Newbie here...

[Kweh123]

Hi guys!

This is my first time joining an IBS forum and I'm hoping that I can make friends with others who are going through a similar situation as me and get advice on how to manage my symptoms.

I have had IBS for two years now but I was diagnosed in the summer of 2015. It all started when I realised I kept feeling nauseous whenever I needed to go to the bathroom and then it progressively got worse.

I don't believe that I have the typical IBS-c or IBS-d as my symptoms seem rather different. I have identified that my triggers are onion and garlic as well as dairy but the worst culprits are the onion and garlic. If I eat them the next day I'll have what I call an 'IBS attack' where I feel like I'm going to vomit, I'll have an upset stomach (but not diarrhoea) and I get really shaky and freezing cold to the point where if I lay in bed with the covers over me any gap between the quilt and my body will make me freezing. This doesn't go away until I've emptied my bowels enough which can take several hours (in my worst attack it took 7), then I'll feel exhausted for the rest of the day.

Most days I can have bloating, fatigue, stomach cramps, gas, nausea....I feel sick most mornings after eating breakfast which is a real pain while getting ready to go to work. I find stress can make me feel nauseous which isn't good at the moment because I'm currently doing a PhD so I'm constantly stressed out! But I find if I'm doing a presentation I'll feel sick the whole of the day before and the day I'm doing it.

Since being diagnosed with IBS I've started to get anxiety and perhaps depression (but I haven't been diagnosed). Before I knew my trigger foods I was so afraid to leave the house but luckily it's gotten better now I know what not to eat. However I do feel anxious most mornings due to the nausea I get and sometimes I panic on the way to work but I have to keep reminding myself to ignore it and calm down. I do feel like IBS has ruined my life as I can't be a normal person and eat in restaurants and enjoy life with no worries but this is who I am now and I just have to get used to it I guess.

I do know that I am quite lucky as I have read posts from people who are a lot worse then I am and I am grateful but as you can imagine it is hard dealing with this when you just want a normal life and you know it will never happen.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.

x

[Kerry1971]

Welcome. Your symptoms are very different to mine so can't offer much help. Hopefully when you finish your PhD your stress will drop which may help with you symptoms as it does sound like its stress related. Have you been tested for celiac or thyroid problems?

[Kweh123 in reply to Kerry1971]

Thank you for your reply! I have been tested for celiac and the results were negative. I'm not sure if I was tested for thyroid problems but I did have bloods taken and they were fine. I just hope once the stress is gone my symptoms can become more manageable.

[elwins]

It sounds as if it is stress with you, I suffer from colitis and find wheat and corn are my main triggers. Have you tried keeping a food diary to see what foods you have been eating when you have a bad attack. I have learnt what I can eat when I go out, which makes eating out a bit boring at times. Found I can eat Chinese food with no problems. Long as I avoid certain foods. Best of luck in sorting it out

[Kweh123 in reply to elwins]

Yeah stress really doesn't help with it! I'm sorry to hear that you have colitis. Does your colitis improve when you avoid those foods or do you still suffer with symptoms daily? I used to keep a food diary when I was first diagnosed and identified onion, garlic and dairy as my triggers but I'm thinking of starting a new one to figure out what makes me feel nauseous the next day. I avoid Chinese food in case there's spring onion in it but I can eat sushi just fine. I would love to eat Chinese food again!

[elwins]

Thanks for reply, chinese food is alright with me, found that out in China on holiday, raw onion is no good for me, if I do not watch it I do have problems have to read labels carefully when buying medicines , as I find corn syrup causes problems often used as a filler in tablets. It is just something you learn to live with, but it could be a lot more serious. Best of luck in sorting yourself out.

[Kweh123]

I'm too afraid to go on holiday as I do not trust eating in restaurants at the moment. I hate having to read labels as onion is always hidden away in the middle or towards the end. That's awful that you can get triggered from medicines too! Yeah that's how I feel... It's what our lives are like now and we just have to get used to it. Thanks, you too!