I have had IBS symptoms for as long as I can remember but always thought it was a result of my menstrual cycle so just accepted it as bad luck (as I'm sure a lot of women do!). I recently found this very interesting article relating to the connection between IBS and Menstruation here..
Then 4 years ago I developed joint problems (swelling in knuckles etc) and rosacea. The NHS treated them as entirely separate problems, even though they developed simultaneously- and even then they only treated the symptoms. I told the doctors about my digestive problems and that I was sure I suffered from IBS but they never linked anything together holistically. The dermatologist even laughed at me when I said I was trying to adapt my diet to see if it would help with my rosacea, saying rosacea is not linked to diet (even though it originates from a gut bacteria!!)
I am almost certain that the rosacea and joint issues are all linked to my Gut.
Regarding the rosacea- I took the antibiotics for a long time and applied the topical creams. I think it helped at first but with the second major flare up I had these methods seemed much less effective. I'm pretty sure the antibiotics also made my IBS worse.
In the end I stopped taking the antibiotics after several months of no joy. Instead I tried diet changes- I cut out gluten and dairy and my skin got a bit better.
I recently started on low fodmaps- I'm not sure if it's helped my IBS yet as it's early days, and I think my skin is worse but this could be where I am in my cycle.
It really is a nightmare trying to unpick cause and effect!
If anyone else has found links between menstrual cycles/rosacea and IBS I'd be very interested to hear.
Thanks so much.