My Years with IBS

Just discovered this forum and joined. I have had stomach issues from a very young age, about 6 but, was diagnosed with IBS in my thirties over 40 years ago. In the beginning, I used to get violent bouts of diarrhoea that would hit me whilst still eating a meal. It was so embarrassing that I hated eating out. I had the most dreadful times. Over the years I’ve learnt that certain foods were the trigger, especially green vegetables, which I never eat now. These days I rarely get diarrhoea, but tend to suffer more with bouts of low stomach cramps, pain, wind, bloating, generally feeling uncomfortable and occasional constipation.

Certain foods such as breakfast cereals containing jumbo oats, some breads, too much toast, pastry, batter can trigger a bout, or just taking too much fibre in a day. I can eat and love porridge, but if I use jumbo oats I am doubled up by mid morning!

Stress and anxiety goes straight to my stomach too.

I have tried numerous probiotics but some made no difference, others made me worse, and by trial and error, I have narrowed it down to Solgar multi billion dophilus as the best for me. Doesn’t stop my bouts totally but this does seem to help me with less frequent flair ups.

At the beginning of a flair up I take Colpermin for a day or two, which seem to calm the stomach, although I understand that not everyone can take peppermint oil.

If it continues I switch to the usual prescription stuff, but even this does not always help much. I just have to let it sort itself out over time. I have not found prescription medicine much more effective than my Colpermin, but try, in hope!

I wish I could give everyone some wonderful advice, but there is no easy solution from my long experience as an IBS sufferer. Watching your diet by avoiding known triggers, not overeating, exercise and keeping your weight down seem to be the main factors that do help.

I also strongly recommend avoiding any tight clothing around the waist, like tight jeans and belts. Braces are far better for stomach comfort.

The FODMAP diet is an option, I sort of half follow it, in that I have a rough idea, but I don’t check everything, that’s too much for me, but it is worth looking at.

One thing I have discovered over the years is that many people suffer with IBS, but don’t like to talk about it, a bit like piles!

[sweetsusie]

There are Welchol and Colestipol for chronic diarrhea, which I had for years and years. These both work wonderfully! They are miracle drugs for diarrhea. See if your doctor will prescribe one or the other for you...they'll work!

[Hidden in reply to sweetsusie]

I do try to find the cause of my problems, rather than relying on meds if I can. Fortunately, I seem to have conquered my IBS D. I found it fairly eady to work out my triggers as my bowel would react more or less immediately if I ate the wrong thing. Now I am more prone to IBS C, but as there seems to be a longer delay before a reaction, it is not always quite so easy to work out the cause. That said, i have a good idea, just get caught out occadionally.

[lucy_7454]

hi I have an ileostomy and have been told to leave fiber alone completely its sounds to me like maybe you need to do this, you know the stuff brown bread, brown rice, certain fruits, Weetabix, (I can only eat cornflakes now for breakfast). Its just an idea maybe give it a go and see how you get on, I wish you the best

[Hidden in reply to lucy_7454]

I cant eat some cereals, especially with jumbo oats. Weetabix is fine, a regular breakfast for me. I do try to limit the fibre, just occasionally get caught out, mainly because I think I will be OK. Not so!!, The other night a sweet potato doubled me up!! Silly me.