Mrs

[Hills54]

Hi, I've had IBS diagnosed & looking for tips on how to manage symptoms

[BarneyB]

Hi, Sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with IBS. Managing symptoms will mainly depend on exactly what symptoms you mainly suffer with. We all seem to have different ones which flare up at different times , and with different triggers (which can take a long time to discover.)

Do you have IBS-C or D? Bloating, or spasms? I can only speak from my own experience of having IBS-D, which when at it's worst has to be treated with Immodium. I have to stay away from spices in food, and garlic etc which really play me up. For bloating I find peppermint oil works well, and for spasms I use Buscopan. Diet can play an important role, so it's worth keeping a diary of foods eaten and symptoms to see if there's any connection. Wheat is a big irritant for lots of people, so you may try reducing that for a while and see if things improve.

Also stress management is a big part of helping to reduce flare ups, try looking into yoga, meditation, relaxation CD's, mindfulness or gut related hypnotherapy which you can find on Youtube.

Good luck and best wishes.

[nicolaannxo in reply to BarneyB]

I do have to use immodium at times its so bad😣

[Franjanu]

I plan a lot be before I travel such as when i was in NYC and London I downloaded and saved the lists of stations where toilets were available and plan my route accordingly. I would also use huge distractions such as loud music, doing my makeup, reading a magazine or even working on my blog.

After many years of suffering it still gets me everytime, when in very bad situations where i can't get out of I tap chest and use deep breaths and also i wear a mini tena pad everyday. It HELPs to know that its there trust me!.

there are times where you cannot get out or the train stops but if i can walk anywhere i chose that option rather than public transport. I only work part-time now because the stress of work made my symptoms bad. I eat well and avoid lots of things especially if im traveling soon or the next day i won't eat any gluten, dairy, eggs, chocolate, drink lots of water any stimulants.

Its a sad life but 13 years on this is what I've found to work. Also i take imodium and anti-anxiety meds everyday.

Let me know if you have other ways in coping. I live in Hong Kong so travel is all about bridges, tunnels highways, boats, traffic and very expensive free from and western food too!

coconutandwhat.com

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What BarneyB said

Also dairy can be the cause of diarrhoea

To see if you are intolerant to certain foods leave one food group outof your diet for at least 2/3 weeks, like dairy, keeping a diary of food and bowel movement

You can get a RADAR key which will open any disabled toilet

radarkeys.org/

You can also get an 'I can't wait card'

theibsnetwork.org/what-we-o...

[Hills54]

Hi, thank you for your reply. Doctor just said I have IBS but didn't say it was c or d but I've had it for over a year but just recently have very bad bloating which is constantly there, I've tried peppermint tabs & now trying acidophilus tabs, I hardly ever eat wheat so can't be that-I think I will have to try to keep a food diary. I get alternate diarrhoea & constipation😦

[BoaterSteve]

Be very aware of how your mood and stress levels can affect your ability to cope. Some foods can set it off so if it flares up suddenly make a note of what you'd eaten in the past 12/18 hours.

[jojobirdie]

Hi, Sorry to hear you are suffering. I have had IBS symptoms for about 30 years and was told by a GP to "just live with it" about 20 years ago. Although I am now having various tests to make sure its nothing else chrohns etc. Anyway for the last 6 weeks I have been on the FODMAP diet and I am not exaggerating when I say its a miracle. I have gone from suffering 3-4 days out a a week every week, too no symptoms whatsoever! Please check it out med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/...

Good luck X

[Hills54 in reply to jojobirdie]

Hi, thank you for your reply I've looked at the formap and to be honest there is only 2-3 foods that I eat because I have always eaten a healthy diet & im quite fussy also 😉