IBS Sufferers

gale1089

I have IBS with constipation and am taking Miralax, GasX, and a strong probiotic. If I feel myself getting too constipated I will drink an herbal laxative tea before bed. I was initially so backed up that i went to the ER and thinking it was something more serious. So I definitely don't want to wind up back there. I was only diagnosed about a month ago, and though i am feeling much better, I still have pain, bloating and discomfort. I'm still at the point where I think it could be a more serious issue, since it has been a month already. Has anyone experienced pelvic pain or pain on their right side? My doctor said it was due to the constipation and a pulled muscle, but I'm not so sure. I did figure out that apples (which I love) are a trigger for me. I had a small one Sunday and was so bloated come Monday :grumble:

patsypooter

I have IBS with constipation and am taking Miralax, GasX, and a strong probiotic. If I feel myself getting too constipated I will drink an herbal laxative tea before bed. I was initially so backed up that i went to the ER and thinking it was something more serious. So I definitely don't want to wind up back there. I was only diagnosed about a month ago, and though i am feeling much better, I still have pain, bloating and discomfort. I'm still at the point where I think it could be a more serious issue, since it has been a month already. Has anyone experienced pelvic pain or pain on their right side? My doctor said it was due to the constipation and a pulled muscle, but I'm not so sure. I did figure out that apples (which I love) are a trigger for me. I had a small one Sunday and was so bloated come Monday :grumble:

Apples were one of the first foods that I had to eliminate! All high fructose fruits cause me troubles but especially apples. I am missing fruit something fierce right now but I'm hoping those cravings will go away at some point.

I get my pain and pressure and discomfort mostly on my left side, sometimes on the right. From what I've read most people experience pain on the left side BUT it is also very common to experience it on the right side as well.

IBS is the worst and the symptoms tend to vary from person to person!! It's insane.

Today I feel even better and last night I went to bed with no pressure or discomfort in my stomach. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much but I'm really hoping that I've finally found out what I can eat without causing problems.

patsypooter

Currently trying a diet for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth) to see if it works. I'm at my wits end about my IBS. I'm desperate to try anything that might work. Diary free, gluten free and sugar free and that will include fruits. I am on day two of sugar free (was already dairy and gluten free) and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! The constant pressure and discomfort I was feeling is almost entirely gone. I've been able to sleep comfortably the past two nights. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but if I can figure out a diet to manage this I will be ecstatic. It's hard because when I go to peoples houses or to restaurants I basically have to make my meal ahead of time. Worth it if I can figure this out. So tired of feeling sick all the time. And a full blown IBS attack I would not wish on my worst enemy... the pain is blinding. I'll do absolutely anything to prevent another attack from happening.

Have you tried regular doses of psylium fiber? I just take 2 caplets every day and it keeps me "normal". I also take fennel to help digestion, which seems to be a good link in the chain to keeps things operating. For me, my morning workouts help a lot. My body seems to really like the intense movement in the morning.

If all else fails, try a week on Miralax. It sucks but it works. Sorry you're having such trouble lately.

Hey thanks for your comment. I appreciate it! I've tried psyllium fiber and it made my symptoms worse if anything. I can't overdo it on the fiber. I don't have IBS diarhea, I have IBS alternating between d and c but mostly I just experience pain and bloating.
They recommend fiber for IBS but then sometimes it has the opposite effect. It's really a confusing illness! SO little is really known about it. Frustrating for sure.

patsypooter

I've had digestion problems for years as well, from top to bottom. Was told by GP it was IBS and I needed more fiber, however, the more fiber I ate, the worse my symptoms got. Plus I really think GP's will just throw that answer at anything they can't figure out when it comes to digestion. Started having some really bad "episodes" and decided to get my "free" colonoscopy since I was over 40 but since I presented with symptoms, it became a not free colonoscopy, but I digress, found out I have microscopic colitis and gastritis and GERD (I actually had an endoscopy at the same time). Luckily I tested negative for celiac and Crohn's.

