Chronic IBS c and d

[Mackjane]

Bad flatulence and hideous bowel cramping. I am really suffering, any advice would be amazing.

[Sonics]

Sounds like a nice little flare up!

I am the same.

Very frequent wind and in my case often lots of burping. I get the cramps, not so much in waves as some people have, mine is just a constant pain in my left lower abdomen and often get lower back ache as well.

I avoid anything spicy, just try and eat plain food. I find broccoli and cauliflower are great at creating lots of wind so I avoid big time! Drink plenty of water and I do try and keep on top of fibre to hopefully keep everything together so to speak to control the. C and D. Similar here one occasion very C, then next time I go within a short time frame, very soft and loose then back to C again.

Try asking your GP for some medication. It does sometimes seem to work for me, got to be worth a try.

[Mackjane in reply to Sonics]

Thank You, I find it so embarassing and debilitating.

[FRreedman]

Avoid all fizzy drinks, do not eat peanuts or sweetcorn, reduce alcohol intake and avoid the usual suspects (Brussel sprouts, baked beans etc. etc.) Finally and most importantly, eat small mouthfuls of food and chew really well before swallowing.

[sickandsore]

Ok so I’m 47 and have suffered with IBS since teenage years, I’ve tried many things over the years.

I have to say that after a particularly bad recent flare up with a slight obstruction ( worse than labour pains😓) I’ve taken to making a few extra changes and so far so good.

For a start Do Not let yourself get constipated, use a gentle prep such as laxido daily, even if you’ve had several poos even loose ones! Drink plenty, invest in a large drinks bottle and find a squash you like so you will drink it through the day.

Try a good probiotic, I take 2 daily. And plenty of roughage. I’ve taken to using a good couple of tablespoons on linseed( Lidl do a lovely fruity one) on yoghurt, with dried fruit and drizzle with honey, I eat this every evening or you can for breakfast, or sprinkle linseed into cereal. It really seems to be helping me have a proper bowel motion daily. These things take time to work, the probiotics take a good few weeks and you can feel a bit sicky initially until your gut adjusts to them.

I’ve also learned that my body tends to crave a lot of food the evening before a bad attack, there’s a definite pattern, so try to resist over indulging if you can.

I also don’t eat much bread or pasta as these can increase issues and give me headaches. I eat more rice or I use alternative pasta and bread wise the lighter diet breads seem kinder to my gut.

It’s a case of trial and error but also keeping stress levels lower will also benefit you as your gut is essentially your second brain and will react to upset and trauma.

You can try the low fodmap diet as this helps you to identify foods that trigger IBS but really you ought to see a dietician first.

Best of luck these are just a few things that are helping me. 😊

[Mackjane in reply to sickandsore]

Thank you.

[grufjones]

Hi Mackjane

Lots of good input on your post.

I agree that many people spot food correlations and that can help. Avoiding fizzy drinks is one of the best understood ones.

If you can see a dietitian and have a chat about the fodmap diet that is good advice. I took that path and it has greatly reduced the days that I am suffering a flare-up in the form you describe.

Have a read up online about fodmap. It's definitely a fairly tough regime at first however it is reported to help 70% of people with IBS. So the odds are good.

There are also some really good Apps, the Monash one is good to learn the food groups and the Tummi Fodmap app is a really good food and symptom diary.

Good luck!

[Mackjane in reply to grufjones]

Ok, I will have a look at the tummy app. Many thanks.

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