IBS and food intolerance testing

[guitarman49]

Hi Anyone used food intolerance testing , such as the York Test , to help in the fight against IBS-C and if so did you find it useful to ease symptoms through elimination of those foods.

Thank you.

[Maureen1958]

Don't waste your money.

[guitarman49 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen1958

Appreciate your reply. Guess I'm just looking for answers to ease the pain.

Do you have any suggestions regarding diet for IBS-C . I am also fighting with reflux and dyspepsia.

Thanks again Take care

[Maureen1958 in reply to guitarman49]

I'm afraid, I'm more IBS(D), although am experiencing some constipation more now I am getting older. But the reflux and dyspepsia do go hand in hand with constipation, so I find I am dealing with that myself now too. If I get a bit bunged up like I feel today I usually try to eat something that will push it all through. Mushrooms I find are good for that or baked beans, although I had baked beans with a jacket potatoe last night and then didn't go today, so it's not an exactly science! Tinned peaches are another thing that sometimes helps. I guess most fruit and vegetables would help push stuff through but I am cautious with vegetables because they used to go through me too quickly!

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

theibsnetwork.org/diet/have... Please see in-depth information provided by a medical profession regarding testing

[guitarman49 in reply to IBSNetwork]

Appreciated. Thank you.

[BlackIsleGirl]

I would recommend seeing a trained medical dietician. I have IBS-M and gastritis (although I question if I still have that but I'm not prepared to have another endoscopy to find out) and I've found that a modified fodmap diet really works well for me. But I've never tried any of the food intolerance testing.

Personally, I avoid wheat, lactose, onion, garlic, some veg like asparagus and highly acidic foods and drinks such as citrus and I rarely have a flair up now.

If you are UK based it can be hard to get to a dietician. I found it took a lots of patiently repeating that I wanted to see a dietician while they shoved the fodmap diet sheet at me and told me to try it! The thing that GPs don't seem to get is that it isn't as simple as cut everything high fodmap out and never have them again. That's actually really unhealthy long term. There's a careful process to cutting out foods and reintroducing foods till you find what your tollerences are. For example I could eat 1/4 of a slice of wheat bread but not a whole slice and I can eat a small amount of onion in a slow cooked stew but couldn't eat any in one cooked on the hob for an hour 🤷‍♀️

Sorry if that not much help! And good luck x

[guitarman49 in reply to BlackIsleGirl]

Hi I would agree with you regarding a trained dietician and the general opinion regarding the York Test is to give it a miss. Im in the UK and tried a referral to NHS. Just aked what i ate , checked my BMI (23) and said I have a healthy diet. No discusion regarding foods to help with gastris and dyspepsia so I guess it would need to be privately.

Like you a modified Fodmap diet which I need to fine tune , mainly acidic and fatty foods.

Thank you , it,s has been very helpful. Stay well.

[Moggiedee]

I paid for a York test & the results were disappointing. I had hoped it would show up foods that I could eliminate but I only had a mild intolerance to EELS. This is a mystery because I have never eaten an eel in my life although I did wonder if they were used in some foods or medicines. I had previously paid for a private test which found I was intolerant to dairy, gluten with the recommendation that I cut out or reduce other foods i.e beetroot. parsnip etc because of sugar content. I followed this for months, lost lots of weight (which I didn't need to lose) but didn't really feel any better. I now mainly follow the FODMAP diet, dairy-free but still eat a limited amount of wheat. Someone on here recommended magnesium citrate for constipation. I have been taking this now for a few months with positive results. Save your money & try eliminating a certain food for a few weeks & see if you can find what triggers your problems. Good luck.

[guitarman49 in reply to Moggiedee]

Hi Thank you for the reply to my post. Lots of useful tips to ease the burden of IBS . Digestion issues have been with me for many years but 4 years ago became more difficult to manage as I also have dyspepsia and reflux. Not easy to find foods that don't cause issues but I have a low acidic foods and a low fat diet with reference to Fodmap seems to work well.Think my bowel is lazy but that's another subject .

Regarding testing I'll give it a miss which also appears to be a majority decision.

Thanks again Stay safe

[Edgar77]

My Doc warned me off this. I reacted to multiple foods and by following their advice I almost starved! It is NOT accurate. They are reluctant to test twice this is because you will get a different result every time.

[guitarman49 in reply to Edgar77]

Thank you Edgar77. Advice gratefully accepted and thank heavens for this forum.

Stay safe

[Lin1944]

Hi, I have suffered with IBS d For years, I reckon anxiety started it all off. I sent away for the York Test, very expensive and would not waste my money if I were you.I just stopped having dairy products, mainly chocolate and milk and have seen a big improvement. So I reckon change your diet it’s easy to Google what’s best for Constipation. Good luck

[guitarman49 in reply to Lin1944]

Hi Lin1944Thank you for your reply. Seems cows milk is a very common problem. I don't think it's milk with me but I'll totally switch to lactose free semi skimmed and see how it goes. Again cheese consumption is low but will stop altogether and see how the body responds. Chocolate is also a problem , not sure what it is but I suspect fat. Sadly the Fish and Chip shop is out of bounds , definately fat !!

It's just so frustrating to identify the triggers. It's also complicated due to anxiety , reflux and dyspepsia/gastris.

Thanks again Stay safe

[ScottishDad]

Yes. I got the York test on black Friday deal, I had one for vitamins check, and intolerance. The only thing it picked up on was milk but was low levels, I avoid cows milk as much as possible anyway, as I know it does not agree with me, in fact I believe that cows milk is probably a major contributing factor on my origin of my IBS. Not convinced we should be consuming another animals milk?

