What next for my IBS?

[ValDee88]

Ive had IBS for many years, plus hiatus hernia and gastritis. As I get older flares of one sort or another are getting closer and closer together. Because Id had bad episodes of pain/change in bowels etc my GP has recently run a load of tests-bloods/FIT/US/x-ray/gastroscope etc-everything is negative. Yet I constantly feel horrible, I seem to be cycling through constipation/diarrhoea/bloating/gastric pain and on and on. The last 2 weeks Ive had persistent nausea and so much saliva I have to constantly spit, its horrible, very difficult to manage and not something Ive had before. Nothing particular has ever seemed to start these bouts, I tried FODMAP when it came out, I keep a food diary, Im veggie and and mainly only drink water or tea. TBH it seems never ending so Im now wondering if its worth trying something totally different, I just don't know what. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks for listening.

[Star1993]

Hi I have a similar story I’m 28 been suffering for 7 years but mainly diarrhoea nausea and awful stomach aches. I tried fod map diet 3 times didn’t do anything for me. Tried every supplement at Holland and barret. This is not always recommended but I paid for my own food allergy test to see what would come back and what was triggering me. I used the Yorkshire kit and they had a sale on. Come back with 5 things so I avoid them. I definitely seen a improvement. But I still get stomach aches and diarrhoea just not as often. I hope this helps.

[Help789]

I read that gargling/gagging every day a few times a day reconnects your brain to your guts and I read someone had got things under control that way. Apparently it stimulates the Vegus nerve. Am trying it along with fodmap. I don't know if is working but combined I have reduced symptoms. Also avoiding sugar? Someone at work also said to push to get tested for SIBO , bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine as that can cause all the symptoms you've mentioned x

[ValDee88 in reply to Help789]

If nothing else, me gargling has made me laugh-I have a very judgemental dog 😀 I have wondered about sugar-especially as Id been reading up on SIBO. Im sort of thinking now that IBS sufferers are like luxury cars, the smallest lack of fine tuning and everything falls apart. Its all a balancing act and maybe thats what I need to think-literally food for thought!

[Help789 in reply to ValDee88]

It totally is. Sugar, alcohol and stress can kill most of the good bacteria in your gut so probiotics and avoiding processed sugar may help as sugar feeds the bad ones. Apparently sugar stops probiotics working too. Fruit in moderation is fine though. Cakes and biscuits not so much 😓The stress is difficult to sort with ibs as that makes us stressed but 5 mins meditation a day would help. Maybe away from the judgemental dog 😄. Good luck!

[Help789 in reply to ValDee88]

Also SIBO needs antibiotics to get rid of it but you will definitely need probiotics after that if it is SIBO as the antibiotics will kill the good bacteria too so you'll need to replace them xx

[ValDee88 in reply to Help789]

Back to the balancing act then!

[Help789 in reply to ValDee88]

Yep! 😬😅

[Help789]

You could also be lactose intolerant as that causes diarrhoea so you could try lactase tablets or avoid dairy but that is very difficult when veggie so lactase tablets or lactose free dairy would probably be the best option x

[ValDee88 in reply to Help789]

I did begin to wonder about dairy. Im on oat milk now, next job is looking for a good non dairy yogurt-the main issue will of course be cheese! Didnt know about lactase tablets, so Ill read up on them-thanks for that.

[Help789 in reply to ValDee88]

My friend used to have regular diarrhea when she ate dairy and lactase tablets really helped. Am not sure is a permanent solution as they aren't working as well for her now as she eats a lot of cheese but worked well for a few years . I have lactose free yoghurt and cheese and some cheeses are very low in lactose so that's also an option x

[ValDee88 in reply to Help789]

I did not know about low lactose cheese, Ive just looked and luckily what I actually eat is low so Im going to look at yogurts next and go from there. You really do learn something new every day!

[b1b1b1 in reply to ValDee88]

In the US there are lactose free yogurts. It is regular yogurt, just made with lactose free milk.

[Help789 in reply to ValDee88]

You can definitely buy lactose free cheddar , cream and Greek yoghurt from Tesco in the UK. Brand is Arla x

[ValDee88 in reply to Help789]

Oh thanks for that, Tesco it is then!

[S969]

HoHave you tried taking Alflorex? Helps relieve some of the symptoms. Also Mebeverine

[ValDee88 in reply to S969]

I was on Mebeverine some time ago, it did nothing for me-I suspect because my pain isnt spasmodic. Ive seen Alflorex mentioned in probiotic discussions-Ill add it on my list. Thank you.

[Winke]

I know how you feel we both have the same problems down to the letter T .i am 82 and suffered since i was 20 i had a burst ulcer.one off the things that helps me are magnets i now it sounds daft but it works for me it dose not cure it but it gives me releafe.you can get them in many forms just check the internet.All the best

[PenJ]

Have you considered you may be gluten intolerant?

[PenJ]

Have you considered you may be gluten intolerant?

[ValDee88]

For me, gastritis is usually pain. In a bad attack, I also feel really bloated, often in a specific way that feels like my stomach is pushing up the hernia, so I feel its somewhere round my neck, if that makes sense.

[ValDee88]

Yes, really odd and disconcerting! Part of the issue is having a mix of things, so you can never say x happened and y caused it.