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SELF INFLICTED IBS

torcol profile image
52 Replies

After voluntarily seeking a great psychologist I can almost diagnose myself.

I had the worst IBS ever, for many, many years I have suffered, lost jobs, missed out on vacations, get togethers, shopping and living in general.

My physician suggested I speak with a psychologist regarding my extreme anxiety issues. I have medical and social anxiety. This I knew but could not control. After a horrible year in 2014 it escalated to the point I was scared. After losing my job and multiple ER trips I decided I could no longer live that way.

My entire life I have been a perfectionist. My house, yard and car are spotless, not one hair out of place, I will throw out a dinner and start again if it doesn’t taste to my satisfaction and I could go on and on. All of this because of what others may think of me? Or is it what I WANT them to think of me? Why couldn’t I be like friends I knew that could care less about the dishes, laundry or what they look like at least they are enjoying life!

I scrolled through my childhood, teens and adult life and found that I am a control freak and a perfectionist. Guess what?

I had to make some heavy duty lifestyle changes, retrain my brain and put myself first!

Life for the last two years has been like starting over as a “normal” human being!!! I am shopping, going on trips, visiting and dining out.

Oh I still have IBS I just don’t fabricate things that “could” happen and I don’t worry if they do. Life is too short too worry about what people I don’t even know think about me. IBS does not define me it’s just a small, minuscule part of me, no one is perfect and every single person out there is walking around with their own problems (many much worse).

I know this is long but in closing: Going to a psychologist for five or six visits was an eye opener because he simply asks questions and you come up with the answers. It’s amazing what I already knew!! I cause my IBS with anxiety, I am the only one that can control that. Drugs only heighten my anxiety. I started this and made myself sick so it only goes to say that I too can reverse it and have!!!! I hope this can help just one person out there that is suffering and needlessly missing out on life. It’s all a state of mind, please do whatever it takes to enjoy the short time we have here on this earth!

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torcol
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52 Replies

Wow. Thanks 4 the encouragement!

Micro profile image
Micro in reply to

So good at to read such an upbeat post, thanks.

Ref Chronic Pain sufferers;

Also, not specifically about IBS, but maybe linked for some people are the theories that we can our selves alter the pain pathways in our brain.

There is an NHS pilot scheme in Yorkshire right now I am just investigating.

sirpauk.com is a link hopefully.

Good luck all !

Great post, I suffer with IBS D slightly, I am well aware I can trigger the symptoms myself by worrying if I have to travel where’s the nearest toilet and the thoughts roll on from there, I haven’t been to see any Psychologist but I know we have to accept that we are only human and if we need the loo or have wind etc you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do.

I also have slight OCD and strive for perfection in life, I guess that’s the problem when you try and transfer that obsession to your bowl, there’s no such thing as a perfect bowl or needing the toilet at a set time each day.

I admire your approach to your life style and you finding the inner you. However irritable bowel syndrome might be due to other causes you never realised. I had IBS but without the psychology profile that you described. I am over 70 and this year I had food intolerance tests. To my dismay I had a multi grain allergy and dairy, eggs and banana.

There is a new test in the UK run by Alphega chemists, which is a smart test with a finger prick test with the results back in an hour. 65foods are tested for. Other medication can control and target the involuntary colon muscle, which is not under your conscious control. Fibre gel flavoured products with vitamin c which absorb the water in your colon

may help you function normally and give you your life back. The medication I tried has no side effects that I know of. (Merbeverine)

You can look it up on drugs.com with a leaflet, or online info. Think you should aim

for the optimal level of health with the help of non toxic medication, and checking your diet for foods which may cause the symptoms you sometimes experience. Glad you are better!

in reply to

Just to bring a personal perspective to this, and some encouragement, I had fructose and chemical intolerance for years, and I don't any more. The important question is, why do you have these allergies, when did they start, and why? Has your doctor looked into leaky gut as a potential cause? And have you been tested for Sibo and Candida? If the lining of your intestine is damaged, it can repair itself under the right conditions.

I would mention this to your GI specialist.

Hope this helps,

Alison

in reply to

That's a great reply. Where we live is an area where NHS cuts and research is scant.

