Discussion
After best part of a decade of suffering not the nicest gut symptoms, doc now says its IBS. Even did a blood test to exclude the more serious stuff.
Apparently I am supposed to check out fodmap diet and that works for many in my position.
Anyone got any input on this? It seems the wait for an NHS dietitian could be a while, so might get stuck-on with it for now if it's not too complicated
Apparently I am supposed to check out fodmap diet and that works for many in my position.
Anyone got any input on this? It seems the wait for an NHS dietitian could be a while, so might get stuck-on with it for now if it's not too complicated
HustleRussell said:
I experienced ongoing symptoms which were eventually described as 'IBS' in my mid-teens. It turned out to be all about stress.
Can be, but there are definitely trigger substances as well.A little too much alcohol over the weekend and I'll get a big clear out at some point. That and fatty foods do it for me. I haven't bothered changing my diet and just make myself aware that I need to be either at home or in a place with a quiet convenience in certain situations!
Loperamide is a god send to take as a precaution when away from home.
rossub said:
Can be, but there are definitely trigger substances as well.
A little too much alcohol over the weekend and I'll get a big clear out at some point. That and fatty foods do it for me. I haven't bothered changing my diet and just make myself aware that I need to be either at home or in a place with a quiet convenience in certain situations!
Loperamide is a god send to take as a precaution when away from home.
That sounds about right. Craft/IPA beers are a definite trigger and beer is not a high fodmap I understand. Lagers not such a big trigger but I have to say the craft beers are much more enjoyable. Sounds like I should focus on the vino and steer clear of fatty food too.A little too much alcohol over the weekend and I'll get a big clear out at some point. That and fatty foods do it for me. I haven't bothered changing my diet and just make myself aware that I need to be either at home or in a place with a quiet convenience in certain situations!
Loperamide is a god send to take as a precaution when away from home.
Will try that for a bit then look at fodmap.
HustleRussell said:
I experienced ongoing symptoms which were eventually described as 'IBS' in my mid-teens. It turned out to be all about stress.
Similar thing here. Had what felt like indigestion for around a year. Pretty much every day with bloated feeling/pains in the afternoon or at the very least feeling like I just needed a good cr*p.Had a few blood tests, ultrasounds (a second one to check up on some gall bladder polyps they found first time around), a CAT scan and a finger up the jacksie. Nothing.
Consultant put it down to IBS/stress as it went away when on holiday.
Went away around a year ago. I stopped stressing about it as I knew nothing was seriously wrong. Didn't change my diet at all apart from having a mint tea after every meal.
Think I might be suffering with IBS too. Never had any problems as a child, only started about age 20 I think. Regurlarly feel bloated and constipated, but the biggest issue is diarrhoea. Often have both at the same time, or one after the other. My diet hasn't changed much over the years, could be food related (caffeine I suspect isn't helping). I am generally pretty astutate at planning my day around access to toilet facilities.
About a 18 months ago something odd happened, possibly related to some stressful life events I was going through. I seemed to be having what I can only describe as some kind of anxiety (just a constant buzz, adrenaline rush, a bit like you might have when getting near the front of a roller coaster queue). I lost my appetite and the diarrhoea really stepped up. Was constant and went on like that for about 3 months without letting up. I lost nearly 1/4 of my body weight (mostly fat rather than lean - my BF went from 28% to 16%), my 38" waist went down to 30/32". Prior to this my weight has always been pretty stable, just with a gradual increase during adulthood.
Then I got my appetite back and weight has been pretty stable again for the last year or so. But the diarrhoea is still pretty bad - can't remember the last time I had a normal bowel movement. On a good day I'll only need to visit the toilet 5 or 6 times, a bad day would be twice that. Had full blood count taken about a year ago, came back normal. Differently to some of the posters above, I find that beer actually settles my stomach down. Just looked up FODMAP, it looks to have just about everything that is edible on the list to avoid!
About a 18 months ago something odd happened, possibly related to some stressful life events I was going through. I seemed to be having what I can only describe as some kind of anxiety (just a constant buzz, adrenaline rush, a bit like you might have when getting near the front of a roller coaster queue). I lost my appetite and the diarrhoea really stepped up. Was constant and went on like that for about 3 months without letting up. I lost nearly 1/4 of my body weight (mostly fat rather than lean - my BF went from 28% to 16%), my 38" waist went down to 30/32". Prior to this my weight has always been pretty stable, just with a gradual increase during adulthood.
Then I got my appetite back and weight has been pretty stable again for the last year or so. But the diarrhoea is still pretty bad - can't remember the last time I had a normal bowel movement. On a good day I'll only need to visit the toilet 5 or 6 times, a bad day would be twice that. Had full blood count taken about a year ago, came back normal. Differently to some of the posters above, I find that beer actually settles my stomach down. Just looked up FODMAP, it looks to have just about everything that is edible on the list to avoid!
When I was diagnosed with IBS I concluded that it was a catch all term for a disruption of the digestion's natural rythm. That's how it's supposed to work. So I looked for what would cause that disruption and what would help re-establish it.
It was fats, cheese, acidic foods and real ale (it being 'live') that set it off for me, although stress could make it worse. If it's not so simple, try a food diary, or trial and error.
I also read that we take most of the water we need from our digested food. If its transit is too fast, we don't take enough water from it, too slow and we take too much. We're familiar with both outcomes. Insoluble fibre in our diet retains the right amount of water to chug through our insides at a consistent rate. But I was already eating as much fibre as I thought reasonable with no results.
After seeing a consultant, I started taking additional fibre in the form of psyllium husk tablets. 4 a day at first, with plenty of water, at the same time avoiding cheese etc. After a while predictability/routine returned and I gradually reduced the psyllium, and I can eat some cheese, at least. The psyllium not only added consistency (ahem) but over time my gusts got back to their normal rythm.
IANAD and I've read for some people fibre makes it worse, but it worked for me. If you do drink cask ales, or bottled conditioned beers, definitely cut them out first, similarly biotic yoghurts etc. You do need plenty of water with the psyllium, read up on it before trying. identify your triggers, and add routine to meal times as well.
That's what worked for me, anyway.
It was fats, cheese, acidic foods and real ale (it being 'live') that set it off for me, although stress could make it worse. If it's not so simple, try a food diary, or trial and error.
I also read that we take most of the water we need from our digested food. If its transit is too fast, we don't take enough water from it, too slow and we take too much. We're familiar with both outcomes. Insoluble fibre in our diet retains the right amount of water to chug through our insides at a consistent rate. But I was already eating as much fibre as I thought reasonable with no results.
After seeing a consultant, I started taking additional fibre in the form of psyllium husk tablets. 4 a day at first, with plenty of water, at the same time avoiding cheese etc. After a while predictability/routine returned and I gradually reduced the psyllium, and I can eat some cheese, at least. The psyllium not only added consistency (ahem) but over time my gusts got back to their normal rythm.
IANAD and I've read for some people fibre makes it worse, but it worked for me. If you do drink cask ales, or bottled conditioned beers, definitely cut them out first, similarly biotic yoghurts etc. You do need plenty of water with the psyllium, read up on it before trying. identify your triggers, and add routine to meal times as well.
That's what worked for me, anyway.
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