Why does IBS give me false hopes??

[Luisa22]

Why does it make me think I am getting gradually better, just to come back for no apparent reason?

For a few weeks now I have been 80% normal. Just a little bit of lower abdo. distension sometimes in the evenings, which hasn't really been much of a problem. BM's normal, and healthy like the old days . Why? I really don't know.

So I started trying to expand my diet a tiny little bit, including a portion of peeled fruit before breakfast. I could also eat celery again, and avocado. I went carefully with this, but all was well. I even bought black grapes (2 for a reduced price from Tesco) three weeks running and had a portion peeled every morning.

I waited for any issues but there weren't any. It was nice. I was on 4 portions of fruit and veg a day again and was actually feeling really good. Looking forward to getting that back to 5 a day.

Then one morning I just felt tired though I'd slept okay I thought. And a tiny bit dizzy, and my appetite wasn't as strong. Wanted to pee more. I had a couple of weird dreams. But my gut was still pretty calm.

But the IBS came back a day later. Not dramatic, just loose stools (5) again. No pain and not even remarkable bloating. Only a tiny bit..Not even producing much wind. No other bad signs in stools. Just loose.

I was eating exactly the same foods as I'd been eating happily for a few weeks. Mostly my usual foods cooked simply here at home, and nothing new, dodgy, spicy etc. I'd had no unusual stress.

Why does the gut suddenly turn like that for no obvious reason? I can't find out what any triggers might be. It's like my gut suddenly can't absorb enough water again and I don't know why.

I am lucky as not in pain or horrible suffering. Just baffled.

[Snoopydrop]

I really relate to your symptoms. Feel your pain! I wish I could understand why the gut suddenly reacts. I am also lucky that am not in pain. Just so unpredictable that sometimes I lose confidence about going out. Sure everyone with IBS has this issue. I end up rotating food then reintroducing when the bowels have settled. Am a bit on the light side but what can you do. Can only eat what the body will digest. Good luck Luisa we will get there.

[Luisa22 in reply to Snoopydrop]

Snoopydrop, you sound the same as me! It's baffling isn't it? What is that 'switch' that suddenly switches things off or on inside?? For no obvious reason. Thanks for your kindly support. Wishing you well too, take care.xx

[binks in reply to Luisa22]

A switch describes it perfectly. IBS also tricks me when I seem to have a subtle symptom I've not really had before - sparks the anxiety and then it becomes full blown. Sometimes I just cry!

[Luisa22 in reply to binks]

Yes sometimes I do too. We can get so discouraged. Cry if you need to. I always think of it like the feelings are taking a shower.

[Kitten-whiskers]

I can relate to what your saying, it can flare up even when you have managed to avoid all the foods you should, I do find that stress will set off a flare for me, but what I hold out hope for is many years ago when I first got IBS , I managed to completely get it under control for probably five plus years- no symptoms at all l, I could eat garlic and didn't spend endless Time in the loo and what set it off was having a few bowls of gf bran flakes and that was it but it gave me hope that things can return to normal if we can work out what is wrong, I'm delving further into leaky gut and hopefully then I will get have some answers.

Hope you feel better soon

Best wishes

Debs

[Moggiedee]

Hi Luisa22. I can totally relate to everything you have written. I describe my IBS as a mischievous gremlin that likes to play games with me. It lulls me into a false sense of security with a few " normal* days until I think maybe I can tolerate a couple of radishes with my salad or a small slice of melon or a few kale leaves ( from my garden) & then wallop I'm back to the bloating, pain & indescribable wind. But I never learn, after my next normal patch I will probably try some forbidden food & then suffer the consequences. Maybe one day we will find the answer.

[Sparrow58 in reply to Moggiedee]

I wish they could find the answer. You read that they believe a certain thing is good for IBS and you try it because you hope this could be it for me as you just want this gone. Another few £'s out your wallet and another half used packet in your cupboard. We all wait for 'that' day when they discover the answer 🤞

[Luisa22 in reply to Sparrow58]

Yes, I tried a few things too, which either made me worse (fibre for instance!)...or made no difference, or made me constipated. Maybe I was helped a bit by the low Fodmap diet, as many veggies which I can eat are on the low list, but not all. But just because a food is low Fodmap doesn't mean it will definitely suit me. I had a few disappointments with that.

