Is this actually IBS flare up?

[LilMissBear]

I've recently had 3 bouts of awful stomach cramps, diarrhoea, sulphur burps and one episode that included vomiting. The first episode was after a weekend of eating foods I shouldn't (curry and onion soup), I just didn't realise. I was diagnosed with IBS after a long period of work related stress, followed by a sudden change in diet, and given no information at all (granted I didn't look for information either, but at the time my symptoms were very minor and I knew what set them off).. and it just seems to be getting worse this past few months. I've had a further two episodes around every other week since, always at or after the weekends, and have had to take time off work. I wake up in the night with a stomach ache, and it just gets worse from there. It's similar to having a tummy bug, and the second episode the sulphur burps and smell of what was coming out of my rear end resulted in vomiting. I've had a third episode this morning, and again have had to take today off work. No vomiting this time, but awful cramps, diarrhoea, and sulphur burps. I've been up for 7 hours now and only managed 2 pieces of toast and mint tea.

I've made an appointment with my GP in the hope I will be referred to a specialist dietitian, but it's not for a week yet.

Does this sound like IBS flare ups? I've only had wind, bloating and minor cramps before, nothing like this (and I've suffered those symptoms most of my adult life). Does anyone have any advice on what I can do in the meantime to help my stomach? I follow a vegan diet, and struggle to find meals that aren't high in fructans, so I really have no idea what to do if these severe episodes continue.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Sorry to hear you're struggling. If you need help and support with your IBS we are here theibsnetwork.org

[LittleNewportPisces]

Honestly I'm not to sure as I struggle with the same. You might need to see a specialist IMMEDIATELY. I had suffer burps diarrhea and vomiting for 3 years straight almost every few months. After that I suddenly started ending up in the hospital in severe conditions from throwing up to much and etc, just this past 3 months. And I heard from somebody that suffer burps are a bad sign and it will get worse and you can even die from it. After hearing this and then having this happen to me, I'm scared. Beyond scared. I'm only 18 years old, and this person who died from it was only 17. Lifes not fair. Check out my post all about what's been happening to me.

[LilMissBear in reply to LittleNewportPisces]

Hi there, the burps don't mean I'm going to die (or you): medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

They can be a sign of an underlying condition that should be treated, but I can't find any evidence that they are a risk to life.

[Carlettejaque]

My god, you really were tempting fate eating curry and onions. Yes, that would do it. If you have IBS then you just can't eat that stuff. You need to follow the low Fodmaps diet, don't eat fruit, even banana and avoid rougher until your bowels recover from the irritation. A bland diet for a whIle. I can't take ANY spices even pepper. Dont eat garlic either.vHave you also tried excluding dsiry for a couple of weeks to see if you are intolerant. Jope you feel better soon.

[LilMissBear in reply to Carlettejaque]

Hi, thank you. I don't eat dairy as I am mostly vegan (the only non-vegan food I eat is fish), but will definitely look into the low FODMAP diet and get the appropriate advice from a dietician. I've been eating these types of foods more regularly this past year, and think I have made my condition worse.

[Carlettejaque in reply to LilMissBear]

Hi, unfortunately, a vegan diet is not really that suitable for an IBS sufferer. I cant eat any veggies other than baby carrots and potatoes. A big no no is fizzy drinks of any kind and alcohol. A very good dietician gave some very good advice, she said not to eat fruit at all because it's too acidic for the stomach and if I really had too then just half a banana now and then. (No wine) She said eat low fodmaps veggies which is limiting. It inclues some lettuce, spinach, carrots green beans and potatoes. Lentils and beans and seeds are a real no no along with all onion family and garlic. No crucible veggies which means veg that has a four petal flower....cauliflour, broccoli, sprouts and others. It's about being strict with yourself and your diet. If you get flare ups, then look at what you have eaten and exclude it. It's about the choice between life free of pain or agonising, debilitating pain and the runs.

I have an extremely limiting diet but it keeps me regular and pain free. I do miss a lot of food like chocolate but it's worth it. I'm dairy intolerant and yeast. Thats difficult because it means i can eat out anywhere.