[guitarman49 in reply to ScottishDad]

Hi ScottishDad Cows milk comes up often in posts. So I am taking your suggestion and many others who responded to the post to at least reduce milk consumption go semi-skimmed and lactose free. Will also cut out cheese. I think it's is fat with me so cutting down on diary should help.After reading posts I don't plan to have the York test. Seem most of us already have a good indication of triggers.

Thanks again Stay safe

[ScottishDad in reply to guitarman49]

I had other symptoms, feeling dizzy, weak, heart racing, almost like a panic attack, could be? But been having migraines a lot recently, and same symptoms, so I have no idea what I got. Could just be migraines, but that aside, my IBS improved somewhat after stopping milk, I have had lactose test years ago and was negative, but seemingly you can still have a small intolerance hence the York test. Yeah it's a safe bet to quit cows milk, I think you will see improvements. I used to drink cows milk several pints daily. I have read online that this could be the reason for my ibs? Due to bacteria overgrowth, I also remember reading with an intensive course of antibiotics and reintroducing friendly bacteria that you can change gut flora? Or something along those lines... all I do know is when I have been on antibiotics I have had less to non symptoms.

I used to use lactose free milk for my cup of tea, but stopped drinking tea, for around 4 years till last month, but I use soya milk and that is fine tastes fine for me...

[guitarman49 in reply to ScottishDad]

Looks like you are having a difficult time with IBS , could be anxiety . I'm exactly the same as you . I hope your situation improves . Have you been medically checked out in case of other issues. Do you have IBS-C or IBS-D.Regarding cows milk I'll go down the lactose trail first then the milk protein route. Fingers crossed it gives me some clues as to what's going on.

Interestingly you mention about bacteria , following the surgical removal of 2 very large prolapsed internal piles back in Sept 2021 I was discharged with a short course of antibiotics , I had no IBS issues or constipation for seven weeks after the opp. I guess I should investigate gut floral also re antibiotic treatment.

Thankfully my CT scan plus other tests do not show any problem pathology so the Doctors put my IBS as functional with predominate constipation.

It's good we have this forum . Take care

[ScottishDad in reply to guitarman49]

IBS D always. I Know fatty foods trigger me and send me to the bathroom. Yeah this forum is great, strength in numbers, unless we cannot finding a bathroom 😆

[301246]

I have been put on a strict 4 weeks diet by Gastroenterologist. Very few items to eat and drink but worth a try to see whther food is the cause of my IBS-C. Chicken, chicken livers, fish, eggs, white Basmati rice, potatoes and carrots. Plus 1 1/2 litres of water and 2 cups of tea, lactose free milk. Think it's going to be a tough 4 weeks! He has also changed my medication. Incidentally, I was under a private nutritionist for 2 years and after buying approx 30 suppolements got nowhere !

[guitarman49 in reply to 301246]

Oh my , that's tough . I wish you good luck. IBS is difficult to deal with and presents in many different ways. It was interesting reading your posts and replies .I have an appointment with a triage clinical psychologist doctor on Wednesday this week after being referred by my Cardiologist as I am unable to be treated through certain medications. This hopefully will help with IBS pains and other symptoms.

Currently looking at the diet and plan to take it stage by stage. Looks like I will need to go privately with a dietician.

Thank heavens my IBS-C is not as severe as yourself and many others however in the past 4 years its is gettinng worse.

Thankfully I have a very understanding and supportive GP and also the same for my new Gastro guy (who I see privately) . He is easy to talk to and engage with, very knowledgable and is not in a rush to get you out of the door which has helped me to move forward in a positive way.

Stay in touch . I wish you well.

[Mango3]

I have been diagnosed with IBS C & recommended you see a reputable gastroenterologist & a dietitian. They will investigate you thoroughly & give you proper medical advice. I have been prescribed peppermint capsules & Laxido to keep things moving gently & with dietary advice I’m gradually working out things that help my symptoms. One of which being flax seed powder dissolved in a glass of water which really helps, (apparently it smooths the bowel wall enabling your bowel to work better) I have also given up eating bread which I’m absolutely gutted about as I really like bread, & my symptoms are much better having removed from my diet. Smaller meals & gaviscon also help. Good luck with getting sorted it’s not easy but hopefully you’ll get there.

[guitarman49 in reply to Mango3]

Hi Mango3 Thankfully I have a very understanding and supportive GP and also the same for my new Gastro guy (who I see privately) . He is easy to talk to and engage with, very knowledgeable and is not in a rush to get you out of the door which has helped me to move forward in a positive way. Had all the test , no signs of any nasty pathology . Trying to mange IBS-C in addition to GERD and indigestion, apparently it is quite common to have these together , is not easy but as you suggest I plan to see a dietician during Feb. Fat for me is a problem and I end up with epigastic pain. Like you I take Laxido and Docusate for the IBS and PPI's plus Gaviscon for the Gerd/reflux.

It's a rollercoaster which has been with me for the past 30yrs but has recently reared it's ugly head for the past 4 yrs.

I hope all works out well for you and the medication helps.

Good luck , stay safe.

[Harrisonford]

I did the test years ago. It was expensive and was no help. They picked up that I had an intolerance to pineapple ( which I never eat!)I would save my money.

[guitarman49 in reply to Harrisonford]

Hi Thank you . Yep I'll save my money .Stay safe