My point of this post is for those of you still suffering, I would strongly suggest going to a good gut doctor, it may not be IBS. The medication for my particular colitis was way too expensive for me so I just try to manage it with food. Although when I'm having bouts of it, everything seems to go right through and rather quickly :blushing: no matter what I eat. But the higher my protein and fat and lower the carbs, the better for me. Especially carbs from wheat, not sure if it's the gluten, the fiber or sugar that irritates my system, but I'm better off without it and I take Metamucil every night, which seems to help. For instance, cereal of any kind will make me sicker than a dog, period. I've tested it many times, however, oatmeal is fine. I don't know if this helps anybody, but for years I just thought I had IBS and "had to live with it" now I know it's microscopic colitis and I still have to live with it, but there are options and medication and there are other diagnosis than just the standard IBS.

It's so nice to hear from people who know what I'm going through. I also can't take fiber suppliments, I tried that hoping it would help and it made it worse. There's so precious little known about IBS and yes so many diseases get mistakenly identified as IBS. I do not trust my family doctor, where I live I was lucky to find any doctor at all because there is such a shortage. I have a lead on a gastroentologist who might be able to see me. If I can't get this figured out with diet then I need to go to specialists. However my lovely family doctor DOES NOT want to refer me to anyone because "it's just IBS." If he experienced the pain of even one attack he would not brush it off so lightly.

So far my dairy, gluten and sugar free diet is really working. I had gone sugar free but ate low fructose fruits and indulged once in awhile with some sugar. Nope. Can't do that. I've been doing lots of reading on sugar free fruit free diets to cure the problems in the gut and I'm so desperate that I am going to give it an honest try for a year. Apparently it's recommended to stay on the diet for 2-3 years to heal the gut. I am aiming for a year.

Runfaster14

Currently trying a diet for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth) to see if it works. I'm at my wits end about my IBS. I'm desperate to try anything that might work. Diary free, gluten free and sugar free and that will include fruits. I am on day two of sugar free (was already dairy and gluten free) and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! The constant pressure and discomfort I was feeling is almost entirely gone. I've been able to sleep comfortably the past two nights. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but if I can figure out a diet to manage this I will be ecstatic. It's hard because when I go to peoples houses or to restaurants I basically have to make my meal ahead of time. Worth it if I can figure this out. So tired of feeling sick all the time. And a full blown IBS attack I would not wish on my worst enemy... the pain is blinding. I'll do absolutely anything to prevent another attack from happening.

Have you tried regular doses of psylium fiber? I just take 2 caplets every day and it keeps me "normal". I also take fennel to help digestion, which seems to be a good link in the chain to keeps things operating. For me, my morning workouts help a lot. My body seems to really like the intense movement in the morning.

If all else fails, try a week on Miralax. It sucks but it works. Sorry you're having such trouble lately.

Hey thanks for your comment. I appreciate it! I've tried psyllium fiber and it made my symptoms worse if anything. I can't overdo it on the fiber. I don't have IBS diarhea, I have IBS alternating between d and c but mostly I just experience pain and bloating.
They recommend fiber for IBS but then sometimes it has the opposite effect. It's really a confusing illness! SO little is really known about it. Frustrating for sure.

I am very much in the same boat as you. Absolutely no dairy, gluten free and most fruits are off limits or I won't poop for a week. Very frustrating. Also no broccoli, cauliflower, etc. I drink at least a gallon of water a day, take a strong probiotic - at least 20 Billion, and I have just learned what affects me. I do have pain on my right side, mostly when I am ovulating and constipated/bloated at the same time. Much less recently since I have been really cutting out things that are triggers. Fake sugars of any kind are a huge trigger. And they are in everything. Carraggenen is also a trigger for me and is in A LOT of things including non-dairy milk alternatives. You may want to look at that as well. Recent research is turning up some interesting results. I can eat a salad but only with oil and vinegar dressing. I have not found a fiber supplement I can take either. A lot of them have sugar substitutes in them or other unsightly additives. Even the plain ones don't seem to help. The only "gluten free" product I will eat regulary is a bagel thin in the morning with avacado on it. I don't use the substitute "gluten free" products except for cookies every once in a while or I will make a cake for special occassions.
Not everyone agrees but the book wheat belly did help me. Pick and choose through the recipes for your triggers but many of the recipes have been OK for me and nice to mix up the diet. Good luck! Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. I don't really post but you can follow my diet if you need ideas. Never know what will help.

