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Q&A about IBS: Post your questions to panel of experts - ANSWERS BACK

58 replies

HeatherMumsnet · 14/10/2013 10:23

We're delighted to team up with Buscopan IBS Relief and a team of experts to offer practical tips and advice to help you take back control of your IBS.

The panel includes: Gastroenterologist Dr Anton Emmanuel, Dietician Helen Bond an IBS sufferer Nicola Gill, who's had the condition for 10 years and has learnt to control her symptoms most of the time!

Submit your questions before Sunday 21 October. We will send over a selection questions to the experts who will provide answers to try and help you better understand, control and cope with your IBS. The answers will be uploaded to this thread on 11 November.

This Q&A is sponsored by Buscopan

OP posts:
Suddengeekgirl · 17/10/2013 10:00

Why has my IBS-d changed to IBS-c after 12+ years?!?

I knew how to handle IBS-d, now I'm back to square one. :-(

I asked my GP who very helpfully suggested I google it! Hmm Angry

Belo · 17/10/2013 10:30

It has been suggested that my DD2 (8) suffers from IBS. Often after eating she needs to disappear to the toilet. She will be in there for about 15 minutes whilst she has her 'explosion' (sorry if this is too much info!). It was a bigger problem when she was younger as it led to a lot of accidents. Now she seems to know how to manage it. She knows that she needs to get to a toilet ASAP as she feels her stomach go hard and starts to hurt. When she was 4.5 the doctor referred her to the hospital and they found nothing structurally wrong with her. The doctors said that it was probably her age and a lot of children aren't properly potty trained at that age. She had been since the age of 2.

Could she have IBS? And if so, what could I do to help her?

Thank you.

turkeyboots · 17/10/2013 10:42

How to I learn what sets off my IBS? How long from eating does it take for the pain to start? Is it 2 min, 2 hours or 20 hours? As I don't know this I cant figure out what is causing the problems

maudpringle · 17/10/2013 11:07

Is it safe to use loperamide fairly regularly?
Some weeks I travel quite a bit and I just can't trust my bowels and need to know I won't have any accidents.
Thank you

JacqueslePeacock · 17/10/2013 12:12

Belo, your daughter's symptoms sound identical to mine. Poor her. It's not much fun.

I've had what I assume is IBS-D ever since I had a bad case of food poisoning about 12 years ago. My only symptom is diarrhoea. Every time I've seen a doctor/consultant about this, he/she has said that the diarrhoea sound too serious to be IBS and has ordered a whole load of horrible invasive tests, which have all come back negative. Nonetheless I still can't get a diagnosis of IBS as every time I mention it to a healthcare professional they order more tests. I've given up now and am trying to manage it myself, but I'd love some actual advice on how to cope with it on a day to day level (which I've never received from a doctor).

Interestingly, it disappeared completely the whole time I was pregnant and for about a year after, and I was over the moon. Sadly, it came back with a vengeance this year. Why would pregnancy have helped so much? And, short of having another baby, is there anything I can do to replicate this miraculous effect?!

JacqueslePeacock · 17/10/2013 12:13

Turkeyboots, it sounds like you need an exclusion diet to figure out what might be triggering it for you.... Have you seen a dietician?

turkeyboots · 17/10/2013 12:22

No dietician for me. Off to beg GP for a referal next week. Have IBS-C but given the D type advice at first so am a little despairing at my GPs knowledge of IBS

Dolallytats · 17/10/2013 12:55

I have had IBS for several years now(and it is a huge contributer to me getting panic attacks and becoming agoraphobic) but have always wondered why I can eat a food sometimes, but get an IBS attack from it at other times. It makes things very confusing!! Also, there are things I can eat seperately but not together (I can eat mince beef with separate potatoes and veg, but can't eat a cottage pie, for example), do you know why that might be?

Reastie · 17/10/2013 15:16

I have IBS and gluten intolerance (diagnosed by gastrointerologist). I find that I have to eat meals/snacks regularly or the hunger somehow can cause an IBS attack. If I'm too busy etc to eat I get an awful painful bloated painful tummy like my IBS attacks. Sometimes I can feel on the cusp of it coming on and I eat something and I can sometimes stave it off but it's frustrating, especially as I can't always stop and eat something. Is there anything I can do to stop this happening (other than eating obviously!). Any advice or tips on how to cope with it? I tend to find starchy foods like oats/muesli work the best when I get this type of pain and bloating, but I have no idea why!

TerrorTremor · 17/10/2013 15:57

Can IBS be worsened by pregnancy or a c section?

