Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Amanda82691
Posts: 298 Member
Hello everyone. I have recently learned that I have IBS. (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I was curious to know how many of you out there also live with this condition and what do you do to keep it under control and yourself balanced? Any tips or advice?
0
Replies
-
I haven't been diagnosed yet.. lol can'tbring myself to collect samples.. WTF!? lol
I've been living with the symptoms for a couple years now... was watching a show on tv about IBS like symptoms, they were talking about making a list of suspected problem foods and taking them out of your diet then re-introducing them to see if they make a difference. Turns out romain lettuce, bell peppers, corn and watermelon are problomatic for me.. I've been a lot better since i've cut those out of my diet, not 100% but close.0 -
I had a real issue with IBS until I cut out the majority of processed foods and fast food out of my diet. It almost completely went away. Now I know that if my IBS is back -- I haven't been eating correctly and need to get back on track.0
-
I haven't been diagnosed, either, but my doctor and I have talked about it. I'm really just avoiding a colonoscopy. I've noticed that what helps me most is drinking a lot of water, exercise, sleep and a well-rounded diet. Alcohol and bar food (fried, cheesy food) definitely does NOT help, although I admit I indulge on a regular basis and just deal with it.
I take a magnesium citrate tablet every night.0 -
I concur with cutting back on foods and then re-introducing them. I am like csk0018 with the processed foods and junk in general. I cut it all out for a little while and my pain totally went away. I started re-introducing back some of the old favorites and usually symptoms come back when I fall of the bandwagon...Good luck! It's not pleasant...But I am virtually pain free now, so there is hope!0
-
A couple of things . . . well for me, at least.
First and foremost what made the biggest difference was cutting out processed and fried foods - for example, I went over to my brother's the other night and while I was there his girlfriend was cooking dinner which was processed crap, pizza pockets, hot pockets, chicken fingers, wedges, and the like. They offered me some and not wanting to be rude I had a couple bites. With just a couple bites I was paying for it for days!! I could barely make it home that night, if you know what I mean. And what's worse is that I really don't even like that particular food, if I'm going to make myself pay I would choose other foods lol.
Another few things I read made IBS worse, and I didn't know it, was certain raw fruits and veggies. For me, it's bananas, raw broccoli, raw bell peppers, avocados, and grape/cherry tomatoes. When I stopped eating these, or at least cooking them first, I felt so much better. Another thing for me is to seriously limit my intake of dairy.
Rich foods - which are coming out around this time of year unfortunately - also tend to wreak havoc on my system so beginning December 1 I start taking probiotics to help regulate my digestion. If I have a build up of these in my system I tend to get through the holidays a little better - but it was years of trial and error. I find it does not help with the bloating but it does help a great deal with the other unpleasant side effects - so I am ok with wearing stretchy pants for a few days if I'm not living in my bathroom, if you know what I mean. I don't have any regular medication I take as I have been working with a doctor to keep it as diet regulated as possible. I do have a prescription from him though, for super strong anti-inflammatory medication for when it's really bad, I just try not to use it unless I really need it.
My dad, however, does have Chron's disease though so realistically it's only a matter of time for me before I am regulated by medication.
Also - avoid emotional stress as much as you possibly can!!! I was in a bad relationship for 5 1/2 years and it wasn't until I was out and settled that I realized whenever we would fight (which was OFTEN) is when I had the most trouble, even if I was eating properly and exercising regularly. I didn't think of it at the time because after cutting out processed/fried foods I felt a huge difference so I thought it's probably as good as it's going to get. However, I have been out of that relationship since beginning of August 2014 and I have had 2 or 3 flare up days, which coincided with Thanksgiving so that's kind of a given. Emotional stress can make it worse on your body (and I mean work stress, child stress, basically just not physical stress like from exercising) so if you can avoid it, do so. It's easier said than done, I know, but I feel so much better now.
Hopefully this helps for you! It's a little different for everyone, but honestly regular exercise I find helps the most! If you lack for a bit, getting back into it can be uncomfy at first which makes you not wanna do it right? But if you can get through that part, I believe regular exercise (4 - 5 days/week, maybe even 6 depending on your lifestyle) makes a major difference in alleviating the symptoms.
Feel free to add me or reach out if you have any more questions0 -
Amanda82691 wrote: »Hello everyone. I have recently learned that I have IBS. (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I was curious to know how many of you out there also live with this condition and what do you do to keep it under control and yourself balanced? Any tips or advice?
