IBS GUIDE/Information for people who have Irritable Bowel

santon53

I am 59 years old and had my first attach at 27 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times for lower GI bleeding. I have had about 6 colonoscopies in my life time and they always tell me that i have irratable bowel and ulcerative colitis. Last year was the worse episode as I was found on the floor passed out after bloody diarrhia episode. For me I was so depressed and read everything I could. I decided to go 30 days without dairy and wheat. i felt so go after 2 weeks. Then I added back the dairy and had no problem. Next was the wheat and after 3 days back to where i had been with cramping and constipation. IBS is not fun and as you age it gets worse. Not sure if this helped but for me I have been 8 months doing very well. Maybe you have other food sensitivities.

redredy9

I am trying to figure out whats going on with me and think I may have IBS.

My symptoms have been coming and going for the past 2 years. Stress and apperantly exercise seem to be my main triggers. I generally eat a mostly healthy well balanced diet.

I had a really bad episode yesterday after running a half marathon but my symtoms are not limited to post-exercise only. I have consistently been having 2-3 "bad" days for the past couple of months.

My symptoms are stomach ache, stomach soreness, diarhea, painful gas, bloating, and cramping.

I am in training for my first marathon in 3 weeks and can not afford to reduce the exercise. I just want to get this under control. I eat heathy and when I am having a flare up try to stick to rice, mashed potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, bread, rice soup with chicken and other foods that I hope will be gentle to my stomach. I don't know if this actually helps or not but the pain & other symptoms usually go away within 24-48 hours.

I am miserable on the "white food diet" though. Its so boring and I worry about not meeting all my nutritional requirements (especially protein).

I haven't gone to the doctor - but am a bit hesitant to because I am afraid it will just be a waste of my time. If it is IBS - are they going to be able to do or prescribe anything about it?

econut2000

I am trying to figure out whats going on with me and think I may have IBS.

My symptoms have been coming and going for the past 2 years. Stress and apperantly exercise seem to be my main triggers. I generally eat a mostly healthy well balanced diet.

I had a really bad episode yesterday after running a half marathon but my symtoms are not limited to post-exercise only. I have consistently been having 2-3 "bad" days for the past couple of months.

My symptoms are stomach ache, stomach soreness, diarhea, painful gas, bloating, and cramping.

I am in training for my first marathon in 3 weeks and can not afford to reduce the exercise. I just want to get this under control. I eat heathy and when I am having a flare up try to stick to rice, mashed potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, bread, rice soup with chicken and other foods that I hope will be gentle to my stomach. I don't know if this actually helps or not but the pain & other symptoms usually go away within 24-48 hours.

I am miserable on the "white food diet" though. Its so boring and I worry about not meeting all my nutritional requirements (especially protein).

I haven't gone to the doctor - but am a bit hesitant to because I am afraid it will just be a waste of my time. If it is IBS - are they going to be able to do or prescribe anything about it?

Go to the doctor!!!! It could be IBS or it could be something else....you won't know until you get checked. There are meds they can prescribe if it is IBS - they work for some people. Good luck!

grawkgrawk

To econut2000,
I also agree about going to the doctor. If the doctor doesn't sound very concerned/helpful, then see a different doctor.
(But don't just expect to get meds for it. Lots of things can be fixed without meds and your doctor can try and help you solve the underlying problem, not just the symptoms.)

From my personal experience:
*If* it is IBS, and *if* it stress related, your doctor might recommend you see a psychologist or something similar. I found a psychologist to be really helpful. It's not looking at ink blots, it's more like mental coaching. And it doesn't have to be long term therapy, it might just be 3 sessions or so.

If you do go see a doctor, you could take a bit of a diary before you go (or just print out MFP!). Keep daily notes on whatever you think is relevant. This might include what you eat, when you eat it, how stressed you are, your exercise, whether you stayed home or went to work, etc etc. and of course your symptoms.

redredy9

Thanks - I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist next week. Until then I am going to be keeping notes in my diary. Its so strange. The things that bother me sometimes are totally fine other times.

vanessamcinnis

I am trying to figure out whats going on with me and think I may have IBS.

My symptoms have been coming and going for the past 2 years. Stress and apperantly exercise seem to be my main triggers. I generally eat a mostly healthy well balanced diet.

I had a really bad episode yesterday after running a half marathon but my symtoms are not limited to post-exercise only. I have consistently been having 2-3 "bad" days for the past couple of months.

My symptoms are stomach ache, stomach soreness, diarhea, painful gas, bloating, and cramping.

I am in training for my first marathon in 3 weeks and can not afford to reduce the exercise. I just want to get this under control. I eat heathy and when I am having a flare up try to stick to rice, mashed potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, bread, rice soup with chicken and other foods that I hope will be gentle to my stomach. I don't know if this actually helps or not but the pain & other symptoms usually go away within 24-48 hours.

