Morning all. It,s a beautiful morning here in Bristol,the sun is shining with the promise of a lovely day. Wanted to ask if anyone knows if IBS is associated with fibro, as I am having a very bad flare up of IBS at the moment. I have had this for years,but have never known it to be quite this painful! Tummy cramps etc. So just wondered if fibro affects it? Hope you all have a good day,and as pain free as possible.
Enjoy the sun while it lasts.๐๐๐ x
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Marielena2
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Morning Marlene......Sunny in W.Sussex too....but it's too hot for me! Anyway, I don't have IBS but from previous posts and looking at Pinned Posts there does appear to be a link....wishing you well...x
Hi marielena2 yes ibs is linked with fibromyalgia I have to now go for regular colonic irrigation or I end up in hospital so please seek and look up all the advise you can on how to manage your ibs I unfortunately have bowel problems and ibs so I sympathise take care of yourself ๐
hi, yes i have both and that seems to be fairly common. i stopped eating dairy, gluten, corn and soy but due to allergies/intolerance, but in turn it helped some IBS symptoms. i still get flare ups of it though if stressed (so quite alot!), or if fibro is really bad or the time of the month always effects IBS and fibro. sorry you are suffering from all of this too, just seems to be so many things all linked with each other. Maybe try looking at diet (if you haven't already) as heard lots of people say certain foods trigger it for them, but i'm sure if you have suffered for years you know all of this xx
Marielena, Hope your having a good day.I do not suffer with IBS but I have seen several on here that do. I'm sure you will get some help.Have a nice day! ! Peck.๐ค
Yes from reading forum posts it does seem that it is often linked and that many like myself had IBS before they developed the major fibro symptoms. It seems to flare up more if my pain levels are high or I am under stress. My acupuncturist is working on that problem at the moment as as he rightly says our digestive system is what supplies all the fuel for our body to work and if it it our of kilter it affects everything. Do hope you find something that helps with this. Mine developed after a major operation.x
I am so genuinely sorry to read that you are suffering with IBS, and as your other respondents have said it is related to Fibro. I have pasted you the excerpt from the *NHS Choices cache about it:
*Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Some people with fibromyalgia also develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a common digestive condition that causes pain and bloating in your stomach. It can also lead to constipation or diarrhoea.
I have also pasted you the treatment suggestions and a link to the **NHS Choices cache on this:
IBS-friendly diet
Changing your diet will play an important part in controlling your symptoms of IBS. However, there is no "one size fits all" diet for people with the condition. The diet that works best for you will depend on your symptoms and how you react to different foods.
It may be helpful to keep a food diary and record whether certain foods make your symptoms better or worse. You can then avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. However, it's important to remember that these foods will not necessarily need to be avoided for life.
Fibre
People with IBS are often advised to modify the amount of fibre in their diet. There are two main types of fibre: soluble fibre (which dissolves in water) and insoluble fibre (which doesn't dissolve in water).
Foods that contain soluble fibre include:
oats
barley
rye
fruit โ such as bananas and apples
root vegetables โ such as carrots and potatoes
golden linseeds
Foods that contain insoluble fibre include:
wholegrain bread
bran
cereals
nuts and seeds (except golden linseeds)
If you have diarrhoea, you may find it helps to cut down on the insoluble fibre you eat. It may also help to avoid the skin, pith and pips from fruit and vegetables.
If you have constipation, increasing the amount of soluble fibre in your diet and the amount of water you drink can help.
Your GP may be able to advise on what your recommended fibre intake should be.
Low FODMAP diet
If you experience persistent or frequent bloating, a special diet called the low FODMAP diet can be effective.
FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. These are types of carbohydrates that arenโt easily broken down and absorbed by the gut. This means they start to ferment in the gut relatively quickly, and the gases released during this process can lead to bloating.
A low FODMAP diet essentially involves restricting your intake of various foods that are high in FODMAPs, such as some fruits and vegetables, animal milk, wheat products and beans.
If you want to try the low FODMAP diet, itโs best to do so under the guidance of a professional dietitian, who can ensure your diet is still healthy and balanced. You can ask your GP or specialist to refer you.
You can read more about the low FODMAP diet on the Kings College London website.
General eating tips
Your IBS symptoms may also improve by:
having regular meals and taking your time when eating
not missing meals or leaving long gaps between eating
drinking at least eight cups of fluid a day โ particularly water and other non-caffeinated drinks, such as herbal tea
restricting your tea and coffee intake to a maximum of three cups a day
reducing the amount of alcohol and fizzy drinks you drink
reducing your intake of resistant starch (starch that resists digestion in the small intestine and reaches the large intestine intact), which is often found in processed or re-cooked foods
limiting fresh fruit to three portions a day โ a suitable portion would be half a grapefruit or an apple
if you have diarrhoea, avoiding sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free sweets, including chewing gum and drinks, and in some diabetic and slimming products
if you have wind (flatulence) and bloating, it may help to eat oats (such as oat-based breakfast cereal or porridge) and linseeds (up to one tablespoon a day)
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