Hey,
So I have got to a point where I need to accept that I have IBS and that there is nothing else wrong with me with all my test coming back clear.
At the moment I am in constant pain and suffering with nausea whatever I eat. I am back to trying the FODMAP diet again but that is not working for me. For someone that used to love cooking and food I now mainly live on cereal.
I just don't know what to do next. I am struggling to accept it and it is ruining my daily life.
Noodle91, there may be an answer for you in these links or at least another way to incorporate what you are doing for your health problem. Also search on "krispin magnesium" to understand how loss of magnesium occurs because adequate magnesium is needed to activate thiamine and it's also needed to activate vitamin D. Activated thiamine in turn is needed to activate vitamin B6. The B vitamins work better together. Higher levels of thiamine may be needed to correct the problem. Check that out. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.
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Hi I totally empathise with you. I too had all the available tests, the IBS impacts so much on my every day life during certain periods of time.
There are several reasons ( in my own case) that I have identified and I’m going to say what these are just in case you might benefit and think that might also be something you hadn’t considered a trigger.
For me diet is a small part. I did low fodmap diet. The only things it identified for me is that I don’t tolerate fruit or veg with skins on like apples, peppers etc unless these are cooked. My gut struggles to break these down and the pain is ridiculous ( I’m suffering today as are peppers in a salad!)
Stress, even though I may not think I’m overly panicking about anything, sometimes it’s the combination of factors life throws at me that trigger my bowels to be over sensitive.
Hormones for sure! Certain times of the month are unbearable.
Over eating I get days I crave stodgy or sweet things and then if I succumb the next morning is pure hell!
Constipation. I’ve learnt that I must have a bowel movement every day! But even if I’ve had several one day, the very next morning I can be rolling in agony because I just cannot ‘go’ and I mean serious Labour type pains!! I’ve been hospitalised several times. My bowel goes into complete spasm. So what works for me is taking a laxido or movicol powder each night before bed to ensure my bowel empties the next morning routinely.
I use anti spasmodic meds like buscopan to help reduce the pain.
Drink lots of fluids!!
The doctor gave me beta blockers a while back to help with stress, I find these do also help when my bowels are really bad, I don’t take them regularly though.
Also get plenty of sleep, I’ve noticed my symptoms get worse when I’m generally tired .
So maybe try keeping a diary not just of what you eat but of what is happening in your life so you can correlate how you are feeling to how your physical health is? The issue at the moment is it will be a viscous circle of course because you are suffering a lot and feel down.
I really hope you find some answers soon as to why you suffer so much.
I’ve tried many things over the years including expensive supplements, but really getting to the route cause of my issues was key to dealing with them.
🤞
Thanks for the advice
Are you IBS-C or IBS-D?
Hi Noodle91. I empathise completely with you. Being diagnosed is only the starting point of what can be a real uphill struggle. I tried food diaries, varying my diet, and all the other advice. At first, none of it seemed to work. However, after several weeks of experimentation the fog began to clear, and I am now getting somewhere. It can be really hard, especially when your GP seemed to dump me once I was diagnosed. (All I had was a link to the NHS page). I found Holland & Barratt pro-biotics quite helpful in re-regulating my gut. Also, taking a daily Slippery Elm capsule can help my toilet routine, although it is not perfect. As others have said, it can be the little things like fruit and potato skins which can really make life difficult. Please rest assured that you are not alone on your journey. We are all rooting for you.😀
Hi Noodle91 - had IBS d for 30 years have learnt to manage it only. But with you your diet really needs to be sorted first. Suggest in this case contact the IBS network and speak to an advisor. Good luck🍀
Check out MALS just to see if your symptoms match.....
Dear Noodles,
I had a lot of nausea. I use Meclizine (over the conter) less drowsy Dramamine. It clears up nausea and dizziness.
Symptoms vary a lot and triggers vary with each individual, so what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for others. In my case I take a supplement called IBsolution made in the US. It’s been very helpful for me; not a cure, but makes life a lot easier.
I empathise too. I love food, and now have to be so fussy with it or I pay the next day. Sometimes my gut accepts some of the healthy food happily....sometimes it doesn't. Some of the low Fodmaps upset me. Some of the 'high' ones don't.
I can eat the same food one day and be completely normal the next day. Try that again some days later and I have an upset gut for 2 days! It's baffling and frustrating. Keeping a food diary doesn't help when that sort of thing keeps happening.
Because you can't eat much, you should take a multivitamin and mineral complex every day, with high RDA percentages. Like a safety net for your general health.
I was getting nausea a few years ago, then that symptom passed. I hope yours does the same too. My problem seems focused in just my lower gut now, and I don't start to feel anything even slightly untoward, until hours after I've eaten.
Think you probably need the help of a Dietitian - cereal can be irritating in itself and I find I can only tolerate oats for breakfast. Also, what do you drink during the day? Drinks with caffeine, i.e. coffee, can cause problems with the bowel. You need get your diet sorted by someone professional, otherwise you could end up with vitamin deficiencies. Think you just be insistent and go back to your doctor if you are no better, as clearly something is not right and you need further help to manage your symptoms.
Thanks guys for all the advice you have given and yes I really do need to see someone about my diet.
Yes I agree with Leo7o. Cereal is not the best thing to eat a lot of. Stimulants, sugar, coffee and tea will also not help. You need to find a professional to help through this maze because stress will not be helping either!Take one step at a time and stick with your course of action.
Will also say to expect good results in a few days is not being realistic. These gut problems can take a long time to resolve. Some supplement companies (the better ones) offer advise too. Forget gps, they have very little training in this area. I would also be cautious of seeing a NHS dietitian. Just being proactive can help.
Good luck
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