Reversing IBS

[realmalteser]

Hi. As far as I remember, the first symptoms I noticed were 5 years ago but only diagnosed as an IBD sufferer one year ago. My specialist excluded any other serious matters following a colonoscopy.

My life changed to the better as from the first day I fodmapped my diet. I started regaining control of my life. For the first few months I was very strict on my FODMAP diet and it worked brilliantly, my physical and mental ailments were almost completely gone.

I was happy to remain on the diet for my well being and FODMAP wasn't difficult to stick to as my wife is very supportive and we are very creative in the kitchen.

After regaining stability I kept thinking what could have been any cause or causes that triggered and if it was at all possible to reverse my situation and again become partly or fully FODMAP tolerant.

I would love to know whether anyone has managed somehow to regain some form of ability to digest fructans, lactose, galactans or oligos without having any adverse physical or mental side-effects.

[Hidden]

I have had IBS for over 40years, the trigger foods for me then are still with me today. I have just got better at managing it, so I do not get too many flair ups now, and if I do get one, I manage that better. Stress was also bad for me, so perhaps I am better at managing that too. The only thing that does seem to help me is a probiotic which I take every morning. Even that took trial and error over two or three years, as they are all different. Some were useless, some made me worse, but I eventually settled on Solgar multi. Whether that works for everybody, I have no idea. As for the FODMAP, I sort of follow it, in that I know about it, just occadionally check if I’m not certain on something. So can IBS be reversed? No, I don't think so, it can only be managed which you eventually get better at.

[realmalteser in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. From you vast past experience, have you ever identified (or tried) any root causes or perhaps tried some things to reverse IBS?

[Hidden in reply to realmalteser]

I am certain that IBS is not reversable, only manageable. You have to identify your trigger foods and avoid them. Don’t eat big meals, don’t eat too fast, don’t drink a lot of fluid with meals, don’t skip meals, eat at a table not hunched over, avoid stress and anxiety. I still get caught out occasionally though. It can be a nuisance, but I don't let it bother me, I could have worse. I usually take Colpermin as a first step then Meberverine

I tend to suffer more with wind and cramps these days, rarely get the runs, probably because I just know my trigger foods for that so well!

Probiotics seem to help me, probaly worth a try. It is trial and error to find the one that is best for you, as they are all different. Be aware that supermarket probiotics drinks have a lot of sugar, and are expensive. I take Solgar multi D available on Amazon. Probiotics are not a cure, they seem to make my flare ups less frequent and generally make my stomach more comfortable.