Anyone use York testing?

[Lolacabana]

I have had ibs for about 10 years, but have recently got worse. This prompted my paying for testing, with the results telling me that I am intolerant to cows milk, yeast, wheat, and millet, so basically most food groups. Does anyone have an opinion on how accurate these tests are (blood test)?, my doctor wasn't interested, and prescribed codiene....help! Any guidance appreciated.

[Hidden]

Not sure how accurate it is because I have never looked into it. If your doctor isn't interested maybe you should try another doctor?

I have heard of this test for years but I don't know anyone who has ever done it.

Can you cut some of those things out of your diet to see if it makes a difference?

[Lolacabana]

Hi Jimtom, I have cut out cows milk for starters, but am only in the first days so no noticeable difference yet. Thought the sensible thing would be to cut one at a time. I have a consultation with the York nutritional it's today, so will post anything I think is useful.

[Hidden in reply to Lolacabana]

It might take a few weeks to notice any difference?

It will be interesting to see how thus goes for you.

Thank you ☺

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

The role of York test in the management of IBS is at best unclear. If you have been diagnosed with IBS, we would recommend asking your GP to refer you to a Dietitian for specific advice.

[Ukbusybee]

Hi Lolacabana. Snap! I was exactly the same. I've had IBS symptoms since late teens (mainly diarrhoea in early years, then a long period of alternating symptoms, then mainly constipation that progressively got worse). In the end I felt so bloated, nauseous, and generally unwell I resorted to York test to see if that gave me any answers. My results came back that I'm intolerant to eggs, milk, wheat, gluten, millet, yeast, crustaceans and coffee. I'm also borderline intolerant to another 7 items (chilli, buckwheat, brazils, sesame seeds, carrots, soya beans and coriander/ cumin/ dill). To be honest, I'd worked out over the years that I felt worse after eating anything too creamy, spicy or rich and also that milky coffee seemed to make me need the loo soon after! Therefore, I actually did a big bang approach and stopped eating all foods I'm intolerant to, and cut down all those I'm borderline to. I felt better within 3 days and actually 'normal' again within a couple of weeks. I've done a few 'tests' since and I now notice that I react to eggs and shellfish within 2 hours (stomach pains), gluten within a day (joint aches and pains), and soon after eating dairy, yeast (sickness and tummy problems). Sometimes I also have a cardio vascular response after eating something accidentally or have a combo of borderline items. I now cut all these out and I do generally feel much better - but it's so hard! I've had a couple of IBS episodes since (probably stress related) but I've found that vegan probiotics have been very helpful (Acidophilus from Holland & Barrett). So what about you? Have you done any tests since you found out?

[Julz59 in reply to Ukbusybee]

Hi I found your reply very informative. I have IBSD. When you mentioned cardio vascular response, does that happen soon after eating the food? Do you have tachycardia, pounding heart? I have had this a few times and wondered if it was due to food intolerance.

Juls

[Lolacabana in reply to Ukbusybee]

Hi UKbusybee, thank you for your reply, we seem very similar symptom wise, I am trying a softer approach and have cut milk and yeast since Thurs, as I have been away for the weekend, this has been very difficult. I was particularly bad yesterday and had to of on I Imodium to get through the day. I too get cardio vascular problems, and can often feel my heart beating in my head, but have never related this to the intolerances.

I spoke to the nutritionist from York on Friday, and she has recommended taking probiotic tablets, so will give Acidophilus a try.

I think stress probably plays a part, although I have never really considered myself a stressful person, I do get d before flying, so I suppose it must play a part.

Thanks again for your help, it's has been enlightening.

Kindest regards

[Ukbusybee]

Hi Juls. Yes, very quickly. I have a Fitbit that I wear constantly (trying to lose weight) and my resting heart rate is around 56-60. Sometimes I noticed that after eating my heart rate would shoot up to 80-90 bpm almost straight away! Before I did the test about six months ago my Dr just told me it was probably indigestion and prescribed Gaviscon. 🙄 I realise that the heart naturally will increase flow of blood to the stomach after eating but it seemed quite a big increase to me, it's quite noticeable and feels like palpitations when it happens. In fact, over the last couple of years I've been to A&E a couple of times when I got palpitations and also a pain in my chest and left arm. I was scared I was having a heart attack but I was reassured I wasn't and that despite being overweight I had a very good, strong heart beat. In fact, it was on the last occasion that one of the nurses mentioned it could be gastric and that planted the seed in my mind that it could be food allergy/intolerances causing my symptoms, which prompted me to research what tests could be done. The NHS are really lacking in understanding in this area but I found some interesting reading online, I'll post you some links.

[Ukbusybee]

This is one article I found interesting:

foodsmatter.com/allergy_int...

You may also find this useful:

allergyuk.org/downloads/fac...

There's also loads of info from our Australian friends:

foodintol.com

It's also interesting to find YouTube videos on the immune system and how IGg immune responses kick in. 🙂