Really getting me down

[Lolly62]

Diagnosed with IBS about 4 months ago after suffering for more than 20 years.. I get stomach growls immediately after even sipping water! Is this normal. I am taking Buscapan and Pantoprazole but still in pain. Please can anyone tell me if Probiotics work???

[Nicki1984]

Hi you have not mentioned if you follow low FODMAP or have particular food triggers? Diet changes are a good place to start. I take mebeverine but see how you go with what you are on. I've started taking probiotics as have only heard good things and wanting a better general health overall. Also started taking digestive enzymes with food to assist digestion - early days though. IBS can be linked to stress/anxiety - do you think this could be a factor? Are you IBS D or C or both? X

[Lolly62 in reply to Nicki1984]

Life is very stressful at the moment which may have made it worse. I'm IBS D, its taken over my life. This FODMAP thing, need to read up. Going to try Probiotics and see.

Thank you,

[Nicki1984 in reply to Lolly62]

My IBS is stress and anxiety related I also have sensitivities to wheat and dairy. Following Low FODMAP will help. Finding ways to relax and work through your worries can help; counselling, meditation, Mindfullness etc lots of great videos on YouTube. Breathing techniques are great for supporting your body to relax. There are also some good self help books around. Don't give up trying I'm still trying new things but am finding IBS more manageable. Don't forget Imodium can be a best friend and lifeline when you need it. There is a cooking book called The FODMAP friendly kitchen some yummy recipes to follow. Good luck x

[Annie1411]

Hi.. Yes it's very unpredictable..I take a probiotic too..spoke to a good herbalist for advice as to which to take. I try to keep to a simple diet of fish and vegetables, which luckily I enjoy. I also have wheat free muesli and fruit with plain low fat Greek yoghurt for breakfast. I try to avoid coffee as it this causes flare ups. I mainly drink peppermint tea or fruit teas..it sounds quite rigid but if I keep to this generally introducing other foods at times is OK. But I just had a nasty flare up too recently, it really is trial and error.

I find using a warm wheat bag helps during flare ups.

Hope you find some ease soon.😊

[RobWilde]

My experience with pro-biotics is No, they dont work. in certain circumstances they could help, like after antibiotics. But the best treatment is a food elimination diet. keep a diary and document symptoms, you may wish to start from the bottom as in, completely eliminate Dairy, gluten, alcohol, caffeen and dark meats.. this is the process i went through but it may be a bit extreme for you.

As Nicki1984 has said the FODMAP is a very good place to start but you must stick to it properly as any deviation can set you back a long time. If you wish to try gluten free, gluten takes a long time to leave the body i think at leased a few weeks.

Many foods in the FODMAP diet are good pre-biotics witch stimulate healthy gut bacteria growth naturally.

Good luck

[shonam75]

How do you no what ibs c or d you have , the doctor just said that I had ibs ? I find dairy is my main trigger and spices, I've just started this week on weight watchers food as in last 6 month's I went from size 12 to size 16/18 I've never been this size in my life not even when pregnant, Think it just all gets on top of me as I also have arthritis in my lower back and neck also fibromyalgia so in constant pain all the time 😣

[DaniT in reply to shonam75]

C = constipation and D = diarrhoea. So, IBS is characterised according to which you experience most. Although, many people do switch between both.

[shonam75]

Aww okay so I'm in between them both then thanks