cramps when eating?

[redmaggie]

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum and I'd appreciate feedback about a gut symptom. I think I have IBS (tending to constipation) and I'm in a long wait for a gastro appointment. I eat slowly and carefully, not big meals but I often get sharp gut spasms/cramps half way through a meal or immeadiately after. all the usual blaoting and aches the rest of the time too. I'm very underweight, but GP says no "red flags".

I'm 67 and have undifferentiated connective tissue disease, this has a number of symptoms including diagnosed esophageal dysmotility.

does anyone know what these meal cramps are about? Thanks in advance!

[edwangy]

what's your diet like? Where do you get the cramps?

[redmaggie in reply to edwangy]

Thanks for your reply. The cramps in lower abdomen, often right side or all across , eg a long way from my stomach! I know it all connects but still, this is new. My diet is healthy, including some meat fish and dairy, mostly home cooked, wholefoods. the only thing I avoid is heavily processed stuff, cakes etc.

[edwangy in reply to redmaggie]

I suffer with constipation and slow motility + other things. I find that red meats, dairy make things worse. I eat mainly fish and chicken, soft veg, like mashed potato, sweet potato, green beans, and avoid onions,garlic, most types of beans and pulses,as all these cause gas which makes pain worse. Also, with slow motility, the colon will absorb more fluid than it should because things are moving slowly, try and drink plenty of fluids

[FrostGyre in reply to edwangy]

You need more fat. Keep the fish and chicken and add fat (tallow, butter, lard, coconut oil). Fat is soothing. Ignore the nonsense about needing fibre. Avoid vegetables. Try introducing red meat after a few weeks.

[Edgar77]

I may be wrong but cramps when eating does not sound like IBS more likely to be the esophageal dysmotility. However the constipation could be IBS or maybe a simple change of your diet will help. You cannot say you have IBS for sure untill the Doctors have eliminated other things.

[OldTimer74]

Seems a lot like me with pains after eating the first meal of the day, not nice. Good Luck

[FrostGyre]

Can you list everything you eat and drink?

Do you eat bread, cereal, pasta? Remove those. If no improvement, remove the dairy.

Report back! 🙂

[redmaggie in reply to FrostGyre]

Hi there, thanks for your reply. I have been thinking of cutting out wheat, but it seemed a big challenge and the whole fodmap thing felt overwhelming. I'll have to give it a try. My GP prescribed mebeverine yesterday.

[FrostGyre]

If cutting out wheat will be a challenge, then I won't suggest joining me eating nothing but meat, fat and salt; and drinking nothing but water. 🙂

I completely understand fodmap being overwhelming. Every time someone suggests it I usually say something like "Oh for goodness sake! They say that variety is the spice of life, but that doesn't mean we have to have a gazillion different foods, then whittle them down to the ones that agree with us!! *gasp*"

There's something very wrong if people live to eat instead of eat to live.

I always aim for simple. All the human body needs is protein (meat), fat (animal), salt, water, vitamins and minerals. Beef has it all.

Meat heals. Grains, fruit, vegetables don't.