IBS newbie

[Cat-1]

Hi

I’m starting to research ibs today after self diagnosing (until I see my gp)

[Laxmik]

What are your symptoms?

IBS is difficult to self diagnose.It’s a process of elimination. I would say get in touch with your GP.

[anma]

I saw my GP about it because it was bothering me a lot and she referred me to a dietitian. The dietitian helped me figure out what types of sugars trigger my symptoms with the help of the FODMAP diet. It is all very science/evidence based instead of fad stuff. It is a long process of eliminating certain groups of sugars, allowing your symptoms to improve and then reintroducing category by category and figuring our your main culprits. Helped me a great deal. I still eat stuff that triggers my IBS but I now know what my daily allowance is so I can have a semi normal diet (eg. I can eat 1/4 of an apple and be fine, 1/4 clove of garlic etc). Also, when I overdo it and need to give my gut a rest, I know what foods are safe so I strictly stick to those for a few days. You can look up the FOODMAP diet to get an idea what's it all about but I really recommend you do it with a dietitian because they have all sort of resources they can share with you (booklets, apps, list of safe items you can find in supermarkets, recipes etc). Also, if the diet doesn't work for you, they can refer you to a gastroenterologist to investigate the matter further. Hope this helps, good luck!

[xjrs]

Even under lockdown you can have a phone consultation with your GP to discuss your symptoms in detail. They may send you a stool sampling kit. You could wait for it to be delivered, kick it to one side for 72 hours so you know it is corona free, then return the sample to the GP practice (even leaving it outside and calling reception for them to pick it up). Once you have out ruled anything else and you have your diagnosis, you will have a better idea about how to move forward.

[Graham62a]

Hello it can be a nightmare, you will find someday one food is good, the next day it has you running to the toilet!

One of the biggest issues is stress! Be honest with what causes you stress, it can be work, home, other.

Hidden stress is the biggest one we miss!

I use a company on line called zipvit, check them out, I use so many supplements due to my gut not absorbing what I need.

One I find works for me is peppermint tablets (buscopan) has peppermint.

I also have a hot water bottle, when my stomach starts to hurt, or especially after going to the toilet the pain can be so intense! Using the not water bottle early does ease the pain! Plus it can help you get some well needed sleep.

Yes the food map works but it is time and your body that will tell you what works.

Hope this helps.

Graham