Fed up of IBS - what to eat for least problems

[itsthemenopausenotme]

I'm so tired of IBS . I alternate between constipation and diarrhoea, I have a fissure and a lot of pain. I'm tired of it. I'm seriously considering an all liquid diet because due to bad mental health I don't feel I can take much more

I have emetaphobia and fear of any digestive illnesses, so live in constant panic. I know it sounds ridiculous.

What is the best diet I could eat for the least problems, maybe I mean the least faeces?

I eat gluten free and lactose free. I can't handle a lot of fibre.

Sorry, I'm on the edge tonight following another IBS episode and I'm probably not making much sense

Poor you! What does your GP have to say?

It's difficult to answer your question because IBS is so subjective - no two guts are the same so there is no magic answer. What I suggest is that you eat a simple diet of things that you don't think I'll trigger your symptoms, and then gradually introduce other things one at a time, eliminating them if they make things worse. But get proper 1:1 medical advice first.

What are your triggers?

Have you ever kept a food diary?

I have IBS that alternates between diarrhoea and constipation. I avoid really spicy food, too much sugar, wheat, cauliflower.

Can you eat brown rice with some chicken for a few days and see if that settles it?

My gp told me to eat food rich in fibre. Following her advice caused me a LOT of agony!

I've tried following the FODMAP diet but these days I can't seem to get it right. Added to this I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid recently which seems to have made me very constipated. To solve this I've been eating fruit and taking Dulcoease and now (sorry for tmi) it's finally gone through me and I'm in agony and freaked out. Now I just don't know what to eat to avoid either constipation or diarrhoea and feel it's easier to eat nothing

Thanks constant. I'd do that but worry that rice will cause me to become constipated again. Also how long could I eat just that?

I do take a multi vit daily and also a probiotic.

Sorry forgot to say i don't eat spicy food, I've cut right down on sugar, having quarter of a tsp in one cup of tea a day, I no longer eat sweets or chocolate. I don't eat wheat or cauliflower or cabbage or sprouts, anything like that.

I'm not sure how long you could that for, a week maybe? It's not really great long term, more just to calm your stomach down. I find rice very bland and good for calming my stomach. I find a good bone broth really healing too. I would possibly even try some bread with a wheat alternative - eg khorasan, spelt.

The multi vitamin could also be a culprit. Vitamin c can give people upset stomachs, as well as any magnesium or iron that might be in it. I take my vitamins separately and have to get different forms of vitamins that are gentle on the stomach. Check your probiotic too, it should be helping rather than making it worse but there are definitely some strains that do different things to your stomach.

Ibs is awful, I'm sorry you're suffering. I have it too and find that these days anything sets it off.... Stress, any food really now, excitement and alcohol I can't drink anymore.

I try to eat safe stuff but it's confusing when my body decides that safe is good enough either.

Try the low FODMAP diet. It's an elimination diet and you gradually introduce potential triggers back in one at a time so you can work out what you can and can't tolerate. For example, for me one trigger is onion and garlic. I'd really recommend...It's hard work and not a quick fix but worth it.

Thanks.

I have tried FODMAP. It's getting the balance right that is difficult. Constipation causes me so much pain. Lots of things aside from IBS probably contributing including underactive thyroid and a prolapse, GP doesn't take it seriously. I'm tired of trying tbh, not eating at all seems an easier solution.

OP - taking kefir has changed my IBS and my life. Low FODMAP helped me greatly, but kefir made a more restorative change.

I make it myself at home with live "grains". I don't know about shop bought kefir.

Taking kefir regularly (smoothie, on its own, on cereal) means i can tolerate food I couldn't before.

Now I don't even take it every day and can tolerate more foods.

It's certainly worth a try. My IBS was dominating my life and well being. Lie FODMAP helped stabilise things but was very limiting and hard to stick to forever.

I live on bread, plan crisps and plain biscuits. It's grim

My husband has bad ibs too. Found the things that upset his are ginger and caffeine. Try caffeine free stuff for a while and check labels as ginger or mixed spice is in a lot of things. We make virtually everything at home now.

Also talk to your doctor about trialling Questran (also comes in light form too) it's a powder you put into water and consume. It seems to line the stomach and really helps the Ibs.

I'm currently two months in on the keto diet. Doing it for weight loss but have found that after the first couple of weeks of dodgy tummy, clear out etc., my IBS has pretty much gone.

Thanks. Just looked up Questran but a common side effect is constipation which i can't risk exacerbating. Same goes for Buscopan.

I've tried a keto diet before but again easily become constipated.

I've been caffeine free for four years, however i do drink lemon and ginger tea sometimes so will look into that.

Sorry to hear that boolala, is that due to IBS? Does it help?

How do you make kefir? What does it taste like?

I haven't eaten yet, really can't face it and setting off now problems. I've no idea what i can eat that won't cause constipation or diarrhoea

Plant based diet x

I'm not sure that's the answer because too much fibre from fruit and veg aggravate my IBS.

Kefir it super easy to make ( addmilk, strain) A'n'D tastes like sour yoghurt. I love it

Lots of info here

www.yemoos.com/pages/learning-center

Thanks. Where do you buy kefir to start with? Can I make it with lactose free milk? Can I eat it with sugar or honey in?

Don't laugh at me but mine was horrendous on the combined pill. Stopped it, symptoms loads better. It's the only thing significant that changed.

Kefir is great. I am enjoying the coconut and honey one I found last week in the supermarket.

I have IBS and kept a food diary for a while to see what I needed to cut out. The best thing for me is taking psyllium husk once a day, couple of teaspoons in a glass of water about an hour before dinner.

Missmarple I'm way too old for the pill

gingham what did the psyllium husk help with?

I’m similar to you OP. Recently went to a dietitian who suggested the FODMAP diet with extra fiber. I was in bits from the fiber !! I’m currently eating Low FODMAP with very little fiber & eat around 1,000 cals a day. This seems to be working for now. I take flaxseed oil capsules ( one before each meal) and they prevent constipation & diarrhea.

Gluten free really helps my irritable bowel a lot. It doesn't completely stop it though. I try to drink peppermint tea (make my own with just hot water and 4/5 peppermint leaves). I have to take loperamide and colpermin quite often which also help. I also carry spare knickers in my handbag and usually spare trousers in the car, as I will be incontinent if I can't get to a toilet immediately I get the urge. It's awful. Gluten free does help though, and reducing stress!
I wish some scientists somewhere would find a cure. My irritable bowel causes me so many problems and really impacts on my life. Especially going away, which is almost impossible without masses of loperamide and knowing a vacant toilet is nearby.

I had issues for 10+ years with IBS. My solution was going dairy, egg, soya, gluten free. I minimise caffeine, don't smoke or drink any alcohol. I've also cut out any sweetened drink such as flavoured water. I eat max 2 pieces of fruit a day. Following FODMAP also highlighted that if I eat too much peppers/onions/mushrooms/potatoes in a day I also get a reaction. It's trial and error. Took three years of eliminating foods to get to a stage where I can get a bus, go out for dinner, not have to worry about getting caught short.

Going to look into this FODMAP business!