So glad I found this site - I love life UNTIL this happens

[jalapeno1234]

oh my gosh! I've been on various sites, mainly emetophobia ones (this is why I have anxiety, I am MORTIFIED of feeling sick) and since Jan last year ive had an inconsistent battle with what I have self-diagnosed as IBS. The issue I have is that I altered my diet since moving to a big city (I did live with super healthy parents who just didnt get why I couldnt eat their curries, healthy veggie stuff cos itd go right through me depending on the day) but since living with friends I can eat what I want. This can mean I can eat at Mcdonalds or a Mexican place and generally be ok, sometimes with the odd reflux but my bms are perfectly fine, if anything they're solid and unnervingly consistent (once a day) . HOWEVER. I really don't know if this is something worse - I got bad from Jan-june last year then slowly but surely saw a little improvement - I go by how much Imodium I take and amazingly, from June-now, I still have two left from when I bought them back in May 2018 or so.. so its my own proof that I AM ok. I barely get water d* but when the SLIGHTEST thing kicks me off (a tummy bug, bad food etc) it seems to seriously piss my stomach off. I took some antibiotics for a fingernail infection almost 4 weeks ago and as i assumed, my stomach was ANGRY. I immediately had loose-watery stools only after a couple of doses and stopped as I couldnt bear the pain. It eased after I took Imodium then I sort of got back to normal. 4 weeks on though and the d* has started again, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and today (Monday). I am eating white bread, rice, couscous, broccoli and drinking water - there is NO way I am doing something wrong as I eat a list of things and am usually fine... is this IBS? I will confess after my antibiotic hell, it sent me into a HORRIBLE state of panic and stress cos I was scared Id be sick (my phobia). Has this kicked a flare off?

[jbrking]

It could be a number of things so I would suggest you follow FODMAP (google it) gives list of things you should and shouldn’t eat. I had similar problems and got tested for BAM bile acid malabsorption which came back positive. Or some sort of colitis in which case something simple like caffeine would irritate. I would keep a diary of what you eat/drink, and when you go to the toilet like that. How stools are, how long you’re on the toilet. Did you have urgency to go etc and then go to a doctor. Good luck.

[Ernest2 in reply to jbrking]

Just something else that may possibly help when you talk to your GP/doctors. Have a read e.g. wikilpedia about the "Bristol Stool Scale". Some doctors like this, others are not interested.

Ernest

[Ernest2]

Hi Jalapeno,

Be careful when you are talking to your doctors, (a personal view here) IBS is a description of symptoms, not a diagnosis. There are many things that could cause IBS symptoms. I'm very glad you can now choose your own diet.

Try to understand better how your digestive system works. There are losts of good things to read now. I am also here on ibsnetwork looking for solutions.

Good stuff I've found so far:

1. (Recommended by NHS specialist nurse) Michael Mosley's book "The clever guts diet". My only snag there is I'm underweight, but this book seems very good for basic understanding.

2. "patientj" who occasionally comments here, has an interesting looking blog on wordpress:

patientj.wordpress.com

I'm sure others here will also suggest good resources, and things to consider.

Best wishes,

Ernest