. Xxx

Take some deep breaths; it's all going to be fine. If you're unwell, then what's the worst that can happen? You'll just go to the loo a 'few' times. Peppermint tea will really help to stop the cramps, it's great stuff. It sounds exciting for you, it's the start of a whole new adventure! Would you be able to go for a massage at some point to help you to relax (or ask your partner)? Wine doesn't help IBS, so I'd limit this as well, also fried food.

Congratulation!

Thanks. Stressful time hoping I will feel better next week when it's all over. I realised last week that wine sets it of so have completely avoided and also fizzy drinks!! :( won't really have a chance to go for a massage but will defo ask other half to haha (probs in my dreams!!)

Mine is caused by stress. When I'm stressed, whole grains cause it to flare up so I have to stick to white bread (!!!) and avoid pasta.

I have been here and it is not pleasant - I literally went through a stage a few years ago where my life revolved around where the nearest toilet was!!! Awful. Luckily I have had no attacks since having my DD a few years ago. No advice as docs prescribed similar to you but just wanted to say it can and does pass!

Have you tried Organic wine? I find that this is a little easier on my stomach. I would wait until after the wedding though. People's bodies are basically unable to process rubbish, so a diet with lots of fibre, fruit, vegetables, pulses, grains and fish is good. If you think about it, if you wouldn't feed it to a baby then you shouldn't eat it yourself. Tell your partner that you're stressed out, he should do anything to help. Ds gets overloaded with wheat if he eats it more than a few times a week, it causes diarrhoea so he has to have time off school. Mine's caused by coffee and chilli. Wheat causes bloating.

Firstly get help as soon as possible, go back to the docs and tell them that the current prescription doesn't work, ask for something else.

I didn't do this I was resigned to the fact that I was stuck with it and it became so bad that I wouldn't leave the house after eating for hours, wouldnt eat out etc.

I've since had cbt which worked great and apart from the odd wibble I'm doing good.

If you are cutting things out try and so so one thing at a time. I cut out caffeine, spicy food and wine doesn't effect me. However mine is stress related nothing does really food wise.

X

Can you do anything if it is stress related (besides try to de-stress) my life literally evolves around where the nearest loo is. Feel awkward going to other peoples houses as it can be quiet embarrassing :(

I'm not much of a drinker anyway to be honest so theres no worry about drinking too much wine. Will defo give the organic one a try tho when a fancy a naughty glass :)

Nothing much I can do re: stress except try to chill out! It's awful isn't it? Though mine also goes in cycles so I can go for years without an episode then months of problems, then nothing...

You certainly can by dealing with the stress itself but also the fact that you are stressing about being near a toilet won't be helping.

What do you 'stress' about at the min? The wedding? Tell us about it, tell us what stresses you, a problem shared and all that?

(that's if you want to?)

Im worried that I will feel rubbish really and not be able to do my job/enjoy my wedding. I'm hoping that going back to work will help take my mind off things and de stress that way. I have been out of work since November after having little one (left old job) so its also a new setting to get used to. :(

Ok, so the wedding, the worry is about the ibs.

This type of stress will make it worse. Have you been prescribed loperimide? (immodium) I'm no doctor so obv you need to check with yours but I've been told I can take loperimide as much as I need. Get up early, have a hot decaf drink once you have emptied your bowels take loperimide if you can, I find just knowing that I've taken it really helps. Try and have a hot bath and relax before all the hustle And bustle starts. Leave yourself plenty of time but not too much so you are sitting about waiting. Think to yourself, what's the worst thing that can happen? You might have to go to the loo? Now it's unlikely as you have taken loperimide. Once your big day starts you will be too busy to think and I promise you will get to the end of the day thinking why was I worried. Ibs is something I see as a fight, I wont let it win!

*disclaimer I am no doctor, I'm not telling you what to do, this is what I do, and it works

Thanks storminabuttercup will try. I have been prescribed loperamide but sometimes makes me feel a little sick. Will try and get an early night tomorrow to get up extra early and take loperamide. :) fingers crossed. X

Buscopan didn't work for me either - I swear by three mint tea by pukka. It rocks!

Hi twinkletoes. I have found that a good probotic supplement taken daily from a health store has made a massive difference for me. That along with avoiding trigger foods. Congrats on the job and wedding!