I am miserable on the "white food diet" though. Its so boring and I worry about not meeting all my nutritional requirements (especially protein).

I haven't gone to the doctor - but am a bit hesitant to because I am afraid it will just be a waste of my time. If it is IBS - are they going to be able to do or prescribe anything about it?

I don't think it would be a waste of time to find out whats wrong with you. If I were you I would go to the Doctor. Is could be something else and not IBS. Ask your Doctor if you could get a colonoscopy done. It could be different where you live. But for me my doctor had to get permission from a gastroenterologist to get a colonoscopy done. The colonscopy could be the best thing for you because it can determine what you have. They will take a biospy that could help determine what you have. All your symptoms sound like IBS. It took me years to decide to go to the Doctor. I just delt with the pain until I had a really bad episode and was crying on the toilet in pain. Right now I don't have medical benefits so the doctor told me to take a generic name brand of imodium. I just got benefits waiting for them to kick in then I might go get a prescription. The book I bought that has a ton of information says try not to rely on medication for pain. You should learn how to control it. So that's what I am trying to do. If I were you I would go to the Doctor.

Jen0414

I think I have IBS. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for the end of this month.

My symptoms are almost daily and are bloating, cramping, gas, stomach aches, diarrhea and constipation.
I know stress is a trigger as well as exercise. I have cut out dairy no for 2 weeks and haven't noticed any change.

I am trying to get my stess under control but it's hard when my symptoms cause a lot of stress.

Please feel free to friend request me.

BubblySharon

I have had IBS all my life, just didn't have it confirmed until about 7 yrs ago when they finally listened to me. As a kid I was always constipated, didn't matter what I did. Then when I got pregnant for the first time it changed and I was totally regular... until I gave birth. 3 more pregnancies and pretty much the same thing... then it went to the opposite. I am still figuring out all my triggers, but with the breakfast I have been having lately it seems to be helping. I have oatmeal with holy crap cereal and nutracleanse in it. Gives me the fibre I need as well as some other added benefits. I've been doing this for about 4 months now and I haven't had nearly as many flare ups where I'm either in the washroom all day or not being able to go at all. Anyone who wants to add me, please feel free

Athena98501

I deal with Constipation Predominant IBS, and would like other IBS-C sufferers to friend me. :flowerforyou:

Any IBS-C sufferers found reliable relief? A number of measures have provided relief for a time, and then it's back to square one even while still using them. :grumble:

lisaj950

I have IBS-C and have dealt with it and the pain for over 15 years. I have found that following the rules according to Heather's book (helpforibs.org) has been a life saver. Yes, I have either oatmeal, white bread (homemade), white rice or potato as the base of each meal. However this has helped me get rid of the pain and finally lose weight. I exercise, watch my calories and portion control and it works. Some think that since they are eating "white bread and starches" that they ill gain weight. I have not. You have to do what works for your body. I still get my veggies and protein, I just have to have the protection of the "soluble" fiber in my gut. Not every rule will work for all. (I drink coffee and eat eggs/yogurt/cheese) but you can tweak it to what works for you. Everyone should visit her website.

Teresaj_21

Hey everyone I too have had IBS for about 12 years now and it sucks. I have found it to be a very personal disorder and what works for one may not work for another. But I found a book called Eating For IBS, when I was very sick and it really helped me get everything back on track then I was able to slowly add some foods back in and test which ones were the worst for me. I too find stress to be my main trigger. I have had no success with supplements or medications other than an all natural pro biotic but even that I am not sure made a huge difference. The biggest thing for me is no red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) no fatty foods and limited dairy. The meat thins is a major trigger for me. Again the book that helped me was Eating for IBS by Heather Van Vorous. I think it is worth a read plus it has a lot of recipes which is helpful as sometimes I am at a loss as to what to eat when I really want one of my bad foods.and explained why those foods made me sick so I could find substitutes like wild game instead of red meat.

espomama12

vanessamcinnis wrote: »

What was the name of the book and who is the author. That would probably be a more simple solution.

The book is called "IBS RELIEF" -A complete approach to managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Its the updated and expanded second edition. The author is Dawn Burstall, R.D, T. Michael Vallis, Ph.D, and Geoffery K Turnball, M.D

Thanks for sharing

espomama12

I think I might have IBS. Did you guys give up coffee? I'm going to have to reduce my caffeine and dairy intake and see if it helps. I'm also going to start drinking peppermint tea. I'm looking for other tips and friend requests.

elphie754

espomama12 wrote: »

I think I might have IBS. Did you guys give up coffee? I'm going to have to reduce my caffeine and dairy intake and see if it helps. I'm also going to start drinking peppermint tea. I'm looking for other tips and friend requests.

This thread is over 3 years old. I doubt anyone from the first conversation is still here.