Ibs advice

[Shaky1001]

Hi, new to the site. Suffered from ibs for a year or so. Comes and goes with no warning. Has flared up badly over the past week, would be interested to know of any tips that you guys have at managing the condition? Thanks

[marthaalice]

Need to know your symptoms really before anyone can help.

[Shaky1001 in reply to marthaalice]

Hi, yes, good point! For me, it's constant bloating, especially after meal times, horrific wind and burping! In addition, really bad sudden diarrhoea. I have tried to manage my diet and make sure that I exercise a lot, but nothing seems to help!

Thanks for your help!

[Jetfixer in reply to Shaky1001]

Hi Shaky, hence the need for symptoms first. My problem is oposite to you, constipation. If I dont drink enough water, say less than 1 liter, not including tea coffee beer as these do affect levels of hydration, then the cramp will kick off and then I'm in a world of pain. I get so engrossed in what I am doing I dont have time to drink! I know it will fade off after a week or so but in the meantime I try to carry on as normal but do have difficulty in bending due to the pains in my middle.

[Shaky1001 in reply to Jetfixer]

Thanks, it's really horrible. In the times when I have had constipation as well as my other symptoms I found that going running helped me. If that helps!

[Midgetjen in reply to Shaky1001]

Hi shaky I have exactly the same symptoms as you sometimes constipation aswell I've read probiotics work so went to a health shop and they advised me I've only been taking them since Friday and I've noticed already I'm not as bloated. Hope this helps, I'm thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a dietitian to help with god map diet

[Shaky1001 in reply to Midgetjen]

Hi - thanks for that. Are the probiotics just the ones that you can get at the shops or are they special ones from a health shop? Do you find that stress is also a trigger?

Thanks again

[nobiker in reply to Shaky1001]

Hi, there is a big difference in "managing your diet" and avoiding the things which are making you ill. Unless you eliminate things, ie all wheat and wheat products, milk, many fruits, certain vegetables, you will never get to the bottom of it.

Many of us on this site have done the low FODMAP diet, with or without a dietician. It can certainly make big improvements. Licorice and mint tea, yoga twisting postures, stretching, and lots of walking will help. Lots of books available on line.

Good luck with this.

No biker

[Midgetjen]

I got them from a health shop and they advised me which ones to buy. It works out cheaper buying capsules rather than the drinks. I couldn't say if it is stress, I think it's stress mixed with eating and drinking things that trigger it. I'm new to this too so I'm just researching and trying different things .

[Shaky1001 in reply to Midgetjen]

Thanks for that. I will try some from the shop and see if they help at all. Might look into the diet that you mentioned. I mentioned the stress as I was not working for 5 weeks over the summer and had no symptoms at all and now back working and within a few weeks it's back!

[Midgetjen]

I hope they work for you I'm going to start drinking peppermint tea instead of normal and see how that goes. A lot of people on here mentioning peppermint oil, tea and capsules,let me know how you get on.

[Shaky1001 in reply to Midgetjen]

Hey - just thought I would drop you a note. I have done a couple of things which helped massively over the past couple of weeks:

1. Stopped drinking all caffeine

2. Gone gluten free

3. Started taking acidophilus

In combination, I have seen a big difference, the biggest I think being the gluten!

Might be some things to try.

A

[Shaky1001]

Will do thanks.

My doctor suggested the peppermint oil capsules which did not work but the tea may help!!

[elwins]

Have colitis which is similar, have you tried keeping a food diary to find out which foods you have been eating when you have a flair up, find corn and wheat cause me problems have to avoid

[Shaky1001 in reply to elwins]

Thanks - will give that a try!