Battling on

[Forestina]

I am battling on with chores and exhausted by mid afternoon Finally got my digestive issues under control (fingers crossed) and appetite is better. Just when I think I may be making progress now have bladder spasms and back ache. Why oh why do other symptoms pop up. It can't be a physical problem as there is barely a part of me that is right.

So wish I could banish the dreaded "what ifs" Sleep thankfully is the only escape.

Disillusioned and disheartened today. Even the weather isn't as warm as it looks.

[b1b1b1]

How did you get your digestive symptoms under control? I have been under tremendous stress recently, due mostly to my husband's medical issues. This has made my IBS much much worse. Any tips would be appreciated. xx

[Forestina in reply to b1b1b1]

Hello I am sorry to hear that you are going through such a hard time.

Many years ago I was lactose intolerant but this faded over the years. After a UTI in November I had a five day course of antibiotics and have never been right since.

Probiotics didn't especially work and my lactose intolerance was back with a vengeance. I spent three months too nauseous to eat and was desperate to boost my calories.

Thankfully I am able to eat bread and cereal and bananas and lactose free milk. I cannot eat raw vegetables and seemingly not potatoes. I have made stupid decisions today as I felt better and risked half a chocolate bar and a piece of cheese. I am now paying the price with diarrhoea and cramps.

I just stripped my diet down to chicken, tuna, white fish and boiled egg. It is terribly bland but I daren't use processed food because of the additives and I am no cook.

I am not sure I should be advising in that I don't follow my own. You need to introduce one new foodstuff at a time, which feeling better, I didn't do today.

Need to cope better with the stress as until I have this under control I can't go back to work and haven't worked since January. Being self employed this is quite worrying but getting my diet right I is the priority. Ironically the food I crave gives me a bad reaction.

I hope you find something that helps.. Mine is so based on food that relaxation and walking in nature for me at least has no effect, but everyone is different.

Good luck. 🍀

[b1b1b1 in reply to Forestina]

Thank you, Forestina - Stress makes IBS much worse. Are you able to eat any fruits or vegetables-in the longer term those vitamins are important. I am pretty much on the FODMAP diet, but it doesn't work all the time. Cheese and chocolate are the worst things, however, I also succumb to cravings from time to time. xx

[Forestina]

It is so hard isn't it? I do take a multi vitamin. I can manage cooked carrot and did have broccoli which I hated and thought it caused the gurgling gut. Just so glad to have it stopped that I haven't tried again and I don't like the vegetables with no sauce/gravy. I am just being a bit pathetic but the day started with such promise.

Enjoy your evening and thank you for your wise advice. x

[b1b1b1]

My gastro has said that broccoli is one of the worst. He says spinach & squash are better. I guess all this belongs on the IBS site. You are not being pathetic. This is just a difficult situation - between food issues & stress.xx

[Icanbeathis2016 in reply to b1b1b1]

Oh wow. Was scrolling and read this. I too have what I diagnosed myself as IBS i get when my anxiety is really high. I have upset stomach, gurgle gut, growling gut whatever its called, acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, burning gut and Im still having trouble finding the right foods when its acting up like this. And I thought any vegetables would be good. But i wondered from time to time why I have the rumbling grumbling stomach even after eating light or eating vegetables. Because broccoli, and green beans is definitely the main vegetables I buy. And i also wonder if buy it being canned vegetables if thats just as bad. Well the broccoli i buy the bagged frozen broccoli. But like any other vegetables I just get the can because Im not the best cook. And Ive never had the opportunity to see a gastro. I cant afford one. So I dont know what to expect or what to avoid. Its a roller coaster ride for sure. But next time I try some broccoli Im gonna pay extra close attention to see how my digestive system acts.

[Forestina in reply to Icanbeathis2016]

Well cooked carrots are good. Peas are suspect for me. Was caught put the other day when I got frozen carrot and swede. Couldn't work out what had gone wrong. Then checked the small print and it contained milk which being lactose intolerant was a no no. The hardest thing I find is very small amounts can build up and it is the combination.

Good luck in your quest.

[Forestina]

Spinach is a definite thing I will try. I quite like that. Mrs Popeye 😀