What works for one may not work for another but here is what helped me after living with IBS for 40 years and you can Google and read for yourself to see if it of interest to you.
I got on coconut oil in a major way to see if it would help my arthritis pain that started 40 years ago along with the IBS. The first month was bumpy as I jumped into doing 2 tablespoons 4x daily but I was desperate because the doc wanted me to get on shots that often leads to cancer long term for pain management. Starting with 1 teaspoon 2x daily would have been better perhaps.
While the coconut oil did help some with the pain within the first month my IBS went away and has not returned. A couple months later I cut out most all carbs (<50 grams daily) and all foods with added sugar to get a more full control of my pain. This removed all grains from my diet by default.
Since I have not plans to ever eat sugar/carbs/grains again for health reasons I am not sure what stopped my 40 year old IBS condition nor do I care at this point.
This just worked for one old man. The freedom from IBS and most of my pain has freed me in so many ways. Now I can delay a bathroom break without needing to change pants. Those who do not have IBS may think this is funny but the rest of us know the fear when a pain hits at the wrong time and place.
The doctors never offered any solution for 40 years and I found one by accident in my case.
Best of luck in finding the solution that works for you for the rest of your life.
0 -
"Also - avoid emotional stress as much as you possibly can!!! I was in a bad relationship for 5 1/2 years and it wasn't until I was out and settled that I realized whenever we would fight (which was OFTEN) is when I had the most trouble, even if I was eating properly and exercising regularly. I didn't think of it at the time because after cutting out processed/fried foods I felt a huge difference so I thought it's probably as good as it's going to get. However, I have been out of that relationship since beginning of August 2014 and I have had 2 or 3 flare up days, which coincided with Thanksgiving so that's kind of a given. Emotional stress can make it worse on your body (and I mean work stress, child stress, basically just not physical stress like from exercising) so if you can avoid it, do so. It's easier said than done, I know, but I feel so much better now." - oh, this is SO true! Annoying, because really, how CAN you simply "avoid" stress, but it does indeed go hand-in-hand.
I, too, suffered with my IBS terribly during my first marriage. I was miserable and unhappy and from my experience, IBS symptoms are not only associated with food but with emotions as well. Elimination diet is also the key. I finally learned to successfully manage my IBS once I stopped going to doctors and just experimented on my own. Now I very rarely have issues. Good luck and just figure out what works for you.0 -
Since I have not plans to ever eat sugar/carbs/grains again for health reasons I am not sure what stopped my 40 year old IBS condition nor do I care at this point.
So I'm really curious . . . How can you survive without any kind of sugar or carbs? Grains, it's possible, but do you mean processed/refined sugar and starchy carbs? Because even if you eat fruit, berries have a lot of carbs in them, and if you're eating fruit there's a lot of natural sugars in them.
Those three ingredients are key in most foods, processed or not. Unless you're living off of only meat (and only natural, organic, free-range meat at that), it's really hard to avoid these ingredients.0 -
Every person with IBS has a different reaction. I have read on the web that people with IBS should not drink peppermint tea, but for me its a life saver. However, Chamomile can make me sick, but its supposed to be great for IBS.
On top of IBS, I am lactose intolerant. So cheese was a big one for me, since I am not fond of milk or cheese, well that is pretty easy, when I do have it use lactaid.
I found that making sure I have enough fiber is key for me. I have to eat enough veggies and fiber cereal. Before I got the balance right, I used metamucil to supplement. However, I can completely control my symptoms that way. Water is also key, drink plenty of water. One of the reasons for symptoms has something to do with water absorption, so drinking water is important. Stress, vacation, schedule changes, change in eating habits (like a party) can trigger it. Alcohol will also effect me, I still drink, but have to be aware of the effect for the next 2 days or so. I don't know if I will ever be 100% always, but I have minimized the worst of it.
One thing I can NEVER do is take anything to stop diarhea or take a full blown laxitive. If I take something anti diarhea medicine the effect is to stop pooping for like a week. Laxatives have me on the toilet forever.
No matter which diet works for you and which foods are your trigger, the really is being healthy, choosing healthy food, exercising and lots of water really does control the worst of it. I keep peppermint tea on hand to help with digestive symptoms when they pop up.
I am 48 years old and was diagnosed with IBS at age 19. I have managed my symptoms pretty well over the 30 years. So it isn't that hard to live with, I mean I know when I go on vacation I will not poop well most of the week, then the last day of a week long vacation, well that is when my body says "OK lets clean out now". I know it will happen, I know what to expect. The peppermint tea can help minimize it a little, but not totally. Knowing what throws me off and what to do to get back on track are key for me.
