What it really means to have IBS

[SaskiaHU]

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with IBS, you’re most likely scouring the internet for information on how to naturally treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As a hypnotherapist who was diagnosed back in 2011 with IBS, I’m hoping my experience can shed some light on this poorly understood condition.

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What is IBS?

First of all, I’ve learnt that contrary to what your doctor may have said, IBS in itself is not an actual diagnosis. Instead, it is a blanket term for Gastro-Intestinal (GI) symptoms, which can manifest as acid reflux, bloating, constipation, cramps, diarrhoea, excessive flatulence, and an unpredictable bowel habit. However, the root cause can range from either an overgrowth of bacteria, fungus, parasites, or even worms.

My journey

Standard Western Medicine stool testing failed to pick up the severity of such overgrowth when I went to my GP complaining of cramping, bloating and discomfort. I saw a Harley Street Gastro-Enterologist, who determined that I had a candida (yeast) overgrowth in my lower intestine and my cholesterol was high. She dismissed me after 15 minutes with:

“Cut out sugar, eat brown rice, and take Benecol.”

I walked out of her office bewildered at what I’d spent £350 on, as there was no follow-up, meal plan or a timeframe of when I could expect to feel better. After years of feeling rotten, accumulating more and more food intolerances, I was determined to get to the bottom of this debilitating condition as soon as I could.

Symptomatic relief

I tried hypnosis to feel better, which helped marginally when experiencing acute symptoms. I took it a few steps further and began working with a nutritional therapist, who gave me a very detailed meal plan, avoiding dairy, gluten and alcohol, and some plant-based supplements. I felt great while following this, but after a few months, I was concerned that I would have to live this way, avoiding normal food and social situations forever.

A body-mind evidence-based solution

My continued searching led me to Functional Medicine, which incorporated:

• Advanced diagnostics, far superior to anything I had done via the NHS or even the Harley Street Consultant

• Nutritional therapy

• Positive psychology coaching

• Mind-body practices

Through Functional Medicine diagnostics, I discovered the microorganism that was driving my symptoms. When the lining of the gut is damaged or irritated, immunity decreases, making the gut a welcoming space for harmful microorganisms, as the immune system can’t fight them off.

What can damage the gut

Years of antibiotic overuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and paracetamol, the contraceptive pill, alcohol, a diet rich in starches and simple sugars, and a stressful City life had created an imbalance - dysbiosis - in my gut microbiome, the eco-system within my GI tract. Adopting a multi-factored approach, starting with accurate diagnostics, is the best way of healing this condition, as anything else is merely a “band-aid, treating only symptoms and not the root cause.

The IBS Network is the national charity that helps people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and has provided support to those with the condition and to healthcare professionals for over 25 years. You can join their community here: healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

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Written by Raewyn Guerrero

Raewyn Guerrero is a Functional Health Coach, CBT Hypnotherapist and Corporate Wellness Consultant.

You can contact her via well-works.co: well-works.co/contact/

[orangecity41]

Very likely. It has helped me greatly to understand CKD.

[fed13 in reply to orangecity41]

What is CKD? xx

[SaskiaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to fed13]

CKD means Chronic Kidney Disease

[fed13 in reply to SaskiaHU]

Thanks xx

[MydogBrandy]

Hi, hope you are well. Read your post with interest…. I was after 3 months of horrendous pain prior to horrendous diarrhoea , day and during the night, told that I probably had IBS when I had sent a stool sample in and it came back as abnormal. My second test showed it was most likely not cancer so I was pleased about that, did a third test… yes definitely abnormal so started cutting out certain foods, did not help! So stressed but I decided to ask my doctor if I cut wean myself of a a tablet I was taking everyday for anxiety and stress, did this. I had stopped taking the last of my tablets on the Saturday and by Wednesday I was back to normal. My normal is going every other day with no pain.Just thought I would add this post incase it helps any one else. xx

[Maudie19]

I have had IBS for about 30 years. The only thing that helps me is to ID food that will effect me. I now know that too much fibre is a culprit for me. Cabbage and green leaves especially. But OK with lettuce. Beef effects me but venison is fine. No white bread. Pastry can be a problem but normally it is the product inside it as well! I now can look at food and think - Ooh no that will effect me. Main problem is eating out as chefs do all sorts of fancy sauces, so I just ask for no sauce, which doesn't go down well with the chef. I try to keep to home cooked non processed food and roast peppers and courgettes for veg which are fine for me. As my husband loves fish in batter and chips - I will cook a different meal for myself. Fish is OK for me but without any batter. Chips are sometimes a culprit giving me terrible indigestion - so just pinch a few of his!

[HolisticMum in reply to Maudie19]

Helpful to read, thank you.

[GinaD]

Functional Medicine certainly changed my life when I consulted an FM doctor at Cleveland Clinic back in the early 2000s. But I continued to have a growing list of mild IBS symptoms. My GP wants a colonoscopy --but my PEG allergy as well as my post anesthesia blood pressure issues makes that procedure difficult. I once tried to explain that my alternating constipation and what I named "brown streak syndrome" felt as though the nerves in parts of my gut were not talking to each other. The doctor dismissed my evaluation. But a Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist suggested I probably had a pelvic floor dysfunction and that physical therapy with a therapist schooled in treating this would help. And wow! It worked! Turns out my suspicion regarding nerves not talking to each other was correct! And doing the right kinds of exercise strengthens pelvic muscles and reconnects nerves. I have had 2 negative Cologuards but my GP is still urging a colonoscopy despite the fact that the pelvic floor therapy has reduced my symptoms. Stay tuned.

