IBS

[JustJoy]

Does anyone else suffer from IBS? I've had it off and on for over 20 years now. I've been doing really well for quite a while, but had a flare up that started last Monday and is still continuing I have a feeling it has to do with all the coffee I've been drinking. DH and I went away 2 weekends ago and was drinking a ton of coffee with breakfast. I continued to make coffee in the mornings after I returned home and was drinking nearly a pot a day until yesterday when I stopped...wondering if that was the culprit. I'm also cutting out fruits and veggies and high fat foods until I can get this under control (hopefully). I've been trying to eat better (within the past two weeks). Alot of whole grains, fruits, veggies, etc... but it looks like my body doesn't like it

Does anyone have an IBS diet that they follow? I know not everything works for everyone, but I'm looking for any suggestions that might help right now.

[Jeanna]

I have just recently started having IBS. Last 9 months or so. I really don't follow any certain diet because I have been watching it and it doesn't seem to be a pattern to what brings it on. I just know that IBS is one of the side effects of Fibromyalgia, which I have had for 8+ years now.

[staceyy]

I can only drink decaf coffee. I have to stay away from fatty foods and carbonated drinks. Water is now my beverage of choice.I also am bothered by cigarette smoke. It helps tremendously for me to take enzyme capsules I buy from GNC. A friend swears by Dieter's Tea which she buys at the healthfood store.

[kabin63]

I don't have a special diet for you, but because you are having so much trouble with it, I have it too, I suggest you try going to the health food store and buying some acidolphilous. Buy the kind youhave to refridgerate and has a high bacteria count. I suggest this because if you have the trots you are losing the good bacteria, and if you are bound up then it will help you go. I have used it for this before, and my neighbor's DH had the same issue. I told her to go get this stuff and she said it helped him too.
I always say to buy the same thing whenever someone is on an antibiotic too. Hope this helps.

[Goodwin17]

I've actually had IBS since I was 6 years old. The key is to find if there are any foods or drinks that are triggering problems. Taking daily fiber can help (it's not just for constipation). I also have terrible flare ups when I'm really anxious or during my menstrual cycle. Sometimes it is hard to find out what exactly triggers a flare up. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

[sewsilly]

Please, please, please, even if you have been properly diagnoses with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), please be referred to a gastroenterologist and have this specialist confirm the diagnosis. I was treated on and off for years, ironically by a gastro group, for IBS. What I actually had was IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) in the form of ulcerative colitis. At age 40, following a stomach virus, I entered into a flare that lasted for 7 months. At the end of the 7th month, I was near death, after trying every medical treatment that is available. To save my life, I had a total proctocolectomy, which is the permanent and total removal of the colon and rectum. I have an ileostomy and wear an appliance to take care of fecal output. It's really not a big deal, and I have a normal healthy life, now. Last weekend I went camping with the Boy Scouts, I swim, kayak,garden,farm, ride horses and generally do everything that I did before...

IBS and IBD cannot be properly diagnosed without a colonoscopy, which also is not a big deal. Too many people go undiagnosed and untreated until they either die or end up having emergency surgery. Fear, of the diagnosis, the procedures or the possible outcome keeps too many people from seeking out an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. I learned this the hard way...

If you have ANY blood or mucas in your stool, if you have increased urgency to go to the bathroom during or imediately following meals, if you have chronic diahrea, or a cycle of chronic diahrea/constipation, if you have stools that have dimished in size or if your bowel habits have changed significantly over a few months/year, please,please, do yourself (and your families) the favor of getting the tests run.

I am a pre and post surgical visitor, not only do I live with the results of an inaccurate diagnosis, but I see it regularly when I visit. If you need more information or need to ask questions or just need me to re-iterate it for you personally, please feel free to PM me.

Dont' think about it, just call and make the appointment,
big hugs to you all,
dawn

[MandiDawn]

I have IBS, have had it for years - my diet is simple - eat good food.

I eat three meals a day. Breakfast is toast, or eggs and toast, or sometimes pancakes or waffles. Also, a glass of oj every morning

Lunch and dinner - Some type of meat, some type of starch (potato, rice or noodles) and a vegetable. The vegetable is the most important thing - eat some type every meal.

I dont' eat any dairy (as it seems to upset me, yes, I don't eat cheese, but I also don't like the taste, so no big deal to me). I don't drink coffee, even though I love it I do drink Mt dew, but that don't affect me, and I only have one or two a day (and I think it's liquid green crack!!) I drink alot of water.
Sweets seem to do it to me also. I try to avoid/eat in moderation.
I have got so in tune with my body I can tell by eating one bite of soemthing if it will make me misarable. For snacks, I tend to eat pretzals, cheerios, ect. Try really paying attention, slowly cut things out and reintroduce them to see what triggers it. Mine got so bad I noticed that I never left the house ,because god forbid, I would get sick out and about. My BF can tell you about dozens of times we would be on our way somewhere and have to turn back around . . .
oh, and other peoples cooking - for some reason, I eat other peoples cooking and it sets my stomach off. Even people like my mom's and dad's cooking ( cooking I grew up on) I think that it's just different and my body dont' like different. I can't tell you how many christmas's and thanksgiving I have spent in the bathroom . . . It's hard but if you really work at it and pay attention, you can get it under control.
pm me if you have any more questions.

[Goodwin17]

Hi Dawn,

I agree that a colonoscopy is very important to a diagnosis. I got mine at age 18. It is important to go to a gastroenterologist for a proper diagnosis. Thanks for the important tip.

[mom2three]

Hi Joy,

A couple of questions - did the flare up coincide with the change in your diet and are you eating more grains than previously???? My dad has IBS and I am 95+% convinced his issue is actually a gluten intolerance (my 2 dd and dh have this as well). When he comes to visit in October, I intend to have enough good recipes so Dad isn't always buying wheat based bread and we will be able to do an elimination diet and know for sure!