any advise?

[Linzimush]

hi, I’m looking just to see if my symptoms are normal for ibs..I can’t eat anything without having to go to the toilet either straight after I’ve eaten, this is any food I eat.. I have sometimes had to go whilst still eating.. it’s making me feel poorly with pain & discomfort.. the doctor diagnosed me with in’s 20 years ago . I’ve just ordered some bettervits Pro biotic .. I’ve read that these can help?????

[Luisa22]

That might be something to do with what's called the "gastro-colic" reflex. Yours might be super sensitive.

It's not literally the foods that you are eating right at that minute that make you need to "go" urgently. it's the fact that putting something into the digestive system, triggers strong muscle contractions lower down.

I get a milder version of it, and sometimes when I brush my teeth (!) Just putting something in my mouth!! -can trigger me needing the toilet, or at least make me pass wind.

I don't know a solution to it to be honest. Maybe someone else will know something helpful, But as far as I can make out this is not connected with whatever food you are eating. I don't think so anyway.

[BabsyWabsy]

Does the severity of this depend on what you are eating? My little bro has been diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption and takes a sequestrant each day which does slow things down. He avoids fatty foods too. I also find if I eat too much fat, (looking at you buttery scrambled eggs) I am back and forth to the loo all day. I also find that too much sugary food also has a negative effect on my gut.

[Hidden]

Your symptoms sound distressing. You don’t state your age, or how long you have had these new symptoms. You do say that you are having discomfort and are feeling poorly. You mention similar symptoms 20 years ago.

My advice to anybody of any age, especially after the age of 40 years, is to consult their doctor, so that a diagnosis can be established. It’s possible that you are experiencing the same condition you had before, but you cannot assume that.

For your own peace of mind, and to establish the cause of these new symptoms, go and see your doctor as soon as you are able to get an appointment.

[xjrs]

If things have become worse than before, which they seem to, best to go back to your GP and they will need to re-run some tests. Your symptoms sound extreme and need to be tackled. There is no need to live like that.

I have some general advice about what to try for IBS to help you manage it in a previous post of mine:

healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

If the usual IBS remedies fail, you could ask your doctor about BAM (bile acid malabsorption) - you could even ask about that for your current symptoms. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to xjrs]

I would agree with the suggestion of Alflorex-apparently the favourite amongst GI physicians in the USA, if one accepts the promotional material of the manufacturer of this probiotic!- and the general guidance given which is very sensible. I, personally,have been very impressed with Ferrocalm which has a novel mode of action, especially if one’s IBS symptoms persist despite other reputable probiotics having failed to help. Symprove also has clinical evidence from studies at UCL in London to back up its claims. In the final analysis, the best probiotic is one which suits and is effective. However, as a general rule, the diagnosis of IBS, especially in the over 40 years of age, is one made by exclusion of other more serious conditions, so that any change in bowel, or any new symptoms, against a background of another condition having been diagnosed previously,especially if accompanied by other “ red flag” features, should be investigated urgently, and not assumed to be IBS. Comparisons are odious, as the saying goes, so one should be very wary of assuming that similar symptoms in another individual, betoken the same condition from which one is suffering!

I would also recommend Professor John Hunter’s booklet, IBS Solutions, obtainable through Amazon. He categorises the various types of IBS. He has developed a product called Juvia, which can help some sufferers. He provides a questionnaire which enables one to see whether his product can help. Good luck.