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[Houseofpain]

Hi there, just joined group after having months of IBS- sometimes addressing my diet but mostly given up and depressed around whatever I eat due to the consequences. Drinking a decaf coffee as I write knowing that it will probably have adverse effects. I have this, coupled with other stuff so I have been in pain and discomfort for some time. any advice is welcome. My stomach is constantly bloated out and I feel self conscious and I think I look pregnant - its affecting my self esteem. Everyday is a struggle. Cramping pain, running to the toilet etc. Tried the fodmap at one point but it drove me a bit crazy..so any other advice would equally be welcome.. A shopping list of food that works for you would help, thank you.

[Hidden]

Hello Houseofpain & Welcome

I know what you are going through and regarding the bloating I have learnt how to dress to accommodate if my stomach swells which is not great but at least I don't feel so conscious

Have you tried any medications from your Doctor at all , some find these successful personally I had no luck with them

As for diet I just feel I may have got there when it has the opposite effect , I go from the runs to constipation so never quite sure what foods to eat

If you find your main issue is the runs then I would keep away from anything containing high fibre , I think sometimes it can be about looking at what we are eating , observing if anything is making it worse if so eliminating it from our diet and seeing if it improves again if it does slowly introducing back in out diets and if it effects us yet again we know that is a no !

It can take a while to work this all out , I am still trying and lots of members on here will have better advise but wanted to let you know you are not alone , don't give up hope and you have somewhere you can come and get all your frustration out and talk with others that understand

Take Care x

[Houseofpain in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lulu, thank you for lovely message. Yes I have had meds from my doc- loperamide is what I am using currently and I have been given something else I think beginning with o. Why concerns re fibre are that if I take out veg - fibrous carbs and brown bread, that leaves me with white starchy bread which is what I've been on after a lot of time avoiding it. I have been told by a friend to go gluten free..not sure if I have the will power. Also taking out fibres will probably leave me constipated..Currently I have many issues - physical and mental health and it's all become a bit overwhelming and my food habits are v bad mostly- I can cook , but not inspired enough. I appreciate the support - it's not good that will all suffer with this but at least we understand each other , thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Houseofpain]

Hello

I relate to you , I suffer with severe anxiety which does not help one little bit

Also over Christmas I was never of the toilet , I had upped my Fibre and so cut it back again now today you can guess I have not been able to go to the toilet well not empty my bowels fully till I have had to use a suppository to try and give a helping hand , it feels you just can't win !

I am determined somehow though to find something that works for me as we can tell others what works for us but it does not mean it will have the same impact for them as these bowels have a mind of their own we seem to have

If you need to talk we are about and as well as IBS Community there are some good Mental Health Communities on Health Unlocked to , I go on Living With Anxiety on here so if you need support with your Mental Health come and chat on there to x

[Houseofpain in reply to Hidden]

God, sounds awful and too familiar. I wish there was a simple solution - i guess on some levels it's easier to live with constipation then the reverse as the fear is going and out and worrying out using public toilets- I basically stay in a lot because of this . Thanks for the further info. may check it out . Good to hear you are determined - it's a difficult one - I've radically changed things in the past - currently have no motivation aside from the pain (which is obviously real reason) to do so..

[Hidden in reply to Houseofpain]

Either way is not great is it but I am sure eventually we will find what helps us x

[Houseofpain in reply to Hidden]

Yep. I do hope so x

[Lancs65 in reply to Hidden]

Hi how do you access the living with anxiety section please

[Hidden in reply to Lancs65]

Hello Lancs65

I will pop you the link on

It is a small Community but very friendly

There is also Anxiety support as well as Anxiety & Depression Communities which are larger Communities , I will put the links for all 3 so you can take a look

Hope you are as well as you can be today x

healthunlocked.com/livingwi...

healthunlocked.com/anxietys...

healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

[Lancs65 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot am struggling again to be honest will take a look xx

[Hidden in reply to Lancs65]

Well if you need help you know where we are

If you like a busy Community you would get more replies on the other two but if you prefer quite and just a few Living with Anxiety is just that but everyone is friendly , you could join them all if you like but always someone to listen x

[Lancs65 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for your help x

[Hidden in reply to Lancs65]

My Pleasure x

[Katerina1]

Hello,

It's good you have found this site. There are many ideas and suggestions here as well as supportive people who know what you are going through. I have had awful cramps, diarrhea and constipation for years and find a low fibre diet is the only thing I can cope with. High fibre food plus most fruit results in painful cramps and urgent diarrhea. I eat a small wedge of banana each day, no more than two inches. Citrus fruits and grapes set me off so I avoid those. I think coffee can upset your stomach as well as alcohol. Afraid I stick to weak black tea and water. Eggs upset me too. It's all still very up and down and all desperately dull so I understand why the FODMAP made you feel crazy. I long for the days when I could drink a lovely glass of wine or brandy, eat a curry etc. Different things work for different people though and some on this site recommend high fibre and plenty of fruit.

