Saw you on the BBC today.

[Actimelbloke]

Hi All,

Saw the IBS network on the BBC this morning, so thought I'd come and say hello.

I suffered from IBS for many years it obliterated me from my mid to late twenties until my mid thirties. I lost a lot of my life through anxiety of being petrified of 'accidents' whilst out and about. I'm now 44 and have been symptom free for many years.

My IBS was triggered by a poor diet and one specific food that 100% would cause problems - Chicken Korma from the takeaway!

So how did I cure myself?

Well I decided to start to understand what a healthy gut needs to work properly. The gut needs friendly bacteria, the friendly bacteria lives in our stomachs and breaks down the food as part of digestion process.

If we look at IBS, it's cramps bloating and an inability to pass what we eat naturally, like we used to be able to. We either get explosive diarrhea or constipation and all the discomfort in between!

I'll get right to the point now, I am symptom free for many years and I took pro biotics before every food intake (breakfast lunch dinner), it took a while, the first time about four months. Subsequent times it has occurred, between three and four months.

You can fix yourself, but there is no magic pill and I'm sorry to say, I'm incredibly sceptical about CBT (as promoted on the BBC this morning) for what is ultimately a gut health issue. In this case, it's not mind over matter in my humble opinion.

So there you have it, I took two actimel pots before breakfast lunch and dinner, every day and was fixed four months later.

You guys have my sympathy, it made me utterly miserable and robbed me of important years, I just never will get back.

Peace and love, good luck.

[Maureen1958]

What were you watching? I'd like to watch it on catch-up if I can. Thanks.

[Actimelbloke in reply to Maureen1958]

BBC breakfast... Was only a five to ten minute slot.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Actimelbloke]

Thanks for replying, but I guess it's probably not worth bothering with it then. It would probably take ages to find too!

[Actimelbloke in reply to Maureen1958]

You are right. My post that you originally replied to is more helpful.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, me again, so let me get this right , you were taking 6 pots of this stuff a day! Is that safe??

[Actimelbloke in reply to Maureen1958]

Well, I'm still alive that's pretty much all I can say. I was a little overweight at the time but only by a stone and a bit. I would have done ANYTHING to get back to normal. If you're worried, up your exercise regime. I didn't btw.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Actimelbloke]

Hi Actimel bloke, my first thought is, wow that is a lot of sugar, but if it works for you , that's great. However, I have to report that I am getting good results by taking a teaspoon of local raw honey first thing in the morning. It has made a spectacular difference so far, but still early days. For the last three weeks or so, I have been 'normal'... What a revelation! I am also consciously eating to feed my good bugs, most of the time, this only involves adding extra veg to make sure I am getting plenty of pre and probiotics. I have also done a lot of reading on this topic. Good that you have found your own solution.

[Actimelbloke in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Nice one Babs! I tried 'clean eating' but to no avail. I guess to refine my solution, you need probiotics and lots of them. It makes perfect sense, these bacteria literally help you pass food. If you haven't got enough, the outcome is almost obvious.... Isn't it?

Oh and another thing I forgot to mention. Make sure you all refuse anti depressants - no joke, I spent a year in an amitriptyline induced stupor! Slept alot but that was about it. Zero affect on IBS.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Actimelbloke]

Quite agree. We do need to pay more attention to our helpful passengers and make sure we feed them so they can help us. The microbiome is massively important. I have recently read 10% Human by Allana Collen. A fascinating book. I am putting some of her ideas into practice and so far, it is working.

[Squidge44]

Well actually, whenever I’ve tried actimel, my symptoms became worse,so I don’t take take it or activitia anymore. I have suffered since I was 11and am now 74, so it’s a long old drag. I just get on with it now. I’ve tried everything, diet wise, even went completely gluten free for six months which made be worse if anything. 3 months ago My GP suggested i eat frozen veg instead of fresh, and I must say, this seems to help. He suggests I now eat whatever I fancy, as I’m doomed if I do and doomed if I don’t, so just live my life and try to stop worrying about it, and take loperamide whenever I feel I have to. I must say that since having a good talk to him, I do feel able to cope a lot better. Good luck to everyone who has that terrible disease

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Squidge44]

Too much sugar maybe?

[Honey-Bear123 in reply to Squidge44]

I’m too like you doomed if I do doomed if I don’t ! Had ibs since gallbladder removal 32 years ago the only thing that helps calm my stomach a little is kolantigan gel prescribed by GP Veg, bread and eggs is my biggest trigger tho. Your right we just end up having to try stop worrying about it and living our lives. so sorry you’ve had this since a child 😢.

[auntyjean]

NHS doesn't test for gut biome so I paid privately. Found I had virtually no good bacteria and lots of two parasites. I have been on 20 billion parts probiotics and about to start a month of 450 billion parts daily. I didn't want antibiotics for the parasites so am having Chinese medicine. Am a lot better than I was but still getting there. Glad you found something that helps.

[LizzieAFib in reply to auntyjean]

Interesting. Where can you get the gut biome test done? TY

[auntyjean in reply to LizzieAFib]

Genova Diagnostics did my test but you need to be referred. If you go to their European web site you can click on find a clinic and they will tell you who is local to you. I did it the other way around and went to a consultant used by somebody on this site and had a Skype consultation first.

[LizzieAFib in reply to auntyjean]

Thank you very much for your help.

[Earthflower]

I have to agree that i do not think Cognitive Behavoural Therapy is the answer to IBS. Infact i am a little offended that someone would even suggest CBT for IBS as it is NOT A BEHAVOURAL ISSUE. IBS problems may cause behavoural issues but that is understandable. Again, if this was suggested on the BBC then it worries me that IBS is not being taken seriously as a real physical condition. Sorry for the rant.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Earthflower]

Totally agree with you Earthflower.

[Jp1950]

Well hello !, yes friendly bacteria is very good and necessary for good health, i have been taking probiotics for years and I am not supposed to eat chicken either.

A few years ago maybe 8 I went to naturopath and she tested me on a vega tester and chicken was on the no eat list along with a few others.

At the time I weighed 195 pounds and did not look over weight for my 6 foot frame.

Anyway I stopped eating the no eat list and in 2 weeks I went down to 175 pounds and felt wonderful, no bloating or gas just a great feeling.

My wife thought I was to thin but i felt fine !

Today I weigh 184 pounds and try not to eat chicken but I can eat turkey all day, funny what is the difference from chicken their both birds ?

Glad to hear you feel much better these day's.

All the best !!! 😎

[Shirley-peirson in reply to Jp1950]

Ohh JP would you happen to have a copy of this no eat list please x