I have found it's been a trial and error pathway. I did not want to accept that cheese and milk, cream and dairy were food intolerances. Every time I go on the cheese, unless I have lactose free cheese, and only eat a small amount, I have problems.

As I have chronic sinus conditions, I found that cutting down on dairy has improved catarrh, and mucus. I also take antihistamines as I have rhinitis.

I also did research and discovered my cups and loo were black rimmed from drinking tea with tannins. So I have cut out tea, and only drink a small amount of coffee occasionally. I also used to eat rice loving Chinese meals - as soon as I gave up the rice and wheat battered products I was better. I did have a couple of bouts of hyperactive thyroid years ago, and think it might have gone slow as I could not lose weight. Since giving up all those grain foods, I no longer experience the bloating, and discomfort, so know that these symptoms are part of my immune system reacting and rejecting the foods.

Expect you have read Isabella Wentz books and articles, where she claims certain conditions such as Hashimoto's can be helped by removing the allergens from

the system. She is a multi grain intolerance sufferer herself. It is only slowly being recognised in the Uk that food intolerances can damage your colon, such as in celiac disease with gluten and that if you have one autoimmune, you may very well have more than one disease.

My weight is stable even though I might eat potatoes,

root vegetables and I have lost two and a half stone over less than a year.

Any information on how your gut was able to heal would be useful. I don't have

stomach acid problems with fruit fructose but stick to apricots and apples, and the berry fruits. You have chemical intolerance but no longer have this? That's unusual as I have ammonia, chlorine, known intolerance - if these chemicals are put down the loo or sinks I can sniff them and can find my throat tingling and my eyes watering.

I have other chemical allergies too to certain floor cleaners and scents. Do you get hay fever? Thanks about the info on Candida, and having a Sibo test. Certainly a yeast free and sugar free diet has helped candida.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

I find more and more that no matter what the culprit is it’s different for each person as are the symptoms of IBS. Mine seems minor in comparison to others.

I hope you can find something that helps you. With allergies and IBS it makes a bad combination. My best to you for a complete turnaround and future happiness

bburzycki profile image
bburzycki

I would say for many of us, especially after battling symptoms for years of chronic issues it takes something to break that snowball of issues upon issues and fail upon fail. When that point is reached it is about having the power and drive to make the choice that is the best for you and then possibly curing yourself. Finding a different point of view you trust or grabbing onto something that allows you to heal is key. That key is different for most of us.

in reply to bburzycki

I totally agree with you. In takes courage - or in my case I felt I had come to the end of the line.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to bburzycki

Well said Bburzycki and may you find that calming place and snuggle in it!

bigbunbun3 profile image
bigbunbun3

Hi torcol, thank you so much for your post. It is very encouraging. I to, every day (with the giudence of a hypnotherapist), am trying to heal my body as a whole. Thinking positive and trying to relax. I to am a perfectionist, not a good trait for IBS and anxiety.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to bigbunbun3

You can get to your happy place!!! Positive thinking vs negative is a wonderful place to start. You will begin to see and feel what triggers the IBS and how to deal with it. Best to you!!!

ELAGABALVS profile image
ELAGABALVS

I hear you! I have IBS-D. my problem is corporate capitalism and people like Trump who have a total disregard for ordinary people (except for the super-wealthy). I have been living on a paltry income called SSI due to my intestinal issues. Many people put me in two boxes because of SSI: 1. mental issues, 2. Tetraplexia. I have nether. I have a functional medical disorder. Not paraplegia or some psychotic issue. But still I face daily discrimination and frequent bouts of uncontrollable and sometimes violent diarrhoea episodes, and indeed, that is no help whatsoever!

Therefore I have (at least to me) no other option but to in my case find a new stage, new set of props, and a new script. I am either going down under to Aus/NZ or back home to Europe i.e. Russia or Switzerland (I was born in Russia, but adopted from Switzerland to America (when it was still America and not Trumpland)! I need the change, I need to be around civilised people. Even the Netherlands and Scandinavia is high on my list. Being around CIVILISED and tolerant people is very important to me, I can no longer find that in intolerant sexist, homophobic, ageist, and racialist barbaric and backward Trumpland.

