The IBS and Autoimmune Clinic run by Deborah Grant, Harley Street, London.

[Lainy01]

Hi,

I am thinking of going to see Herbal Consultant Deborah Grant as The IBS and Autoimmune Clinic on Harley Street in London to see if she can help me get to the root of my problem with IBS C. It's not cheap and my only concern is that I spend a lot of money (which I cant really afford anyway) and am no better off with working out what is going on.

I have had IBS for 16 years and it is just making me really miserable. I have just come of the keto diet which I did for 2 weeks and even limiting the types of vegetables I ate as I think I am fructose intolerant. The diet actually made me worse. I understand the theory of the die off period but this felt different and my energy levels were also depleted. I have tried every diet and every product over the years and now I am at a loss of what to eat. I am still getting pain and bloating.

Has anybody ever been to The IBS and Autoimmune Clinic with Deborah and if so what was the experience. I'm feeling pretty desperate at the moment.

Thanks

[FRreedman]

Have you tried removing all fizzy drinks from your diet, reducing alcohol intake, and finally, eating small mouthfuls of food, really well chewed. This works because the less air you put into your stomach, the less air there is in your stomach to bloat you.

[Lainy01 in reply to FRreedman]

Hi. I have just done a 3 week Keto diet which was torturous! All I was eating was meat, eggs, red green and yellow peppers. I was making my own mayo and using Dijon mustard. Oh and peanuts. All I was drinking was decaf tea, water and fizzy water and I didn't feel any better for it. I really don't know what to eat now which makes me anxious.

[FRreedman in reply to Lainy01]

You have actually managed, in your limited diet, to consume two of the three things I was advised to remove from my diet. By the way, this was 52 years ago, and thank G-d, I am still going strong. I actually avoid very few foodstuffs, due to my Crohn's, but more due to my dislike of the taste.

[SydneySider123 in reply to FRreedman]

FReedman I have to know what the two things were - I'm guessing fizzy drinks was one...what's the other one? BTW, I get your "eating small mouthfuls of food, really well chewed" advice. I'm realising now (2+ yrs after diagnosis) that when I eat and how I eat just as important as what i eat and what I avoid.

[FRreedman in reply to SydneySider123]

Peanuts

[SydneySider123 in reply to FRreedman]

wow, super interesting. I'm learning that peanut butter is not my friend...as much as I love it. So do you have IBS as well?

[FRreedman in reply to SydneySider123]

I,actually, have IBD, but when it was diagnosed 52 years ago, there was very little known about IBD/IBS, so I read every booklet and piece I could find, during my many stays in hospital (14 resections and G-d knows how many flares).

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi,

Sorry to hear that you're struggling.

We are here to help and support people with IBS. Please get in touch.

We have information about food allergies and allergy testing available here theibsnetwork.org/diet/have...

[Lainy01 in reply to IBSNetwork]

Thank you IBS Network. I don't know where to go next with this as I feel that I have tried everything in my power to get better. It is literally ruining my life and has really impacted on my emotional wellbeing. I started on anti-depressants yesterday as I feel I can't cope with it by myself anymore. Thank you for your link.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network in reply to Lainy01]

Hi, Sorry to hear that you're struggling. We recommend speaking to your GP. If you need any help and support with your IBS we're here. theibsnetwork.org

[MiniMum97]

Have you tried low FODMAP?

[Lainy01]

Hi minimum. I have tried low fodmap but it didn't seem to help me. I feel like all food is upsetting me at the moment.

[Honey-Bear123]

Hi I’ve had IBS c for over 30 years and can’t touch eggs and nearly all veg. Toast is a killer too. the list is endless isn’t it. So sorry your suffering. I was put on antidepressants around 15 years ago to help with my symptoms and after a few months they gave me the confidence to say you know what I won’t stay in today if my stomach kicks off! I will fight this. I still have really bad days but the tablets do help. i find glycerin suppositories an hour before leaving for work help a lot and keep me going until my days off then take laxatives on my first day off. They do cause pain and bloating but help me go the loo! Sorry for long post. Hope this helps x

[Sita505USA in reply to Honey-Bear123]

Hi

Are you having problems with constipation? I have been having constipation for many years. I take daily laxatives and now feel like my peristalsis is shutting down. My doctor just put me on Erythromycin for that. It is possibly helping a little. I don’t have sensation for bowel and bladder function anymore. I am up most of the night, and have no quality of life. It is very hard to try to deal with getting through the days, and almost impossible to pursue finding out what is causing all of this. Best to you!

[Honey-Bear123 in reply to Sita505USA]

Yes I’ve had constipation for many years i take 3 x 30/500 mg cocodamol a day for other pain and don’t think this helps also have B12 def so this slows the gut down. As mentioned I only take laxatives when off work so this does help. So sorry you have no sensation anymore and really hope your GP continues to help x

[Sita505USA in reply to Honey-Bear123]

Thanks! We keep plugging along!! Best to you.

[TrishG67]

Hi just seen your post from last year. Did you ever visit the clinic in London? Just wandering how you are doing these days? 🤞

[helpfulwombat]

Please avoid Deborah Grant - I saw her last month and she told me I must have asthma and chronic fatigue (I have neither) on top of my chronic health problems, caused by allergies I don't have. She gave some dubious dietary advice and when I asked for more details, she got very defensive and insisted it was based on "studies" - I have searched online extensively and can't find any of the studies she referenced. She then wanted nearly £2000 for further tests. I later looked up her qualifications at a friend's recommendation and she doesn't even have a proper medical degree.

Honestly, I think that functional medicine can work sometimes, but please at least find someone with real qualifications and who isn't just going to try and scam you out of vast sums of money in your desperation (or diagnose you with symptoms you don't have...). Don't waste your money like I did.

[Ski_898]

I see Deborah at her IBS clinic. I don’t know what I’d do without her – I have gone from not being able to be far from the bathroom at any given time to now being able to travel, exercise, enjoy food – she has basically turned my life around. She is really lovely – she also understood the emotional pain of my condition. Her treatment is not just about supplying the medicine – she is teaching me how to take care of myself for the future when I no longer need to see her. I would happily recommend her.