Good luck
0 -
i actually have ibs-c (c is for constipation) so i generally have the opposite issue, i don't go enough. switching to a more whole food oriented diet really helped me out. i didn't have to cut any foods out but i do have to make sure i keep my fiber intake at a steady amount using a supplement. the doctor always tells me fiber and water are the key and i just have to find the balance of the two that works for me.0
-
It might be worth it to google FODMAP and IBS. See what a low FODMAP diet looks like and see if it might be of help. My sister has IBS-D. I wouldn't be surprised to learn I did as well (but C). Eating mostly whole foods and limiting heavily processed stuff was what really clued me in. I felt so much better and everything works as it's supposed to.
I agree, it's about knowing what messes YOU personally up. Good luck.0 -
I have been put on Linzess, which helps so much. But, the thing that helps more than anything else is eating as close to paleo on a normal basis. It totally helps me to have more energy and not be afraid to go to the gym on days when I don't take my medication. Everyone is different and most people I know who have "IBS" just don't know what it is that they do have (ex: I do not have Chron's and they think it could possibly be celiac, but they don't know). Good luck, try different things. And AVOID STRESS!!!0
-
I had a real issue with IBS until I cut out the majority of processed foods and fast food out of my diet. It almost completely went away. Now I know that if my IBS is back -- I haven't been eating correctly and need to get back on track.
Same for me! If I eat out or at someone else's house the IBS can kick in within minutes!! I try to choose lower fat options to avoid this problem!0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »Since I have not plans to ever eat sugar/carbs/grains again for health reasons I am not sure what stopped my 40 year old IBS condition nor do I care at this point.
So I'm really curious . . . How can you survive without any kind of sugar or carbs? Grains, it's possible, but do you mean processed/refined sugar and starchy carbs? Because even if you eat fruit, berries have a lot of carbs in them, and if you're eating fruit there's a lot of natural sugars in them.
Those three ingredients are key in most foods, processed or not. Unless you're living off of only meat (and only natural, organic, free-range meat at that), it's really hard to avoid these ingredients.
Bottom line we often do not know the cause(s) of IBS so we need to cut back the the required food groups and see if we can get stable then we can start to add back foods. My point is we will not die if we cut out carbs for awhile or forever (which is not practical). Carbs are where we get our fiber that comes in handy.
It is true there are going to be some carbs in any healthy diet because they will tag along with Fats and Proteins. Carbs are not like evil or anything but they have been associated with an increase the risk of stroke, cancer, heart attack and Type 2 diabetes for some people were as today this does not seem to be the case with saturated fats.
ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.long This paper talks about how carbs are not essential for human life in a technical sense and is not something you even need to read unless interested.
Because carbs are everywhere and cheap we all will eat some carbs one way or another. The point is we can greatly reduce our carb intake and add the calories back with fat if we have health issues related to dealing with carbs in a healthy manner.
Fats help me slim down and carbs make me fat. Well both can make one fat but fat and some protein can reduce craving carbs like sugar and starchy bread etc which leads to the desire to overeat. It was the craving for carbs that lead to my overeating.
For my pain control I need to keep my carbs as low as possible so I shoot for <50 grams of carbs daily. That low level of carbs is not required for IBS management in my case but I do need to stay away from grains which means breads.
Everyone is different on the inside so when addressing IBS the same solution does not cure all for sure.
While not IBS related I am learning one can have a healthy diet and stay under 50 grams of carbs daily.
There is so much confusion on this subject even among the MD's even so that will mirror through to these forums. One just needs to learn their bodies and leave off the offending foods. We can get ideas from others but not the final solution typically.
0 -
I have Crohn's disease.
While Crohn's is much different than IBS, what has helped me is:- avoiding processed foods
- cutting back on simple carbohydrates
- drinking lots of water
- avoiding high citric acid foods
- no dairy
- taking Align probiotic, a multivitamin and Wellness Formula by Source Naturals
ETA: You should keep a food diary so you can note what foods give you tummy issues.0 -
ScullyChick wrote: »I haven't been diagnosed yet.. lol can'tbring myself to collect samples.. WTF!? lol
IBS cannot be diagnosed through stool samples. Your doctor most likely wants to check your stool for things like H.pylori, C.Diff, parasites, and problems with your intestine's ability to take in the nutrients from food (malabsorption). What I listed above can become very problematic so I would highly suggest giving your doctor a stool sample as soon as you can. It's really not a big deal. Bring it in a little brown bag… no one will know what's inside except the medical staff.0 -
FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »I have Crohn's disease.
