How do others cope with long term IBS discomfort and bloating?

[CuSOMgO2]

I've had IBS for 35 years, all my adult life and I'm 56 now. I've had pretty much every medical test under the sun and tried various elimination diets. I know that stress definitely makes it worse. I had a colonoscopy last year, which was fine. The bloating is really getting me down. I'm a size 8, but my stomach is so bloated that I have to go a size up. How do others cope with this, and do you have any tried and tested recommendations? Thanks if you're still reading!

Do you take decent probiotics OP? I find it helps with IBS. Although I understand about stress causing it? Hopefully not a silly question, but is there any way you can reduce your stress levels?

Many manage IBS bloating with a low-FODMAP diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, and keeping a food diary to spot triggers. Gentle probiotics and mindful eating can also help.

I found improvement with probiotics although found them expensive . I still have a bloated belly but otherwise much fewer symptoms . I twice passed out with pain from IBS and now would only get bad symptoms if have a lot of coffee

The pain for me was far worse than my clothes size, although I did get bloating. Going on a strict low fodmap diet seems tô have settled things for now. I used the Monash university app, and waiting for my private consultation to analyse the diary. I couldn’t see any obvious triggers. For symptom relief, mebeverine worked best as long as it was taken at first sign of trouble. The pain was horrific. I can’t sympathise enoygh with fellow sufferers.

Hi - I'm replying to give a warning - apologies if my post is upsetting. If your bloating/ abdominal distension is definitely just down to gas/ IBS then maybe trying Deflatine tablets could help disperse the gas.
But I mainly decided to reply to give warning/advice to you and any other woman suffering with ongoing gastro/ gut symptoms ( including heartburn/ indigestion) plus an enlarged abdomen that requires going up a dress size- please consider getting examined by your doctor to rule out other causes b4 it's put down to IBS.
I lost my dear older sister to ovarian cancer 3 years ago this month and I often replay in my head the conversation that we had 2 months before she got diagnosed. She said she'd had "indigestion" by which she meant heartburn for 6 months and had been prescribed Omeprazole. She also spoke of being "bloated" and mentioned needing to buy the next size up in knickers and having to loosen her belt. At her next GP appointment she got her abdomen examined and was told they'd found a large mass and needed an urgent ultrasound. Sadly it was discovered too late for her to be treated successfully. Ovarian cancer is called a silent killer because it has space to grow before it begins to cause symptoms. I think there has been research to retrospectively analyse prescriptions given in the months before a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and proton pump inhibitors eg Omeprazole/ lanzoprazole are found to be quite commonly prescribed ( presumably because a massive is causing pressure on the stomach).
Apologies again if my reply is upsetting/anxiety-provoking but if just one person reading this is prompted to get a GP review due to a mix of gastro / gut symptoms and/or spreads the message to the women in their lives about spotting potential cancer warning signs then I feel I've done something to build a little bit of hope from the loss of my sister. Thank you for reading this far.

Useful warning there. I had multiple investigations in connection with another condition and ibs was left as the culprit.

I find pro biotics make my symptoms worse and I have urgency for the toilet, I just watch what i eat , drink boiled water and take windeaze which does help with the bloating, also wearing a size up is comfortable just do that.

For me the only thing that works is following a low FODMAP diet. Which is very annoying as I love so many foods which cause gas.

This. Last time I tried probiotics I had diarrhea for three months. I belatedly read the 2* reviews on Amazon and there were were quite a few people who had this, so it's not for everyone.

Size 8 but size up for waist.

I have tried 2 brands and strengths the diarrhea and stomach spasms was horrific,

That's interesting. It's always touted as the answer to everything, but I am now wary.

I just don't think they are for everybody, im alright with a live yoghurt now and again I eat those if im on antibiotics.

It is really boring but working out what the triggers are, small meals, avoiding eating late (I don't eat after 6).

I find too much fibre, fatty foods, more than a small amount of dairy, gluten.

I used to really struggle with my ibs but it is pretty well controlled now. My diet is fairly restrictive but I'm used to it and it is worth it to not have that pain and discomfort anymore.

I’ve bought some Activia ‘gut health’ yogurt; wish me luck 🍀 - I’ve eaten two today already with some kefir yogurt and lactase tablets as a side. I have nothing to lose at this juncture in my ‘IBS journey’.

No gluten
No onions
Little garlic
No caffeine
Eat regularly
Buscopan for emergencies!!+

Oh and loose waistbands!

A strict low FODMAP diet for me. Sadly all fodmaps affect me but my quality of life means more to me, so low
fodmap it is.

Oh, and fibre is a killer.