Runfaster14

Currently trying a diet for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth) to see if it works. I'm at my wits end about my IBS. I'm desperate to try anything that might work. Diary free, gluten free and sugar free and that will include fruits. I am on day two of sugar free (was already dairy and gluten free) and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! The constant pressure and discomfort I was feeling is almost entirely gone. I've been able to sleep comfortably the past two nights. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but if I can figure out a diet to manage this I will be ecstatic. It's hard because when I go to peoples houses or to restaurants I basically have to make my meal ahead of time. Worth it if I can figure this out. So tired of feeling sick all the time. And a full blown IBS attack I would not wish on my worst enemy... the pain is blinding. I'll do absolutely anything to prevent another attack from happening.

Have you tried regular doses of psylium fiber? I just take 2 caplets every day and it keeps me "normal". I also take fennel to help digestion, which seems to be a good link in the chain to keeps things operating. For me, my morning workouts help a lot. My body seems to really like the intense movement in the morning.

If all else fails, try a week on Miralax. It sucks but it works. Sorry you're having such trouble lately.

Hey thanks for your comment. I appreciate it! I've tried psyllium fiber and it made my symptoms worse if anything. I can't overdo it on the fiber. I don't have IBS diarhea, I have IBS alternating between d and c but mostly I just experience pain and bloating.
They recommend fiber for IBS but then sometimes it has the opposite effect. It's really a confusing illness! SO little is really known about it. Frustrating for sure.

I am very much in the same boat as you. Absolutely no dairy, gluten free and most fruits are off limits or I won't poop for a week. Very frustrating. Also no broccoli, cauliflower, etc. I drink at least a gallon of water a day, take a strong probiotic - at least 20 Billion, and I have just learned what affects me. I do have pain on my right side, mostly when I am ovulating and constipated/bloated at the same time. Much less recently since I have been really cutting out things that are triggers. Fake sugars of any kind are a huge trigger. And they are in everything. Carraggenen is also a trigger for me and is in A LOT of things including non-dairy milk alternatives. You may want to look at that as well. Recent research is turning up some interesting results. I can eat a salad but only with oil and vinegar dressing. I have not found a fiber supplement I can take either. A lot of them have sugar substitutes in them or other unsightly additives. Even the plain ones don't seem to help. The only "gluten free" product I will eat regulary is a bagel thin in the morning with avacado on it. I don't use the substitute "gluten free" products except for cookies every once in a while or I will make a cake for special occassions.
Not everyone agrees but the book wheat belly did help me. Pick and choose through the recipes for your triggers but many of the recipes have been OK for me and nice to mix up the diet. Good luck! Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. I don't really post but you can follow my diet if you need ideas. Never know what will help.

Forgot to mention I always have some Gas Relief pills in the cupboard as well as stool softener. Usually they help in a day.

JaneLane33

Stress and anxiety were always the triggers for me. More so than food. stress is a vicious cycle and the mind and gut can go back and forth with each other. in that you are worried about work so then your digestion gets off, then you worry about that which causes further digestion issues, then you miss work because you didn't feel well and round and round it goes.
I meditate or relax and imagine every day at least in the morning and evenings before sleep. sometimes in the middle of the afternoon. I find a quiet place and then imagine a place I'd rather be. I get really detailed on how the sand of the beach looks and the ocean waves. there are youtube videos of relaxing sounds.
I still have to take Metamucil though and I don't mind the orange drink. They do make it in a caplet form just make sure to drink plenty of water with it.

corgarian

I was recently diagnosed with IBS, and I took some time to evaluate what I ate and found out that my BIG triggers were Chick Peas, and suagr. The chick peas were a hard blow to me because I'm a vegetarian and I looooove anything made out of chick peas. The suagr isnt as big a deal to me because I'm cutting it for weight loss anyways, but whenever I let meself have a dessert or something I always bloat up like a baloon and have cramps for hours.