I really for myself need a 'Neustart' (Ger. restart) for my life. I have things to do such as founding a not-for-profit education and promotional org dealing with the dire need to electrify ALL forms of transport, ground, aviation and maritime (plus the responsible means to produce this electricity). The time is overdue and I MUST do my small part in saving the very biosphere we all depend on for our very survival, not just for humans, but ALL life on this planet -- or if we continue on this current heading -- WE ALL DIE! That to me is NOT AN OPTION!

I sincerely wish you luck in your endeavours, but this is how I am trying to resolve the boredom, lack of accomplishment, bigotry presented to me, and the need to be networking with NICE people (There are indeed some nice folk in Trumpland, but unfortunately everyday that has become increasingly more of a minority, and that is so sad! My choice is a total change in venue!

I wish you well in your endeavours as well.

Shalom!

Kolja (Nickolaos)

in reply to ELAGABALVS

Hi Kolja - you have had enough. All this ill health must be so stressful for you. I sympathise with your point of view but even if you avoid the stress of moving it still may not pin down the real cause of the IBS. If you have a more serious condition linked with the intestines, such as celiac and other problems such as diverticulitis, Krohn's disease

it is the diagnosis of the problem which is necessary.

I can only explain as I did to Torcol that there are other reasons for IBS such as autoimmune disease which can cause problems with your colon and your digestion. These include as you know pernicious anaemia which is caused by a

B12 deficiency and lowers iron absorption. Celiac disease too with the use of

gluten found in every wheat product on most shelves, can damage the colon, and the thyroid. There are drugs which can target the colon itself stopping the pain

and spasm, and stop the symptoms of IBS which are so severe under intense stress they can be totally exhausting. I was diagnosed with a bowel bladder disorder with IBS, and took merbeverine a drug with no side effects along with

firbregel, The symptoms were greatly helped by these medications with no side effects, but it was not until this year I found I had autoimmune disease with multi grain allergy with wheat rye barley rice maize which are often added to foods without our knowledge. I also had dairy egg allergies unknown for years. I also have type 2 diabetes another autoimmune disease. By a radical removal of all these foods and drinks from my diet - eg barley in beer, malt in vinegar, and in mayonnaise, rye, mixed with other ingredients in processed food - my problem has improved greatly. I don't take the drug any more but just use the fibregel in flavours orange and lemon, or which can be sprinkled over cereal such as porridge. I have managed to keep my diabetes under control by removing all those foods which were making me blow up and caused discomfort.

You could check for gluten intolerance as a starter, and then screen out B12 deficiency. I also hope you can find a drug such as merberverine which

can target the colon which is not under your conscious control. Even if you change your lifestyle and cut down the anxiety your colon will not be under voluntary control so going to a therapist may not help at all. You are a brave person - hope you get to the root of

that bowel problem. Your future might be brighter if you can adjust your diet and find out about gluten intolerance and B12 deficiency. If you can't get the right tests you can't find the right answers.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to ELAGABALVS

I’m not sure what Trump has to do with a medical disorder such as IBS or how this could possibly be the contributing factor. In any case I hope you find the comfort you need, wherever that may be. The best to you in your travels

Lilguts14 profile image
Lilguts14 in reply to ELAGABALVS

How can a post about IBS become political? People have had ibs when Obama and bush and all the presidents before them...the industrial revolution birthed capitalism. He cares about the middle class but that’s not my point many of us have stressful lives regardless of being poor or wealthy and many of us with ibs don’t cope as well as others. I hope you get relief and I want nothing but peace in your life but blaming people who don’t have anything to do for our problems isn’t positive for our body or gut.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to Lilguts14

I agree, thank you Lilguts14

Wasn’t sure where that reply was going nor how IBS became political?

in reply to ELAGABALVS

I looked at an earlier post which mentioned you had been diagnosed with a rare amoeba infection. When you talk about your difficulties now are they separate from your bowel

infection? As you have weight loss as part of your symptoms, I would suggest that may be other tests should be done for hyperactive thyroid. My dad developed these symptoms in his nineties and was discovered to have Graves disease. He also had problems with rare urinary tract infections and pneumonia which were helped with Ciproxen antibiotics.