[HolisticMum in reply to GinaD]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Pippah45]

I was told I had IBS many years ago and none of the meds I was prescribed were any use at all! Eventually it turns out I have Diverticulitis

[Hidden in reply to Pippah45]

It was assumed I had IBS back in 2013 based purely on CA125(ovarian cancer)being normal.since 2015 doctors have never taken my abdominal pain-sometimes chronic pain that would wake me in the night.GP diagnosed my abdominal pain a couple of weeks ago as Diverticulitis.I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and other abdominal conditions a few years ago but not given any advice to deal with it,My abdomen is distended and not diet related as Doctors assume an d dont accept it when I tell then it is the reason for my weight gain and not due to my diet.Today I took my dogs out for a short walk around the block and It was a real struggle to walk because of the heaviness of my abdomen (and I had left my walking stick at home).can I ask how your gp addressed your diverticulitis,Did they treat it or offer any advice?

[Pippah45 in reply to Hidden]

If it wasn't so serious I would ask if you were joking that anyone did anything to help - the answer is nothing. However I had already heard about Betaine HCL for helping with Low Stomach acid - which is common in people with Hypothyroidism. The Gastro who ordered the Colonoscopy said Nonsense - no one has low stomach acid everyone has high. He was wrong and I knew it because Betaine HCL works if you have Low Stomach acid which is a common symptom of Hypo. I deal with it myself trying to get my diet right - Low Carb (not too low) seems to work for me but occasionally I eat something that doesn't agree but it isn't always easy to pinpoint what isn't right. The other day I had a small salad with lettuce, Ham radish and a little beetroot and a little Coleslaw. All things I have eaten before but something wasn't right as I paid for it later. I wondered afterwards if I hadn't chewed everything properly and that was what went wrong - but wrong it certainly was! I think it's a learning curve of what works for you. I have found that taking my healthcare into my own hands is very empowering.

[Hidden in reply to Pippah45]

I have a thyroid cyst that was diagnosed in 2018 by CT SCAN years after complaining of a lump in my neck,has not been checked since.not diagnosed of any other thyroid conditions.need to get gp to rescan??seen dieticians i n the past and cut out foods that were a problem. Have Dysphagia and oesophegeal Dysmotility and gastritis -all confirmed at last endoscopy.Had appendix removed this year when scan showed a problem which was not detected in colonoscopy three months before.Twice when I called emergency for chronic abdominal pain during night-paramedics put off taking me to A&E first time and the following week I needed Morphine for the pain and was kept in hospital.I regularly experience food sticking in my oesophegus and acid reflux.I Read yesterday to drink just clear water for a day for diverticulitis.

[Pippah45 in reply to Hidden]

Doctors know so very little about Thyroid problems - I moderate on a Thyroid forum and almost every day there are tales of badly treated/ignored patients. Many of us self treat our own thyroids to avoid being kept living half a life. I am learning that PMR/GCA doesn't get the right treatment either necessarily. I hope you find someone to give you the help that you need.

[Hidden in reply to Pippah45]

seems doctors know little about a lot of conditions.Have been "badly treated " on and off for 7 years with only one GP in 2017-2019 taking me seriously and the GP I have now (for just over a year)who is sometimes contradictive ie re blood tests that can be non conclusive and imaging that doctors say "only appear normal".Waiting to see gastroenterologist to sort abdominal/gastric symptoms which is being dragged out as referred unnecessarily to dietician and nutrition dept for (as they said GP told them-IBS I do not have).Am waiting also to see Lupus and Paget \Disease experts as rheumtologists did nothing.years ago doctors provided duties of care.

[HolisticMum in reply to Pippah45]

Well done to you. My son is non verbal so really hard to know what's right or wrong for him. I've put so much time and energy trying to get his diet right. Even over 31 years, I'm still searching for that miracle ingredient. You are right, it does make you feel good when you are helping yourself where others have failed to help you. xx

[HolisticMum in reply to Pippah45]

Would be interested to know your symptoms and do you do anything that helps you through?

[HolisticMum]

Really interesting article. My son is 31 now and has suffered with tummy problems most of his life. Despite extensive tests when young, the consultant came up with no diagnosis. He was giving him gaviston and another medicine that didn't help one jot. Despite me telling him this, his only answer was to try them again!! I wish if they didn't know what's wrong and don't have the answer, they could be truthful.I felt the only way was to read and learn as much as I could myself to help him. Found a lovely homeopath that helped in some way and then a Nutritionist who also does cranial therapy. She has been invaluable to us as a family and helped enormously. Having someone to talk to about it at the other end of the phone too is much more than any medical professional could do. But still my son suffers every month for 2 or more weeks. It is so debilitating for him and feel we will never find a solution to his pain.

I have always told professionals that the symptoms seem to present between IBS and Crohns but they look at me puzzled.

A while ago saw a programme on one of the Strictly Dancers who suffers with Crohns, and her symptoms do seem like my son's. She is sometimes hospitalised.

Can't believe there are no medical professionals out there who know the answer. All the studies into patients that they must have done over decades??

[Godzilla90210]

Wow, a good read. I learnt a lot

[Aseyori]

I love this vital lecture

[Hidden]

Thank you SaskiaHU . That was such an informative read.

[Howdoyouknow]

IV stem cells and exosomes from any source have a good chance to significantly reduce severity of underlying condition and a very good chance to alleviate symptoms very significantly. May need two treatments a few months apart