Ibs, dehydration and food allergies. - IBS Network

IBS Network

47,323 members15,525 posts

Ibs, dehydration and food allergies.

Darcy1989 profile image
9 Replies

This has been bugging me for some time, and no matter where I look I can't find an answer, so I thought I'd ask a community of IBS sufferers.

I have had ibs since 2006, at first it was constipation, bloating and according to an ultrasound excessive amounts of gas. As the years went by it developed into diarrhoea, rather than constipation. A lot of cramps, as usual relieved by going to the toilet.

I tried finding out if I had intolerances, by excluding foods etc. The only one I think could be was lactose, as I used to get attacks after drinking milk, eating cheese etc

But as soon as I thought I'd found the issue, suddenly I was able to eat dairy again with no issue. However attacks became irregular and random, I could never work out what was causing (ie i could eat ice cream one day and be fine. A week later I could eat the same amount and I'd be in agony.)

A year ago I started to get a new kind of ibs attack. Pain beyond belief, sweating, white hot, dizziness, vomiting, light headedness, all whilst sitting on the toilet with diarrhoea. The attacks were rare, I had about 5 last year, whereas a normal ibs attack for me is usual 1-2 a month, mild cramps, diarrhoea, lay in bed for an hour and it's gone.

Naturally I worried. What if one day I collapsed, home alone etc. I took to the internet and read about Vasovagal Response to a sensitivity to pain. I thought that sounds about right and just put up with it (found that steady dee breathes and sitting upright helped). Until my Mum told a friend who said she once had an ibs attack like that and went to A&E, the doctors told her she was dehydrated, gave her dioralyte and she was better. So my Mum bought some and said, I should try it next time I have an attack.

I agreed that it was very possible that I was dehydrated, I tried the dioralyte (but I'm sure you all know, it's a bit hard to make a drink when you're stuck on a toilet, and had no idea this would be the bad attack beforehand) so we never really found out if dioralyte helped, but I started to ensure I drank more.

I stopped fizzy drinks, opted for alpro soya, no sugar fizzy water, fruit teas etc. I haven't had one of the bad attacks since October (and actually a low amount of normal attacks too), so maybe she was right and dehydration was the key.

However, this past 2-3 weeks I've had weak ibs attacks, loose stools and on/off diarrhoea, mild cramps. Until last night when I had a sudden bad attack, and nearly fainted on the toilet. Now I had eaten a lot of ice cream last night, but as I said above, dairy suddenly became a non-issue a few years back.

I realised however, this past few weeks my water intake has dropped (circumstances kept me from keeping track and on top of my fluids), and maybe that's what caused the weak attacks and the bad attack. Since yesterday I hadn't drank all day until 8pm and only had about a litre. So again dehydration is looking like the cause.

So I did some more research, but I can't find anything, anyone or anywhere that says dehydration could be a trigger for ibs. Now understandably constipation and dehydration go hand in hand, as well as dehdration caused by diarrhoea, but diarrhoea caused by dehydration doesn't seem a thing.

I should add, I do have stress and anxiety issues, which I have found cause an increase in ibs attacks, when I'm suffering from stress/anxiety. However I'm not stressed or anxious at the moment, so know these past few weeks weren't from that.

Now this is where the question comes in (sorry for the long build up)...

Can dehydration cause (exasperate) diarrhoea ibs attacks, especially severe ones? Anyone found this?

Or could a food allergy, say lactose intolerance, be exasperated (maybe even caused) by dehydration?

Because I'm wondering, maybe I was dehydrated for a few years (ie when I first got ibs I was a teen/young adult, and didn't care much for making sure I drank water) this exasperated my lactose issues, which made it impossible to eat/drink anything dairywise without an ibs attack. As I grew older, I learnt to drink more so the dairy attacks grew less and less. So say I became tolerant due to my water intake?

Ie last night I was dehydrated and had ice cream, and ended up with a major ibs attack (which included 4 trips to the toilet). Possible? Anyone thinking the same? Anyone know if it's a thing medically?

Anyone who read the whole message, thank you.