I too had Graves disease, but it was never treated with drugs which can be toxic.

The symptoms of diorrhea and heart flutter were misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression and was give drugs for a psychiatric condition which I did not have, but the symptoms were treated with an antipsychotic drug which gave me drug induced hepatitis.

Drugs such as mbervine helped me with all the same symptoms as I knew I had some bowel problem since childhood. It is so confusing when there might be several problems going on which can be wrongly diagnosed. Your job and life have been compromised.

Is there any chance of another opinion on your symptoms and medication which only targets the colon, such as meberverine and does not have drowsy side effects.

in reply to ELAGABALVS

Hi Elagabalvs - I studied physical therapy - and two years at the Royal Free School of Medicine studying anatomy physiology, neurology, at London University and worked in rehab many years ago. As you seem to be have electrical engineering knowledge do you think TENS treatment or PEFT portable machines could help your IBS?

There are portable tens units which are small recommended by the FDA.

You can find a list of the best ten units for Tens online. Nature-gate.com shows an article on how TENS can be used to help IBS which looks straightforward. Tens machines can be

under 60 dollars. The PEFT pulsed electronic mats look really interesting. An online friend says she has been recommended them. Biomat.com are selling a new one with amythest

crystals which can direct the therapy through 7 inches of tissue. Your feedback would be of interest.

Hi there,

That was such a refreshing post! So much self-awareness in there. Thought you might resonate with this article: sickofibs.com/well-being/ib...

Alison:)

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

Thank you for the link, more informative. It mirrors just what I thought!

A further thought:

What intrigues me is that you still have IBS. This means that you didn't quite get to the bottom of all that and identify the deep roots keeping your IBS alive. This article may be of interest: sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Or you did, but haven't quite rewired them.

Do keep going because you are on the right path and so close. This can be done!

Alison

torcol profile image
torcol

I believe that I will have IBS forever. I have had it for 40 plus years. I don’t think IBS goes away but I think it can be better controlled. IBS has many faces, some feel better on food restrictions, some on medications, some with psychology. I personally refuse to be diet restricted or side effected by meds. Life is too short to eat a bland, boring diet. In life the one thing to look forward to daily is food. What is life if we all take meds and more meds to counter side effects of the first and so forth, don’t enjoy food, don’t leave the house, don’t smoke, don’t drink anything fizzy or acidic etc....

My theory and this is just me is to live a normal life, enjoy the food, drink the soda, smoke the cigarettes, go out, stop worrying, be myself and remember that no two people are the same. What may calm the lion in one person may awaken it in others. I am in a happy, content place, IBS is within me and always will be, we just learn to get along together!

Thank you for the article!

in reply to torcol

Hi Torcol I was like you - I had the beastly IBS for over 50 years . I do not consider

that IBS is a self inflicted problem. You have found a stress free lifestyle and lower expectations have helped your condition. As you say everyone is different.

IBS cannot be a self inflicted condition because your brain cannot control involuntary muscle, or the parasympathetic nervous system. The mind over matter theory is helpful

in as much as a more relaxed lifestyle may cut down the anxiety trigger but even when you might feel calm and happy you might have an attack. This is due to the involuntary muscle going into spasm You don't have to give up your way of eating or drinking to get relief from the condition as the drug merbeverine can be used with alcohol and what ever

you are eating. It relaxes the muscle and can be used symptomatically. Fibregel drinks

are made from a natural husk, which can stop the runs and the constipation. You can buy the fibre gel flavour gels over the counter in the Uk. An attack can be handled with a few days on painkillers such as co codomol. I tried this on recommendation from pharmacist when ordinary paracetomol did not touch the pain. If you can get advice from your pharmacist locally you might find it helpful. I am so much better that after two years of rocky health, I went swimming in the summer, and enjoyed every minute of the long hot summer despite having to keep out of the sun. I am grateful for the medication which certainly did not make me feel sick. I am very wary of tablets and medicines so thinking about taking something might make you feel anxious! Oh dear! It's a never ending pattern of analysing everything before you take the plunge.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

I am so happy that you have found something that has helped you!!! Congratulations

As for myself I do believe that the mind and gut are connected ( in a matter of speaking). I believe that even subconsciously we can make ourselves sick. For example: great day, laughing, having a good time when suddenly something bad happens, let’s say you almost get hit by a car. Immediately your heart races, gutvturns and you feel just sick, even if only for a second or two minutes. The effect is still the same, your brain reacted and caused the body to feel sick. They are finding thru more and more research that there is connection between the two and I can say with certainty that it has effected me negatively and now positively. I sure don’t knock what might work for others. I just choose a positive lifestyle and it works for me.