While Crohn's is much different than IBS, what has helped me is:- avoiding processed foods
- cutting back on simple carbohydrates
- drinking lots of water
- avoiding high citric acid foods
- no dairy
- taking Align probiotic, a multivitamin and Wellness Formula by Source Naturals
ETA: You should keep a food diary so you can note what foods give you tummy issues.
I have Crohn's too! I agree with all of the above - although I tolerate citric acid okay, sometimes fiber gives me issues (ie: broccoli, unless steamed to death is on my no-no list along with brussel sprouts). I went back to cooking 90% of stuff from scratch, and my scope at the end of last year revealed I was in deep remission - now if I could just get the joint pain to go away (haven't figured out how to control arthritis with diet yet...I'll figure out something eventually!)
There is also some talk out there that Crohn's people almost always feel better on lower carbs - so possibly some gluten issues?0 -
CoffeeMate flavored creamers do me in.
They have some sort of additive in them that is just ghastly for my IBS. I can drink a single cup of black coffee with a meal with no problems, but the creamer while tasty, just causes horrendous issues. And it took me a LONG time to isolate it as the problem!0 -
Yeah, definitely work with a GI doc if you think you might have IBS, since symptoms could be coming from a very serious condition. I've read but haven't tried that cutting out FODMAPs is the first place to start when trying elimination. Because it's a lot of things they recommend working with a dietitian. Personally, I haven't done anything formal, but spices and greasy foods seem to be problematic and when I'm eating more healthfully my IBS seems to improve about 60%.0
-
CoffeeMate flavored creamers do me in.
They have some sort of additive in them that is just ghastly for my IBS. I can drink a single cup of black coffee with a meal with no problems, but the creamer while tasty, just causes horrendous issues. And it took me a LONG time to isolate it as the problem!
Same here.
0 -
Everyone's solutions are so different. I was spending 4-6 hours a day in the bathroom, and had terrible cramps and discomfort. I was very stressed out at work. When it was it's worst I would take prodiem several times a day in hopes of slowing things down, and right before bed in hopes of preventing the morning rush. The only other thing that helped was having a lot of good books to read during my time in the bathroom.
Losing the job was a blessing, though it didn't seem that way at the time. My symptoms started getting better right away. I'm diabetic, and my blood sugar levels plummeted as well. It took a couple of years, but my IBS is mostly settled down now (and my last A1C was 5.1). I get flare-ups when I fight with my SO. I find now that dairy and fresh vegetables help to keep everything moving at a steady pace (they seem to balance each other out). I think regular exercise is helping too.
The good news is that IBS does not predict getting serious bowel diseases like Crohns. Do your best to manage your stress (mindfulness, meditation, exercise and relaxation), and hopefully it will get better. Good luck 0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »acorsaut89 wrote: »Since I have not plans to ever eat sugar/carbs/grains again for health reasons I am not sure what stopped my 40 year old IBS condition nor do I care at this point.
So I'm really curious . . . How can you survive without any kind of sugar or carbs? Grains, it's possible, but do you mean processed/refined sugar and starchy carbs? Because even if you eat fruit, berries have a lot of carbs in them, and if you're eating fruit there's a lot of natural sugars in them.
Those three ingredients are key in most foods, processed or not. Unless you're living off of only meat (and only natural, organic, free-range meat at that), it's really hard to avoid these ingredients.
Bottom line we often do not know the cause(s) of IBS so we need to cut back the the required food groups and see if we can get stable then we can start to add back foods. My point is we will not die if we cut out carbs for awhile or forever (which is not practical). Carbs are where we get our fiber that comes in handy.
It is true there are going to be some carbs in any healthy diet because they will tag along with Fats and Proteins. Carbs are not like evil or anything but they have been associated with an increase the risk of stroke, cancer, heart attack and Type 2 diabetes for some people were as today this does not seem to be the case with saturated fats.
ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.long This paper talks about how carbs are not essential for human life in a technical sense and is not something you even need to read unless interested.
Because carbs are everywhere and cheap we all will eat some carbs one way or another. The point is we can greatly reduce our carb intake and add the calories back with fat if we have health issues related to dealing with carbs in a healthy manner.
Fats help me slim down and carbs make me fat. Well both can make one fat but fat and some protein can reduce craving carbs like sugar and starchy bread etc which leads to the desire to overeat. It was the craving for carbs that lead to my overeating.
