hi just wanted to chat

[Laxmi_kook]

hi my name is Laxmi & I have IBS D since 2018. It was bad in the start. Slowly started changing my diet. Controlling my stress and things started looking up. I have been on track. After long I have had an episode. Which is so disappointing. I have to admit that I have not so good with my food intake and all. Eating what I shouldn’t. Just sad and down right now. Would like to chat as I am feeling quite unwell today after long. I used to regularly post here and today I realised how much I miss this forum. I have chatted with some very good people here.

[Luisa22]

Hello Laxmi,

I have had IBS -D on and off since more or less 2018 too, though it really started properly early 2020.

I also found ways to improve my situation, but when I suddenly crashed again, and often for no reason I could understand!, I also got frustrated and disheartened.

I get times of normality, sometimes weeks, and I believe every time that "I have got better" !

So when my gut turns again I hate that happening.

But it seems to be the nature of IBS. Anything can kick it off, and some things are not obvious.

I do generally have to be a bit careful with my diet though. I know for instance that there are some "healthy foods" that I daren't touch. But over time I have managed to re introduce some that have given me a bit of trouble when in the worst of IBS.

It's a work in progress. I start off with silly tiny amounts, see how that goes, then over the next few weeks increase the amount to my tolerance, but never try to re introduce any slightly tricky foods when I know my gut is going through a sensitive time.

I am sure your horrible flare up at the moment will ease up. That's the thing with flares, they will if we are kind to them.

I would suggest eating low fibre foods for a few days and see what happens. My good foods for those times are: white rice, white toast, white pasta, butter in moderation, boiled eggs, steamed fish, stewed apple without skins, and veggies that never usually trouble me (spinach, green beans, a couple of lettuce leaves.) but that's just me. Your foods might be different ones. But keep foods really plain and fairly bland. Steam your vegetables if you have any.

But the point is to help the gut to rest a bit with a low residue diet and not too much fibre .

When you feel a bit better, you could maybe introduce more fibre, just a small amount, and go from there. I find that helps me anyway.

I hope you will feel better soon.

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Luisa22]

thanks so much. I am already feeling much better this morning.

[Will1234 in reply to Laxmi_kook]

I was going to reply to you with some thoughts but Luisa22 has covered the situation very well . I think we all have periods where we feel better then suddenly something sets it off again and it is so depressing . At least you know your not alone and for some reason that always seems to help a little .

Glad your feeling a bit better.

Will1234

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Will1234]

glad for this community…🙏

[Kulbir108]

hi …. Yep , it seems to be all about diet and stress ! Fruits/veggies ….. no processed and little carbs. I do well for a bit and then get crazy driven to have what I know will throw me off ? I listen to stories letting me know it could be a lot worse … which scares me into submitting to a better routine but then my family acts up and I’m off and running (Stress) it is so hard to control the emotions Good luck know your not alone

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Kulbir108]

thanks so much for your lovely message. Definitely helps chatting here. 🙂

[Harley1020]

Hello 👋 so sorry to hear of your latest episode. To control my stress/anxiety with family drama’s, I was prescribed 10mg of Amitriptyline which greatly helps. Also find that if it’s a traumatic family issue, take 2 Amitriptyline. Consultant lets me go up to 30mgs if needed, but have never taken that many.

Also now on Colesevelsam tablets for bile acid malabsorption - has anyone mentioned this condition to you as it causes diarrhoea. Apparently, some people who have had their gall bladder out suffer from this.

Hope your flare up settles down soon. Take care.

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Harley1020]

thanks so much. I have been tested for BAM. My test didn’t come positive for that.

[Icanchangethislater]

Hi Laxmi - I hope you’re feeling better. I’ve had IBS for 40 years, mostly D and more recently mixed. With a tummy that is often unpredictable, it’s difficult to travel, eat out, etc. People who don’t have this condition don’t understand what it’s like. That includes family members and friends, who should be the most understanding, It certainly contributes to feelings of isolation and depression at times. Wishing the best for you and everyone in this IBS “community”.

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Icanchangethislater]

thanks for your message. I totally relate to everything you just said. And thank you. I am already feeling much better. When you get a flare after long time it can be very frustrating.

[Mosey1702 in reply to Icanchangethislater]

I can sympathise. I have had IBS-D for 16 years. I have had to change my job to one where I can work from home and have also had to give up tennis for fear of having an accident on court!! If it was not for my husband and children I would rarely see anyone. I have done the FODMAP diet and found out that I cannot tolerate fructose which means I can't have an fruit and the only vegetables I can have are avocado and pak Choi. My doctor said 20% of people with IBS-D have fructose intolerance. As you say it makes going out for a meal very difficult. It is good to hear I am not alone.

[Icanchangethislater in reply to Mosey1702]

Hi, Kieran - The fear of having an accident us enough to make us have one! 😬I’m wishing you well and sure hope you can find more veggies that you can tolerate.

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Icanchangethislater]

thanks so much for your message 🙂

[Trenholm]

Having a bad day too. Had to take I odium before going out for family lunch. Really bad cramp all afternoon and evening. Helps to know I’m not the only one.

[Laxmi_kook in reply to Trenholm]

hope you are feeling better