Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I DO believe there is.

[elle1014]

This is the first time I have ever written about my IBS but having stumbled over this site this morning I already feel better. The worst thing about ibs is that feeling that no body knows what you are going through.

My symptoms started about 6 months ago, feeling sick all the time, terrible stomach cramps, the wind and bloating followed this and then about 3 months ago the undignified rushing to the toilet started. I had the blood tests and an ultrasound to rule out several conditions and I have now been diagnosed with IBS-D. I was prescribed with colafac, but this unfortunately did not improve my symptoms.

The worst time for me is the mornings, that terrible feeling of knowing I have to use public transport to get to work but also knowing that the need to go to the toilet urgently can strike very quickly. It has become a psychological struggle as well as a medical issue to actually do all of the things that I have for years taken for granted. Going into London for the day, shopping with friends, going to work, social events all have to be planned meticulously. Where are the toilet stops? Should I eat anything during the day to try and avoid the wind and toilet emergencies? Should I even bother going or just stay at home where it is safer?

Nobody can possibly understand unless they have suffered with the symptoms that come with IBS. My family are very supportive but even then the advise of "don't let it get you down" is not very helpful when you are worried about going out!

However as the title suggests I do believe that this can be controlled with a little bit of perseverance. I have recently decided to give up dairy products and choose lactose free products and soya milk - this has definitely helped a little. I am going to go to my doctor to try the fodmap diet and will hopefully see some improvements as there are many foods which i did not realize may be making my condition even worse such as broccoli and onions which I eat very regularly. So already I can see that there is another thing I can try, I am also going to try some probiotic products while I am waiting to see my GP. I will update with any successes that I find as I have an appointment to see a homeopathic doctor in February so will pass on anything that I find helpful.

I do feel that this can be controlled but it may take some time to find out what my particular triggers are and avoid them. Sites like this one can help to share some of the things that work and remind us that we are not alone in this

[Hidden]

Hi I also have Ibs d and it can and does take over your life. Some foods that are triggers one week may not be the same foods that are triggers the week after. I had to give up alcohol, dairy and fried food. I can only drink water, cranberry and pomegranate juice but despite all this I still put on weight and feel bloated and cramps every day. Medication wise I'm on loperamide, alverine and buscopan every day which has all but stopped the D side if things thankfully. I also take a probiotic which I got from holland and Barrett and does seem to help. My social life unfortunately all but disappeared as I developed anxiety disorder but I have had counselling and I'm slowly getting out and about. Let us know if you find out anything helpful and good luck

[olilew]

I am exactly the same, I avoid night s out especially if its a meal. If i go out shopping I wont eat before ro while im there, i wait until im home! Buscopan and loperamide havnt worke dfor me ;-( The last time Ii went out I felt out of control paniced and had to fly home as I desperately needed the loo and the nearest ones were grotty public toilets! My hubby is great but the kids dont understand and often ask why we have to go home or why is mumy poorly again. poor things

[sheep]

I know exactly how you feel. I have suffered for the past 28 years with increasing problems re having to dash to the loo with sometimes only seconds warning. I too have felt like not going out, being certain where toilets are, walking near facilities rather than wandering off the beaten track. I carry changes of clothing just in case, fortunately drive my own car which has extra supplies in . I take loperamide daily but feel it is increasingly not working. I have tried exclusion diets but nothing concrete has shown up. As a previous person mentioned, one day something can settle whereas other days it upsets me. I have increasingly gained weight which I know does not help the condition but I cannot eat large quantities of fruit and veg and dairy products have question marks against them. So I end up eating things which do not upset me but are invariably fattening. I am reasonably active but it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.

I have added complications of damage to the bowel following childbirth and have already had a prolapse operation. This, whilst being successful, does mean the muscles are even weaker, not helping the urgency to go.

Anything you find out would be gratefully received especially the homeopathic doc - I had also wondered about acupuncture - anyone any thoughts?

[crimbo]

Hi. im the same. Hv had IBS since i was 7. im now 44. but has got worse iver the last few yrs. ive just been told i hv Lymphocytic Colitis which gives ne terrible pains and urgency to go to toilet with diarhorra. im going soon to see dietician re Fodmap diet. it gets me down as its stopping me from doing things. Ive got myself a disabled toilet key and a cant wait card. hving my on car with supplies in helps and i dont get so anxious. xx

[Hidden]

Hi, I was diagnosed with IBS in 1996 but just IBS, not C or D (I am assuming that C is constipation, which is me, or D diarrhoea). I have been a little better of late but noticed that it has come back again over the past couple of days, I can't see anything apart from stress that has triggered it so am assuming it's that.

I read an article in a magazine many years ago about a multi vitamin and probiotic and found that my symptons improved greatly, I still take the pill. This is the only probiotic pill that I will take as I've found other do absolutely nothing, this at least helps a bit. The pill is by Seven Seas and it's called 'Multibionta'. There are several different ones on the market and the one I take is 'Vitality'. I have found my immune system has improved immensely over the years taking this pill, I would recommend to anyone. I always buy them from Boots Pharmacy (UK) when they have a 3 for 2 offer.

Colofac, Buscupan etc etc do nothing for me.

I have also stopped eating brocolli, cauliflower and grapes which seems to have made some difference. I have also been to a dietician and she is going to put me on the FODMAP Diet when she/a colleague has been trained.

Best of luck to you and I will report back to the forum once I've started the diet.

[elle1014]

Thank you to everyone that has commented on here. IBS is clearly a complex condition and treatment really is trial and error which by the sounds of it needs up-dating constantly. I really appreciate this site though because it does give us other things that we can try. I am definitely going to insist on my GP referring me to someone who knows about the fodmap diet as in almost all cases that i have read about on here and through internet research there has been really encouraging results.

I know that for me the diet will mean lots of changes but it will be worth it to feel some relief from the symptoms that i am currently suffering from.

[Saleya]

You don't need to be referred or wait for someone to be trained to go on the FODMAP diet. Get a list from the Patsy Catsos book or website, or Google the Kate Scarlata list, which I carry around with me, and follow the advice. Don't eat the fermentable carbs and stick to the foods which don't cause a problem, it's as simple as that. There's lots of choice. If you are worried about lack of nutrients, take a multivitamin and mineral supplement, but I don't and I've been following it for a year now and have loads of energy. I used to get horrendous gas, and that symptom is much improved. Something as simple as replacing honey with maple syrup on porridge for breakfast made a huge difference. There is still some trial and error involved to find out your individual baddy foods but it's well worth a try. I take probiotics as well. I still haven't solved all my problems though. Some days I still have to go to the loo several times, especially in the first part of the day, but nothing like as urgent as I sometimes had, and haven't had a bad attack of diarrhoea for a while. I need to do some more research but don't have time!