For my pain control I need to keep my carbs as low as possible so I shoot for <50 grams of carbs daily. That low level of carbs is not required for IBS management in my case but I do need to stay away from grains which means breads.
Everyone is different on the inside so when addressing IBS the same solution does not cure all for sure.
While not IBS related I am learning one can have a healthy diet and stay under 50 grams of carbs daily.
There is so much confusion on this subject even among the MD's even so that will mirror through to these forums. One just needs to learn their bodies and leave off the offending foods. We can get ideas from others but not the final solution typically.
Which is what I said earlier . . . but your post before stated you plan to never eat carbs, sugar or grains again for health reasons so I was curious as to how that happens.
From what you've wrote here, you're not eating starchy carbs or processed/refined sugar which is what helps pretty much everyone lose weight, maintain healthy eating habits and encourages proper disgestion - not just those with IBS.
If you have figured out that lower carbs works for you, then now you know. I was genuinely curious as to how someone would survive without carbs, sugars or grains but now that you've clarified you follow a low carb diet, I see there was some confusion.
0 -
SpecialKitty7 wrote: »i actually have ibs-c (c is for constipation) so i generally have the opposite issue, i don't go enough. switching to a more whole food oriented diet really helped me out. i didn't have to cut any foods out but i do have to make sure i keep my fiber intake at a steady amount using a supplement. the doctor always tells me fiber and water are the key and i just have to find the balance of the two that works for me.
This is me. There will be a whole week I don't go and then...relief. But then another week I might be running to the toilet every few minutes. It's one or the other. Ugh.
If I travel, I know it will be a full week until go time. If I'm stressed, no go.
I never take laxatives, but I do take magnesium citrate every night that I'm not drinking alcohol.
0 -
CoffeeMate flavored creamers do me in.
They have some sort of additive in them that is just ghastly for my IBS. I can drink a single cup of black coffee with a meal with no problems, but the creamer while tasty, just causes horrendous issues. And it took me a LONG time to isolate it as the problem!
I have never tried these, but now I will stay away from them! Cream in my coffee also does me in, so now I have milk but I very, very rarely drink coffee because it upsets my tummy a lot . . . and this may or may not be true, but I feel if I am on the verge of a flare up having coffee like pushes me over the edge. I have no way of knowing this, or confirming it, but I feel like it's true, although it could be me imagining things.
I found anything highly processed does me in for days!!!! Like almost anything I don't cook myself pretty much from scratch - hot pockets, tv dinners, heatable lunch trays, hot stuffs, pogos, chicken nuggets/strips, etc. It has to be something in the preservatives they add but I know for sure one meal of those - even a small one - and I'm done for. It really sucks sometimes because I like pogos, sometimes lol.
0 -
wow sounds like IBS affects each one differently.
I have IBS diagnosed by doctor.
Common problem for me is loose and frequent stools.
For years I took Metamucil-6 capsules to firm up the stools.
Last spring I took a pro-biotic and FINALLY got formed stools on a regular basis
I was able to give up the Metamucil.
I can eat most everything BUT raw lettuce. I can tolerate lettuce, mixed green etc. IF I microwave them first-till just soggy.
Otherwise they clean me out.0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »acorsaut89 wrote: »Since I have not plans to ever eat sugar/carbs/grains again for health reasons I am not sure what stopped my 40 year old IBS condition nor do I care at this point.
So I'm really curious . . . How can you survive without any kind of sugar or carbs? Grains, it's possible, but do you mean processed/refined sugar and starchy carbs? Because even if you eat fruit, berries have a lot of carbs in them, and if you're eating fruit there's a lot of natural sugars in them.
Those three ingredients are key in most foods, processed or not. Unless you're living off of only meat (and only natural, organic, free-range meat at that), it's really hard to avoid these ingredients.
Bottom line we often do not know the cause(s) of IBS so we need to cut back the the required food groups and see if we can get stable then we can start to add back foods. My point is we will not die if we cut out carbs for awhile or forever (which is not practical). Carbs are where we get our fiber that comes in handy.
It is true there are going to be some carbs in any healthy diet because they will tag along with Fats and Proteins. Carbs are not like evil or anything but they have been associated with an increase the risk of stroke, cancer, heart attack and Type 2 diabetes for some people were as today this does not seem to be the case with saturated fats.
ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.long This paper talks about how carbs are not essential for human life in a technical sense and is not something you even need to read unless interested.