Continued success on your venture to relief, please keep me updated.

in reply to torcol

Yep you are right in everything you say - when you have a shock your adrenalin levels may rise - but the colon is about 22 two foot long. If you have urgent bowel syndrome it is an embarrassing condition, so that's where I've found the fibregel which is not synthetic, and the drug maxalon or colofac, which only targets your intestine muscle which is smooth and oblique. You won't get brain fog or feel you are on a tranquiliser . You can enjoy your lifestyle and can find that the problem is helped within a few days. Think you are amazing to have helped yourself . May be there is a different way of treating your condition in the US with your physician. I only saw a young up to date trained doctor - he changed my life.

bigbunbun3 profile image
bigbunbun3

I have been on the path of food resriction for many years, it is sole destroying to go out for a meal and there is hardly any thing on the menu I dare eat. I am going to begin enjoying my meals out now, eat what I like, and have a nice time, instead of pondering over the menu and being miserable worrying about the food upsetting me 🤗 so pleased you posted torcol, you have made me feel so positive. Keep well xx

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to bigbunbun3

Thank you bigbunbun3

I have found that if I go out and sit there thinking it will cause diarrhea or stomach ache, it most definitely will. If I leave home thinking I might have a problem, I will, if I worry what others think, I’m only hurting me. I refuse to live for what some stranger may think of me or fearing what I may think of myself. I now live in the moment, for me and if I have a need to make a public bathroom run who cares, I’m the only one suffering, not them. I don’t fear anything anymore because IBS won’t kill me it’s just irritating. The holidays are coming and I’m gonna eat, drink and be merry, the rest be damned

bigbunbun3 profile image
bigbunbun3 in reply to torcol

Hi torcol, ditto 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Have you tried Mintec which is a slow release mint formulation which is not a drug but is very effective. Sure your chemist/pharmacist will give you advice about an occasional attack and how to manage it. It is also useful to know that certain minerals such as magnesium and potassium can help muscle cramps in the body including the bowel.

Milk of magnesia, or magnesium carbonate in Rennies, plus eating a banana with potassium can help leg cramps within s few minutes. Tonic water containing quinine is also useful for cramp. Quinine is prescribed for muscle cramps but it's cheaper to drink some.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

My gastroenterologist stated that mint can actually be worse for the stomach. I new this to be true but he confirmed it for me. My physician had told me thisvtoo. I don’t do mint at all and noticed the few times I did a mint or gum my stomach would burn and churn. I take nothing at all. I work primarily on controlling negativity and have found it to be ninety percent effective. But thank you for the advice.

in reply to torcol

That's a sign of a food intolerance - you might have many more.

You know what's best for you. Cheers.

Oh wow, what an amazing post and thank you so much for sharing. You are so so right, it's us that control on how we feel a lot of the time. I have Emetophobia (fear of being sick but mainly a fear of tummy bugs and that I will catch one) but have started sessions with a CBT Therapist and I can feel it working, although it'll take time it's going to work, I know it is. Someone said to me only today, if you get a tummy bug, what's the worse than can happen? Precisely, I'm not going to die am I? Hence my IBS tends to be so much better when I am relaxed.

Here's to a bright future without the worry - bring it on. :)

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

Way to go! You’ve got this. Our minds are strong, if we can make ourselves miserable it only goes to say that we can make ourselves content and happy. My mom always says “ you can choose to wake up and be happy or choose to be miserable” Happy is easier and more fulfilling. She’s soooooo right

in reply to torcol

Thank you and totally agree, it's only ourselves that can make us happy. Yes I will beat this.

