please can someone help with my IBS problem :(?

Question

i have been diagnosed with IBS and although I know its a fairly common condition, i have been told to be careful with what i eat. however, whatever i eat brings on an attack! can anyone give me advice on what and what not to eat please before i give up eating altogether!

Answer 1

I sympathise as I have the same problem.

Most of mine seems to be brought on by stress, though some foods do trigger it.

I've done a test http://www.yorktest.com/ that told me I was intolerant to lactose/dairy, gluten and eggs. However I find that a combination of brown bread and natural yoghurt will settle me down - so it's best to go on what YOU find out rather than what people say.

Spice will always set me off, but I love spice, so I do have it every so often, but I try and plan it, so that I take the tablets prescribed beforehand so that I'm less likely to be severely affected.

I have got a LOT better since I started meditating - it gives me a little time to de-stress. It's fun to do it with a group - I did it for a time with a local buddhist-run group - but it's nice on your own too. Try http://www.wildmind.org for to get you started - the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana meditations are both really nice. Burning some Nag Champa Agarbatti incense helps too, plus smells lovely.

Basically experiment with removing foods from your diet for a short time, and also see if you can notice any pattern e.g. is it worse when you eat a particular food.

If you notice a food or foods that help relieve it a little, keep a stock. Even if it makes you feel a little better it's good.

If you can't control it by diet alone, see if your doctor can help you with tablets. You may be able to get over the counter Immodium to work, but it didn't with me so I ended up getting Lomotil prescribed by the doctor. But I only use that when I really have to, so as not to build up a tolerance to it.

I'm a lot better now than I was, but it does come and go - sometimes I can be fine for wekks, then have a bit of an attack for a few weeks, but it's getting better.

Good luck!

Answer 2

My 20 yr. old daughter has been suffering from IBS for about 6 yrs. She has tried different medicines and nothing seemed to help her. Because she suffers from frequent constipation which then triggers her severe IBS symtoms, her doctor presribed her a mild laxative called Miralax. She only uses it every other day or a couple of times a week. It has worked wonders for her. She says using this particular laxative is very gentle and natural, keeping her regular so she has much less of the IBS attacks. Her doctor is also going to presribe a medicine called Zelnorm. We've heard this medicine has gotten pretty good reviews. My daughter's IBS symptoms also got better when she cut down severly on her milk and dairy products. For example, whenever she tried drinking milk again, she always had an IBS attack. So hopefully this is proof that changing this part of your diet works. We have learned that IBS can be triggered by any stress, even happy stress! My daughter has also noticed that if she meditates (like deep breathing and clearing your mind, etc.), she feels like it keeps her IBS attacks from getting out of control. We hope some of this info can apply to your IBS problems, GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

I used to suffer from IBS, at the time I was working a rotating 4 days on 6 days off, 4 nights on 6 days off shift pattern. Because of this I was eating at irregular times and when I worked nights I only ate ready meals. Since I gave up that job my meal times have become more regular and the IBS has eased significantly, to a point were bouts are very rare indeed.

Answer 4

i know how you feel but everyone that has IBS have different problems... for example i dont eat bread because it causes big problems..

if you read about IBS some say dont each green veg.. but im ok with veg.

I eat salad every day for lunch and find this has really helped me.. no bread or a very small bread roll on the odd day. only little snacks of choc's very rare and spicy food is a no no for me...

but we all have our off days and binge out...

you have to decide what is best for you..

good luck

Answer 5

For my case..I take Zelnorm and Miralax....I can't eat green leafy veggies or things like nuts, corn, popcorn........my body just doesnt digest these things as well. You will have to determine what foods are causing you problems. Talk to your doctor about maybe a trial of the Zelnorm. It really doesn help keep things moving( no pun intended). Drink more water than you had been, this will aslo help break the food down and keep your digestive track working. I know its frustrating, but be patient. Good Luck !!!!!!

Answer 6

Each person is unique as to what their digestive tract will or will not react to. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything with seeds, like hamburger buns with sesame seeds etc. Increase the fiber in your diet, even use a fiber supplement like Fiber Con or Metamucil. Drink at least two liters of water a day, and of course if you know a certain food irritates you, avoid it. Did you ask your doctor about medication? Bentyl is what mine gave me and it helps a great deal when I have a flare up.

Answer 7

What aggravates mine is alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, sweet stuff i.e. everything that makes life worthwile. I survive by takinng a colofacs tablet twenty minutes before I eat anything dodogy. Best of luck sometime some IBS suffererers are worse than others.

Answer 8

when i was first ill with ibs.i had to use liquid supplements as well as food.but now 5 years later Ive got it under control.its trial and error I'm afraid,try and leave out certain foods and make a note of what sparks it off.some people swear by bio drinks like
activia.but most importantly continue to eat,cause food is your
fuel and you will be worse if you don't.

it will get better,once you learn what triggers it.
take care hope you feel better really soon.

Answer 9

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is very common here in the U.K. If you pop round to your doctor`s surgery they will give you all the gen that is available for this rather uncomfortable condition.

Answer 10

I avoided gluten and wheat based products also some fizzy drinks...orangina always! triggers off an attack.. It is stressed related also. I have changed my lifestyle...I've been ok for over a year now...just the odd moment.