Since figuring out which foods I react the worst to and removing them from my diet I've been doing great.

ythannah

I was diagnosed with IBS back when I was 17 or 18 (they called it "spastic colon" in those days). Also lactose intolerant.

I had a pretty good handle on it until perimenopause, when everything I thought I knew about my body turned upside down. :huh:

I've eaten mainly pescetarian for years, as animal protein is a major trigger. Difficult to share meals with my carnivorous SO, however, so I do consume tiny amounts of meat and poultry -- although last time I ate a significant amount of chicken (probably half a normal portion), I ended up with diarrhea for 3 days, so I'm going to be more diligent now.

gfnicole

I have Celiac and had SIBO, I also follow the SCD diet. Do you eat the homemade yougurt? That should help a lot, you can make it with almond milk if you have dairy issues.

ColeCake292012

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with constipation??

I am still "going" regularly but I'm still absolutely constipated. I'm really not sure what else I can do, I don't want to start taking laxatives.

I drink a glass of skim milk. That helps. Especially if my lactose intolerance is acting up.

albayin

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with constipation??

I am still "going" regularly but I'm still absolutely constipated. I'm really not sure what else I can do, I don't want to start taking laxatives.

I drink a glass of skim milk. That helps. Especially if my lactose intolerance is acting up.

fat, lifting weight and running helps me big time...

patsypooter

Currently trying a diet for SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth) to see if it works. I'm at my wits end about my IBS. I'm desperate to try anything that might work. Diary free, gluten free and sugar free and that will include fruits. I am on day two of sugar free (was already dairy and gluten free) and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! The constant pressure and discomfort I was feeling is almost entirely gone. I've been able to sleep comfortably the past two nights. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but if I can figure out a diet to manage this I will be ecstatic. It's hard because when I go to peoples houses or to restaurants I basically have to make my meal ahead of time. Worth it if I can figure this out. So tired of feeling sick all the time. And a full blown IBS attack I would not wish on my worst enemy... the pain is blinding. I'll do absolutely anything to prevent another attack from happening.

Have you tried regular doses of psylium fiber? I just take 2 caplets every day and it keeps me "normal". I also take fennel to help digestion, which seems to be a good link in the chain to keeps things operating. For me, my morning workouts help a lot. My body seems to really like the intense movement in the morning.

If all else fails, try a week on Miralax. It sucks but it works. Sorry you're having such trouble lately.

Hey thanks for your comment. I appreciate it! I've tried psyllium fiber and it made my symptoms worse if anything. I can't overdo it on the fiber. I don't have IBS diarhea, I have IBS alternating between d and c but mostly I just experience pain and bloating.
They recommend fiber for IBS but then sometimes it has the opposite effect. It's really a confusing illness! SO little is really known about it. Frustrating for sure.

I am very much in the same boat as you. Absolutely no dairy, gluten free and most fruits are off limits or I won't poop for a week. Very frustrating. Also no broccoli, cauliflower, etc. I drink at least a gallon of water a day, take a strong probiotic - at least 20 Billion, and I have just learned what affects me. I do have pain on my right side, mostly when I am ovulating and constipated/bloated at the same time. Much less recently since I have been really cutting out things that are triggers. Fake sugars of any kind are a huge trigger. And they are in everything. Carraggenen is also a trigger for me and is in A LOT of things including non-dairy milk alternatives. You may want to look at that as well. Recent research is turning up some interesting results. I can eat a salad but only with oil and vinegar dressing. I have not found a fiber supplement I can take either. A lot of them have sugar substitutes in them or other unsightly additives. Even the plain ones don't seem to help. The only "gluten free" product I will eat regulary is a bagel thin in the morning with avacado on it. I don't use the substitute "gluten free" products except for cookies every once in a while or I will make a cake for special occassions.
Not everyone agrees but the book wheat belly did help me. Pick and choose through the recipes for your triggers but many of the recipes have been OK for me and nice to mix up the diet. Good luck! Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. I don't really post but you can follow my diet if you need ideas. Never know what will help.