Thank you for the encouragement.😀

Audy profile image
Audy

I have found the same as you that it can be controlled by your own mind as well as some types of food to help.But i have noticed that i get symptoms then if i can consentrate on something it goes off,just something that will stop you focusing on I B S and it gets better,i am in the process of getting it under control and a lot of the discomfort is with Bloating that is very troublesome,i just keep plodding on trying to find the best way forward.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to Audy

I’m so glad to hear you are working at it. It is so worth it to be in a good place with just not thinking about it. Almost eliminates the problem.

in reply to Audy

Have been plodding for over 50 years … why?

Merth83 profile image
Merth83

I am very similar, though I wouldn't call myself a perfectionist by any means. I have medical and social anxiety and my IBS is definitely affected by both. In the middle of a horrible work day IBS flareup, have spent half the morning running to the bathroom. I recently started taking CBD oil which has helped a lot with my health anxiety. Days like today are hard though, all I want to do is go home to the comfort of my own bathroom. Thank you for sharing your story, gives me hope on a crappy day :)

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to Merth83

I know first hand that when working I would always start worrying before I even leave. Thinking what if I can’t run when I need to, what if I’m with a customer, what if I don’t make it. That’s the anxiety that I had to rid myself of because I was setting myself up for the very bathroom trips I was trying to avoid! It’s mind over matter for sure. Good luck, I’m sure you can overcome this😀

in reply to Merth83

Hi Merth - had the same as you - food intolerances were the main cause of my IBS. Since removing them from my diet, I have improved considerably.

I went to Alphega pharmacy, and had a test for 65 foods and substances present in drinks. People say they don't want to avoid foods as it will spoil their quality of life but luckily there are substitutes for dairy allergies - and you can replace

foods with other foods. I have found lentil pasta, houmous, and other seeds and grains and vegetables and oils can be used. It took about a day to notice the difference as I was always eating wheat which is in bread cakes and confectionery

and also normal milk and cheese. Since giving up all the things listed on the test whether they were meant to be mild or not I no longer revolve my life around the loo. I can go out for several hours without worrying. It is because there is no immediate information on the subject of food intolerances in the public domain which makes it hard to track the cause of your discomfort. If I had known about these food intolerances I would have had good health all my life instead of waiting until I was 70 until a friend gave me the test as a present.!

Merth83 profile image
Merth83 in reply to

I was diagnosed with IBS in 2014. Since then I've tried eliminating all sorts of things from my diet. I have a slight sensitivity to milk, but other than that I haven't been able to find any specific food triggers. What triggers an IBS flareup one day might not trigger another one the next 5 times I have it. I don't eat much dairy, switched recently to Lactaid (lactose free milk) for the random occasions I want or need milk. I don't buy a lot of processed foods, don't eat a lot of bread or other gluten rich foods. The vast majority of meals I cook from scratch and keep pretty bland. Chicken, venison, fish, turkey, veggies, fruit, etc. I wish I had a specific food trigger that I could just avoid, would make it a lot easier.

in reply to Merth83

How about rye barley rice maize corn flour - how about banana or other fruit. That's how I was about food not knowing what foods were affecting me - even drinks with malt in them or barley such as beer, malt vinegar,

or milk - you can be allergic to casein in ordinary milk. Luckily I was not allergic to casein so I have changed to lactose free milk. That does not mean you might not have an allergy to whey in the milk. That's why the smart test which takes minutes and comes back with computer results is brilliant. The pharmacist finds out about your problem, and will tell you that stress is a major cause, but finding out those trigger foods does help.

The test is under £71 - and it's the best present I've ever had!