Pre pregnancy it was not too bad but been playing up a lot post pregnancy and that was 6 months ago.

tillyo · 17/10/2013 17:37

Hi I've had ibs for just over 5 years now. I want to diet as I need to loose a lot of weight but find anything high in fibre sets my ibs off badly. Too much fruit and veg can leave me in bed for days. What's the best way to get round this?

openerofjars · 17/10/2013 19:34

I've been told by my GP that what I have (diarrhoea, constipation,one-sided abdominal pain) is probably IBS, but what do I do next? I have been advised to try fybogel & peppermint oil capsules but given no other information.

JacqueslePeacock · 17/10/2013 19:59

tillyo, have you thought of low carb?

Meglet · 17/10/2013 20:35

I've been tested for coeliac disease twice as my consultant said my symptoms look like coeliac. Negative both times. But whenever I eat a virtually gluten free diet my stomach and bowels are so much happier Confused.

What is the current thinking on low-carb / gluten free diets with regards to IBS? Both types of regime help my stomach. And intense exercise works wonders.

WritermumK · 18/10/2013 07:44

I have had tummy problems for a few years now, my colonoscopy looked healthy but the biopsy showed chronic inflammation (My doctor said this was common?). My doctor says my body is digesting food too quickly which means I don't digest iron properly and therefore my levels plummet and make me feel really poorly. I can't seem to have milk, even the lactofree stuff makes my symptoms worse. However I get flare ups where I feel really sore and my symptoms are pretty bad.

BuzzardBirdBloodBath · 18/10/2013 10:02

Is it possible to take Buscopan if I am taking Lansoprazole?

Also have found that not eating wheat has an effect on my general health but tests for coeliac disease come back negative.

Onions have suddenly started making me feel really unwell about 12 hours after I have eaten them...especially red onions.

The pain in my back passage...is this the IBS?

Mouseface · 18/10/2013 12:31

I take massive amounts of morphine for chronic pain that is going to be a part of my life, for the rest of my life.

I have episodes of unpredictable chronic diarrhea and episodes of chronic constipation and which are so utterly painful and leave me feeling nothing but completely fed up and sometimes unable to leave the house because I'm scared of soiling myself.

I've stopped eating wheat, breads, pasta, white rice, and refined sugars and since then, my cramps have reduced, my stomach isn't as bloated, my bowels are more settled and I have more confidence that I can go to the toilet when I get the urge which is now a gradual sensation, and no always a dash to find the toilet.

That said, I will only go out shopping etc where I know there is a toilet. Blush

But things are better, for today at least. I also make sure I drink 2.5 pints of water each day.

I am taking Omeprazole for the levels of Ibuprofen I am taking.

I too wondered if I could take Buscopan and if it would work for when I have bad days?

BIWI · 18/10/2013 19:53

Low carbing definitely helps to keep my IBS at bay. I can always tell when I've overdone it on the carb front as eventually I start to get those tell tale cramps.

I started low carbing to lose weight - it was a sudden realisation that I hadn't had any episodes that made me realise that the food I was eating could affect my IBS. When I was being diagnosed, the only food-related issue that the hospital focused on was how much fibre I was eating. I was told to increase the amount of fibre that I ate - but that only made matters worse. The response of the doctor was 'oh yes, it does affect people like that'. No suggestion as to why that might be Hmm

ugglyboots · 18/10/2013 22:39

Why does my IBS go when I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

I've only ever seen a GP once (15 years ago) about my IBS and have never been formally diagnosed. He just suspected IBS and told me to try avoiding certain food groups. I now avoid wheat and diary. Is it important to have tests to diagnose it properly and to put a healthy diet in place?

Why does IBS come about as a result of food poisoning (as in my case?) Does it ever wear off/ get better?

JacqueslePeacock · 18/10/2013 23:01

ugglyboots, are you me?! (See my post upthread).

Toffi · 19/10/2013 01:42

I'm wondering if stress/anxiety levels can set bouts of IBS off? i cant seem to figure out any particular foods in general that trigger it in myself and the attacks seem random, although drinks on the other hand i know to avoid red wine because on the rare occasions i get to have a glass or two that does seems to be a trigger. Also I'm wondering if cooking oils/fats etc can possibly be a trigger to a bout of IBS?

Suddengeekgirl · 19/10/2013 06:32

Toffi - my IBS wa like that - before it chaned and I have to start from scratch.

I think mine was actually started by the stress if lab work at uni - 2 afternoons (12-6) a week of being highly stressed/ anxious. :(
If I'm nervous now you can find me in the loo! Blush

I also have to avoid very fatty/ greasy foods - chip shop fish and chips is terrible! :(

TiredDog · 19/10/2013 07:17

Why was I asked if I had IBS as part of my pre assessment for a hysterectomy? (Random sorry)

BIWI · 19/10/2013 09:16

Oh yes, Toffi - emotional conflict is a definite trigger for me.

RedlipsAndSlippers · 19/10/2013 11:13

I'd had IBS-D for about two years before I got pregnant, the whole time I've been carrying DS I've had no symptoms at all! Is it definite that the IBS will come back once I've had him?