I just added you to friends You'll see that my diet is pretty strict, I feel GREAT though! I am only very rarely getting any IBS symptoms and compare that to before when IBS was ruining my life, well it's an amazing improvement. I don't eat anything that's processed because all the preservatives really make me feel like crap. MSG bothers me or possibly carageenan, I avoid them all just to be safe.

It is hard to go without sugar, I was really relying on my low fructose fruits before to get through the cravings. For now I am drinking DIet Pepsi in small amounts and it's helping a lot for me to get through the cravings but I do not plan to be consuming aspartame for much longer so eventually I have to just get used to life without any sweetness.

patsypooter

Stress and anxiety were always the triggers for me. More so than food. stress is a vicious cycle and the mind and gut can go back and forth with each other. in that you are worried about work so then your digestion gets off, then you worry about that which causes further digestion issues, then you miss work because you didn't feel well and round and round it goes.
I meditate or relax and imagine every day at least in the morning and evenings before sleep. sometimes in the middle of the afternoon. I find a quiet place and then imagine a place I'd rather be. I get really detailed on how the sand of the beach looks and the ocean waves. there are youtube videos of relaxing sounds.
I still have to take Metamucil though and I don't mind the orange drink. They do make it in a caplet form just make sure to drink plenty of water with it.

I've definitely noticed some kind of connection between stress and IBS but I have to say that food is my big enemy here. If I eat a trigger food I'll be in hell within 30-120 minutes. The pain I get during those attacks is not something I want to live with.

I've been trying meditation and breathing exercises. I might try yoga at some point.

patsypooter

I was recently diagnosed with IBS, and I took some time to evaluate what I ate and found out that my BIG triggers were Chick Peas, and suagr. The chick peas were a hard blow to me because I'm a vegetarian and I looooove anything made out of chick peas. The suagr isnt as big a deal to me because I'm cutting it for weight loss anyways, but whenever I let meself have a dessert or something I always bloat up like a baloon and have cramps for hours.

Since figuring out which foods I react the worst to and removing them from my diet I've been doing great.

So glad you found your triggers. It sucks that both of your triggers are so tasty, that's for sure.

It's really not worth it to eat the sugar, is it? Sugar has always been a big weakness of mine so for my friends and family to know I do not eat sugar at all anymore, they realize that something must be wrong with me to take such drastic action.

I was diagnosed with IBS back when I was 17 or 18 (they called it "spastic colon" in those days). Also lactose intolerant.

I had a pretty good handle on it until perimenopause, when everything I thought I knew about my body turned upside down. :huh:

I've eaten mainly pescetarian for years, as animal protein is a major trigger. Difficult to share meals with my carnivorous SO, however, so I do consume tiny amounts of meat and poultry -- although last time I ate a significant amount of chicken (probably half a normal portion), I ended up with diarrhea for 3 days, so I'm going to be more diligent now.

It looks like I can't tolerate red meat at all, so I've been avoiding pork and beef and yes I feel for you, it is hard to smell my husbands steak and I'm eating my haddock. I have never been a big fish eater before IBS struck but now I can only really eat chicken or fish so I've added it to my diet. I haven't experienced any problems from eating chicken, thankfully. I find it interesting that the diet I am eating now and doing extremely well on is a diet that is very close to what my ancestors (Irish) would have been eating thousands of years ago. Perhaps it is as simple as eating for your ancestry type and avoiding foods that are not native to where your ancestors come from. I have no idea but from what I have read IBS seems to be drastically different from person to person and everyones food triggers will be different.

loserviolet

My main trigger is beer. If I drank the night before, I often can't eat for a day or two because of the amount of discomfort I experience. Since Sunday, I'm experiencing nausea. I can't eat without feeling sick, but I'm so hungry. I don't know what to do.

Have you tried gluten free beer such as Omission and Red Bridge? I personally prefer omission. If the gluten free ones still make you feel sick, I wonder about carbonation. Do you drink soda? If I have gas, a little soda water can help me not feel bloated so badly, but if I drink too much bubbly, I feel worse! After that, it is possible you are allergic to something specifically beer- hops, perhaps? My dad is, and beer makes him SUPER sick. Hope this helps.