You don't say whether you have had any of the tests to find out what might be going on such as a colonoscopy. Have you tried imodium or been prescribed codeine to help settle things? Codeine can reduce diarrhea and help with pain at the same time, although it can be constipating.

I know the bloating as well as the pain are just horrible. Other things apart from IBS can cause bloating and should really be looked into by your doctor. SIBO can cause bloating and diarrhea and can be treated with antibiotics. Loose clothing, especially around the abdomen can go a long way to disguise the bloat and is so much more comfortable. Depending on your style it is still possible to look nice. My jeans cling snugly around my behind and legs, but I buy the waistbands too large and adapt with gentle elastic. Good luck.

[Houseofpain in reply to Katerina1]

Thank you for your message . The more I think about this the more I know that when I am ready I have to be radical with my diet. I like coffee but hadn't had much of late till I bought some taylors decaf coffee bags to ry- it tastes great , but like yourself I think it is setting me off and in general has done in the past- it is a diuretic after all. Yep re codeine - can make you constipated plus it conflicts with other meds I'm on. Not heard of SIBO will look it up. The whole thing around loose clothing is difficult-plus I have a tendency to wear tighter fighting clothing underneath with loose clothing on the top- but I wear a lot of synthetics which is not great either. I have had a colonoscopy/endoscopy in the past and I think I am having a meeting about either or both at the end of the month. Currently in a lot of pain - but self sabotaging with all the wrong food due to stress.

[Houseofpain in reply to Katerina1]

*Also been eating a lot of eggs recently and started to think they are affecting me too..

[Eliana5 in reply to Houseofpain]

I think eggs are constipating. I love omelettes and scrambled eggs..but I try to have a few vegetables mixed in..such as a "Western or veggie Omelette..

[Eliana5 in reply to Katerina1]

Be careful with Black tea..as I heard this is not very good for you. I found this information on reputable web sites..such as mayoclinic.com, Cleveland clinic website or I just googled "black tea and safety concerns"..

[Katerina1 in reply to Eliana5]

Thanks for checking it out Eliana5. I looked up dangers of black tea too - a bit scary. I only drink two cups a day though and so weak it's hardly more than hot water. So many things can damage us! Hope you are having a good week.

[Eliana5 in reply to Katerina1]

Yes, that is very true..keep us posted on how you are coming along..

[Eastbourne11]

Hi have you IBS D? If you have and tried the FODMAP diet without reading the book, then that could be your prpblem. The diet is very easy, and you can eat most things on it such as steak and chips, stews, most vegetables, pizzas etc. I do feel for you, I know what it is like to not know when you are next going to be seized by the desire to rush to the toilet. I had many accidents and used to clutch at straws trying to work out what caused the problem. I have been on the diet ( more a way of eating) for a year now and am "normal" again. Good luck

[Eliana5 in reply to Eastbourne11]

I have heard you should be on the FODMAP for a short time only as it can be very limitating. Was told this by several Gastros..

[grufjones]

Good advice there from Eastbourne11.

If your suffering is as you describe seek some support from a Dietitian on fodmap. It works for 70% of sufferers. You should not assume that because you didn't make it work without dietitian support that it would not solve things with the rigor a dietitian would bring.

The main thing with giving fodmap a go is having the support so that you can enjoy your new diet whilst it's restrictive and then bring back some food groups as you personalise it to your sensitivities.

[Eliana5 in reply to grufjones]

It should only be used for a short time., as FODMAP very limited on what foods you can eat. Was told this by several Gastros..

[grufjones in reply to Eliana5]

As with any profession, there are differences in view.

The materials I was given indicate that whilst low FODMAP diet is quite a complex approach and it is important that you receive good quality advice about how to follow the different stages. A registered dietitian, preferably one with experience of educating people on the low FODMAP diet, will help you to follow it carefully. He/she will ensure you follow a healthy balanced diet by providing you with ideas for suitable low FODMAP alternatives. You can ask your GP or gastroenterologist (gut specialist) to refer you to a registered dietitian who is trained in the low FODMAP approach. Although in the case you mention, if they hold a difference in view, that solution may not be presented.

