Newbie IBS

[Tilly1312]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with IBS today and hoping to learn from others about the condition and how to live with it.

[DAJ76]

Welcome and sorry to hear about your diagonis, its a real pain in the ass.

Ive had IBS-A for 24 years now, the symptoms and still the same, you just become more self-aware and know how to manage your symptoms better over time.

The thing that worked best for me was keeping a food, drink, mood and hormone diary. You will see patterns in what your putting into/whats happening to your body and how you are feeling.

Every month around my period i get diahorrea 2 days before and during my period, topped off with 3 day headache at the end of my period. I know its going to happen so i plan for it. Adjust what im eating and what i do for those days.

If im stressed or feeling under the weather i will see symptoms, so meditate and exercise to relieve these feelings (the headspace app has 10 free taster sessions which may help you to try).

There is no magic pill that is going to allow you to eat everything you want, the only way ive found to be well is to avoid trigger foods. Find them and eliminate them. I manage my symptoms through my diet and only take mebeverine during an attack.

I cook everything from fresh so i know whats in it. My main triggers are corn/maize which is in nearly every ready meal. Diary (although i do have a tolerance for small amounts of A2 milk and feta cheese) red meats, yeast ( no bread or alcohol for me) pasta/rice (although i am ok with basmati rice) some fruits and veg - bananas, brocoli, cabbage, turnip, peas, beans, lentils, cereals. Plus loads more.

In the early years i really struggled so i stopped going out to eat or drink, after some nasty experiences. I would even go out for the day and not eat until i got back home just incase.

I dont know if its about confidence or management, but it doesnt often stop me doing anything now. Picking places to eat carefully and checking menus before you book is a great way to ensure a good day/night out.

Good luck finding out what your triggers are, if you have any questions ask way, theres loads of help on here x

[Tilly1312 in reply to DAJ76]

Thank you for taking the time to tell me about yourself. I am 50 now and I have never really had a great relationship with food! My symptoms started 3 weeks ago after a really bad bacteria infection in my bowel which started 8 weeks ago. I have had all the blood test, ct scan, ultra sound scan and yesterday a colonoscopy. I feel furtunate that my diagnosis is IBS post infection as my friends sister in law died yesterday of bowel cancer, she was 38. I know now I have IBS it’s going to be a tough journey! I joined a IBS group on FB which has been a great help and has helped me prepare for this. I started my eating plan on Saturday, most of my symptoms either disappeared or significantly reduced. I have been eating free from porridge oats with rice milk, free from rich tea biscuits, mash potatoe tin tuna and carrots, boiled white rice and salmon/chicken and carrots, organic oat biscuits as a snack. I drink about 2 litres of water a day I always drink a mouth full water after 2 mouth fills of food and I drink decaf tea with 2 spoons of sugar and rice milk. I am also taking probiotics as over the last 4 weeks I had 3 coarses of any-biotics. Tomorrow I will start introducing a new food! I’m not sure which one yet! I will be following the FODMAP diet!

[b1b1b1 in reply to Tilly1312]

I am similar to you in that I also have post infectious IBS. It started after a very serious bout of food poisoning. My gastro told me it would eventually go away, however, after about 6 years there is no improvement. I use the FODMAP diet, probiotics and peppermint pills and see the gastro every 4 months.

[Tilly1312 in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes I understand it may never go away and there is so much information out there it's hard to know what is best. I came across one to day who says we can eat almost anything avoiding the high triggers but it's how you eat:- eat small meals eating the fibre food first and don't drink whilst eating, don't let yourself get hungry. I am certainly not my normal self but a lot of my symptoms have improved since following FODMAP, however I have just walked to the corner shop and now I am home I have nausea!

[Tilly1312 in reply to DAJ76]

Sorry I forgot to mention...meditation has been a big part of my life. But while I have been ill over the past 8 weeks I realised I hadn’t meditated for a good 2 years as my life had got very busy. I am now going to make sure that I make time for me 😁

[Bungiecat]

Welcome Tilly I have had IBS for years I find some days I cannot eat others two normal meals then a snack meal my triggers are veg mainly but also I find all meats to be an issue. Try writing a diary of foods for a couple of days and also write your body issues you may find a food which may have been a trigger for you Gail

[Tilly1312 in reply to Bungiecat]

I started a new diet last Saturday which has improved my symptoms. I have been writing a diary like you said, I need to start introducing new foods from tomorrow. I am hoping to see my GP on Monday to get a referral for a dietitian.

[Bungiecat in reply to Tilly1312]

Great I have found that change in diet and using tens machine for two hours a day has helped me as the machine has stopped me reaching for the pain killers Gail

[Tilly1312 in reply to Bungiecat]

Wow I had a tens machine for my labour 20 odd years ago. Fortunately my pain isn’t that bad.