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Original poster

IBS what works for you?

33 replies

Enkopkaffetak · 19/08/2016 23:32

I have suffered from IBS from being a teenager (mid 40s now) didn't know at the time that was what it was obviously however looking back etc.. In my mid 30s I went through a period where it was really bad. I did not go out of our home unless I knew where nearest toilet was and would not go for long car journeys etc etc.. I found after much experimenting that wheat and dairy was trickers and cut them out for years gradually managing to re introduce dairy (limited) but wheat have always been a bad tricker.

Having managed to have my IBS under a fair bit of control over the last few years this last year it has gradually got worse culminating today with my eating a light lunch and then needing the toilet within 10 mins stomach cramps etc really bad..

My children are now teens so are aware of the fact I am not feeling well..

So I hit google again to see what people are using. A friend uses medication but I have never found any that works well. Gp has never been particularly supportive of it just sort of being of the opinion it is something some people have..

So what works for you all? anything you find makes it less or worse? I know stress trickers me and this last year has certainly had a lot of stress however I can't see where I can go now.. I would really love to somehow get it back under control.

OP posts:
LarrytheCucumber · 19/08/2016 23:44

I have Colofac. I am ok with wheat (but not brown bread) and dairy, but seeds are a disaster, even tiny ones in salad dressing.
I find it unpredictable. GP said that's why it's called 'irritable'. Some things have a bad effect some times, but not others.

wobblywonderwoman · 19/08/2016 23:46

I have no diagnosis and on OK some days. Today was a really bad day.

I always have immodium on me.

BearFoxBear · 19/08/2016 23:49

I've had it for 25 years. Wheat, dairy, red wine, raw veg, pulses, salmon and sorbitol are my triggers - it took a long time to pin all of that down. I don't use medication, just peppermint oil if I feel really nauseous.

Original poster
Enkopkaffetak · 20/08/2016 01:16

I have been reading about "gut clearances" and wondering about if this is worth a go. However it does seem a long shot.. Anyone know more?

For me immodium doesn't work nor does buscapan Not tried peppermint oil but peppermint in general tends to make me feel a bit sick so may be worth trying to smell when I am feeling a bit sick Grin

What ever was in my lunch today obviously made it worse. Unlike Larry i find brown and seeds seems to make me cope better but white really goes straight through me.. I get the "irritable" comment however it would be nice if there was more " solutions "wouldn't it?

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 20/08/2016 07:55

My IBS improved hugely when I went gluten free. Being lactose free is also good, although I find that harder. Realising that tomato skins went right through me and out more or less in the same state as they went in was a revelation and life has improved since I stopped eating whole tomatoes (used to grow them and eat them like sweets). Also realising that the high fibre diet advice which was the only thing my doctor could suggest was making things far worse.

YvaineStormhold · 20/08/2016 08:00

Colpermin capsules work well for me.
Eating Greek yoghurt is soothing.
Holding a heat bag on my tummy helps soothe cramps.
Buscopan can work, but I take it only when desperate as I've heard from an HCP friend that it can make things worse in the long run.
Flax is supposed to be good for IBS.

Sorry you're suffering. I'm having a terrible week with it this week, too Flowers

NicknameUsed · 20/08/2016 08:04

My triggers are:
Stress
Too much dairy
Cream
Too much fibre
Overheating
Too much rich food

I now buy lactofree milk, use Immodium when I need it and avoid fatty food, whole wheat and cream.

PseudoBadger · 20/08/2016 08:06

No white bread or pasta, minimal brown. This has been the main thing that has made a difference.

Vlier · 20/08/2016 08:07

Potatoes are my worst trigger. Took me ages to figure it out.

PseudoBadger · 20/08/2016 08:07

Oh and if I'm getting on a plane the stress will cause me such agony, so I just take loads of colpermin in the days approaching.

JeepersMcoy · 20/08/2016 08:10

Low FODMAP diet. It is hard, but changed my life. Mine is particularly bad right now though, so you don't need to go for the whole thing at once but it is a good place to start when looking at food to restrict that might help. I really recommend the Monash university app if you want to try it.

You could also ask your gp for a referral to a dietician, but that does take ages so worth trying a few things first.

everygalaxy · 20/08/2016 08:11

Stress and any greasy or fatty foods for me - basically anything delicious Sad
I had to take probiotics after a nasty reaction to antibiotics and they are really helping. I've also switched to soya milk most of the time and keep a lot of Imodium on me.
I feel best when I'm following weight watchers, so lots of lean protein and less saturated fat but I need to find my willpower from somewhere!