[Eliana5 in reply to grufjones]

I see a dietician monthly as I lost a severe amount of weight, and just now gaining it back..so I am almost at a healthy weight now. I asked her about the FODMAP, and I got a firm "NO!!"..dang..😳

[Lulububs]

Hey

I have had years of this problem... years and years i cant remember a day i never had a stomach ache, even my mum thinks the first words i learnt werent mum or dad it was belly!!! Which was my way of saying it hurt...

All through my school days i remember having gut ache all day and thinking why cant i poop or why cant i fart, i just couldnt ever go!!!

Now 44 years old and after a bad trip to a&e and having 2 weeks of impaction the sheer embarrasment of it all i paid to see a gastro and naturopath as i was never having another trip to a&e and explaing to a really young good looking dr i couldnt poo and seeing his face when i told him for two weeks!!!😳

So i had a intolerance test which at top was gluten. Plus i had a poop test which showed bad bacteria( candida) so i went home that day and changed my whole diet... no processed food, no sugar( for 8 weeks) no yeast, no gluten...

Within 2 weeks i could poop EVERYDAY!!!

My stomach stopped bloating. I HAD NO BELLY PAIN and could fart!!! It was amazing.

That was 18 months ago and have never looked back!

Seriously i cannot tell u how well i feel. I have also lost 2 stone. My hair nails and skin look amazing.

Mayb it time u looked at trying some intolerance problems. Mayb try eating no gluten for two weeks... or no dairy...

My friends found out hers was dairy and she has totally cut it out and says same as me she feels fantastic.

Also i fill my gut with happy tablets 😊, so probiotics, peppermint tabs, digestive enzymes... just so my gut stays nice and healthy

[Lolabuny1 in reply to Lulububs]

Hi I have also suffered many years with ibs c and slow transit constipation but also have type 1 diabetes and fibromyalgia which doesn't help one little bit. I have thought about processed foods and whether I could be intolerant to some things. I might try what you did good info👌

[Marygulliford in reply to Lulububs]

Agree with happy tabs, and less high fibre like sprouts and cabbage. Small portions of food is also a must.

[Houseofpain in reply to Lulububs]

Wow ! Sounds like you went through/ had to go through a lot to get to where you are now - amazing ! you must be very proud of yourself..

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Are you still on the Rhubarb complex? Is it still helping. Can I ask what type of magnesium and what strengh?

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

I'm going to get my courage up and try the 400 (or three capsules) of the Magnesium Citrate..on a day I don't have group..did it give you the runs at first? I think I would be in so much pain if I took citrate, probiotics and digestive enzymes in one day..😳

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

No u wouldnt coz there all for different things.

A probiotic is to put good bacteria in ur stomach so these shouldnt effect u toilet wise.

The digestive enzymes are to break down fatty or hard to digest food again these will make no diff to goin to toilet.

I only use the mag or rhub for toilet reasons and that only to make sure I go everyday or i get constipated really quick.

So the others are more for gut health issues to deal With food and health. Not toilet

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Thank you. With so many digestive enzmes out there and Probiotics that can Be pricey..it's hard to know which one I should get that has no milk (constipating) in it..

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Thing is ur in america so any ones i get are from a uk high street.

There not overly expensive and they last me months

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Okay..I may try VSL #3..

[sweetsusie]

My doctor prescribed to me Welchol or Colestipol. Both are the same, except WElchol is cheaper over here in the States. Both drugs stopped my chronic diarrhea in it's ugly tracks! Please tell your doctor to let you try either one of these...you will not be sorry....

[Houseofpain]

The thing is I'm on a fair amount of meds as it is - and currently I feel like I could open up a chemist- after the last few days I was wondering whether I should try going on diet drinks with no sweeteners or something as I've jus spent a whole load of money on a weekly shop and due to all the fodmap possibilities I took loads out of the basket and have ended up with some chicken and not sure where all the dosh went ! Mainly on non food related stuff. I'm frustrated that I feel I can't eat anything without side effects so ended ordering out a burger and chips - remembering that someone on here wrote steak and chips is ok ! I've been making homemade chicken soup this week which was kind of the plan - but not does contain veg so, probably too much fibre.