Merth83 profile image
Merth83 in reply to

I eat rice occasionally, cook with flour occasionally. By occasionally I mean like once or twice a month. No issues there. I rarely eat bananas, usually stick to strawberries, apples, etc. I rarely drink alcohol of any kind anymore. Used to be a beer girl. I live in the US, not sure where I would be able to get a test like that. Went to a crazy new age nutritionist earlier this year, she would hold bags of random food items up to my chest, then have me hold my arm out straight. She claimed if she was able to press down on my arm, I had a sensitivity to that food.

b1b1b1 profile image
b1b1b1 in reply to Merth83

My doctor sent me to a medical nutritionist for help with the fodmap diet. She told me not to drink beer. I said that I usually drink one light bottle of beer a day because for me it seems to calm my stomach. She said many patients have told her the same thing. Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

Maureen1958 profile image
Maureen1958 in reply to b1b1b1

Hi b1b1b1, when my IBS started just over 30 years ago when I was in my late twenties and going through a divorce, I often went out to the pub after work with the others who were going through relationship problems. I found then that by the time I had two or three whiskey and cokes, I was starting to feel better (I would often drink up to 10 in a night). But once life settled down and I got married again, I cut down my alcohol intake and then when my son was born, hardly touched a drop, one would be my maximum. But now, if and when I drink alcohol, it makes no difference. I don't know if that is because the IBS has really taken control of my body or I am not drinking enough alcohol.

in reply to Merth83

ha! There are companies that may do allergy tests online - blue horizon

is one. Some do thyroid tests and vitamin level tests. Will look up some leads.

in reply to Merth83

Hi Mertha - as you don't seem to have a consistent response when exposed to foods which might trigger you off, it may be the stress at times

which sets off a response in your gut. However if you want to find out about food intolerance tests you can buy online self testing kits.

I looked at several outline home testing kits. One from Amazon.com which screens for 64 food intolerances, might be useful. The other two tests which look ok is a test on Foodmarble which is a breath test with an app on your smart phone. It comes with good recommendations from the BBC

as a guide as to what your intestinal functions are doing, showing food intolerances. It is on offer for £125 dollars. The other one looks more expensive. It is called the Pinner Test. It does not tell you the price but it is over 345 dollars I think.

There are other causes of intestinal problems. There are interesting online articles on line by Dr Isabella Wentz who in her search for a diet to help

her IBS and her thyroid discovered she had autoimmune disease with inflammatory responses to her intestines. As your diet sounds very similar

to the Paleo diet she recommends as one diet to help the colon, may be this would be of interest. Thyroid conditions can affect the gut and other body organs. Gastro enterology research on celiac disease shows how your gut may be affected. Research usually centres round gluten. Dairy and eggs are known food intolerances. There are a lot of useful websites on celiac disease. I like the article thyroidpharmacist,com/common questions about thyroid. I think reading other articles such as Dr Wentz will give you a different perspective on your condition. I suppose health care is expensive and a trip to your doctor and tests can be expensive.

Other information I have found interesting is that large doses of vitamin c can help your adrenals, and your thyroid gland. Thyroid Unlocked is a useful website, as people experience so many different symptoms which can affect other parts of the body with hormone imbalance. Take care.

in reply to Merth83

An article thepatientceliac.com celiac disease and multiple intolerances is interesting - it has helped me understand I am not alone with these food intolerances - they are not self inflicted- I am not to blame for my own condition and should not be judged accordingly. IBS is awful .

People think it is their fault and the affect on peoples lives is devastating.

The list of food intolerances in the article gives an insight into foods which can affect you. Other environmental factors can alter your body chemistry too.

No need to reply.

torcol profile image
torcol in reply to

I am so happy to hear that you are not inflicting this disease upon yourself. I hope that you can find and avoid the food triggers that cause harm and feel better on a daily basis. For myself the IBS is self inflicted thru anxiety and stress that I inflict upon myself thru the anxiety. For others it may be lactose, intentional disorders, gluten, or any number of awful conditions. I have found my trigger, you have found yours and I hope anyone suffering with this disorder can find theirs too.

My best to you

in reply to torcol

Thank you Torcol. Patients may have this condition for many years and are never referred for celiac disease. Gluten and dairy and B12 deficiency, and ferritin levels

might be standard tests after referral, but most people don't know you have to visit your GP three times before you can be referred . As research is behind the USA, the gluten test might come up in red lights but wheat, rye barley maize and rice to name some grains, may not be tested for, so the symptom so IBS may continue. I found the article thepatientceliac.com Celiac

Disease Multiple Food Intolerances helpful. I agree that cognitive behavioural therapy is helpful to many.

alicemarsh profile image
alicemarsh

Good to hear your encouraging post.

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