Irritable Bowel Syndrome, help to manage it Options

[melin]

Hey Ladies,

For the past 12 yrs I have had lots of IBS symptoms and my mum and I kind of self diagnosed IBS.

Well after having two medical procedures yesterday to rule out anything else the specialist has told me to treat my condition as IBS.

Any ideas on how best to do this? Any special foods I should stay away from as I can't seem to pinpoint the ones that affect me more?

Any recipes? Vitamins?

Would be grateful for any ideas.

Thanks

Melin

[-Sophie-]

It really is treating the symptoms.

A few things I find are most helpful are a high fibre breakfast soon after waking, regular exercise (even a 2o min walk when I am struggling makes a big difference) and avoiding alcohol (I accept that after a big night out I can be out of wack for 3- 4 days - I just chose that over not drinking all the time).

A food/symptom diary is the best way of finding triger foods/drinks. Softdrink is my main culprit - in particular coke. It means parties can be tricky but I often bring my own drinks to allow me to avoid it. Too much dairy can be an issue, so can too much gluten.

If you find it really hard to find out the culprit foods. Try a very basic diet and then introduce foods slowly one at a time.

There are few theards in this section for more info.

[Bethmd]

Mintec, Donnatab, the Inner Health Plus IBS capsules. Peppermint tea. I have a mouth spray made by Brauer called "IBS Eze" that I have in my handbag at all times.
I find alcohol & coffee can cause a flare up for me.
My flares ups use to be mainly caused by stress but as I get older I am finding that food such as bread can cause problems.
With me one day something may affect me & the next day there won't be a problem.

[WhiteBlossoms]

IBS Support. The one kept in the fridge. Fantastic stuff!!

[Mel B]

I know this is a bit out there, and I tend to stick to fairly traditional medicine myself, but a friend was visiting recently and he is a hypnotherapist. He mentioned that he has treated several people with IBS with success. He believes that most cases have stress and emotional triggers and if you can uncover those and deal with them it can have a big effect on the physical symptoms.

There was a show on Foxtel recently called "Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses" and they also used hypnotherapy and counselling to deal with IBS, although they also used detoxing and colonic cleansing.

Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it. Whichever way you go i hope you get some relief soon.

[Avery]

IBS Support. The one kept in the fridge. Fantastic stuff!!

I agree. I also see a naturopath who has worked wonders

[melin]

Thanks everyone,

Dani and Shelly I actually went and got this stuff on Tuesday straight after my op so I'll see how it goes. Been okay so far so fingers crossed.

It is so hard not knowing what triggers it and I am the same in that one day an apple might trigger it and the next day not. So frustrating.

Have booked in to see a nutritionist in May through ACT health so hopefully they can give me some more ideas too.

I think the basic diet is the way to go. Problem is I just have to will power. Grrr to good food!!!

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

Melin

[Avery]

It is so hard not knowing what triggers it and I am the same in that one day an apple might trigger it and the next day not. So frustrating.

Unfortunately I'm the same -sometimes it’s just a simple salad that triggers my IBS

And like Mel B said, sometimes emotional issues can affect IBS, It’s like a vicious cycle –for me when I am stressed, my IBS gets out of control, then I stress because my IBS is bad, so it just feeds itself and you continue to be sick. That is where my naturopath really helped me out.

Funnily enough, pregnancy also helps

[bixter76]

It didn't help me Shelly! I wish it did!

But yes, the things that trigger it for me are (just to name a handful)

- anything slow cooked. The sauce or something becomes too rich and plays havoc with me.

- a glass of milk.

- COKE!

- baked beans.

- anything remotely spicy.

- alcohol

- stress

It's so debilitating sometimes! Even to go to the shops sometimes is a mission in case you 'gotta go'!

[melin]

Well I had coke over the weekend and it didn't do anything so I guess that may not be one of my triggers.

I think my main cause is stress and when it gets hectic at work and I get tired and emotional that's when I get it more.

Shelly, I told hubby that pregnancy fixes it (bixter I didn't add your bit ) and he just gave me a look!!

Bixter, know what you mean about the having to go. I am a school teacher and the amount of times I've walked out on my kids cos I have to go is really bad but there is nothing I can do about it.

Sometimes I do find though that if I'm getting the cramps (usually happens when I'm sitting down) and I stand up and walk around for a bit sometimes it goes away!!!

Will keep trying to work out my triggers!! Thanks again

[mmmmcake]

I have IBS at the other end of the scale.
I can go 5-10 days without using my bowels and then for a day, things can be the opposite.
Does anyone else have similar symptoms?
It's horrible

ETA:
I have a strong history of cholitis (sp?) and crohns disease in my family.

[bixter76]

melin - it's awful isn't it?

I know this is way TMI but I can go to the toilet at LEAST 5-6 times before 9am EVERY day!

Sometimes when I cough it's 'there' too!

So debilitating!

[-Sophie-]

Mine swings from going all the time to not going for days. The days I dont go are harder as I get some pretty bad cramping and lots of wind pain without relief.

I have been lucky I have only once had to pass on a customer because I had an attack. Most other times I have been free or not at work.

Stress is such a huge factor - and I find it the hardest to manage.

[Avery]

Shelly, I told hubby that pregnancy fixes it (bixter I didn't add your bit ) and he just gave me a look!!

ony fixed me while I was pregnant tho ... but so far it hasnt come back as bad (and its been a year)

[bixter76]

half ya luck!