[LilMissBear in reply to Carlettejaque]

Thank you. It's such a shame as I have been vegan for years, and although I've had the rumbles, and some instances of trapped wind and loose stools, I haven't had episodes like this before. I love fruit and vegetables, and would prefer to eat some if I can (I've eaten a banana every day for years, and not had problems), but like you've said I 100% do not want to suffer like I do when I have these episodes. At the moment I think onions are my main trigger. I wonder, how to you get sufficient vitamins and minerals?

[Carlettejaque in reply to LilMissBear]

Don't worry about getting vitamins, you can take supplements. I don't eat fruit at all and only carrots as veggies and becsuse of another condition, i have regular blood tests and my vitamin levels always come back fine.

[LilMissBear in reply to Carlettejaque]

That's reassuring, thank you.

[Misspomfrey in reply to LilMissBear]

Hello

I Really do feel for you. I've not eaten meat for over 40 years and I've had IBS for 15 years. I could eat all kinds of fruit and veg before this but now it's hard. I am able to eat some fresh fruits such as strawberries, apples, pineapple, banana, even a few prunes and cranberries, which I do every single day. I only cut the fruit out when I'm having a flare up. It's my saviour because vegetables are limited now. People seem to eat rice but I can't tolerate it at all. I try my best to eat unprocessed fresh foods as much as possible. A lot of the time I'm ok, but my drawback is anxiety. I do a lot of walking, cycling, which helps, but it's always there. I had a boiled egg a few days ago on my sandwich when I went out walking, I hadn't eaten eggs for years but I got fed up wondering what to take with me. So I tried it, big mistake, I suffered the following day and I'm still suffering now but it's no longer the egg. I'm really fit for my age, nearly 66 and this just gets me down.

What I'd like to say to you is this, don't cut out fruit or any else completely, if you think you can tolerate certain things then do keep trying them. Everyone's different and it's not a one thing suits all, it's not that cut and dried. Bananas are good as long as they aren't too over ripe, under ripe is better as theres less sugar. These dieticians can't just make sweeping statements like, don't eat this and don't eat that, it's an individual thing and this is how it should be approached. It takes years to find out what suits you and you change as you get older and what you might not have been able to eat years ago, suddenly you can eat it or vice versa. There's times when I'm feeling good and not anxious and I can eat small amounts of food that normally I wouldn't be able to touch. They call it , Feel Good Foods, .

I take a multivitamin and I eat seeds which don't seem to affect me. Porridge every morning topped with Chia seeds, Sesame seeds, Pumpkin & Sunflower seeds, walnuts and I'm experimenting with Hemp at the moment. All packed with nutrition.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi there, if you are struggling we are here to help. theibsnetwork.org

[LilMissBear in reply to IBSNetwork]

I am already registered, thank you.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network in reply to LilMissBear]

That's great. Remember you can call our helpline and access our self-care programme or put a question to one of our IBS experts.

[LilMissBear]

Hello, thankyou for your advice. I am quite lucky in that I don't experience any anxiety related to my current job, so think I must just be overdoing it with foods that aren't suitable for me.

[Fencinggirl]

Hi LilMissBear. Found an article you might find helpful: google.com/amp/s/www.liveki...

It is possible to live a vegan lifestyle with ibs but at the same time you have to work out what is right for your body. Try to get referred to a dietician by your gp and discuss it with them

Good luck x

[LilMissBear in reply to Fencinggirl]

Thankyou, much appreciated. I have managed to find some information on YouTube as well, and some people who are vegan and have IBS are managing their diets and condition well. I'll definitely have a read of that article. I am seeing my GP on Monday and will definitely be requesting a referral.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi there,

Just a reminder that this is a supportive community. We encourage debate and discussion but in a positive and supportive way.

Thanks for your understanding.

[Nofreckles]

I wonder if you may have gallstones. Fatty or spicy foods trigger an attack. I had gallstones at 29 following a pregnancy and my doctor put it down to new mum anxiety and didn't believe me, but I had painful attacks and trapped wind twice a week or more. Eventually I was given an ultrasound which showed lots of small stones in my gallbladder. I had a removal which stopped the attacks but I now have ibs and have to follow the fodmap diet. It helps to steam food, avoid high fat or spices, no fruit, no fruit juice. Peppermint is good, I also take emoprezole every day to stop stomach acid. I despair that ibs is not treated as a disability as I go between c and d despite all my efforts and it is so debilitating. Good luck with everything