McBassyPants · 20/08/2016 08:15

Fybogel with Mebeverine twice daily works for me

NicknameUsed · 20/08/2016 08:34

Over eating not overheating!

LarrytheCucumber · 20/08/2016 09:01

Imodium leaves me constipated, so although I have always got some handy I try to avoid using it unless absolutely necessary.

MeadowHay · 20/08/2016 13:28

I'm 22 and have had it since I was 17. Generally I manage it ok now although obviously have flare-ups sometimes. I take a medication called hyoscine butylbromide, the brand name is Buscopan. You can buy it OTC. I usually take one tablet every night before bed to keep things sort of ticking along, if I have a flare-up I will take more tablets as needed really. It is the best thing I've found to help it. Before Buscopan I was on mebeverine for about a month when I first got IBS and was struggling, but it had no effect on me whatsoever, but MIL uses that and is very happy with it so obviously everyone is different.

In terms of triggers, stress and anxiety are the biggest trigger for me and I have an anxiety disorder that is not super well controlled unfortunately. Food-wise I have to seriously limit a few things that I've just learnt through trial and error such as garlic, mustard, spring onions, spicy food.

Peppermint tea also really helps me when I have a flare-up. I drink a mug of it most days after my dinner to help with the bloating I get, and more of it if I have a particularly bad bout of pain/diarrhea etc. It really helps.

Mummamayhem · 20/08/2016 13:31

Colofac helps me, too much milk or cream can be disastrous (which is annoying as I like hot chocolate!) Having my babies weirdly reduced symptoms for me.

Zadocthepriest · 20/08/2016 21:12

Have a look at the FODMAP diet, the original Australian university research study. It includes the obvious culprits eg wheat, but also about 50& of fruit and veg as well as many other things. You may not have to follow it too strictly, but it may give you lots of ideas.

BearFoxBear · 21/08/2016 19:06

Mumma that's funny, I'm gluten and dairy free, and could eat both without an issue when I was pregnant. I wish I could go back to that!

ppeatfruit · 21/08/2016 20:28

I had it in my 20s ( I realise it was that when I think back) but cured it when I went on the Eat Fruit on An Empty stomach and don't mix carbs and protein at the same meal..

Cutting out almost all meat esp. pork products, oranges, tomatoes and wholemeal bread. worked for me too.

SueGeneris · 21/08/2016 21:36

If wheat is a trigger have you tried going totally wheat and gluten free for a period?

I am lucky: since cutting out gluten on medical advice my ibs has gone. I have not eaten it since 2013. I wish I'd stopped years ago. My GP said he thought different people have different triggers, we don't know why, and he thinks medical science has more to discover about it. Until then, a systematic exclusion diet to try and work out triggers and/or the fodmap diet.

ppeatfruit · 22/08/2016 12:53

Yes Sue so many medics (and the general public) think that wholemeal bread is the ANSWER to combating ibs, when often it 's the CAUSE Shock.

We have a friend who was nearly dying from it, he now pays 500£ a month (abroad) for steroid injections to feel better and he has put on weight so he can still eat what he has always eaten . It's so strange IMO.

paap1975 · 22/08/2016 12:56

I tried cutting all kinds of things out (wheat, dairy, spices, salad), but that only worked for about a week. Had all the tests for Coeliac etc. Out of (I believe) despair, my specialist gave me a bile acid sequestrant, which was pretty miraculous almost overnight. I started on Questran and am now on Colestid. Might be worth asking about.

oldbird51 · 23/08/2016 19:43

I have to be careful about fatty food, or too much dairy, but the only thing that keeps me relatively stable is a small dose of codeine daily. Was a bit worried about it when it was prescribed, as I know it is addictive, but my fantastic GP assures me that such a low dose is absolutely fine.

IDismyname · 23/08/2016 19:57

I would second - or third - the FODMAP diet as it has a brilliant success rate, if done with a qualified dietitian. It didn't work for me, but what has is:

  • having a fast day once a week
  • cutting out all grains. I used to be gluten free, but find the no grain rule suits me better
  • cutting out sugar
  • taking probiotics regularly. Symprove is expensive, but worth it for a 'hit' of 3 months
  • No 'Raw after 4' (pm) - too much strain on the digestive system
- also food combining.

Seeds are a complete no-no, and by gawd - do they hurt on exit the next day!!

I would like to say I stick to the above religiously, but I don't! However, when it goes belly up :) , I usually know why...