newly diagnosed...need support

[zedrick007]

Hi, Just got diagnosed with IBS today, i'm very unsure of what to expect from this. The most prominent symptom that I have is the pain, extreme pain on the left side of my tummy. I'm really new to all this and just looking for some support

[Hidden]

What are the rest of your symptoms? Do you have diarrhoea and/or constipation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, wind etc?

I understand that pain down the lefthand side of the tum is where the colon descends and is the place where everything that's going to come out at some point (i.e. wind and faeces) collects a pretty normal symptom for IBS.

[zedrick007 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks RozB for your answer. I have very porridge like stools and sometimes I see undigestive foods in my stools as well, I have a lot of wind, when I really do have a bad day when I am in extreme pain I can go right off my food.

[dionne1234 in reply to zedrick007]

Ah bless u its def not the easiest condition to manage n stress is a massive factor with me. What bout u?

[zedrick007 in reply to dionne1234]

I am thinking its with mine as well, went through and extremely tough patch in april 2011, and I was highly stressed and i'm thinking that's what caused it....thanks for your reply

[Hidden in reply to zedrick007]

Your problems sounds very similar to those that I had, have you tried a FODMAPs diet? If you haven't, here's the info about it, it's been a miracle for me:

Initially, the FODMAPs diet cuts out 5 food groups, which you do for 2 weeks. If you've got a huge improvement at the end of that period, you know that most, if not all, of your triggers are in one, some, or all of those groups. It’s essential that the diet is followed extremely closely and ingredients’ lists on everything you eat must be studied carefully – you’ll be surprised at what junk gets put into our food! You then 'challenge' each food group in turn by reintroducing it into your diet and, hopefully, reaching some accurate conclusions. This worked for me, and, apart from a restricted diet, I now lead a normal life. I have found other triggers outside of the FODMAPs group, but these were easily identifiable once I’d solved the initial problem.

As there are a lot of very misleading and just plain wrong items on the web about FODMAPs, my advice is firstly, follow this link: med.monash.edu/cecs/gas... which takes you to Monash Uni in Australia where the diet was (and still is being) developed. There’s a lot of info on the site plus if you have an iPhone there is an app you can download which is really useful especially when you're out shopping or in a restaurant. Secondly, treat yourself to Patsy Catsos's book 'IBS - Free At Last' which gives excellent guidance and a plan to follow.

I hope this helps.

[PatV]

i have ibs C and a physical therapist specializing in ab pain is helpful, if stupid insurance will spring for it.

[PatV]

agreed. Get a diagram of the colon and follow it. Also massage any scar tissue. If you feel your pulse, do not massage there.

[marky555]

Hi

As a thirty year sufferer from IBS I certainly understand what a struggle it is to cope with this condition. The symptoms and causes are so varied and changeable it's very difficult

to treat the symptoms alone and I've learnt over the years to take a holistic approach, this has finally lead me to a place where my IBS is currently under control and I'm living a full life again. I would suggest the following as a holistic and lifestyle approach to the condition......

Firstly and most importantly get a proper diagnosis of IBS, in my case my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist and I had a raft of tests to rule out any underlying medical causes. Once they could found no medical issues I was diagnosed with IBS .

If you can afford it join a self help group such as the IBS network for support and information and in my experience I really needed both.

Research: you are already doing this by posting your question, Unfortunately as a typical young guy I tried to ignore my condition, especially as I was told it was all in my mind.This led to many years of unhappiness until desperation finally forced me into self help. Research into my symptoms led me to the following......... leaky gut syndrome...which can cause food intolerences and all sorts of other digestive issues which then led me to the four r's approach

The four r's

Remove, replace , re-innoculate and repair. Along with that Iwould add relax as I suffered from anxiety and stress, a great deal of which was caused by the IBS itself ! I researched this approach and implemented into my life along with relaxation techniques.This approach helped me greatly.

Remember that we are all different and to tailor your self help to you.Also within your self help approach you may find one particular element that is a silver bullet and leads to a drastic improvement in your condition. In my case this was taking vitamin B12,for you it may be something else.

I apologise for the length of this post and also if I don't reply to questions ( just don't have the time at the moment ) you may also find this same answer to other questions on the board as I feel I needed to share my experience. Please remember there is HOPE that you can control this condition