IBS

[Samaritan1]

It's getting to the point where my IBS is starting to affect my life, in particular work.

I've had time periods over the past 15 or so years where it has been particularly bad, but since my son was born 18 months ago it is far worse. My periods have become very heavy since the birth and for that week each month I am having to run to the toilet at least every 2 hours I would say.

Any small amount of stress results in me being on the loo constantly, not great as my job involves presentations, deadlines etc.

I've been to see the gp probably around 5 times regarding this over the years. I've been told to keep a food diary and to try meditation etc for stress, but no other help offered.

I have close family history of crohns and ulcerative colitis (mum, grandmother and maternal aunt) so I'm worried it could be something more, but my symptoms are nowhere near as bad as theirs.

If anyone has any practical tips that could help I'd be very grateful. Cutting out foods etc hasn't worked and avoiding stress is almost impossible.

Hi OP, I have IBS too. Given your family history, I'd definitely push for further investigations. Don't cut anything out until after that. They can test for coeliac with a simple blood test to start with. I think you should push for gastro opinion with a view to a colonoscopy. If that's negative, then ask for a dietetic referral. All other causes have been ruled out for me so I'm doing the low FODMAP diet under the guidance of the dietitian. It's not easy - you cut out all possible triggers - then introduce them one by one to see what type of food triggers the reaction. I can start reintroducing in a couple of days - January has been a long month! You have to be careful when reintroducing stuff which is why I'd say do it under a dietitian. I'd say I've had about 80% relief of my symptoms (generally have D and bad gas). Obviously the idea is to avoid whichever foods set you off when you reintroduce them, it's not severely restrictive forever.

Check out Samir Husseins 40 favourite photos of Kate on Twitter. They are so much nicer / better.
Sorry I can't do links - perhaps someone could do a link to them on the thread.

Oops - wrong thread.
Apologies.

I had a diagnosis over 10 years ago of bile salts diarrhean. I have been taking a bile acid sequestrant (Colestid/Questran) since then.
Pfizer (f**k them) have suddendly stopped making Colestid, which prompted me to get a gastroenterologist appointment.
New gastroenterologist has prescribed a 3-month course of L-Glutamine. Reading up on it has brought up lots of things that match. It might be worth looking into it for you.
Good luck OP, I know how horrible, embarrassing and inconvenient it can be