What can i do to help manage my ibs?

[Aimee-jade94]

Hi all, im 19 and have just been diagnosed with ibs today! Im not really clued up about the condition or how to manage it. My doctor has put me on buscopan but other than that did not give me any advice or explain about ibs. Any help and general information would be great! Thanks all

[Hidden]

I found managing my IBS through diet was super helpful - I found the FODMAPS (just give that a quick google) diet a life-saver. Basically, IBS has many triggers (some can be emotional eg. stress), often food-related. I eliminated all of the possible trigger foods (common ones are gluten, dairy, certain fruits, garlic, onion, caffiene, alcohol) and then introduced those foods back in to my diet one by one. When I got all those nasty IBS symptoms, I looked back at my food diary to see what I had eaten that day. I then avoided that food like the plague!

Also, did you get a test for celiac disease first? Often the symptoms are very similar, and there are many undiagnosed celiacs with mistaken IBS.

Obviously, if you undergo any dietary change please see a medical professional first.

[Aimee-jade94 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, no i havent been tested for cealiacs but gluten doesnt seem to affect my symptoms. Im starting a food diary from today as advisedby my doctor but i dont eat much as it is. Ihave a bad relationship with food have done since i was little. Thank you for your advice!

[PatV in reply to Aimee-jade94]

Yes, get tested for celiac and lactose intolerance. Counseling, exercise, prayer and meditation. You deserve to be well. Good luck

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[Sapphire3]

If you're C-prominent (mostly have constipation)

Do - make sure you're always drinking plenty of water (a lack of it can lead to severe constipation), invest in Movicol, also known as Laxido, this is the best working medication for constipation, but it's rather strong so be careful. Only take the 8 sachets if you have a severe blockage. Usually one or 2 sachets is ok. Monitor your toilet habits - are you going most days? If not you may need to take medication on a regular basis.

Don't eat dairy - this is general advice but for me the only baddy is cheese. Don't overeat.

If you're D-prominent (mostly have diarrhoea)

Do - eat plenty of high fibre food. Veg generally is good. Drink plenty of water (to replace the fluids lost in diarrhoea), invest in fybogel (horrible stuff but it works) you can also get various tablets that help with diarrhoea over the counter. I'd advise eating plenty of veg when you can though, as it's a natural remedy. If you're going out, just make a note of where toilets are.

Don't - Well, try to avoid overly fatty foods.

I have an IBS card for when I need to go the loo out and about. It's a request to let shops and such let you use their staff toilets. They don't have to let you still, but your IBS card shows them you have an illness and they're quite likely to say yes - particularly useful if you have diarrhoea.

Ask your doctor about Buscopan. This can help with bowel spasms, relieving pain and some of the need to go.

Hope this helps x

[Sapphire3]

Ooh sorry didn't read that you already have Buscopan! x