Because carbs are everywhere and cheap we all will eat some carbs one way or another. The point is we can greatly reduce our carb intake and add the calories back with fat if we have health issues related to dealing with carbs in a healthy manner.
Fats help me slim down and carbs make me fat. Well both can make one fat but fat and some protein can reduce craving carbs like sugar and starchy bread etc which leads to the desire to overeat. It was the craving for carbs that lead to my overeating.
For my pain control I need to keep my carbs as low as possible so I shoot for <50 grams of carbs daily. That low level of carbs is not required for IBS management in my case but I do need to stay away from grains which means breads.
Everyone is different on the inside so when addressing IBS the same solution does not cure all for sure.
While not IBS related I am learning one can have a healthy diet and stay under 50 grams of carbs daily.
There is so much confusion on this subject even among the MD's even so that will mirror through to these forums. One just needs to learn their bodies and leave off the offending foods. We can get ideas from others but not the final solution typically.
Which is what I said earlier . . . but your post before stated you plan to never eat carbs, sugar or grains again for health reasons so I was curious as to how that happens.
From what you've wrote here, you're not eating starchy carbs or processed/refined sugar which is what helps pretty much everyone lose weight, maintain healthy eating habits and encourages proper disgestion - not just those with IBS.
If you have figured out that lower carbs works for you, then now you know. I was genuinely curious as to how someone would survive without carbs, sugars or grains but now that you've clarified you follow a low carb diet, I see there was some confusion.
Sorry for the confusion. There have been groups of people that lived centuries without carbs just fine because of where they lived (like at the north pole). Not sure how he does it but I am sure Santa Klaus if finding some carbs some where.
There are groups who have lived on a mainly high carb diet (food that they grew) and were healthy and not obese.
In all developed countries processed carbs are very common and cheap source of energy. To eat a low carb high fat diet in the USA requires some thought and research if one eats out three times a day for sure but is doable.
For Amanda82691 diet concerns relating to triggering IBS is not a typical weight loss issue but based on my case it was just more of a food elimination process. To do it quickly one can cut out all but Fats and Protein and work forward adding back foods one at at time.
Cutting out all carbs is not required perhaps but we just do not run into as many 'processed' Fats and Proteins. I for one was able to gain weight with IBS.
It all gets back to the individual and what works for them and that is why we can NOT tell others here what to eat/do with any validity.
0 -
Last spring I took a pro-biotic and FINALLY got formed stools on a regular basis
I use pro-biotics to get me through the holidays (and any event where I know there's going to be rich, highly processed foods that don't agree with me). They're easy on my tummy, too - which is always helpful
They're amazing! They don't help me with bloating, though I can't complain too much because they help a huge amount with all the other unpleasant side effects 0 -
I have been diagnosed with IBS. Done the whole bit (yup even the colonscopy). Take daily meds too for help with spasm that causes the pain. I believe that everyone is different. I changed my diet dramatically and eat Paleo (removing processed foods). This works for me.
I also take probiotics to promote a healthy gut. I cannot do anything with dairy. I would recommend eating very clean and start adding back slowly.
It will be worth it when you don't have pain, bloat, etc.0 -
For me, eating lighter has made a huge difference. I still have issues from time to time, usually around that time of the month, but it has gotten so much better. I did not cut out carbs or sugar or go completely whole food route. I just stopped eating really heavy stuff and really acidic stuff like red pasta sauce or greasy stuff. Oddly, green juice will get me every time. So I use it now when I'm on the other end of it.0
-
I just got this information from my doctor last week when I mentioned I've had severe cramps from IBS for a while. Google FODMAP diet.
From WikiPedia but I've read a book and many articles that confirm the accuracy of this information:
"FODMAPs are short chain carbohydrates (oligosaccharides), disaccharides, monosaccharides and related alcohols that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. These include short chain (oligo-) saccharide polymers of fructose (fructans) and galactose (galactans), disaccharides (lactose), monosaccharides (fructose), and sugar alcohols (polyols) such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol.
The term FODMAP is an acronym, deriving from "Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols." These carbohydrates are commonly found in the modern western diet. The restriction of these FODMAPs from the diet has been found to have a beneficial effect for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The low FODMAP diet was developed at Monash University in Melbourne by Peter Gibson and Susan Shepherd.[1][2] Since the development the diet has been studied for its efficacy for individuals with FGID and is now considered beneficial to be commonly recommended for individuals with FGID.[3]"
I'm just starting this but the anecdotal evidence from people who have been helped significantly is amazing.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions