Worried

[Helennn]

Hi all, went to my doctors yesterday and just got sent away with the normal information leaflet about ibs and also told to try some anti spasmodic medication that I haven't even gone to collect yet as I'm doubtful it will help. Asked for a lactose intolerance test but to be told this hasn't been invented yet but then thought to myself how do people know their intolerant then?! Also very randomly suffering from these sharp tingles through my back at the moment but not sure if this is bowel related or what. Does anyone else experience back pains with their Ibs?

[QuietChest]

Intolerance is mainly diagnosed by history and food diary. It needs commitment by you to record every little thing but worth it. I went lactose free and did food and symptom diary for 1 month. Then added lactose and bingo symptoms in 12 hrs so intolerant not allergic. Then went back to GP with evidence he agreed and referred me to dietitian

Antispasmodic does help at least till gut not being challenged 2-3 weeks for me.

[Helennn in reply to QuietChest]

Hi QuietChest, I think I might give a go of doing a food diary and trying to cut lactose out but it will be hard as a lot of my diet consists of lactose foods! I used to just have almond milk but didn't go as far as cutting diary out completely x

[Jkc1]

Doctors in my experience are pretty rubbish with IBS, they don't seem to realise how much it can affect your life. I was given anti-spasmodics but they didn't do anything, still worth a try though. There is such a thing as a lactose intolerance test but my doctor didn't know how to do it either so I just went with what I found helped. I've never had back pain with IBS though...

Try the FODMAP diet for IBS, it involves excluding certain food groups and then reintroducing them slowly in order to work out which ones are a problem for you. It is a tough diet to stick to but it's good. The founders of it are Shepherd and Gibson, there's a book that you can buy written by them that's brilliant.

If lactose is definitely a problem then you can buy lactase enzyme from Holland and Barrett.

Peppermint tea also really helps digestion!

[Helennn in reply to Jkc1]

Hi thank you for your reply, yeah they don't seem to think its a very big deal is what I can tell a lot of the time but I suffer from ibs (d) so it can be very embarrassing sometimes! Haven't got the medication yet but might give it a shot not sure. No I'm thinking maybe my back pain is just where I've maybe put my back out for a few days :/

I've just had a look online at that FODMAP diet it looks tough but may give it a go! x

[Hidden]

Until yu've had hospital tests there surelycan't e a diagnosis as there are several bowel diseases

You can do your own intolerance tests by leaving one food group out of your diet at a time forat least 2/3 weeks keeping a food and symptom diary to monitor any changes

However if youhave any hospital tests you shouldn't change anything as this could affect the results

[Helennn in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you for your reply, I think I am going to keep a food diary and monitor any changes in my bowels but as everyone finds I think stress is a major part of my ibs too x

[allyfree]

Hi I'm in agreement with Quietchest anti spasmodic do work I have been using them the last few days after realising that nuts are a no no for me I have had relief from the pain. also a food diary is a must i did for my GP and got a referral be it that I added a small indication that I would contact my assembly medical minister if I could not get help to establish what was wrong with me. I know all this is dibilatating for you, but you do have to put in a little work to help yourself to, finding out if you're lactose intolerant is a process of elimination. Good Luck Helenn ☺

[Helennn in reply to allyfree]

Hi thank you for your reply, oh they have worked for you too then? That's good to hear! Haha yes I think you do have to put in a little work yourself with ibs to find out what's best for you. Thank you, you too x

[a1m1m25]

I've been trying to reduce the impact of most foodstuffs on my body. eg if you're buying packaged food with dozens of ingredients in, question whether that's such a great idea. Clean, natural food shouldn't be complicated, but if it is you're gut may suffer.

As an example, if you do find you're not lactose intolerant, I would recommend ditching homogenised milk anyway, and only buy whole fats. I am fortunate enough to live near a supermarket selling organic, whole fat milk that isn't homogenised. (Waitrose Dutchy if you're in the UK btw). The more milk is mucked about with before it gets you, the further the fat molecules are damaged, and in clean natural fats, those are the molecules that bind with many of the nutrients in your food, taking them into the bloodstream. Homogenised milk has tiny fat molecules, evenly spread throughout the milk, making them harder to digest and essentially transporting that goodness out of you.

I haven't quite gone to the extent of Stewart's water just yet, but I do filter all my water now, steam the veg in it, put it in the kettle etc. This is in part because my area has high chlorine content in the tap water. People really underestimate the impact of water considering how much of us is indeed water, or indeed undamaged natural fats.

[Helennn in reply to a1m1m25]

Hi thank you for your reply, yes I would agree that clean natural food must be the best for us all!

Oh I really did not know too much about that, I sometimes drink almond milk anyway just as I tend to enjoy the taste more.

Oh thats good! I do try to drink mostly bottled water, yes thats also true us humans are a lot of water! X

[a1m1m25 in reply to Helennn]

Slightly off-piste now, but to clarify my own post earlier... I decided to check my own facts. preventdisease.com/news/10/...

'Homogenization makes fat molecules in milk smaller and they become "capsules" for substances that are able to bypass digestion. Proteins that would normally be digested in the stomach are not broken down and instead they are absorbed into the bloodstream.'

So rather than taking goodness out, it's taking certain nutrients in... the wrong place.

In short, in your case it's possibly irrelevant if you are lactose intolerant either way, but as I've been able to keep dairy I'm keen to avoid anything that could indirectly be a strain on the system.

[allyfree in reply to Helennn]

I drink almond milk and have been for the last three years not sure it helps but I don't drink it persay only use it for cereal in the morning , or as an ingredient for something that may require milk. I try to keep most of my diet fresh foods.

[Eternity78]

have you been tested for Celiac disease ?? just to rule out your sensitivity to gluten ??

[Helennn in reply to Eternity78]

Hey Eternity78 yes I've had 3 blood tests from different doctors (due to moving) and I'm not a celiac even though if I was it wouldn't be too hard to change my diet as I eat a lot of gluten free as my partner is a celiac x

[patientj]

What antispasmodic did your doctor prescribe? Usually mebeverine is the first drug on the list. I didn't find it worked for me, but it's the drug with the fewest side effects. However, if this doesn't work, there are other medications and interventions you can try, which are listed on the NICE website: nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61/c...

As others have said, you don't really need a test to rule lactose intolerance in or out. If you cut out lactose-containing foods for a couple of weeks, you should be able to discern a noticeable difference pretty quickly. You can also buy normal milk now, like LactoFree, that has been treated to remove the lactose. I drink this and you honestly can't tell the difference. Don't worry about whether the milk is homogenised or not.

[Helennn in reply to patientj]

Hi thank you for your reply, I'm not too sure as it's been sent straight to my pharmacy and I haven't collected it yet. Thank you for that website, that's helpful to know

Ooh can you? That sounds very good! X