Recently diagnosed

[harry_spencer_]

Hi all, being 17 and only just diagnosed with IBS, how do i best keep a positive mental attitude and are there any tips on keeping symptoms controlled? Thanks, any help is much appreciated

[Charleyxo]

Hi I’m in the same position and 18 so similar age. I’m really struggling with mood too. What did the drs say about yours and how did they diagnose it?

[harry_spencer_ in reply to Charleyxo]

Sent me away with only ambiguous answers - but i get that's the same with everyone.

She said i should test for lactose intolerance and try the FODMAP diet; and also included any over-counter-medication that she would recommend. Thing is, I'm nervous to diet as I am actually trying to put weight on for sport. I just read out my symptoms and she could conclude that i have a form of it following a stomach bug last year.

I guess the hardest part is not knowing the end point and knowing there is no cure

[Charleyxo in reply to harry_spencer_]

Yes, I think a lot of mine is caused my anxiety worrying it’s something worse. I hate it so much and have been upset almost every day about it it’s so hard to try and work out what you can and can’t eat. They gave me a tablet called mebeverine

[one-n-den in reply to harry_spencer_]

Hi Harry,

I was diagnosed in my 20’s - I’m 68 now. (Bear in mind that many people feel that ‘IBS’ is what GP’s come down to when all else is ruled out!)

Maybe it took me a long time to take my IBS seriously, maybe mine is mild in nature, but it hasn’t affected me too badly; I used to get really bad stomach pain, for which I took Colpermin, and still do occasionally. I prefer it to Buscopan and other more ‘chemical’ medications.

No need to worry about weight loss with the FODMAP diet - it’s really a list of foods which are more- and less- likely to trigger IBS, not a weight-loss regime to follow.

I find it very effective in predicting which foods to avoid. There are FODMAP apps for your phone, to help with shopping and choosing food when eating out. Read up on it - it’s the most useful tool I ever found to help with IBS.

Try taking Acidophilus first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and keep up the exercise - it helps your digestive system, too!

I could say ‘avoid stress’ as that’s tends to bring on IBS bouts - but surely, if we could all just avoid stress, we would, wouldn’t we!!

Hope some of that helps - happy to discuss further if you want.

[harry_spencer_ in reply to one-n-den]

thanks for your help!

[Roc548]

IBS is a medical term for, they don't know what's wrong with your stomach doctors don't really do a lot to treat you for it apart from prescribing omeprazole & talking about a Low - Fodmap diet but giving you no support by referring you to a dietician to initiate the diet or rule out any other underlying causes which are many. I've suffered with IBS for 6 years since i have been 18 and this is what I've learnt. 1) Self refer yourself to a dietician so you have someone to work with and your not not pissing in the dark, you may have Candida overgrowth, SIBO, Leaky Gut, Bile acid malabsorption the list goes on. These are all things the doctor does not talk about as IBS is deemed as not harmful although its a horrible chronic condition that affects quality of life. Unless your bleeding doctors won't do a whole lot I'm afraid and then at that point its a lot harder to heal the gut. 2) want some instant relief? Cut out dairy, processed refined sugary foods, sugary drinks or Gluten & start taking a good quality probiotic, i started with VSL 3, then Optic Bac & then Symprove. 3) Never give up its a horrible thing you have good days you have bad days, keep a food diary it is affected by diet & work with the dietician to rule out underlying causes and rule our your triggers.

I wish your the best of luck what i have figured out in 6 years wish i addressed it sooner.

[harry_spencer_ in reply to Roc548]

Thanks for the advice, very helpful! Dietitian sounds good

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi Harry, We are the national charity helping people with IBS to better manage their condition. Have a look on our website theibsnetwork.org - we have information, resources and recipes to help as well as access to IBS specialist medical professionals. Thanks.