Written by
Darcy1989 profile image
Darcy1989
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies

Hi,

I haven't been diagnosed with IbS but have gallstones and previous ops for prolapse etc, but get all sorts of similar symptons, and ice cream although I have it occasionally is the one food that can really upset me, especially if I more than a very small portion..have you ever look into what ice cream is made of 😮 also I do think it's important o drink throughout the it helps your whole system, I certainly don't feel as good on days when I forget to keep having fluid every hour at least.

I absolutely am a believer in diaralyte, but it must be made up to the right quantity. I am sorry it doesn't suite ..everyone is different of course. Also I found that I feel really bad whenever I need to take Immodium instants but have now found the old fashion kaolin tablets which I buy from Wilkinsons occasionally. I myself have more chronic trouble with constipation, but when occasionally I have the runs. I would have very small

amounts to eat, like lightly boiled eggs, and toast, rice, or when my kids were little strangely Imwas told to give them stew apples.

I am sorry I am not much help but hope you feel better soon

Hather

Darcy1989 profile image
Darcy1989 in reply to

Thank you for your response.

I will definitely keep on with dioraltye, especially on days I have several attacks.

I think IBS is very person specific, but it's always good to share one's experiences and tricks as it may help someone else. I.e. I always went for heat on the abdomen for cramps, but one day read that cold could help and it's an amazing difference in after attack recovery for me, and reduces the chances of further attacks.

Thanks again.

Hi, I read your whole post and have to say that I have never thought of putting dehydration and IBS together. If people that don't have IBS have a stomach bug then they end up dehydrated so it makes sense I suppose that if you have IBS D then you will become dehydrated.

I don't have the diarrhoea but do have some constipation but my main problem is pain and bloating, I also sometimes feel sick. I have to say though I do get very thirsty some times but not sure if this is to do with Menopause (I did ask the doctor if this could happen and he hadn't heard of those going through the Menopause suffering with thirst. What I need to do is stop drinking instant mocha drinks and drink more water, which I am going to try although it will be hard.

I'm sorry I'm not help but hope all things work our for you - it's trial and error unfortunately!

Hi there anyone with IBS needs to drink a lot of water - I do anyway. Ice cream is an absolute no no as fats and sugar are a lethal combination. What I have is a lacto free yogurt mixed up with fruit and put into the freezer to freeze. I feel like I'm having ice cream(which I love) but I'm not. I can tolerate this with no problems. Try to increase your water intake and cut down on fats and sugars. Good luck!!

abibunny profile image
abibunny

You know what.....I have exactly the same symptoms as you and I've been having them on and off for years. I have actually passed out on the toilet before! Nice! No one has ever been able to tell me what causes them. I was convinced I was insulin resistant and that I was having hypoglycaemic episodes but after taking blood samples for months nothing showed up. I was convinced it was an allergy to something and got tested for everything under the sun but the allergist said he couldn't figure out what was causing it and just recommended taking an anti-histamine every night (my episodes always happened at night) and......the episodes have stopped. I kid you not. Whether or not I'm actually allergic to something I don't really care I'm just very happy to not have those horrible moments anymore. Perhaps you should try it too? I take one anti-histamine pill every night. Good luck Ax

cassie17 profile image
cassie17 in reply to abibunny

abibunny, that's very interesting, what are the anti-histamine called you take? I have read Phenergan help and i'm going to try them x

abibunny profile image
abibunny in reply to cassie17

Cetirizine hydrochloride which is the same as the cheap Asda own hay fever and allergy relief tablets so they're cheap as chips which is good!

cassie17 profile image
cassie17 in reply to abibunny

👍 thanks,if phenetgan don't help I will try those.

Darcy1989 profile image
Darcy1989

Thank you so much for this reply.

I'll read it through several times, make sure I take in all the information.

And have a look into getting a intolerance test.

Thanks again.

You may also like...

IBS and undigested food

feeling of constipation, pain, cramp, bloating and undigested food. In my mind the key to my...

Food allergy & intolerance tests

came off several food groups , mainly gluten & lactose , but because my symptoms are very up & down...

Suggestions about food for ibs

Have had Ibs for 30 years still struggling as to what to eat ,Have Diarrhoea most days . Take...

IBS and food intolerance testing

IBS and certain food what to have and not to have?

time if I drink a lot of water it gives me constant bloat. Some foods causes constant diarrhoea and...