Hopefully there will be a cure one day.

The problem is IBS is a "syndrome"which means a whole bunch of symptoms which can be different for each person. There can be so many causes and things in the body/brain which trigger it off.

[Luisa22 in reply to Moggiedee]

Yes, I'm the same. I'll be so normal, so when I get my grocery order I buy some veggies and fruit because I've been able to eat those over something like a week or three! Then I've spent money on fresh foods and wham! Back to square one, and those foods sit in my fridge wilting or worse. It's so frustrating. I have wasted so much food the last 2 years which I can't afford to do. Same story with me exactly.

[grandylynda]

I have almost given up trying to work it all out. It's seems easier to just take things as they come and be prepared for emergencies. Mind you being retired makes that more possible

[Luisa22 in reply to grandylynda]

Yes, I'm retired too. I do a lot of work ....home repairs, wood processing, tending to my bit of land etc, but at least that's on my own terms. I'm so glad I don't have to go out to work every day or commute. Being retired is a blessing with IBS.

[Pte82]

Luisa22, here is some information about IBS that is connected to a deficiency of thiamine (vitaminB1) and /or magnesium. Magnesium is needed to activate thiamine. The first eonutrition link mentions a man made form of thiamine called TTFD offering easier blood brain barrier absorption as well as the body than natural thiamine although high dose thiamine can be very effective and is worth researching. The B vitamins work better together as activated B1 is needed to activate B6. Always consult with your health care provider before using any supplement.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

stuttersense.blogspot.com/2...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/when...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/thia...

[Luisa22 in reply to Pte82]

Thank you for that Pte82. It's really interesting. I did try thiamine at one stage about a year ago, I take a vit. B complex every day and a multivit/mineral complex, but I took the thiamine on top of those. I noticed my energy improved for a few days on it, at least, but after about a week it wasn't making any difference any more.

But I ought to try it again.

I don't think I had a flare while taking it but I can often get times of near- normality anyway.

I do have lots of food that contains magnesium, plus the vitamin-mineral tablet, plus what's in my bottled water. But if I take too much Mag. it can upset my gut a bit.

[Pte82 in reply to Luisa22]

Luisa22, like thiamine, magnesium is subject to loss from a number of causes. The krispin link contains a list. Magnesium is best absorbed with food and magnesium glycinate is a gentle form less likely to cause upset. TTFD, also called allithiamine, is a man made form of thiamine mentioned in the first eonutrition post offering high absorption and other benefits mentioned in the article. Benfotiamine and sulbutiamine are also man made to overcome natural thiamine's lower absorption. They are worth research.

krispin.com/magnes.html

[Arpin]

And that Luisa is the name of this game Puzzle It just loves giving you the challenge of What did I do? Sadly we aren’t given much support or in some people no medical explanation which when we can explain it makes us more liable to acceptance It’s almost cat and mouse but you dear friend sound like a really tough mouse giving it a good run for its money I am sorry I don’t have the answer for you

Today I can’t tolerate bananas I just couldn’t believe it Another food with a cross in that box but I tolerate chilli peanuts Just how mad is that

How I long for a salad especially in this dry heat I feel so tired but tell myself Onwards and upwards

Keep going as the answer is just around the bend trouble is this particular bend shows no sign of ending …. yet ! One day it will

🧡

[Luisa22 in reply to Arpin]

Yes,,,it's crazy about the bananas and chilli peanuts! My gut has turned against bananas too but they used to be a 'safe' food for me. Meanwhile I can happily eat chocolate! Never a problem with it. And avocados again now (for how long? Who knows.)

Thanks for your kindly words. Yes I'm a tough mouse giving that devil of a cat a good run for its money...haha!

😆